Celebrating More Trailblazing Latinx Librarians
Celebrating More Trailblazing Latinx Librarians
Sunday, September 15th marked the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 (September 15–October 15). This year’s theme is "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” For this newsletter, I have chosen books about pioneering librarians whose work shaped the future of young children by connecting them to stories and books that affirm their cultural heritage.
Joyful Reading!
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Eric Velásquez
This powerfully illustrated book, written in free verse poems, chronicles the life and times of Arturo A. Schomburg (1874 - 1938), whose dedication to documenting the history and contributions of Africans and the peoples of the African diaspora. Growing up as a child in Puerto Rico, Schomburg is deeply impacted by a teacher who tells him that Africans and their descendants have no history. From that point forward, he begins to collect material to document their history and accomplishments. As an adult he moved to New York City and became even more inspired by the scholars, poets, authors, and artists of the Harlem Renaissance. As his collection continued to grow, he eventually approached the New York Public Library to acquire his collection, which is now known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Eric Velásquez’s richly textured oil painting illustrations beautifully capture the details of turn of the century life.
Eric Velásquez recorded several videos on The Legacy of Arturo Schomburg on his Meet the Author page for Colorín Colorado (a bilingual site for educators and families of English language learners).
Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Shaped Libraries with her Stories
Written by Annette Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales
This book tells the story of Pura Belpré, who transformed storytelling at the New York Public Library. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Pura grew up listening to the stories of her Abuela. As a young woman she left the island and moved to New York, where she was hired to read stories at the 135 Street Branch Library (now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture). Pura quickly becomes frustrated by the library rule that she only read books to the children, none of which had the stories of her childhood. Pura eventually breaks the rules and begins to tell the stories of her childhood which are loved by library patrons young and old. Annette Bay Pimentel’s gentle narrative, accented with Spanish words, is beautifully supported by Magaly Morales’ vibrant, deeply saturated illustrations that feature the critters of Puerto Rico, the New York hustle and bustle, and the richness of the library interiors.
This bilingual Pura Belpré Mini Documentary details her lasting impact on the communities she served.
Another wonderful book about Pura Belpre’s legacy: Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré.
Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built
Written by Angela Burke Kunkel, Illustrated by Paola Escobar
This inspiring book tells the story of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a trash collector in Bogotá, Columbia, who created a neighborhood library from discarded books found on his route. Inspired by the first book he found, Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy, which he read over and over again, José sought to find more books to share the power that he found in words with his community. The book also highlights the ways in which readers are taken to magical places through books, as Paola Escobar’s whimsical illustrations transport readers to Russian ballrooms and the “the magical village” of Macondo, juxtaposed with the hustle and bustle of the working-class neighborhood in Bogotá. The aftermatter chronicles José Alberto Gutiérrez’s efforts to support his community through access to books.
Entre-Vistas con Alma de País hoy: José Alberto Gutiérrez Sandoval, El Señor de los Libros (Spanish interview)
Watch this short Game Changer video that features José Alberto Gutiérrez (with English subtitles).
Beyond the Books
Libraries, museums, community and cultural centers around the country will provide special programming throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino has created a comprehensive website that includes content on art, food, culture, and educational resources. In addition, the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have created a multimedia website that pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
PBS has created a comprehensive Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month website that includes film clips, full length documentaries, and much more.