In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, Madison Public Library will host a series of events highlighting the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans and celebrating Hispanic and Latino American culture. Throughout the rest of the year, upcoming events in Spanish or about Latinx culture and resources in Spanish will also appear here.
Madison Public Library provides free and equitable access to cultural and educational experiences. The library celebrates ideas, promotes creativity, connects people, and enriches lives, with an emphasis on promoting literacy and equity in library collections, services, and programs.
Sequoya Library
Join the University League for a monthly book discussion completely in Spanish. In September they'll discuss El Amante Japonés by Isabel Allende, you can ask for a copy at any Madison Public Library location. This event is hybrid (in-person and virtually through Zoom).
Pinney Library and Meadowridge Library
Read and Play together with children 5 and under in English and Spanish! We will explore interesting books, songs and have playful experiences to help children develop their communication skills, patience, empathy and pre-reading skills. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome.
Pinney Library
Meadowridge Library
- November 3, 10:30-11:15am
- November 10, 10:30-11:15am
- Day of the Dead special:
Sequoya Library
Join the University League's Spanish Conversation Interest Group at their free monthly conversations for adults with intermediate to advanced level Spanish skills on the second and fourth Thursday each month. Hybrid event (in-person and virtually through Zoom).
Join the Wisconsin Book Festival in celebrating Xicana Heritage with readings of resistance and resilience from Xicana authors. Hear what it means to be a Xicana, in all its beautiful complexity, multiplicity and might, and draw inspiration from Indigenous voices that will not be silenced.
Meadowridge Library
Create traditional papier mâché skulls with local Mexican folk artist, Andrea Muñiz to celebrate Day of the Dead. She will guide you through the process of creating the skulls from scratch in this three-part workshop. Registration is required for the event.
Meadowridge Library
Learn how to paint different patterns of cempasúchil flowers (Mexican marigolds) on fabric using acrylic paint. Registration recommended.
Meadowridge Library
A Junk Journal is a handmade book made of repurposed, upcycled materials where you can tell your story using different mediums. This multi-generational series welcomes all ages and both English and Spanish speakers are welcome.
All materials will be provided, but feel free to bring fabric and wrapping paper scraps, lace, old photos, ribbons, maps, stickers, sheet music, or whatever inspires you!
Pinney Library
Each session will be a time of sharing award-winning children’s literature that celebrates the diversity of arts, culture, and language across the globe. Participants will also learn about global music and engage in hands-on crafts that stimulate their curiosity. Each week promises to be fun and enriching! The event is free and designed for children ages 5–10 and their caregivers, but all are welcome.
September 22, 4-5pm: Dominican Republic/USA. Featured Book: Islandborn
October 20, 4-5pm: Mexico/USA. Featured Book: Dreamers
Pinney Library
We invite anyone interested in documenting their story and reconnecting with their Mexican/Latino/Hispanic/Chicano/Latine roots to join this bilingual workshop (Spanish and English).
During the workshop, you will learn simple and practical storytelling techniques to turn your memories into a meaningful narrative. This event requires registrations and they open September 13.
Lakeview Library
Join us for a film night featuring: Machuca (2004)
Set in Santiago, Chile during the months leading up to the 1973 coup d'état led by General Augusto Pinochet, Machuca tells the story of two boys who attend an elite Catholic school: Gonzalo Infante and Pedro Machuca. Despite being from different social classes, the two become fast friends -- but as the boys spend more time with one another, their relationship is strained by the turbulent social and political upheaval happening around them.
Rating: NR | Drama | 115 minutes
Central Library & Meadowridge Library
¡QUIJÓTERES! is a 45-minute, bilingual play that brings to life just a few threads from the many tangled and interwoven stories of Miguel de Cervantes' classic, Don Quixote (El Ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha). This adaptation will emphasize the novels intensely comical depiction of the ridiculous.
No registration is required for this free event.
This FREE production is made possible in partnership with Institute for Research in the Humanities (IRH) at UW-Madison in tandem with the UW Center for the Humanities.
Spanish Art of the Picture Book Collection
Many of these books were sourced from a trip to Guadalajara back in 2019 and they feature books on a variety of topics written and illustrated by Latinx folx.
Kanopy Streaming Service
Kanopy is home to 30,000+ titles, including a fantastic collection for Latinx Heritage Month! You can watch movies, documentaries, cartoons, and more all from the comfort of your own home using a smart TV, tablet, smart phone, etc. All you need to sign up is your library card.
Latinx Book Lists
You can read books in Spanish, written by Latinx authors or that focus on Latinx characters throughout the month and beyond! Madison Public Library has lists on Latino Fiction, Memoir, History, Poetry and more.
Libby eBooks + Audiobooks
Wisconsin’s Digital Library is a shared, state-wide collection of digital materials available to all Wisconsin public library card holders. It has thousands of popular eBook, eAudiobook, and digital magazine titles that you can read or listen to on most current mobile devices, tablets, phones, or your computer. Check out the celebration of Hispanic Authors they have going on right now!
ComicsPlus
ComicsPlus is a huge collection of comics, graphic novels and manga available online with your library card! They've got a great collection of bilingual, Spanish and Latinx-driven stories called Hispanic Heritage, Latinx Voices. Plus, the great thing about ComicsPlus is that every title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for offline reading -- no waiting on holds lists, no wasting data!
Core Collections en Español
Need a little help finding good books for yourself or your family? One of our online databases, Core Collections, might be just the thing! It offers recommendations based on genre, age level, reviews, and in Spanish. This is particularly helpful for folks who want to find books that were originally published in Spanish vs. books that were translated from English. Core Collections is also a helpful resource for teachers and other educators who want to find titles for different age levels or want help with curriculum development.
Live Language Interpretation:
No matter what language you speak, we want to be able to offer assistance when you walk through the doors! Thanks to the City of Madison's Language Access Plan, we are able to offer live interpretation service through a program called Language Line. Offering more than 240 different languages, this service allows us to connect people to essential resources, find information, and navigate services.
Staff will ask visitors to indicate on a sheet of paper the language they need, then connect two sets of headphones to the telephone, and quickly connect to the Language Line app for translation. The kits also include a webcam in case ASL or another form of sign language is needed.