Reflections from a Founding Mother on Our 50th Anniversary
It is wonderful to see the San José Public Library (SJPL) website commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the Biblioteca Latinoamericana. The blog provides a moving chronological view
of the library’s evolution from 1976 to 2026, reminding us the library preserves the history of a
community that yearned to support its children's education.
My own journey began before the opening of the Biblioteca Latinoamericana branch
library. La Biblioteca de los Pequeños del Sagrado Corazón, started when a group of young
mothers met at the Sacred Heart church hall to discuss our children's education; we realized then
that the Washington community lacked a library to support its youth.
We took action. Our parish priest granted us use of the old baptistry—essentially a closet
—to store our books. Every Sunday, we mothers would set them out for checkout in the church
hall, slowly growing our collection through church fundraisers.
Our concerns were eventually heard by the wider community. Through the dedicated
efforts of Father Moriarty, SJSU students, and civic and community members, the California
State Library provided the seed money to fund the Biblioteca Latinoamericana. It was a difficult
struggle but a meaningful journey.
I hope this website serves as a platform for the community to share their own stories and
perspectives on how the library has impacted their lives. I would love to hear from other
mothers, library staff, civic leaders, and community members about their personal connections to
the development of the Biblioteca. After all, it’s the many contributions that made the dream
come true.
Thank you for this 50th Anniversary tribute. I believe it is a beautiful recollection and
reflection on a long and meaningful community struggle.
Marta Morales Founding Mother, La Biblioteca de los Pequeños del Sagrado Corazón
and Supportive Member of the Biblioteca Latinoamericana since 1976.
To Community, And Beyond.
Biblioteca Latinoamericana through the years.
The First Biblioteca: April 25th, 1976 - 1979
It all started when La Comision Honorifica Mexicana conceptualized a library specifically addressing the needs of their community. With support from the community, including La Comision board members: Mrs. Carmen Moroyoqui, the Rev. Cuchulain Moriarty, Jose Angulo, Ray Mojica, Enrique Angulo, Mrs. Bertha Lopez and Camille Lopez arranged with the City of San Jose, the California State Library, and the Biblioteca Board to obtain a federal grant that funded the library dedicated to Spanish language speakers. A former convent building was selected, generosity of the Sacred Heart parish, located in the Gardner Alma neighborhood. According to a report, "A Latin American Library in San Jose (a dream becomes a reality)" by Biblioteca Latinoamericana Inc. President Enrique Angulo, "each Sunday at Sacred Heart Church this dedicated group of people provided books and material to be lent out to the community free of charge. Mrs. Marta Morales and her small volunteer group worked very hard to bring the community books that could be read in
Spanish." According to Luis G. Juarez of the San Jose Mercury News, the neighborhood was 60 percent Chicano in the 1970s. La Biblioteca had bilingual staff and an ever growing Spanish language collection, including books, magazines, newspapers, etc.
The Second Biblioteca: January 14th, 1979 - 1999
While the convent building on Locust Street served as the home of Biblioteca Latinoamericana, it quickly outgrew the space. The search was on for further funding and a new location as the federal grant ended in 1979. The City of San Jose approved funding, and it became a branch of the San Jose Public Library at a new home just a few blocks north on Locust Street at the former cafeteria of Woodrow Wilson Junior High.
As reported by the San Jose Mercury News on January 10th, 1979, "we begin things on a cultural note today with announcement of the dedication Sunday at 1:30 p.m. of the Biblioteca Latino Americana, or Latin American Library, at 690 Locust St. Flags will fly, mariachis will be heard and members of Centro Cultural de la Gente will perform. Muralist Jaime Valadez, an instructor at Centro Cultural de la Gente, will present a mural he painted for Biblioteca. The library is the creation of a dedicated group of rresidents (sic) in the Gardner-Alma area who wanted a center devoted to the Spanish speaking community.
This location also hosted genealogy programs, noted in the San Jose Mercury News in 1989. The program was led by Librarian Linda Mendez-Ortiz, and Evelyn Romero Martinez, director of Founders and Friends of Santa Clara County, a organization founded to preserve the history and heritage of the county.
The New Biblioteca Latinoamericana: November 20th,1999 - Today
Finally, enter. Biblioteca Latinoamericana on South First Street. Opened in 1999 at First Street and Oak Street. The current Biblioteca Latinoamericana will go under renovations soon, but before then a time capsule will be unearthed, marking over 25 years since this location opened. The time capsule was placed in 1999 to honor the first 25 years of BLA and projected to be opened to honor the 50th anniversary. We are currently planning a renovation of the branch and plan to hold a community celebration later this year where the time capsule will be opened.
Further Reading
California Room Digital Collections
San Jose Mercury News Archive through Newsbank (available with SJPL Library Card)
Property Research and Genealogy Collections available in-person at the California Room including:
City Directories,
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps,
High School Yearbooks,
Aerial Photographs,
Building Permits,
and much more!
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