Hispanic and Latinx Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month
From the Philippines to the Dominican Republic, from California to Chile, Hispanic and Latinx peoples have many stories, histories, languages and cultures. (Although there is some ambiguity, generally “Hispanic” refers to Spanish-speaking peoples, and “Latinx” refers to people of Latin American heritage, including Portuguese-speaking Brazilians, for example. Take a look at this article from the Pew Research Center for more detailed analysis.) Celebrate the beauty and vast diversity of Hispanic and Latinx culture and history, or just get your learning started with these resources.
National Organizations and Websites
The Archive of Indigenous Languages of Latin America (AILLA)
AILLA provides access to recordings, texts, and other materials in and about many of the Indigenous languages of Latin America. Most materials are freely available to the public, but some are restricted in order to respect cultural protocols and privacy. The Archive primarily serves Indigenous peoples and scholars, and may be useful in language revitalization projects, but is a fascinating and helpful resource for anyone interested in the languages and cultures of Latin America’s Indigenous peoples.
Backstory: After Hurricane Maria–The History of Puerto Rico and the United States
This episode of Backstory, from Virginia Humanities, explores the history of the colonial relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico, addressing some of the questions and confusions some may have about Puerto Rican history and legal status.
Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement (TQLM)
Familia: TQLM works at the local and national levels to achieve the collective liberation of trans, queer, and gender-nonconforming Latinxs through building community, organizing, advocacy, and education.
Established in 1987, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation identifies, inspires, prepares and positions Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce. They promote cultural pride, and support Hispanic communities by running public awareness campaigns seen by millions.
Learn about Hispanic culture and history, and get ideas for how to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week” in 1968, this holiday celebrates both Hispanic and Latinx American communities, beginning on September 15 (Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua), and ending on October 15. Find exhibits, online collections, videos, podcasts, lesson plans, and much more on the Hispanic Heritage Month website.
Here are some key facts about the nation’s Latino population by age, geography and origin groups.
Take a listen through some of the playlists of Latin American music put together by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, including Sounds of Latin America, Afro-Latino Songs, Texas Sounds, Conjunto Essentials, Alza tu Voz, and more.
By working with the Smithsonian museums and research centers, the Smithsonian Latino Center works to preserve Latino culture and history, to engage with Latino communities, and to advance representation for these communities in the United States. The Center supports research, exhibitions, educational programs, online and virtual resources, as well as leadership and professional development programs for Latino youth, scholars, and museum professionals. In 2022, the Center will open the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National American History Museum in Washington, D.C. In the meantime, you can take a look at the online exhibits and events they have been collaborating on.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
SACNAS is dedicated to supporting Chicano/Hispanic and Native American students and professionals in STEM fields, whether in obtaining degrees, furthering their careers, or taking on leadership positions.
Founded in 1968, UnidosUS has long been a trusted, nonpartisan voice for Latinos in the United States. The organization seeks to support Latinx and Hispanic communities through research, policy analysis, state and national advocacy efforts, and community programs.
United Farm Workers Learning Lab Collection
The Smithsonian and the National Endowment for the Humanities collaborated to bring together this collection of resources about the United Farm Workers, who organized for worker and civil rights during the 1960s and 70s, under the leadership of Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong. Take a moment to look through these resources to learn about how the group brought attention to the mistreatment of farmers–especially Chicano and Filipino workers–through artistic expression, and collective action.
Local Organizations and Websites
Casa Purchase seeks to build relationships and develop collaborations between SUNY Purchase and neighboring communities, in order to contribute to the social, economic, and educational advancement of local Latinx communities. One of their projects is the Transmedia Oral History Project.
The Hispanic Society of America
The Hispanic Society in NYC was founded in 1904 to establish a free, public museum and reference library for the study of the art and culture of Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines. You can browse their online library and museum collections.
Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA)
At the Fordham University School of Law, LALSA provides support for first-year students, coordinates academic panels, professional development workshops, a mentorship program, and more for Latino legal professionals.
El Museo del Barrio in NYC celebrates the arts in Latinx, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures. Online, you can take a look at their virtual exhibitions, or explore their archives!
Check out the New York Latin Culture website for upcoming food, film, music, and dance events. Their Hispanic Heritage Month page includes dates and events that celebrate Independence and National Days, and Hispanic Heritage Month, in New York City.
The New York Public Library welcomes people from all kinds of backgrounds and celebrates the rich multicultural diversity that defines New York City. Check out their Hispanic Heritage Month page for upcoming events and programming, both in-person and virtual!
The Official Guide to New York City
Find information about NYC events like the Latino Short Film Festival, the Queens Culture Carnival, and the Hispanic Day Parade!
