FREE New Jersey Library Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, which recognizes the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 20.9 percent of New Jerseyans identify as Hispanic or Latinx (the gender-neutral term for Latino/a), making up a sizable portion of our state’s population.
Often, the terms “Hispanic” and “Latinx” are used interchangeably, but there is a difference. The term “Hispanic” includes individuals living in the United States with ancestral ties to a Spanish-speaking country like Spain, Mexico and Puerto Rico, for example. “Latinx” refers to people from Latin American countries. This includes Brazil, where the citizens speak Portuguese. Many people can be both Hispanic and Latinx, as most Latin American countries have Spanish as their primary language.
Currently, 18.5 percent of Americans identify as Hispanic of Latinx. The United States originally introduced Hispanic Heritage Month as a week in 1968, and expanded to a monthly observance in 1988. Sept. 15 was chosen as the beginning of the observance, as it represents the day many Latin American countries received their independence.
Being a diverse program, Alternate Route is proud to celebrate our many Hispanic candidates, instructors and partners, as well as New Jersey’s diverse population. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we will be uplifting some of these voices through our blog, social media and newsletter content.
A great way to get started with your Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations is to connect with your local library. Libraries are a free resource for expanding your education and exploring your curiosity, and many New Jersey libraries have unique programs this month, in addition to the digital entertainment available through participating apps.
Please note: A few of these resources include mature themes; make sure to vet the content before recommending it to students.
Resources to support Hispanic Heritage Month
The most important part of discovering new resources is knowing where to find them. There are plenty of apps and websites that make it easier to find the information, artists and titles students need to explore the Hispanic experience and support artists within the community. Below are apps that partner with libraries to provide free content to library card holders.
Freegal has been a library go-to for music sharing since 2010. It has a collection of more than 16 million songs from more than 100 countries, including classic and modern genres and artists. Its collection also includes audiobooks and music videos. Many libraries in New Jersey have a Freegal subscription, which means library patrons can access music anytime they want.
This media service is offered at many libraries and is valuable to anyone who regularly uses screens. Through Hoopla, libraries provide patrons with access to movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows. Those that take advantage of Hoopla can skip the “on hold” line and watch up to 10 titles per month.
Through its partnership with libraries, Kanopy offers ad-free streaming on thousands of film titles, with new films being added monthly. Similar to the above resources, users sign up with their library card information.
Ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and more are featured resources on OverDrive. Currently, OneDrive offers the biggest digital catalog in the world, partnering with more than 76,000 libraries and schools in 94 countries. Their content catalog has millions of titles offered in more than 100 languages.
New Jersey Library Events
To best support the Hispanic communities that surround them, libraries often host events that highlight and celebrate the Hispanic experience.
Below are some events happening at New Jersey libraries.
Viva Vallenato Cumbia Band
Sept. 18, 2 p.m.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Viva Vallenato Cumbia Band performing the electrifying folk music of Colombia, South America. These happy songs contain the cultural memory of a people with roots in Africa, Native America and Europe.
What’s New? Book Discussion
Sept. 28, 5 p.m.
This sweeping novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea tells the epic story of Violeta Del Valle, a woman whose life spans one hundred years and bears witness to the greatest upheavals of the twentieth century.
Great Artists of Latin America
Sept. 19, 7 p.m.
This illustrated slide presentation will explore many significant artists originating in Mexico, Central and South America, including the ground-breaking contributions of the three major Mexican Muralists; Diego Rivera, David Siqueros, and Jose Orozco.
A Musical Tribute to Hispanic Heritage
Sept. 20, 6:30 p.m.
The 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Observance Theme, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation,” reflects the need to recognize how the contributions of the diverse ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic groups of our population strengthen our national identity.
The Unspoken Gift virtual author talk
Sept. 15, noon
Commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month with a virtual author talk. Author Aldo Martinez discusses his book, The Unspoken Gift: How an Immigrant Cuban Child fulfilled his American Dream.
