Towson University’s Albert S. Cook Library is one of 55 U.S. libraries selected to receive a $10,000 “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA).
The cash grant will enable Cook Library to offer public programming about Latino history and culture over the course of the 2015-2016 academic year.
The library also will receive the six-part, NEH-supported documentary film, “Latino Americans,” created for PBS in 2013 by WETA-TV. The award-winning series chronicles the history of Latinos in the United States from the 16th century to the present.
In addition to film screenings, Cook Library plans to offer a photo exhibit on the recent wave of unaccompanied minors to the United States, a Latino student-organized rally, a New York Times talk, book discussion, and lectures on a variety of Latino-themed topics.
Librarian Joyce Garczynski says the multidisciplinary project is designed to promote awareness and encourage dialogue about the country’s largest minority group.
“So many members of the campus community are excited and energized about bringing this material to campus,” Garczynski says. “It’s very timely, considering the dramatic growth of our region’s Latino population and the continuing debate about immigration.
“Our job here at Cook Library is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome on campus,” she adds. “Programs like this can help us accomplish that.”
“Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” is part of an NEH initiative, The Common Good: The Humanities in the Public Square.