Located in Mt. Vernon, Westchester Latinos Unidos provides census, health, family support, immigration, translation, real estate, job readiness, and business development services to communities in Westchester County.
At the Library
Children
- Bodega Cat by Louie Chin
- My Shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders by Rene Colato Lainez
- Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña
- Islandborn by Junot Diaz
- I Got a Chicken for My Birthday by Laura Gehl
- Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market by Raul the Third
- Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
- Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina
- Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez
- My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
- Mi papi tiene una moto by Isabel Quintero
- Brick by Brick by Heidi Woodward Sheffield
- Solo pregunta! sé diferente, sé valiente, sé tú by Sonia Sotomayor
- Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor
- Yes! We are Latinos by Alma Flor Ada
- The Water Bears by Kimberly Baker
- Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez
- Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
- A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano
- The First Rule of Punk by Cecilia C. Pérez
- Strange Birds: a Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Pérez
- Tree of Dreams by Laura Resau
- The Wind Called My Name by Mary Louise Sanchez
- A Picture Book of Simon Bolivar by David A. Adler
- Who Was Cesar Chavez? by Dana Meachen Rau
- Who Was Che Guevara? by Ellen Labrecque
- Dolores Huerta: a Hero to Migrant Workers by Sarah Warren
- Frida Kahlo: the Artist Who Painted Herself by Margaret Frith
- Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puenta, Rey del Mambo by Monica Brown
- Selena by Joanne Mattern
- Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor
- Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh
- Dia de los muertos by Rosanne Thong
- Extraordinary Hispanic Americans by Cesar Alegre
- Standing Tall: the Stories of Ten Hispanic Americans by Argentina Palacios
- Extraordinary Hispanic Americans by Susan Sinnott
- Life in Ancient Mesoamerica by Lynn Peppas
- The Maya by Pat McKissack
- The Maya Indians by Victoria Sherrow
- A Kid’s Guide to Latino History: More Than 50 Activities by Valerie Patrillo
- The Inca by Pat McKissack
- Machu Picchu by Elizabeth Mann
Teens
- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
- Bruja Born by Zoraida Cordova
- Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza
- Don’t Hate the Player by Alexis Nedd
- When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
- I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
- We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez
- Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx by Sonia Manzano
- Sonia Sotomayor: the First Latina Supreme Court Justice by John Torres
Adults
- The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
- A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
- In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
- A Blossom of Bright Light by Suzanne Chazin
- Dominicana by Angie Cruz
- The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez
- The General in His Labyrinth by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez
- Night at the Fiestas: Stories by Kirstin Valez Quade
- Nightmare Range: the Collected George Sueño & Ernie Bascom Stories by Martin Limon
- Lost Children Archive: a Novel by Valeria Luisell
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- The Affairs of the Falcóns: a Novel by Melissa Rivero
- Fruit of the Drunken Tree: a Novel by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
- Lot: Stories by Bryan Washington
- Ordinary Girls: a Memoir by Jaquira Díaz
- My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
- Playing America’s Game: Baseball, Latinos, and the Color Line by Adrian Burgos
- Royal Cities of the Ancient Maya by Micahel D. Coe
- Our America: a Hispanic History of the United States by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto
- Latino Americans: the 500-Year Legacy That Shaped a Nation by Ray Suarez
- Ingles/English for Spanish Speakers from Pimsleur Language Programs
- Spanish I A: the Complete Course from Pimsleur Language Programs
- Portuguese (Brazilian): the Short Course from Pimsleur Language Programs
Movies
Borrow Online
Overdrive
- The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (available as audiobook or ebook)
- Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero (available as audiobook or ebook)
- Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis (available as ebook)
- At Night We Walk in Circles by Daniel Alarcón (available as ebook)
- Love War Stories by Ivelisse Rodriguez (available as ebook)
- The sound of things falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez (available as ebook)
- The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez (available as audiobook or ebook)
- Mexican WhiteBoy by Matt de la Peña (available as ebook)
- Sabrina & Corina: Stories by Kali Fajardo-Anstine (available as audiobook or ebook)
- The Undocumented Americans: a Homecoming by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (available as audiobook or ebook)
- Waiting for the BiblioBurro by Monica Brown (available as ebook)
Hoopla
- The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (available as audiobook or ebook)
- Unaccompanied by Javier Zamora (available as ebook)
- My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter by Aja Monet (available as ebook)
- Before Night Falls by based on the autobiography of Reinaldo Arenas (available as movie)
- Tertulia by Vincent Toro (available as audiobook)
- The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (available as audiobook)
- Bolivar: the South American Liberator by Robert Harvey (available as ebook)
Kanopy (Film and Video)