Author Archives: Alicia

El Paso, Texas, Celebrates the Power of Stories!

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On September 27, 2025, the Esperanza Acosta Moreno Library celebrated Hispanic Heritage with a special event, supported in part by one of our Noche minigrants. Although it took place during the day, the library staff, along with members of REFORMA El Paso Chapter made sure to reflect the storytelling principles of Noche de Cuentos/A Night of Stories programs.

Stations were set up for families to have fun and experience literacy activities, from face painting to crafts, scavenger hunts, and selfie stations. Storytelling and read alouds were included, as well as bilingual books for the kids and refreshments that included aguas frescas and Mexican candies. The Border Heritage Center from the El Paso Public Library also had a table at the event.

Enjoy the slideshow with pictures from this engaging event celebrating our cultures! Well done, El Paso!

“Noche de Cuentos” at NRCVIII in Long Beach, CA

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Attendees to the National REFORMA Conference VIII in Long Beach, California, had no doubts about walking a few blocks from the hotel to experience an energizing Night of Stories! The event took place on September 19th, 2025, as part of the Conference events, at the Altar Society Brewery. It consisted of a “Noche de Cuentos” followed by a game of millennial Lotería.

Master storyteller Lucia M. Gonzalez was the Mistress of Ceremonies, first introducing Irania Macias who opened the night with interactive stories and music. One of her stories paid tribute to storyteller Antonio Sacre, who followed her act with his own stories full of nostalgia and humor. Closing the night, Yosimar Reyes recited his own poems, in which he shared the humanity of shared experiences.

REFORMA strives to provide a storytelling event at every national conference, and this year’s in Long Beach was one to remember! By sharing their stories, Latine librarians and library workers said “PRESENTE” in Long Beach, and in the U.S., in 2025.

2025 Mini Grant Winners Announced

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Congratulations to this year’s grant winners! We can’t wait to learn more about your programs. Thank you to all who entered. Please send us photos and info about your events to share in this blog! And here they are:

2025 REFORMA Noche de Cuentos Mini-Grant Recipients

Hustisford Community Library (Hustisford, Wisconsin):

“Noche de Cuentos”

Frankford Public Library (Frankfort, Delaware):

“Bilingual Storytime with Señora Bunny”

El Paso Public Library (El Paso, Texas):

“Noche de Cuentos”

East Somerville Community School Library (Somerville, Massachusetts):

ESCS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month: Noche de Cuentos

Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts (Los Angeles, California):

La Polilla

Goshen Public Library (Goshen, Indiana):

Cuentos y Cultura Family Night

Roseland Regional Library (Santa Rosa, California):

Noche de cuentos: Leyendas de Lotería

Middle Country Public Library (Centereach, New York):

Voces Latinas: Stories That Unite Us

¡Felicidades!

2025 Mini Grants to be Announced at NRC VIII

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The National REFORMA Conference VIII will take place in Long Beach, CA, on September 18-21, 2025. During the Conference, a breakout session about Noche de Cuentos will take place on Friday 9/18 at 3:00pm, and a special Noche de Cuentos event will take place Friday evening.

The winners of the Mini Grants for 2025 will be announced at this event… stay tuned!

Trilingual Storytelling Celebrates Community in Florida Library Recipient of Mini-Grant

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One of the libraries that received a MiniGrant for a Noche de Cuentos programs in 2024 was the Broward County Library System in Broward, Florida. More specifically, the Lauderdale Lake Branch, whose Manager/Senior Librarian is Freda Mosquera, who applied and received the grant from REFORMA.

Their program took place on December 17, 2024, and it celebrated the rich cultures of their community, which includes a big population of Haitian and Caribbean heritage. For that reason, the event featured storytellers and musicians who performed in English, Spanish, and Haitian/Creole.

Performers included poet André Fouad, musician General Stan, and performers Takiyah Williams and REFORMA’s own Lucia Gonzalez, who has the fortune of living close to this Library and was able to join and bring her stories.

Congratulations to Freda Mosquera and the Lauderdale Lakes Library in Broward, Florida!

Be like Freda! Apply for the next grant!

