Category Archives: events

“Noche de Cuentos” Says “Presente” at the ALA 150th Anniversary in Chicago

Posted on by

An emotional and joyous “Noche de Cuentos,” event took place during the American Library Association’s 2026 Annual Conference and Sesquicentenary Celebration. As attendees gathered at the Hilton Chicago hotel on Saturday night June 27th, 2026, the event -organized by REFORMA- included an introduction where the association presented their yearly awards. Following the celebration of honorees, it was time for stories!  

Lucia M. González, Mistress of Ceremonies, opened the night by thanking the sponsors of the event, which made it possible to invite celebrated storytellers. These were:

  • Bibliotele: the leading Spanish-language streaming platform built exclusively for libraries—public and academic—designed to connect Latino communities.
  • Cinco Books: providing culturally relevant books in Spanish, dual language, and bilingual education for children and adults.
  • MakeMake: Biblioteca Digital: a platform for digital, interactive, and animated books that offers access to a unique collection of children’s and young adult literature from Latin America.
  • Spanish Publishers LLC: the leading provider of Spanish titles to libraries nationwide.
  • Vista Higher Learning: developing print and digital solutions that meet the needs of all language learners.

After reminding the audience of the value of storytelling events in libraries and the power of oral tradition, Lucia introduced Nestor Gómez, a storyteller local to Chicago, who moved the audience from laughs to tears with stories inspired in his personal life, which reflected the nuanced and complex story of those who seek a better life in a new country, generational relationships and conflicts, and also the joys and support received from our “familia.”

A standing ovation followed Nestor’s stories, which helped prepare the audience for some standing and sitting coming in the next segment. Irania Macias followed and warned the audience that they would need to participate. Yes, participate! Sometimes it was clapping or making gestures at the right time, but also you could be chosen to represent la “chivita” or “el lobo”! Accompanied by the group Criss Cross Mango Sauce, she began by telling stories, but also led the public in singing, chanting, and dancing some steps with a Latin American list of stories and songs.

Closing the night with rhythm and much enjoyment, the organizers exhorted the audience to present storytelling events in their libraries and to apply for Noche de Cuentos grants that help make these possible. See you at the next Conference!

Woman speaking at a microphone next to a screen that reads Noche de Cuentos
A man speaking in a microphone with his hands open to the sides
A woman with an orange vest singing with a microphone and lifting a hand up in the air
Two men and a woman singing, playing the guitar, and moving their arms in front of an audience
Lucia Gonzalez introduces the event, Nestor Gomez captivating the audience, Irania Macias tells a story, and Criss Cross Mango Sauce leads the audience in a song.

El Paso, Texas, Celebrates the Power of Stories!

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.

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

Posted on by

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

Noche de Cuentos in Las Vegas, 2014

Posted on by

A night of stories was the perfect way to relax after a weekend of meetings and sessions in a busy Annual Conference of the American Library Association in Las Vegas, Nevada.  On Sunday night, June 29th, those tired but eager to share the power of stories met at the Enterprise Library, a branch of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.

Thank you to all who attended, to Salvador Avila, branch manager and Trejo Librarian of the Year, for hosting, and many thanks to the wonderful performers:  Antonio Sacre, Xavier Garza, and Lucia Gonzalez, along with MC Oralia Garza de Cortes.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.