A Taste of Latin American Heritage
Sept. 24, noon
Learn how to prepare healthy plant-based foods using spices and herbs, leafy greens, whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. Take home delicious recipes to cook for your family and friends.
Somerset County Library System of New Jersey
A Virtual Trip to Costa Rica
Sept. 15, 7 p.m.
Enjoy a virtual visit to the tropical rain forests at sea level for frogs and toucans, and travel to the cold heights of the Talamanca Mountains for quetzals.
The Culture Desk: An Evening with an NPR Correspondent
Sept. 15, 6 p.m.
On Sept. 15, South Orange Public Library invites NPR correspondent Anastasia Tsioulcas to discuss what it’s like to work at NPR’s Culture Desk.
Bilingual Storytime
Sept. 16, 5:15 p.m.
Join Ms. Ann-Marie for stories, songs, and rhymes in English and Spanish. Stay to create a make afterwards
Loteria
Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Try your luck while playing this unique traditional game of chance.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Oct. 1, 2 p.m.
This event is a chance for the community to gather and celebrate Hispanic culture and heritage. Take part in a book discussion, enjoy a potluck, play Loteria, participate in Baila Baila and listen to Brooklyn-based composer Carlos Pavan perform classical guitar.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 22, 7 p.m.
Join Kim Ruiz, director of the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, Inc., as she leads a discussion of Hispanic heritage. Explore the African Diaspora in the Hispanic Caribbean with a focus on music, food and language.
Films and Documentaries
Through the apps listed above, libraries host thousands of digital titles to enjoy for free. Below are film and documentary titles that explore the Latinx experience.
- The Book of Life
- Buena Vista Social Club
- Coco
- Dolores
- El Norte
- Gun Hill Road
- I Am Joaquin
- Modesta
- Pachamama
- Please Don’t Bury Me Alive!
- Quinceañera
- Real Women Have Curves
- Selena
- Stand and Deliver
- Tortila Soup
- Vivo
- Walkout
Books
Incorporate Latinx perspectives into your classroom library with the following titles.
Ages 5-10
- A Library for Juana
- Across the Bay
- Alma and How She Got Her Name
- Areli Is a Dreamer: A True Story by Areli Morales, a DACA Recipient
- Islandborn
- Mango, Abuela, and Me
- Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla
- Turning Pages: My Life Story
Ages 10-13
- The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor
- Border Town
- Esperanza Rising
- Left Out Loud
- The Other Half of Happy
- They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s Poems
Ages 13+
- Fiesta U.S.A.
- The House on Mango Street
- I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
- Murals: Walls That Sing
- The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano
- The Poet X
- Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba
Music
During quiet time or independent study, throw on one of these Latinx musicians.
- Bad Bunny
- Celia Cruz
- Placido Domingo
- Gloria Estefan
- Vicente Fernández
- J Balvin
- Julio Igelsias
- Juanes
- Paulina Rubio
- Selena
- Shakira
- Thalia
Supplemental Resources
National institutions like the Library of Congress, the Anti Defamation League and more provide insightful resources for educators on their websites. Each of the following links provides articles, classroom materials, lesson plans and other resources to help better represent Latinx perspectives in your classroom.
Mexican American Migration and Communities
National Museum of the American Latino
If you’re considering following your dream of teaching, Rutgers Alternate Route can offer you the support and training you need to succeed. Be sure to follow Rutgers Alternate Route on Twitter and sign up for Alternate Route’s monthly newsletter for more information and stories from the field of education.
Heather Ngoma has over 25 years of experience collaborating with educators across New Jersey to drive education innovation. She currently serves as the Director of the Rutgers-GSE Alternate Route Program in the Department of Learning and Teaching, a program which helps career changers, recent college graduates, and other aspiring education professionals become licensed teachers in New Jersey. Follow her on Twitter @heatherngoma.
