Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15-October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. More than 11% of the Skokie population identifies as Hispanic, Latinx, or Latine; that is more than 7,500 people who have amazing stories, traditions, ethnic backgrounds, and perspectives in our community. Although our staff strive to highlight Hispanic, Latinx, and Latine voices, experiences, and culture throughout the year, this national observance month adds emphasis to the recognition and appreciation of the contributions that Hispanic, Latinx, and Latine people have on our lives and the Skokie community. We invite you to enjoy and explore a range of events, activities, books, and more for visitors of all ages and abilities as we explore and further appreciate National Hispanic Heritage month stories, experiences, and cultural traditions.
¡El 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre se celebra el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana! Casi 12% de la población de Skokie se identifica como hispana, latinx, o latine; es decir, más de 7.500 personas que tienen historias, tradiciones, orígenes étnicos, y perspectivas increíbles en nuestra comunidad. El personal de la Biblioteca de Skokie se esfuerza por resaltar las voces, experiencias, y cultura hispanas, latinx, y latines a través de nuestros esfuerzos en todo nuestro trabajo durante todo el año. Este mes de observancia nacional agrega un énfasis adicional al reconocimiento y apreciación de las contribuciones que las personas hispanas, latinxs, y latines tienen en nuestras vidas en la comunidad de Skokie. Los invitamos a disfrutar y explorar una variedad de eventos, actividades, libros y mas para visitantes de todas las edades y habilidades mientras exploramos y apreciamos aún más las historias, experiencias y tradiciones culturales del Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana.
Past Events
Learn Basic Spanish
Friday, October 11, 2024, 4:30 pm
Learn some phrases in Spanish and enjoy activities that celebrate Hispanic culture in this fun-filled event for families with children ages 5-12.
Registration recommended. Drop-ins welcome if space permits.
Being Imperfect with Erika Sánchez
Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 7:00 pm
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with award-winning author Erika Sánchez, joined in conversation by Cynthia Pelayo.
Erika L. Sánchez is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Her debut poetry collection, Lessons on Expulsion, was a finalist for the PEN America Open Book Award. Her debut young adult novel, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, was a New York Times bestseller, National Book Award finalist, and Tomás Rivera Award winner. Recognized by Time as one of the best young adult novels of all time, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter has also been adapted for the stage at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater and is being made into a film directed by America Ferrera.
Erika’s critically acclaimed memoir-in-essays, Crying in the Bathroom, won the Chicago Review of Books Nonfiction award. She was a Fulbright Scholar, a Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent fellow from the Poetry Foundation, a Princeton Arts Fellow, a recipient of the 21st Century Award from the Chicago Public Library Foundation, and a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. She lives in Chicago with her family.
Cynthia Pelayo is a Bram Stoker Award winning and International Latino Book Award winning author and poet. She writes fairy tales that blend genre. She is the author of Loteria, Santa Muerte, The Missing, Poems of My Night, Into the Forest and All the Way Through, Children of Chicago, Crime Scene, and The Shoemaker’s Magician.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
Register for this event and receive the Zoom link here.
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, email Illinois Libraries Present.
Adventure Club: Uruguay
Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 4:30 pm
Learn about Uruguay's culture, traditions, foods, and fun.
For kids ages 5-10. Registration recommended. Caregivers not required.
Try Your Luck at Lotería
Monday, September 30, 2024, 5:00 pm
Play the traditional Mexican board game of chance, Lotería. Similar to bingo, this card game involves beautiful images and Spanish words on a tabla, or board, and pinto beans to mark your matches.
Learn the rules (they are simple) and history of the game, try to win some rounds, and share tasty Mexican snacks and aguas frescas.
Drop-in for grades 6 - 12.
Mexican Folk Art: Decorating Alebrijes
Thursday, September 19, 2024, 6:00 pm
Learn about the history of Mexican alebrijes and decorate your own paper alebrije, a mystical, magical folk-art creature. Materials provided.
Movie Night: Language Lessons
Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 6:30 pm
After watching the film, share your questions and comments in a discussion with Chris and Sharon.
Adam’s husband Will surprises him with a gift of 100 online Spanish lessons. Then Will dies suddenly. Adam, feeling lost and grieving, nonetheless continues the sessions, and an unexpected friendship develops between Adam and his teacher Cariño.
Starring Mark Duplass and Natalie Morales. Directed by Natalie Morales, who also cowrote and costars in the movie.
2021 -- 91 minutes -- Not rated -- Comedy
In English and Spanish.
Talking Books Discussion Group: Velvet Was the Night
Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 1:30 pm
In 1970's Mexico City, Maite, a secretary with a penchant for romance novels, searches for her missing neighbor, Leonora, a beautiful art student.
Her hunt leads her to an eccentric gangster who longs to escape his own life. Together, they set out to discover the dangerous truth.
This is a hybrid event with the option to participate on Zoom or call in. If you wish to participate on Zoom, indicate your interest in the registration form and we will email the Zoom event link and call-in number after registration has closed.
Registration closes at 10 am the day of the event. If you have questions about this event after registration has closed, please email the events team or call the library at 847-673-7774.
Teen Book Chat with Churros
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 3:00 pm
Observe Hispanic Heritage Month by hearing about recent teen books by Latine authors and snacking on some delicious churros. For grades 6-12.
LitLounge: Anita De Monte Laughs Last
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 7:30 pm
This month we'll be discussing Xochitl Gonzalez's critically acclaimed novel.
First-generation Ivy League student Raquel discovers the remarkable work of forgotten artist Anita de Monte, whose tangled relationships before her suspicious death eerily echo Raquel's own relationships.
This discussion is in partnership with Morton Grove Public Library.