City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture

Latino Collection and Resource Center Opens at Central Library

On September 19, the San Antonio Public Library celebrated the grand opening of the Latino Collection and Resource Center at Central Library. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Rep. Lloyd Doggett, 35th District, spoke to a crowd of more than 200 donors, sponsors, friends and supporters of the library to offer words of congratulations to the San Antonio Public Library and members of the San Antonio Public Library Foundation who have championed the creation of a Latino Collection since 1995.

"This expansion of the Collection into a full-service resource center is happening at a very crucial time in our city," Mayor Nirenberg said. "Cultural treasures like the Latino Collection and Resource Center will help San Antonio grow as a diverse, progressive and globally competitive city."

The Latino Collection was established in 1996 after a group of residents, including local activist Rosie Castro, petitioned the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees for a special collection dedicated to bringing together the voices of Hispanics and Latinos. It was envisioned as a cultural and educational resource which would chronicle and celebrate the literature, heritage and contemporary life of Latinos in the United States.

"With the support of our stakeholders, I know our community will embrace the Latino Collection and Resource Center as a way to ensure that we preserve and keep alive and relevant the rich history of our great city's Latino cultural heritage for generations to come," said Ramiro Salazar, Director of the San Antonio Public Library.

Tuesday, the Latino Collection was relocated and expanded into the Latino Collection and Resource Center, a 6,000-square-foot space on the first floor of Central Library as part of the Library's ongoing efforts to facilitate access to informational resources and enlightening experiences.

Features of the new space include more than 10,000 books and monographs in English and Spanish, a writer's workshop and conference room, lecture and programming space, research and study areas, private study rooms and an art gallery featuring pieces from the personal collection of Drs. Ricardo and Harriett Romo. Programming in the space will feature "pláticas" with local authors, art exhibits, writing workshops and community learning events.

More information about the Latino Collection and Resource Center, including a list of upcoming programs, can be found online.