By: Ann Marie, Information Services Supervisor
In the United States, there is no shortage of special days, observances, and heritage months that we recognize throughout the year. September alone brings a wide variety of celebrations, including Grandparents Day, National Coding Week, National Preparedness Month, National Suicide Prevention Month, National Potato Month, Self-Improvement Month, and National Library Card Sign-up Month, just to name just a few.
As someone who values the many services and opportunities libraries provide, National Library Card Sign-up Month holds a special place in my heart. If you are reading this and do not yet have a library card, there has never been a better time to register for one.
A library card is more than just a pass to borrow books. It opens the door to a wealth of resources, programs, and learning opportunities that can help you explore virtually any topic or celebration that interests you. Whether you are looking to discover new books, explore historical resources, or attend educational programs, The Library has much to offer.
This is especially true when it comes to finding resources to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, yet another observance we will be celebrating this fall. Our catalog is full of books written by or about Hispanic Americans. Click here to view just a few of these.
The Library’s databases are another rich source of information about Hispanic history and culture. Three that I would like to introduce to you are:
- Hispanic Life in America – a digital archive offering comprehensive coverage of the Hispanic American experience through the lens of the news media.
It features newspaper articles, transcripts, broadcasts, and more sourced from thousands of American and global news sources, including more than 450 Hispanic American publications. Find Hispanic Life in America at https://www.dcls.org/research/.
- Gale eBooks – a digital eBook collection containing reference eBooks filled with information about Hispanic history as well as profiles of prominent Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Explore books like Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture right from home. You can find Gale eBooks at https://www.dcls.org/research/ or on our collections page under eBooks & eAudiobooks.
- Salem Online– a database offering full-text remote access to Salem Press reference materials found inside our libraries.
Find books like Great Lives from History: Latinos in this collection. It contains enlightening biographies of prominent Latinos–biographies like one for Pura Belpré, the first Latino librarian to work in the New York Public Library system and the first Puerto Rican librarian in the United States. Look for the Salem Online database on our research page, or view and open individual Salem Press titles directly from their records in our catalog. Titles accessible from our catalog will have an “Online Resource” option listed. Select it and click on “Check Availability.” When you are not inside one of our branches, also enter your library card number and PIN for the books’ Table of Contents to display.
With resources like these, it has never been easier to access quality resources perfect for crafting heritage month celebrations that are truly meaningful and impactful.
Lastly, libraries foster awareness and build community and understanding through their programs, displays, and events, so be sure to also explore The Library’s Events & Programs page to look for fun offerings related to whatever observance you may be celebrating.
With resources like these and supportive staff to assist you, The Library is the perfect place to go to make the most of the many observances we now celebrate.
Happy exploring!