Monthlong series invites all ages to explore Hispanic and Latine culture through storytelling, music, dance, art, food and shared experiences
Adams County’s public library system, Anythink Libraries, is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 with free programs, experiences, stories and reading recommendations honoring the cultures, histories and contributions of Hispanic and Latine communities. Programs for children, teens, adults and families will take place across all eight of Anythink’s locations (including the newly opened Nature Library), with experiences offered in English and Spanish.
This month carries particular significance in Adams County, Colorado’s largest minority-majority county, where 44.7 percent of residents are Hispanic or Latine and 42.5 percent are non-Hispanic white, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Nearly three in 10 residents speak a language other than English at home.
“Representation is not a seasonal initiative; it is part of how we serve our community every day,” said Paola Vilaxa, Director of DEIB and Community Engagement at Anythink Libraries. “In a majority-minority county, inclusion is making sure people can find staff who speak their language, collections that reflect their experiences, and programs and gathering places that celebrate the cultures shaping Adams County. Hispanic Heritage Month gives us a joyful opportunity to elevate that work while inviting neighbors to learn from and celebrate one another.”
That commitment extends year-round. Bilingual staff help deliver programs and services in English and Spanish, while Anythink offers nearly 180,000 Spanish-language books and materials for adults, teens and children, along with digital resources such as Referencia Latina, Salud en Español and more than 90,000 Spanish-language books and audiobooks through Hoopla and 4,000 on Libby. Anythink also hosts two locations of the Latina- and women-owned LatinA Flavor Cafe at Anythink Wright Farms and Anythink Nature Library, bringing Puerto Rican and Salvadoran flavors into welcoming community gathering spaces.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the cultures and stories that help shape Adams County,” said Mark Fink, Executive Director of Anythink Libraries. “These programs invite people of all ages to create, learn and connect through shared experiences.”
Through music, storytelling, dance, visual art, food and writing, the lineup creates opportunities for neighbors to learn from one another, share traditions and build stronger community connections.
Featured Hispanic Heritage Month programs include:
- Sept. 15: Hispanic Heritage T-Shirt Design Workshop at Anythink Perl Mack
- Sept. 17: Noche de Cuentos/A Night of Stories at Anythink Perl Mack
- Sept. 19: Hispanic Heritage Month Block Party at Anythink Brighton
- Sept. 19: Papel Amate with Luna Cultura at Anythink Nature Library
- Sept. 19: Mariachi Celebration at Anythink Perl Mack
- Sept. 21: Mexican Embroidery Cake Decorating Workshop at Anythink Commerce City
- Sept. 21: Exploring Identity through Poetry & Memoir Writing at Anythink Brighton
- Sept. 23: Cooking for Kids (making mole and crispy corn cakes) at Anythink Thornton Community Center
- Sept. 26: Latin Groove dance class at Anythink Huron Street
- Sept. 30: Art & Tradition: Chicos Nichos with Chicano Humanities Arts Council at Anythink Huron Street
The full lineup also includes stories, books and additional opportunities to explore Hispanic and Latine culture. Full lineup through October, event details, times and registration information are available at anythinklibraries.org/hispanic-heritage-month.
