Latino Collection (original) (raw)
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Services
Contact
Central Library, 1st Floor
600 Soledad St
San Antonio, TX 78205
210.207.2519
Staff
Sarah De La Rosa
Latino Collection & Resource Center Program Manager
Latino Collection & Resource Center
History
The Latino Collection and Resource Center housed at San Antonio Public Library, originated with San Antonio’s Hispanic and Latino community in mind. The Latino Collection and Resource Center (LCRC) was created in 1996 by the Latino Leadership for the Library (L3), a committee of concerned leaders, interested in featuring Latino authors and books that would reflect the population of San Antonio. A hidden gem, the collection was kept on the 6th floor of Central Library until committee fundraising and a city bond made it possible to build a new department. It was decided that the collection would be relocated to a prominent first floor area of the Central Library. The successful outcome of this project confirms San Antonio Public Library’s ongoing effort to achieve social equity through expanding educational and learning opportunities.
In 2017, the Latino Collection and Resource Center was moved to its new space on the first floor providing greater accessibility to the community and adding a new programming space. This project provided a new home for the Latino Collection, but it also provides special spaces that allow the collection to be more meaningful and impactful through programming.
Collection
The Latino Collection is a bilingual collection consisting of fiction, non-fiction, and biographies. There is a smaller juvenile section, with reading levels of Easy, Juvenile and Young Adult. A large portion of the collection was donated from the personal collection of Chicano Studies Scholar, Dr. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto. Our programming is inspired and supported by the Latino Collection, while the programming highlights and showcases the collection.
Checkout Procedure
Items from the Latino Collection and Resource Center may be checked out from Central Library with the approval of a circulation attendant (no self-checkouts). Item can be borrowed for up to 3 weeks total (max), but the item must be returned to Central Library. No online holds or renewals.
With newer or contemporary items purchased for the Latino Collection, our collections team usually purchases extra copies so that those copies may circulate the library system in a familiar manner (online holds and renewals allowed).
To receive the latest Latino Collection and Resource Center news and special programming updates, register to receive our quarterly newsletter at: https://www.mysapl.org/Events-News/News-Media-Center/Newsletters
For a deep dive into our program posts and to explore our event space, gallery and study rooms, visit our LibGuide (Library Guide) here: LCRC LibGuide.
If you’re interested in donating to the Latino Collection and Resource Center please contact us. Financial contributions for LCRC public programs and materials are always welcome. Such contributions may be made directly to the San Antonio Public Library. Please indicate in your correspondence that the donation is intended for the Latino Collection and Resource Center (LCRC).
For more information, please contact the Latino Collection and Resource Center Coordinator at 210.207-2519.
The Latino Collection and Resource Center includes:
- Writer’s Workshop and Conference Room
- Lecture and Programming Space
- Visible and inviting entrance to the Center
- Research and Study Area
- Gallery
- Study Rooms
Events
Events
Web Sites of Interest
The following web sites provide information about the many community services (General, Business Consumer Information) provided in Texas, San Antonio and nearby communities.
- Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center - The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center cultivates, promotes and preserves traditional and contemporary Latino arts and culture through multidisciplinary programming.
- League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) - LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic Organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs.
- National Council of La Raza (NCLR) - The largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, working to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.
- Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) - National advocacy organization representing 13 Hispanic organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico, focusing on four areas: employment, procurement, philanthropy and governance.
- Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) - A private non-profit corporation founded 33 years ago by a small group of Hispanic business persons interested in increasing business opportunities; providing advocacy, technical support, programs, and services to the network of local Hispanic chambers.
- San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Welcome to the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We are proud to be the longest serving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the United States. Additionally, we are San Antonio’s first Accredited Chamber of Commerce and the nation’s first Accredited Hispanic Chamber. In short, we are San Antonio’s leading resource and advocate for Hispanic businesses and Hispanics in business.
- Centro Cultural Aztlán - Centro Cultural Aztlan was founded in 1977 by a group of young community organizers active in the Chicano movement and eager to extend its message of pride and empowerment. Their vision was to preserve and build upon the long tradition of Chicano/Latino culture by creating programs that would involve local artists and increase public awareness of their work.