This past weekend the Perry Public Library kicked off the first portion of a series of programs on Latino Americans when Viva Perry attendees started sharing their family’s immigration stories.
The series is made possible through a Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant the local library received from the American Libraries Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Library Director Mary Murphy says the $10,000 grant will pay for a total of six programs during the current fiscal year.
“What they’re trying to do is raise awareness of the long history, 500 years of Hispanic history, in the United States. In some cases they were here before the European immigrants were here.”
While that program continues, the next program will feature a local educator.
“Our own Eddie Diaz from the high school is going to lead one as the emcee. We’re going to watch a program on Latinos in the military. Then he’s going to have some guest speakers and talk about how to become incorporated in the culture and defend your new country. This is how a lot of our immigrants became assimilated in our country.”
That program will take place January 12th. Perry was one of four communities to receive a grant for the series.