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  • Exploring Hispanic Life in America

    From September 15th through October15th, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month (a yearly commemoration first established as a week-long celebration in 1968 and later expanded to a month-long event in 1988) to honor the contributions, history, heritage, and cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

    During National Hispanic Heritage Month, libraries typically celebrate by hosting events and programs highlighting the Hispanic culture, by creating themed book displays, and by promoting books and materials by and about Hispanic Americans.

    This year, The Library invites you to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Monthby exploring the Hispanic American themed books, e-Books, audiobooks, music, movies, and more in our collection. For a sampling of what you can find at the Dauphin County Library System, click here.

    This year, I invite you to also explore Hispanic Life in America, one of this library’s newest digital databases. What is Hispanic Life in America? Hispanic Life in America is an aggregated news database filled with primary source content from over 17,000 publications and news media sources, all covering the social, political, and cultural contributions of Hispanic communities in America. What better way to understand the pivotal experiences of this population than by exploring the very words and reports shared during those moments as they unfolded?

    Where can you find Hispanic Life in America?Visit www.dcls.org/research. You will find it listed alphabetically among our database selections. As a library database, this resource is freely available to all library members and on-site visitors. If you’re accessing it from outside a library location, simply log in using your library card number and PIN.

    Once you open Hispanic Life in America, you can begin to discover the full scope of what it has to offer by performing a keyword search or by browsing through its broad collection of carefully curated “Suggested Searches.” 

    What are “Suggest Searches?”  They are a selection of professionally created search results covering major topics of importance, organized by era and topic. They highlight the significant people, laws, and events impacting the lives of Hispanic Americans throughout history from the early 1700s through today. Would you like to learn about the Mexican- American War era, for example? Just select it and then choose from the list of associated topics and subtopics. Then, browse through the list of results and open any that sparks your interest or matches your research need.

    If you discover that you want or need more guidance with using this resource, NewsBank, Inc. provides training materials, help guides, and introductory videos, including this short YouTube video: https://youtu.be/aqNY2X1oNSA. To find help from within this database, look for the “Learn more about this database” link near the top of the Hispanic Life in America landing page.

    Lastly, library staff can provide guidance and assistance as well, so please do not shy away from using it to re-examine the contributions and impact of the Hispanic population on this nation’s history through the more balanced and diverse lens that this resource offers. I think that once you give this easy-to-navigate database a try, you, too, will find it to be both useful and enlightening.

    Gracias,

    Ann Marie Megoulas
    Information Services Supervisor

  • Pavilion at East Shore

    By: Barry Ernest

    Over the years and seasons the iconic tree in front of the East Shore Area Library marked its growth together with the branch, each providing a cozy place to read or escape the heat of a sunny day. Long past a sapling, the aged symbol of the property fulfilled its destiny as a giving tree of sorts, falling quickly, but not quietly, to a landscaping team of tree cutters putting idea into action.

    The tree’s removal has given birth to a planned community pavilion – and its absence honored by a future with increased visitors and community activities in its former footprint.

    What’s ahead for the green space at the front of the building?

    Work is underway to transform the property into a vibrant multi-function outdoor activities area. The free-standing expansion is designed to provide additional casual seating in a green area setting for both staff and public gatherings.

    The pavilion serves a need for more space. Indoor meeting rooms used by both the public and library programs frequently reach capacity and main-floor seating for patrons is often at a premium at East Shore.

    The project helps the library continue to expand its programming and outreach in the community. The goal is to offer patrons shared experiences in a newly designed green area.

    Its space will host library-related programs and events, including Charlie Cart, a mobile kitchen that helps to teach kids how to cook while providing the knowledge necessary for a beneficial diet and healthy eating.

    While library staff aims to expand and diversify its educational programming in the space, this project will also allow patrons to be able to enjoy their usual library activities –study, read, or just relax – all within an outdoor library atmosphere.

    Outdoor events like music and art initiatives, and the potential for resuming a summer lunch program, are anticipated for the new area as well. “The options are practically endless,” says Maria Lagasca, Public Services Director.

    Although its iconic tree is gone, East Shore has plans to make the space even greener. The tree is scheduled to be replaced with native plants, a butterfly garden, and even more shade, while making an inviting area with less maintenance worries.

    Plans call for partnering with Friends of the East Shore Area Library (FESAL) and local gardening organizations to establish an on-site community garden.

    The pavilion project to expected next summer.

  • One Card, Endless Possibilities

    As the world continues to evolve and embrace modernization, public libraries are transforming alongside it. Despite operating with limited funding and facing pressure to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies and competition from for-profit entities, libraries have found innovative ways to thrive. Across the United States, many have not only embraced creativity but also expanded their services through strong community partnerships.

    For instance, Salt Lake County Library offers its members access to enriching cultural experiences at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Clark Planetarium, and the Natural History Museum of Utah. Meanwhile, libraries in Maine and Minnesota have broadened their reach by providing passes to state parks, encouraging exploration and learning beyond the library walls and beyond books, magazines, and scholarly articles.

    Dauphin County Library System (DCLS) is following this trend, setting the pace among central Pennsylvania libraries—embracing innovation, leading with purpose, and proudly celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month with this year’s inspiring theme: ‘One Card, Endless Possibilities.’  Over the past year, DCLS has expanded its community impact through innovative partnerships:

    • Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra (HSO): First-time attendees can enjoy complimentary tickets, offering a welcoming introduction to the arts without financial barriers.
    • Theatre Harrisburg: Library cardholders receive discounted tickets to Murder on the Orient Express, making live theater more accessible.
    • Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM): Through a partnership launched in 2024, DCLS members enjoy free admission, encouraging exploration of meaning through visual art.

    These collaborations reflect DCLS’s commitment to building community and transforming lives by connecting people, ideas, and opportunities.

    While funding remains a central topic among library leaders, it will not stand in the way of DCLS setting the standard for community, communication, respect, integrity, support, and service. Our communities will not be left behind. Instead, we’re embracing creativity and reimagining the role of public libraries—seeing their power far beyond shelves of books. That small plastic library card opens doors not only to information, but to cultural experiences once considered exclusive to high achievers. It’s a key to opportunity, equity, and imagination.

    Our partnerships thrive because of the incredible support from our community partners and library members—thank you for your unwavering commitment. As we continue to innovate, we invite everyone to discover the richness of our community with your DCLS Library card in hand. 

    Many thanks!

    Maria Lagasca, Public Services Director