Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the Bronx Library Center

The New York Public Library welcomes people from all backgrounds and celebrates the rich and multicultural diversity that defines our city. National Hispanic Heritage Month, taking place between September 15 and October 15, kicks off festivities at the Library that will celebrate these cultures throughout the year through virtual programming, blog posts, and book lists. Below are some of the ways the Bronx Library Center is observing Hispanic Heritage Month.

We invite you to watch this virtual tour of the Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Center by Diana Hernandez of the Bronx Library Center. The tour is in Spanish with English subtitles.

The Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Center is located on the reference floor of the Bronx Library Center and currently features the art of Olga Ayala, a self-avowed Nuyorican whose work is influenced by Puerto Rican and African culture. One of Olga’s influences growing up was her mother, as she too was an artist. Olga’s parents nurtured her interest in the arts and exposed her to a myriad of inspiration by taking her to museums and exhibitions.

The Center also houses the Latin and Puerto Rican Heritage Collection—an extensive library of Latinx and Puerto Rican literature that covers influential people including librarians, historians, and activists among many others. 

Join us for these upcoming programs celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Find more programs hosted by Bronx Library Center here.

• Celebrating the life and legacy of Pura Belpré, Ambassador of Puerto Rican Folklore Exhibit & Presentation by Anibal Arocho on Friday, September 10, 2021, 5 - 6 PM
• Bilingual Storytime  Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 11 - 11:45 AM
• Young Adult Books that celebrate Hispanic Heritage/ Latinx Month on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, 4 - 5 PM

Finally, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we'd like to share a few book selections by Latinx authors:

Outlaw: The Collected Works of Miguel Pinero

Part observer, part participant in the turbulent goings-on in his Nuyorican barrio, Miguel Pinero blasted onto the literary scene and made waves in the artistic current with his dramatic interpretations of the world around him through experimental poetry, prose, and plays. Portrayed by actor Benjamin Bratt in the 2001 feature film Pinero, the poet's works are as rough and gritty as the New York City underworld he wrote about and loved.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz Oscar

A sweet but disastrously overweight ghetto nerd who—from the New Jersey home he shares with his Old World mother and rebellious sister—dreams of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien and, most of all, finding love. But Oscar may never get what he wants.

Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

On her twelfth birthday, Sierva Maria—the only child of a decaying noble family in an eighteenth-century South American seaport—is bitten by a rabid dog. Believed to be possessed, she is brought to a convent for observation.

Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera 

Juliet Milagros Palante is leaving the Bronx and headed to Portland, Oregon. She just came out to her family and isn’t sure if her mom will ever speak to her again. But Juliet has a plan, sort of, one that’s going to help her figure out this whole “Puerto Rican lesbian” thing. She’s interning with the author of her favorite book: Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women’s bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff. Will Juliet be able to figure out her life over the course of one magical summer? Is that even possible? Or is she running away from all the problems that seem too big to handle? With more questions than answers, Juliet takes on Portland, Harlowe, and most importantly, herself.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.