Macias | REFORMA Noche de Cuentos

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 — 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.

A man speaking in a microphone with his hands open to the sides — 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.

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.