Every June, communities across the country celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, a time to honor immigrants and their descendants and recognize how their stories, cultures, and work shape our shared life. Here in San José, diversity is part of everyday life. Our city is home to people with connections to countries all over the world, and San José Public Library (SJPL) reflects that richness in our collections, programs, and the many languages you hear in our spaces. This month - and all year - we invite you to discover stories, explore resources, and celebrate your heritage at the library.
Explore Books in Many Languages
SJPL offers world language collections across our branches so you can read, watch, and listen in the languages that feel like home. You’ll find books, movies, music and more in languages such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Tagalog, Hindi, Korean, Farsi, and others. Families with young children can also enjoy LOTE (Languages Other Than English) for Kids, an online collection of picture books in many languages, each with English translations. Kids can listen to stories read aloud while following along with the text and illustrations, making it a fun way to support both their home language and English. Log in to LOTE4Kids, opens a new window by choosing San José Public Library as your library and entering your library card number.
Immigrant Stories for Every Age
Stories are a powerful way to see yourself and understand others. During National Immigrant Heritage Month, SJPL is highlighting three staff-created booklists that center immigrant voices and journeys:
- For kids: Explore picture books about moving, starting over, and celebrating family traditions with SJPL Picks: Immigration Stories in Picture Books, opens a new window.
- For teens: Discover YA fiction and memoirs about identity, belonging, and immigrant teen lives with SJPL Picks: YA Multicultural Graphic Novels, opens a new window.
- For adults: Immerse yourself in fiction and nonfiction by and about immigrants in SJPL Picks: Immigrant Stories, opens a new window.
Trace Your Roots
If this month inspires you to learn more about your own family’s journey, SJPL offers free access to MyHeritage Library Edition through our History & Genealogy resources. With MyHeritage, opens a new window, you can search international records such as census information, vital records, and historical newspapers to discover relatives and trace your family across time and place. You can use MyHeritage from home with your library card and PIN.
We Welcome You!
San José’s strength is in the many cultures, languages, and histories that come together here, and the library supports them all. Whether you are new to the city or your family has been here for generations, you’re welcome at San José Public Library to read, learn, and share your story.
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