Vida Latina
A Month-Long Celebration of Latin(e) Heritage
Each year during September and October, Long Beach Public Library presents Vida Latina—our homegrown celebration of Latin(e) culture, stories, and community. Each year we celebrate with special programs and performances, book and media lists, and other activities for library visitors.
The Library also bi-annually hosts Mercadito Literario, a family-friendly book fair and literary festival that highlights Latin American, bilingual, and Spanish-language booksellers, vendors, and community resources.
Visit the Long Beach Public Library during September and October to see all the amazing Vida Latina events happening!
Staff Picks
- The Dream Catcher by Marcelo Verdad
- A Maleta Full of Treasures / La maleta de tesoros by Natalia Sylvester
- Welcome Home, Esmerelda / Bienvenida a casa, Esmerelda by Daniela Ramirez
- How to Eat a Mango / Cómo se come un mango by Paola Santos
- Twin Cities by Jose Pimienta
- Jasmine Is Haunted by Mark Oshiro
- Ultraviolet by Aida Salazar
- Cruzita and the Mariacheros by Ashley Jean Granillo
- Tíos y primos by Jacqueline Alcántara
- Benita and the Night Creatures / Benita y las criaturas nocturnas by Mariana Llanos
Visit the library catalog for the full kids' list.
- Shut Up, This Is Serious by Carolina Ixta
- Libertad by Bessie Flores Zaldívar
- Saints of the Household by Ari Tison
- Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim by Patricia Park
- Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
- Lobizona by Romina Garber
- Brownstone by Samuel Teer
- Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle
- Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora, edited by Saraciea J. Fennell
- Mexikid by Pedro Martin
Visit the library catalog for the full teens' list.
- Chicano Frankenstein by Daniel A. Olivas
- Malas by Marcela Fuentes
- There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven by Ruben Reyes Jr.
- The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro
- Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
- Listen, Beautiful Márcia by Marcello Quintanilha
- Memories from Limón by Edo Brenes
- Latinoland: A Portrait of America's Largest and Least Understood Minority by Marie Arana
- My (Half) Latinx Kitchen: Half Recipes, Half Stories, All Latin American by Kiera Wright-Ruiz
- The Cemetery of Untold Stories / El cementerio de los cuentos sin contar by Julia Alvarez
Visit the library catalog for the full adults' list.
MakeMake
MakeMake is a digital, interactive, and animated book platform offering access to a unique collection of children's and youth literature in Spanish from Latin America. In MakeMake you will find more than 200 illustrated stories, comics, novels, myths and legends for readers from 3 years old and up.
PressReader
Newspapers and magazines from Latin America. PressReader also provides instant translations for most articles and some full publications in up to 18 different languages. All available on-demand, no waiting or holds lists!
Explore and Connect
In-Person
MOLAA
The Museum of Latin American Art expands knowledge and appreciation of modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art through its collection, ground-breaking exhibitions, stimulating educational programs, and engaging cultural events.
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture is a public-private partnership between RAM, the City of Riverside, and comedian Cheech Marin who is one of the world’s foremost collectors of Chicano art. The Cheech's mission is to be the “center of Chicano art, not only for painting, but for sculpture, photography, and video arts.”
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
A community hub in downtown Los Angeles where people gather to celebrate Latinx culture through transformative exhibitions, music, dance, culinary arts, and multigenerational artmaking and storytelling experiences.
Plaza de la Raza
Plaza de la Raza is a multidisciplinary community arts venue dedicated to serving the Eastside neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Plaza hosts classes and opportunities for students of all ages (ranging from entry level to conservatory level) and free, year-round cultural programs.
Self Help Graphics & Art
A Los Angeles arts organization fostering the creation and advancement of new art works by Chicana/o and Latinx artists through experimental and innovative printmaking techniques and other visual art forms. Self Help Graphics provides arts engagement and education, cultural and annual events, and youth and community outreach.
CASA 0101 Theater
A leading arts venue for Los Angeles’ East Side, presenting theatrical productions, film festivals, and other special events year round. CASA 0101 also offers year-round, free arts education classes for youth, and low-cost classes for adults.
Online
Virtual Exhibitions on Calisphere
This curated collection of exhibitions on Hispanic Americans was created as part of the California Cultures project.
Zócalo Public Square
A media hub and non-profit organization that blends live events and humanities journalism to connect people to ideas and to each other.
ÓRALE
Organizing Rooted in Abolition, Liberation, and Empowerment (ÓRALE). ÓRALE is building and sustaining a thriving immigrant-led movement to end the criminalization of immigrants and secure bold protections and opportunities that allow immigrant communities to thrive.
Latinos in Action California
Latinos in Action California is a grassroots organization providing programs that educate, empower, and encourage community members to excel and become leaders.
