Join us in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, a national observance that runs from September 15th through October 15th. You may start to see our displays popping up around the library of various books, movies, and music to celebrate this month, but if you are looking for a little bit more information and a few more title recommendations, please read below. ♦◊♦◊♦◊♦ A Brief History of the Month As entered and recently updated in the Encyclopedia Britannica, National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) is a time “in which the people of the United States honour the achievements of Hispanics. The celebration was first authorized in 1968, when the U.S. Congress adopted a resolution asking the president of the United States annually to issue a proclamation designating a week in September including September 15 and 16 as “National Hispanic Heritage Week.” In 1988 Congress expanded the celebration to a 31-day period beginning September 15. The resolution calls “on the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with the celebrations of Independence Day in many Latin American countries—including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (September 15), Mexico (September 16), and Chile (September 18)—as well as with Columbus Day (originally October 12 in the United States but now commemorated there on the second Monday in October).”   Looking to learn more? Use some of our amazing online resources to explore the biographies of well-known Hispanic Americans such as actor Danny Trejo, author Julia Alvarez, Senator Marco Rubio, and actress/activist Eva Longoria. Also take time and discover the history and current happenings of Hispanic countries and territories, and maybe learn a new recipe or two. See below for lists of Hispanic themed or penned books for your age group. Happy learning!   Adult Reading Suggestions: [books list=”adults-hispanic-heritage-month” display=”carousel” total_items=”40″ auto=”true”] Teen Reading Suggestions: [books list=”teen-hispanic-heritage-month” display=”carousel” total_items=”40″ auto=”true”] Kid Reading Suggestions: [books list=”cr-hispanic-heritage-month” display=”carousel” total_items=”40″ auto=”true”]

Come and meet award-winning author, Julia Glass! On Thursday, September 28, 2023, Ms. Glass will read from and discuss her books. This event will be moderated by local author Carla Panciera. Copies of the books will be available for purchase. Register for this free event by clicking HERE. Registration begins on August 17th. Schedule for the Evening Book Sales & Cash Bar | 6:30pm Author’s Presentation | 7:30pm Location: Ipswich Country Club Ballroom, 148 Country Club Way, Ipswich, MA 01938 This is an indoor event.  There is no hybrid/Zoom component to this program.  And this program will not be recorded. There is no ticket needed on the day of the event.  If you are registered to attend, your name will be on a printed list at the check-in table. And volunteers will be on hand to check your name off the registrant list. About the Author Ms. Glass is the award-winning author of seven novels. She writes literary and psychological fiction that is character driven. Her first novel, Three Junes, won the National Book Award for Fiction. Her latest novel, Vigil Harbor, has already received many starred reviews and was just named a Must Read by  the Annual Massachusetts Book Awards. Ms. Glass was born and raised in Massachusetts. She lived in New York City for 24 years. She published her first novel at age 46 and dedicated her National Book Award to late bloomer of all kinds. About the Johnson Author Lecture Series The Johnson Lecture Series is made possible by a permanent endowment by Louise & Hugh Johnson. The Johnson endowment was left to and is managed by the Friends of the Library and is intended to enrich the lives of Ipswich residents. Louise and Hugh loved life. They loved books, nature, friends, good food, and each other. They lived together in Ipswich. Louise was very involved with the Ipswich Public library, the garden club, bird watching, and poetry. Hugh had a background in publishing, loved to fly fish, and cherished Jane Austen’s novels (his favorite being Emma).