Monthlong series invites all ages to explore Hispanic and Latine culture through storytelling, music, dance, art, food and shared experiences
El sistema de bibliotecas públicas del condado de Adams, Anythink Bibliotecas, está celebrando Mes de la Herencia Hispana from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 with free programs, experiences, stories and reading recommendations honoring the cultures, histories and contributions of Hispanic and Latine communities. Programs for children, teens, adults and families will take place across all eight of Anythink’s locations (including the newly opened Biblioteca de la Naturaleza), with experiences offered in English and Spanish.
This month carries particular significance in Adams County, Colorado’s largest minority-majority county, where 44.7% of residents are Hispanic or Latine and 42.5% are non-Hispanic white, according to the la Oficina del Censo de EE.UU.. Nearly three in 10 residents speak a language other than English at home.
“Representation is not a seasonal initiative; it is part of how we serve our community every day,” said Paola Vilaxa, Director of DEIB and Community Engagement at Anythink Libraries. “In a majority-minority county, inclusion is making sure people can find staff who speak their language, collections that reflect their experiences, and programs and gathering places that celebrate the cultures shaping Adams County. Hispanic Heritage Month gives us a joyful opportunity to elevate that work while inviting neighbors to learn from and celebrate one another.”
That commitment extends year-round. Bilingual staff help deliver programs and services in English and Spanish, while Anythink ofrece nearly 180,000 Spanish-language books and materials for adults, teens and children, along with digital resources such as referencia latina, Salud en español and more than 90,000 Spanish-language books and audiobooks through Hoopla y 4,000 en Libby. Anythink also hosts two locations of the Latina- and women-owned Café sabor latino at Anythink Wright Farms y Anythink Nature Library, bringing Puerto Rican and Salvadoran flavors into welcoming community gathering spaces.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the cultures and stories that help shape Adams County,” said Mark Fink, Executive Director of Anythink Libraries. “These programs invite people of all ages to create, learn and connect through shared experiences.”
Through music, storytelling, dance, visual art, food and writing, the lineup creates opportunities for neighbors to learn from one another, share traditions and build stronger community connections.
Featured Hispanic Heritage Month programs include:
- Septiembre 15: Hispanic Heritage T-Shirt Design Workshop at Anythink Perl Mack
- Septiembre 17: Noche de Cuentos at Anythink Perl Mack
- Septiembre 19: Fiesta vecinal del Mes de la Herencia Hispana at Anythink Brighton
- Septiembre 19: Papel Amate with Luna Cultura at Anythink Nature Library
- Septiembre 19: Mariachi Celebration at Anythink Perl Mack
- Septiembre 21: Taller de decoración de pasteles con bordado mexicano at Anythink Commerce City
- Septiembre 21: Explorando la identidad a través de la poesía y la escritura de memorias. at Anythink Brighton
- Septiembre 23: Cocinar para niños (making mole and crispy corn cakes) at Anythink Thornton Community Center
- Septiembre 26: ritmo latino dance class at Anythink Huron Street
- Septiembre 30: Art & Tradition: Chicos Nichos with Chicano Humanities Arts Council at Anythink Huron Street
- Oct. 3: Latine Cultural Day at Anythink Wright Farms
- Oct. 3: Group Tlaloc Dance Performance at Anythink Nature Library
- Oct. 3: Dances of Latin America at Anythink Commerce City
- Oct. 3: The Legend of Kokopelli at Anythink Nature Library
- Oct. 10: Paint Your Own Milagrito Mexicano! at Anythink Bennett
- Oct. 10: Yo Sabo the Game at the Library! at Anythink Commerce City
- Oct. 13: Art & Tradition: Sugar Skulls at Anythink Huron Street
- Oct. 31: Hispanic Supernatural Tales at Anythink World
The full lineup also includes stories, books and additional opportunities to explore Hispanic and Latine culture. Event details, times and registration information are available at anythinklibraries.org/hispanic-heritage-month.