National Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural enrichment of the Hispanic and Latino community in the United States. At the San José Public Library, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of our volunteers, who are the heart and soul of our community programs.
This month, we interviewed an incredible volunteer who shared their story about the many ways they make an impact throughout the community.
Meet Sarah Perez
Tell me a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been volunteering at the San Jose Public Library?
My name is Sarah, and I am a high school student and currently volunteer at the Almaden Library Branch. I am also the page editor for my school’s journalism club, and I recently featured the library in one of my articles. The article focused on the disappearance of “third places” spaces outside of home and school where people can gather, socialize, and feel a sense of community and how libraries can help fill that gap.
One of the ideas I emphasized was the contrast between the way schools and libraries are designed. Many schools can resemble prison-like spaces, with environments that can feel restrictive and make it difficult for students to focus. In contrast, libraries are often intentionally designed as beautiful, inviting, and open spaces where people can spend time, explore ideas, and interact with their community. As part of my research for the article, I found myself reading a lot of architectural books at the library.
This gave me a new appreciation for how thoughtfully libraries can be designed and how much their physical spaces can influence the way people feel and interact with one another. The library has always been an important place for me to be social, learn, and feel connected to my community. During my time at Almaden Library, I have also served as a Summer Learning Ambassador, which has given me the opportunity to develop valuable social and communication skills. These are skills that are not always easy to learn in a traditional school environment.
What inspired you to start volunteering at the library? What keeps you coming back?
I already really enjoyed spending time at the library, and since I was already going there regularly, it felt like a fun opportunity to make even more use of it.
Can you share an experience at the library that was especially meaningful to you?
Studying with my friends is really convenient because the library gives us a place where we can easily come together, so I would say that is my favorite part about coming to the library. I also had the opportunity to pitch a fun program through the Program Incubator, where I proposed creating a workshop focused on sustainable cities. I received a lot of positive and constructive feedback. Although I was not selected, the feedback encouraged me to continue developing the idea, and I am currently working on the project.
How does your cultural heritage influence or inform the way you engage with your community through your volunteer work?
My cultural heritage inspires a lot of things, including my appreciation for language learning. Learning to read and write can be scary, especially for an English Learning Development (ELD) student. I was also an ELD student, so I understand how challenging it can feel. Being at the library really helped me build confidence and feel more comfortable at school.
What advice would you give to someone from the Hispanic community who is thinking about volunteering or getting involved in their local library?
People should know that they belong here. Especially in today’s political climate, being an engaged citizen is more important than ever. It’s about contributing to something bigger than yourself, building a stronger community, and leaving a place better than you found it. I encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zone, get involved, and find ways to make a meaningful difference.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally, and how do you choose to celebrate it?
To me, Hispanic Heritage Month is more than just a time to share stories or highlight well-known Hispanic figures. It is an opportunity to uplift the community, be a mentor, and connect with people in ways we might not normally do. Visiting places like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino can also be a meaningful way to learn more about Hispanic culture and history.
What are you passionate about—inside or outside of the library?
I love poetry and actually discovered my passion for it at the library, which inspired me to start publishing my own work. I also enjoy talking politics, sharing good food, and spending time with friends!
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