Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. The recognition started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period from September 15 to October 15.

To celebrate, NOLS is offering a virtual opportunity to learn to make Colombian empanadas with Sequim resident Carlos Osorio, an accomplished chef and baker. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Carlos now teaches baking at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center. Watch a video of Carlos in the kitchen and download his recipe for empanadas at NOLS Youtube Channel. Stop by the library to let staff know how your empanadas turned out! Simple and Delicious!

To learn more about Hispanic heritage, check out one of these books available at NOLS.

Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina
Fans of Judy Moody and Clarice Bean will love Juana, the spunky young Colombian girl who stars in this playful, abundantly illustrated series. Hilarious, energetic, and utterly relatable, Juana will win over los corazones (the hearts) of readers everywhere. – From the publisher

Charlie Hernández & The League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo
The Lightning Thief meets the Story Thieves series in this middle grade fantasy inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America. – From the publisher

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
A powerful young adult book for fans of The Poet X and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line—even her blooming love story—to follow her dreams. – From the publisher

The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
In this “raucous, moving, and necessary” story (San Francisco Chronicle) by a Pulitzer Prize finalist, the De La Cruzes family, on the Mexican-American border, celebrate two of their most beloved relatives during a joyous and bittersweet weekend. – From the publisher

Some books are even available in both English and Spanish at NOLS, like Windows, a picture book by Julia Denos. Spanish translation is titled Ventanas. Walking his dog at dusk, one boy catches glimpses of the lives around him in this lovely ode to autumn evenings, exploring your neighborhood, and coming home. – From the publisher

NOLS also offers a Spanish Language collection with over 1,200 books and DVDs available for checkout. Visit nols.org to access the catalog. Select español in “format”, for a list of all Spanish Language materials. You can browse the collection in person, when visiting NOLS libraries in Port Angeles, Forks, and Clallam Bay. Due to current space constraints at the Sequim Branch, Spanish Language materials are only available by placing a hold to pick up a specific title.

Getting a library card is free and provides access to all of the library’s resources! To sign up, bring your ID to the Sequim Branch Library and your friendly library staff will get you set up. The Library is located at 630 N. Sequim Ave. For more information, visit www.nols.org, or call 360.683.1161.