Thursday, July 9, 2015

Altadena Public Library Receives “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” Grant

The Altadena Public Library has been selected to receive a competitive Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA).

As one of 203 grant recipients selected from across the country, Altadena Public Library will receive a cash grant of $3,000 to hold public programming — such as public film screenings, discussion groups, oral history initiatives, local history exhibitions, multi-media projects or performances — about Latino history and culture.

The library will also receive the six-part, NEH-supported documentary film “Latino Americans,” created for PBS in 2013 by the WETA public television station. The award-winning series chronicles the history of Latinos in the United States from the 16th century to present day. (Learn more about the series at www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/.)

The Latino Americans funding will enable the Altadena Library to present a film and lecture series with scholars including Roberta Martinez and Dr. Francisco Balderrama, special presentations in partnership with Altadena Heritage and Altadena Historical Society and a Latino Festival in April highlighting local Latino culture.

“Latino Americans are the country’s largest minority group, with more than 50 million people, and still many people are unaware of their rich and varied history and culture,” said Mindy Kittay, Director. “I’m thrilled that the Altadena Library has this opportunity to explore this topic in our community. We have a full year of exciting activities planned with renowned scholars, dignitaries, artists, authors and musicians.”

The Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grantees represent 42 states and the District of Columbia, and include 78 public libraries, 68 college/university libraries and organizations, 19 community college libraries, 10 state humanities councils, 12 museums and a range of other nonprofit organizations. View a full list of the recipients.

Latino Americans: 500 Years of History has been made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. Latino Americans: 500 Years of History is part of an NEH initiative, The Common Good: The Humanities in the Public Square.

The Altadena Library is located at 600 East Mariposa Street, Altadena, CA 91001. For more
information please call (626) 798-0833. For more information please call (626) 798-0833. For a schedule of events, visit the library on the web at www.altadenalibrary.org.