Cowritten with Karen Pruneda, Library Supervisor for Interlibrary Loan

 

Every year, National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from September 15 until October 15. It recognizes the richness of Hispanic culture and the vital roles Hispanic Americans have always played and continue to play in the United States of America. National Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with several countries' celebrations of independence from Spain.

 

According to the National Hispanic Heritage Month website hosted by The Library of Congress, the month celebrates the “histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.” National Hispanic Heritage Month is often celebrated with food, festivals, dance performances, and music. 

 

Note: “Hispanic” refers to having ties to a country where Spanish is spoken, whereas “Latino” refers to having a background related to the geographical region of Latin America (including Portuguese-speaking Brazil). Learn more by reading the Britannica article “What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?” 

 

Recommended Reading

Torreyson Library has numerous books and eBooks that make for great reads during National Hispanic Heritage Month (or anytime). Here are just a few: 

LatinolandLatinoLand by Marie Arana 

At present, Latinos comprise twenty percent of the US population, a number that is growing. By 2050, census reports project that one in every three Americans will claim Latino heritage. But Latinos are not a monolith. They do not represent a single group. The largest groups are Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Salvadorans, and Cubans. Each has a different cultural and political background.

The Border ReaderThe Border Reader by Gilberto Rosas (Editor); Mireya Loza (Editor) 

The Border Reader brings together canonical and cutting-edge humanities and social science scholarship on the US-Mexico border region.

Making the Latino South Making the Latino South: A History of Racial Formation by Cecilia Márquez 

The presence of Latinx people in the American South has long confounded the region's persistent racial binaries. Here, Cecilia Márquez uses social and cultural history methods to assess the racial logics that have shaped the Latinx experience in the region since the middle of the twentieth century.

Our Migrant Souls Our Migrant Souls by Héctor Tobar 

In Our Migrant Souls, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Héctor Tobar delivers a definitive and personal exploration of what it means to be Latino in the United States right now.

 

The Chicano Experience: An Alternative Perspective The Chicano Experience: An Alternative Perspective by Alfredo Mirandé 

In this foundational text, Mirandé develops a comprehensive framework for Chicano sociology that, in attending closely to Chicano experience, aims to correct the biases and misconceptions that have prevailed in the field. He demonstrates how the conventional immigrant group model of society, with its focus on assimilation into mainstream American culture, does not apply to Chicanos.

Our America: A Hispanic History of the United States Our America: A Hispanic History of the United States by Felipe Fernández-Armesto 

The United States clearly has a Hispanic present and future. And here is its Hispanic past, presented with characteristic insight and wit by one of our greatest historians.

 

From the Jaws of Victory: The Triumph and Tragedy of Cesar Chavez and the Farm Worker Movement From the Jaws of Victory: The Triumph and Tragedy of Cesar Chavez and the Farm Worker Movement by Matthew Garcia 

From the Jaws of Victory: The Triumph and Tragedy of Cesar Chavez and the Farm Worker Movement is the most comprehensive history ever written on the meteoric rise and precipitous decline of the United Farm Workers, the most successful farm labor union in United States history.

Further Reading

The following webpages are excellent resources for learning more:

  • The Pura Belpré Award is given every year to Latino or Latina writers and illustrators of children’s and young adult literature. Check out the list of winners and honor recipients; many of the books can be found in the Torreyson Library. 

  • The American Library Association lists various resources regarding National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

  • The United States Census Bureau has compiled the latest statistics about the USA’s Hispanic population. 

  • Read more about National Hispanic Heritage Month at the Encyclopedia Britannica. 

  • The National Education Association has compiled resources about Hispanic Heritage Month and provides lesson plans for teaching on the subject.

  • The Encyclopedia of Arkansas contains an entry about Latinos in Arkansas.  

Community Events

  • The Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock is hosting various events throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month.

  • River Market Live! -- Hispanic Heritage Celebration: September 27, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., in Little Rock – “Immerse yourself in Little Rock's vibrant Hispanic community, as River Market Live, in partnership with Plaza Frida, celebrates with live performances, dancing, food & drinks, local vendors, fun games, and more! Admission is FREE and ALL AGES are invited.”

  • Fiesta en SoMa 2025: October 3, 2025, 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., in Little Rock – “Fiesta en SoMa offers the perfect way to experience the richness of Latin American traditions. From live music to delicious food, cultural dance performances, and interactive activities, this event provides a full day of entertainment for all ages."