Flyer with a storyteller picture background and information about a Storytelling Night in Broward County, Florida, listing the performers, time and place.
Broward County Library Manager Freda Mosquera (center) with performers

2024 Noche de Cuentos Mini-Grants Announced!

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REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, is excited to announce the winners of the 2024 REFORMA Noche de Cuentos Mini-Grants. Each organization will receive $500 to support their Noche de Cuentos programs this fall.

Mississippi Valley Library District / Theresa Beck
Collinsville and Fairmont City, Illinois
Sharing Our Heritage / Compartiendo Nuestra Herencia

George Culver Community Library / Kathi Kemp
Sauk City, Wisconsin
Noche de Cuentos

Broward County Library, Lauderdale Lakes Branch / Freda Mosquera
Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
Holiday Caribbean Stories: A Celebration of the Power of Stories in English, Creole and Spanish

Contra Costa County Library, Concord Library / Rosa Lassalle
Concord, California
Noche de Cuentos con Mariela’s Music Time

Biblioteca Municipal e Infantil Mariana Suárez de Longo / Keyla Guelén
Ponce, Puerto Rico
contARTE

Inglewood Public Library / Briceida Pacheco Granados
Inglewood, California    
¿Crees en los chupacabras?

Nevins Library / Elizabeth Borges Ocasio
Methuen, Massachusetts
Bilingual Storytelling: The Legend of the Inca Empire’s Origin

Lawrence Public Library / Frankie Haynes
Lawrence, Kansas
Cuentacuentos: Todos Juntos

Dale Junior High School / Mirna Gutierrez-Saucedo
Anaheim, California
El Poder de Leer

California State University Monterey Bay Library / Kelsey Nordstrom-Sanchez
Seaside, California
Celebrate Noche: A Night of Stories and Culture

 
REFORMA thanks the 2024 Noche de Cuentos Mini-Grants Selection Committee and the program coordinator Madeline Peña Feliz, Associate Director for Community Engagement and Outreach Department, Los Angeles Public Library; REFORMA National President 2018-19; Awards Committee Chair.

To support future Noche de Cuentos Mini-Grants, consider donating to REFORMA at reforma.org/donate.

¡Felicidades a los ganadores!

Noche de Cuentos in Seattle

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During the American Library Association’s Midwinter Conference, join REFORMA for a Night of Stories — Noche de Cuentos — on Saturday, January 26 at the Seattle Central Library. The event starts at 7:30 PM and will feature 3 Seattle-based storytellers. Free and open to the public all Midwinter attendees.

noche flyer mw19

noche flyer mw19

Noche de Cuentos Caribbean-style!

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** Important: This event, along with REFORMA’s National Conference VI, was cancelled due to Hurricane Maria. We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the path of the Hurricane. **

Get ready for a “Night of Stories/Noche de Cuentos” in Puerto Rico!

Join REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, at their National Conference VI, which will include a spectacular “Noche de Cuentos”

Friday, September 8, 2017 – 8:00pm

Intercontinental Hotel & Resort

5961 Isla Verde Avenue

San Juan, PR, 00979

noche

Download flyer here to promote the event: Noche_5x7_Export

Texas Tech University Libraries Host “Noche”

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Texas Tech University Libraries and the CH Foundation presented a “Noche de Cuentos” in conjunction with Diversity Week on March 23, 2017.  The event was part of a program implemented by Texas Tech University Libraries’ Esther De Leon, Assistant Librarian, and Minerva Alaniz, Associate Librarian.

Participants were Dr. Julie Chang, Assistant Professor and storyteller from Texas Tech University and Dr. René Saldaña, Associate Professor and storyteller also from Texas Tech University.  A performance by Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli from Minnesota, also graced this wonderful night of stories.

Congratulations, Texas Tech University librarians!

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Noche en Orlando: “Noche de Cuentos” event for 2016 ALA Annual Conference

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A fantastic night of storytelling took place during the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in June, 2016.

With storyteller and author Lucia Gonzalez introducing the event, a room full of attendees was delighted by stories told by Freda Mosquera, Oralia Garza de Cortez, Nancy Crockford, and Kim Rivers, and a declamation by Jenny Lizarraga.

In addition, representatives from REFORMA presented the organization’s awards for Librarian of the Year (LOTY) and Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) to Ady Huertas and Dr. Kathleen de la Peña McCook, respectively.

Enjoy the photos!

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