National Immigrant Heritage Month - Books, programs and more

National Immigrant Heritage Month

National Immigrant Heritage Month recognizes the countless ways immigrants have enriched American society, economy and culture. We welcome our community to learn more about the history of our nation's diverse and varied immigrant communities and embrace our shared history by sharing family stories and honoring our ancestors.

Booklists
Library staff have put together booklists for readers of all ages. Check out our lists below for reading recommendations:

Programs and Events
Heritage Fest
Saturday, August 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. / Arlington Heights Historical Museum Grounds, 110 W. Fremont Ave. / Drop in
Celebrate cultural diversity at Heritage Fest, a free, family-friendly event with performances, food and the opportunity to meet with local cultural organizations. Presented in partnership by the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Village of Arlington Heights and Arlington Heights Park District.

Tuesday Matinee: Minari
Tuesday, August 13, 1-3 p.m. / Hendrickson Room / Register
A Korean-American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life, they find the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home. Starring Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Yuh-Jung Youn, Alan S. Kim and Noel Kate Cho. Rated PG-13, 120 minutes.

Beyond the Book: An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann
Wednesday, August 14, 6-7:30 p.m. / Makerplace, 112 N. Belmont Ave. / Join the Waitlist
Love to craft as well as read? Discuss the book as you make jewelry representing Colombia's rich and diverse culture.

Genealogy for Kids: Craft Your Family Tree
Monday, August 19, noon-2 p.m. / Cardinal Room / Register
Join us for a special program about learning and sharing the stories of our families journeys to America and beyond. Children and caretakers are invited to come to the library for a short introduction to genealogy followed by a family tree making craft. Feel free to bring photos or family information to be scanned/printed to be added to your craft or explore your family history for the first time with the genealogy staff.

Beginning Overseas Genealogy
Thursday, August 22, 1-2:30 p.m. / Cardinal Room / Register
Genealogist Jacquie Schattner will review the history of immigrant travel into the U.S. and how to find genealogical records in most European countries.

Become an ESL Tutor
Make a positive impact in the lives of new immigrants in Arlington Heights by becoming an ESL tutor. In 2023 the library hosted 574 ESL & Literacy Services programs and engaged 6,164 students. More than 100 dedicated volunteers collectively contributed 4,575 hours to help individuals learn and practice English in our community last year. Help us in 2024 by learning more about volunteering opportunities in the ESL department. Contact us at esl@ahml.info.

Visit our Displays
Stop by the library and visit our display cases featuring library staff and their stories and special keepsakes as they relate to their families' immigrant experiences. The display cases are located on the first floor near the Dunton Avenue entrance and on the second floor outside the Hendrickson Room.