As an organization whose purpose is built on promoting library and information services to Latinos and Spanish-speaking patrons, it is our honor to recognize the work of librarians in the Los Angeles area doing just that. We hope to inspire other librarians looking for new ways to engage patrons with these successful program ideas.
This month, we spotlight Esmeralda Cabral’s program at Alhambra Library on… Papel Picado!
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Ideal Age Group: ALL ages!
Event Date & Time: Saturday, 11 am to 1 pm
Supplies per Person (or Kit):
How-to sheet (1)
Colored tissue paper (5)
Scissors (1)
Marker (1)
Optional: Ziploc bags for take-home kits; mariachi background music
Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Cabral
If you’re looking for a simple way to engage your community and incorporate their contributions to the library, then try this arts and crafts activity suitable for all ages. Patrons were given the option to donate their finished (and unique!) papel picado to the library to use for decoration during Hispanic Heritage Month. Esmeralda, who was inspired to do something “fun, festive, and transformative,” noted that the donated papel picado “added color and life” to the library, and gave patrons the chance to “see their artwork and connect their work to the library.”
Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Cabral
The community response was incredible, too! Families, friends, and individuals of all ages (yes, even college-aged patrons!) came to the library to socialize and make their own papel picado. Throughout the week, patrons asked about the program and commented on how good the donated crafts looked around the library.
Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Cabral
Esmeralda’s advice to anyone interested in doing a similar program: “Let go of the fear! Your community is open and ready to see themselves. Embrace that and it will guide you.”
Thank you, Esmeralda, for your incredible inspiration! For questions and comments about this program, please contact Esmeralda at EsmeraldaC@AlhambraLibrary.org.
If you would like to nominate a library’s recent program or service for this blog series, please reach out to Erin Castillo at Erin.Castillo@SJSU.edu.