HHM

Enjoy folk dances, crafts and music at a Mexican Independence Day Celebration from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on September 10 at the Main Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. The festivities will include a performance of “El Grito de Dolores” to commemorate the battle cry that triggered the Mexican War of Independence. The event is in partnership with the Mexican Organization of Elgin.

For the first time, Gail Borden Library will host an exhibit of a traditional Mexican offering for the Day of the Dead to remember loved ones. Ofrenda Exhibit for Día de los Muertos: Open Hearts – Our Familieswill be on display from October 26 to November 9 at the Main Library. Community members are invited to participate by emailing a digital photo of a loved one they want remembered by October 12. Please email pradgbpl@gmail.com and include name and phone number.

Celebrating the History of Hispanics in our Community is an additional exhibit that will be on display for Hispanic Heritage Month. Visitors will discover the influence that Elgin’s Hispanic people have had on our culture including music, food, education, religion and family. The exhibit will be at the Main Library September 10 to October 15.

Bring the family to play a traditional Mexican game at Family Night of Lotería! at 7 p.m. September 19 at the Main Library. Please register at gailborden.info/register, by calling 847-429-4597 or in person.

Over the past 50 years, a growing Latino population has dramatically reshaped Elgin, Chicagoland and beyond. Dr. Antonio Ramirez, professor of history at Elgin Community College, will share stories of struggle and triumph from Elgin’s Latino community.  Voces Latinas: Yes, We Can, How Latinos Remade Elgin and the Regionwill take place at 6:30 p.m. on September 22 at the Main Library and via Facebook Live at gbpl.info/FBLV. Please register at gailborden.info/register, by calling 847-429-4597 or in person.

Special guests, music, dances and a storytime will help make Hispanic Heritage Month 2022: Open Books, Open Hearts a festive celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. October 1 at the Main Library. Meet local Latino authors at the Library’s first Hispanic Heritage Month book fair and participate in a drawing for a chance to win a book basket.

For more information about the Library’s Hispanic Heritage Month events and exhibits, please visit gailborden.info/hhm.

https://youtu.be/mfePiVAK0do

The Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration normally kicks off in mid-September but started early this year at Gail Borden Library with a colorful no-touch, bilingual exhibit.

Beautiful outfits from the Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl (BFH) sway in the main rotunda, reminding viewers of the many times the talented dance group has performed at the library and in the community.  The group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

"We are proud to loan our outfits to the library," said Cynthia Hernandez, Executive Director of BFH.  "Our mission is, 'To engage and inspire future leaders to realize their potential through artistic expression and community engagement.' Having our cultural outfits on display at the library helps us let people know in the community that we have been using dance to engage others for 25 years."  

In addition to featuring the Folklorico outfits, the exhibit traces the history of Hispanics in this area, noting that the Census indicated "19 natives of Mexico were living in Elgin Township" in 1930, to 14,576 people "of Hispanic origin" in 1990, to the 2020 Census estimate of approximately 52,000 (45.7% of 114,797).

One panel explains that workers were recruited from Mexico to become railroad section hands who dug up land and installed railroad tracks, including those of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway. It also adds that many Hispanics worked for the Woodruff & Edwards Foundry by the 1920s.

The exhibit also includes information about Hispanic churches, organizations and U-46's dual language program.

Other library Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration programs include -

Mexican Independence Day Celebration

Facebook Live: gbpl.info/FBLV

On Saturday, September 11, 1 – 2:30 pm, celebrate the Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico! In association with the Mexican Organization of Elgin (OME).

José-Luis Orozco Celebrates Hispanic Heritage!

Virtual Via Zoom

On Saturday, September 25 at 2 pm, children and families are invited to join José-Luis Orozco for an energetic and interactive journey through Latin American culture with singing, dancing and more! Please register at gailborden.info/register.

Latino Voices

Facebook Live: gbpl.info/FBLV

On Saturday, October 2 , 1 – 2:30 pm, celebrate the history, traditions, culture and contributions of our Hispanic communities. We will have special guests, music and lots of fun. For other Hispanic Heritage Month activities, visit gailborden.info/hhm. In English and Spanish.

We thank the Elgin Area History Museum, E. C. Alft, author of "Hispanics in Elgin," and Mary Camacho for being valuable sources of information. For more information about the exhibit and month, please visit https://gailborden.info/hhmexhibit.