On February 19, the South Burlington Public Library (180 Market Street, South Burlington, VT) hosted an evening dedicated to multicultural storytelling, community reflection, and the power of representation.

The evening featured a public lecture titled “An Inclusive Voice Is a Multicultural Voice,” presented by Adriana Sánchez‑Gutiérrez, Ph.D., lecturer of Spanish in the Department of Romance Languages and Cultures at the University of Vermont. Her talk explored how multilingualism, cultural memory, and lived experience shape the way communities communicate and understand one another. She emphasized that an inclusive voice is one that actively values diverse histories, languages, and ways of knowing.

Participants gathered in the library’s Community Room from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., engaging with ideas about representation, equity, and the importance of creating spaces where multiple cultural identities can be heard and honored.

The event drew a mix of community members—students, families, educators, and local residents—who came together to listen, reflect, and share. Many attendees were connected to the ongoing Hispanic Voices Project, while others joined out of interest in multicultural dialogue and community storytelling.

The Hispanic Voices Exhibit at South Burlington Public Library

Throughout February and March, the South Burlington Public Library is opening its doors to a powerful celebration of culture, identity, and storytelling. The Hispanic Voices Project—a service‑learning initiative created by Adriana Sánchez‑Gutiérrez, Ph.D., lecturer of Spanish in the Department of Romance Languages and Cultures—has transformed the library’s gallery space into a living archive of Hispanic life in Vermont. Developed in partnership with Vermont Public Radio, the project brings together portraiture, oral history, and community engagement in a way that feels both intimate and expansive.

The exhibit features 29 portraits of Hispanic Vermonters, each one paired with a QR code that invites visitors to listen to the individual’s recorded interview. These stories range from migration journeys and family traditions to reflections on belonging, resilience, and the everyday experiences that shape life in Vermont. Students, faculty, and local residents all play a role in bringing these stories forward, creating a shared space where cultural identity is not only represented but celebrated. The portraits stand as reminders of the diversity within Vermont’s Hispanic community—diversity of countries, generations, professions, and lived experiences.

For visitors, the experience is more than visual. It’s participatory. Each QR code becomes an invitation to connect directly with the person behind the portrait, to hear their voice, their cadence, their laughter, their memories. It’s a reminder that representation is not just about being seen—it’s about being heard.

For full details, please refer to the original article: Read the full story on South Butlington Public Library

We are thrilled to share exciting news from our neighboring community! The Brooks Memorial Library has recently opened a new exhibition, “Hispanic Portraits,” highlighting the rich artistic talent and diverse faces of Hispanic culture.

This local installation is a reminder of the vibrant contributions and deep roots of Hispanic voices in our region. Exhibitions like this are vital, offering an intimate and educational look at identity, community, and heritage through the lens of art. It’s an excellent opportunity for students, faculty, and the broader community to engage directly with cultural storytelling right here in Vermont. If you’re looking for an inspiring cultural experience or a chance to support local institutions that celebrate diversity, we highly encourage you to visit the Brooks Memorial Library.

For full details on the artist, specific dates, and any related programming, please refer to the original article: Read the full story on The Reformer.

Hispanic Heritage Month in 2024 at Burlington Public Library.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a period dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the histories, cultures, and immense contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The timing is significant as it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of several Latin American countries.