Shreve Memorial Library is inviting patrons to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the library with crafts, movies and fun for the whole family. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the diverse cultures, accomplishments and contributions of Hispanic Americans, honoring those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Celebrated September 15 through October 15 annually, Hispanic Heritage Month commemorates the independence days of many Central American countries including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Belize. Now through October 15, Shreve Memorial Library branches throughout Caddo Parish will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with interactive and festive programs for all ages in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, and all programs are free and open to the public.
Inspired by the vibrant and colorful traditions and cultures of Hispanic heritage, Shreve Memorial Library branches will host arts and crafts workshops featuring instruction in traditional folk art techniques, opportunities for creative expression, and the ability to learn about the history and significance of Hispanic folk art traditions. Library patrons will learn how to make hojalata (Mexican tin folk art), amate (bark) paintings, Talavera (hand-painted tin-glazed earthenware) tiles, Panamanian molas (vibrant, hand-sewn textiles), and calaveras (bright, decorative sugar skulls used to honor deceased loved ones during Dia de los Muertos). Patrons will also have opportunities to create Ojo de Dios (traditional amulets of power and protection), alebrijes (brightly colored, fantastical Mexican folk art sculptures), sombreros, mini pinatas, maracas, paintings, and more. All supplies for the Hispanic Heritage Month arts and crafts workshops are provided. Space may be limited, and registration may be required for some programs.
Library patrons of all ages are encouraged to learn more about Hispanic culture through interactive story times and movie screenings. Children will enjoy story time programs featuring books written by Hispanic authors and about Hispanic culture, such as May Your Life be Deliciosa by Michael Genhart, Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal, and Lucha Libre by Xavier Garza. Children will enjoy exciting stories, hands-on crafts, lively music and fun for all. Teens and adults will also enjoy seeing elements of Hispanic culture and depictions of Hispanic American history come to life on the big screen at movie screenings throughout September and October. Shreve Memorial Library branches will host screenings of films such as Square Parts, In the Heights, Encanto, Coco, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse throughout the library’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
Additional Hispanic Heritage Month programs include Hispanic Heritage Month trivia and Loteria sessions, as well as samplings of Latin American coffee varieties. All Hispanic Month programs at Shreve Memorial Library are free and open to the public. A schedule of events is included below. For complete program details and schedule, please visit www.shreve-lib.org.