Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
September 23, 2026
For nearly 60 years, the United States has celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month between September 15 and October 15. This national observance recognizes the significant roles Latina and Latina artists, business owners, activists, public servants, and citizens have had in strengthening our democracy and culture. Latinas and Latinos are one of the largest demographic groups in our country, making up roughly 20% of the total population or approximately 65 million people who have cultural ties to South and Central America, the Caribbean, indigenous populations, and the Spanish-speaking world.
It can be difficult to capture the Latino experience in just a few words because of the complex heritage and experiences of these individuals. To be sure, Hispanic Americans have been at the forefront of important progress and positive change in the United States: Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta stood tall for workers’ rights and established the United Farm Workers’ Union in 1962; Puerto Rican actress Rita Moreno broke the glass ceiling in the entertainment industry when she became the first Latina to win an Academy Award for her performance in West Side Story in 1961; and, in 2009, Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina and third woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice. Regardless of heritage or origin, the impact Latinas, Latinos, and Hispanic Americans have had on our nation’s cultural identity is profound.
We invite you to explore the rich fabric of voices and experiences that honor Hispanic heritage this month. Our Libraries welcome everyone, and we hope these selections help you see yourself represented on our shelves or that one of our titles can help communicate these vibrant stories.
Novels
Stories
Nonfiction
