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September 3, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nicholas A. Brown

(301) 699-3500, ext. 6241

nicholas.brown@pgcmls.info

Latin GRAMMY Winner 123 Andrés Joins PGCMLS to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Largo, Maryland – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System is proud to celebrate the vibrant local Hispanic community for Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15, 2020). Prince Georgians can enjoy 32 virtual programs and numerous featured online resources that support an intercultural dialogue. Highlights include a series of family performances by Latin GRAMMY Award-winning ensemble 123 Andrés, a special program on Mayan weaving supported by REFORMA, reader’s and viewer’s advisories hosted by library staff and local Hispanic bookstagrammers, Tween Book Trivia, and Spanish/bilingual read-alouds for children. PGCMLS Hispanic Heritage Month programs are presented in association with Casa de la Cultura El Salvador, an area non-profit that promotes Salvadoran and Hispanic culture in the United States.

The Library also launched a new Hispanic Heritage webpage, as part of the ongoing Prince George’s County Heritage Project. The page contains featured online resources, historical information, and book recommendations. Spanish speakers can access the Library’s resources through Su biblioteca and La biblioteca de Prince George Facebook. Library staff are available to assist customers in Spanish at (240) 455-5451 or via email at askalibrarian@pgcmls.info

Performing Arts Events

Several area ensembles will share Hispanic performing arts traditions with virtual concerts and interactive programs. 123 Andrés performs a series of  “Around the World” educational shows (Tuesdays at 1 pm, September 15-October 6) and a “Music and Fun” virtual concert (Saturday, October 10 at 12 pm).  DanceInTime presents “Latin Dancing and Culture,” an interactive dance event (Friday, September 18 at 4 pm). Cantaré presents “Mucha Música: Latin American Music” for children and teens (Saturday, September 26 at 12 pm).  Lulu Delacre performs popular songs and rhymes from Latin America in “Arrorró mi niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games” (Wednesday, September 23 at 10 am). 

Noche de Cuentos: Maya Weaving Alive!

Julia Lopez and Yolanda Alcorta present a program on Mayan weaving traditions called Noche de Cuentos: Maya Weaving Alive! on Saturday, September 19 at 12 pm. This program is made possible through a national mini-grant program from REFORMA, the professional organization for Hispanic library workers and Hispanic culture in libraries. 

Featured Events

Area bookstagrammers convene an “Own Voices: Hispanic Heritage Reader’s Advisory” event on Wednesday, September 16 at 7 pm. The discussion of books by Hispanic authors features Ofelia Montelongo (@ofe23), Alejandra Montoya-Boyer (@Libros.ConCoffee), Lupita Reads (@Lupita.Reads). The Library also hosts a series of discussions with Hispanic leaders in the community through the Café a las cuatro program (Tuesdays at 4 pm). Library staff share book and movie recommendations throughout the month with a series of reader’s advisory, viewer’s advisory, and discussion-based events.

Established in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration also offers programs that promote empathy, build resilience, and catalyze positive change within our diverse communities. The day of September 15 is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, marking the start of the annual commemoration.

Schedule of Virtual Events 

Events are broadcast on a variety of platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Zoom. Select virtual events require advance registration. Hispanic Heritage Month programs are presented in English and/or Spanish. Visit pgcmls.info/events for the latest information and broadcast links.

September 15 at 1 pm: 123 Andrés “Around the World” (Performance, Ages 5-12)

September 15 at 4 pm: Café a las Cuatro: Conozca su comunidad (Discussion, Adults)

September 16 at 10 am: Spanish/English Read-Aloud Series (Read-Aloud, Ages 2-5)

September 16 at 7 pm: Own Voices Hispanic Heritage Reader’s Advisory (Discussion, Adults)

September 18 at 12 pm: STEM at Home: Hispanic Scientists (STEM, Ages 5-12 with Adults)

September 18 at 4 pm: DanceInTime presents: Latin Dancing and Culture (Performance, All Ages)

September 19 at 12 pm: Noche de Cuentos: Maya Weaving Alive! (Arts and Crafts, All Ages)

September 22 at 1 pm: 123 Andrés “Around the World” (Performance, Ages 5-12)

September 22 at 4 pm: Café a las Cuatro: Conozca su comunidad (Discussion, Adults)

September 23 at 10 am: Lulu Delacre - “Arrorrò mi niño” (Performance, Ages 2-5)

September 25 at 3 pm: Crafternoon: Los Alebrijes (Arts and Crafts, Ages 5-12)

September 26 at 12 pm: Cantaré - Mucha Música: Latin American Music (Performance, Ages 5-17)

September 28 at 7 pm: Film Discussion with Catherine Murphy (Director, “Maestra”) (Discussion, Adults)

September 29 at 1 pm: 123 Andrés “Around the World” (Performance, Ages 5-12)

September 29 at 4 pm: Café a las Cuatro: Conozca su comunidad (Discussion, Adults)

September 30 at 10 am: Spanish/English Read-Aloud Series (Read-Aloud, Ages 2-5)

September 30 at 5 pm: Reader’s Advisory forTweens (Discussion, Ages 9-12)

September 30 at 5:30 pm: Reader’s Advisory for Teens (Discussion, Teens)

October 1 at 7 pm: Hispanic Heritage Viewer’s Advisory (Discussion, Adults)

October 2 at 3:30 pm: Tween Book Trivia Game (Interactive, Ages 9-12)

October 3 at 11 am: Cooking the Recipes of Chef Aarón Sánchez (Discussion, Teens/Adults)

October 6 at 1 pm: 123 Andrés “Around the World” (Performance, Ages 5-12)

October 6 at 4 pm: Café a las Cuatro: Conozca su comunidad (Discussion, Adults)

October 6 at 7 pm: Viewer’s Advisory in Spanish/Cineforo en español (Discussion, Teens/Adults)

October 7 at 10 am: Spanish/English Read-Aloud Series (Read-Aloud, Ages 2-5)

October 8 at 4 pm: Community Conversation with Roberta Phillips (Discussion, Adults)

October 10 at 12 pm: 123 Andrés Presents “Music and Fun” (Performance, Ages 2-12)

October 13 at 4 pm: Café a las Cuatro: Conozca su comunidad (Discussion, Adults)

October 14 at 10 am: Spanish/English Read-Aloud Series (Read-Aloud, Ages 2-5)

October 15 at 7 pm: Film Discussion: “Neruda” and “Real Women Have Curves” (Adults)

About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 915,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. The Books from Birth and Ready 2 Read programs make the Library the primary source of early literacy education and Kindergarten readiness programs in the County. 

PGCMLS’ robust online offerings include curated content collections for kids, teens, educators, Spanish speakers, and more. Virtual events and outreach provide access to the Library from the comfort of home or on the go. Special programs include the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, STEM Pals, and 3D printing, which offer teens and lifelong learners with opportunities to learn cutting-edge technology and STEM skills for job readiness or personal enrichment. The Library also provides drive-up WiFi access at all branches and mobile hotspot devices. The Library’s Laurel Branch Library received the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and was designated the best new public building in Maryland.