Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in the U.S. each year from September 15 to October 15. This year's national theme is "Diversity United, Building America's Future Today." At the Bronx Library Center - NYPL's premier Latino/Puerto Rican Heritage Center, we have a variety of programs and events to learn and celebrate the Hispanic experience. Listed below are just a few of them:

Saturday September 15 at 2:30 p.m. - History of the Latino in the Bronx: a lecture/discussion by Angel Hernandez of the Bronx Historical Society

Saturday, September 15 at 3:30 p.m. - Artist's Talk by Ruben Natal-San Miguel on his solo exhibition "Nocturnal/Activo de Noche - Bodegas." The Artist's Talk will be followed by an Opening Reception.

Saturday, September 22 at 2:30 p.m. - Screening of two Spanish films: Chulas Fronteras (58 mins) and Del mero corazon (28 mins): roots of Tex-Mex music.

Thursday, September 20 at 12 noon and 6 p.m. - ESL Information Session - attendance at one information session is required for class attendance.

Monday, September 24 at 5:30 p.m. Book Discussion (in Spanish) - La Sombras del Viento por Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Thursday, September 27 at 3 p.m. - How to become a United States Citizen: an education session by the New York City Bar Association, City Bar Justice Center.

Saturday, October 6, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - The Hispanic Genealogical Society of New York presents a series of workshops on researching your Latino roots.

Exhibition on view September 15 through October 31 on the Concourse level:

Photographer Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Nocturnal/Activio de Noche by Photographer Ruben Natal-San Miguel Experience the transformative effects of NYC's bodegas and other businesses that serve its communities 24/7, as they light up the night.

Ruben Natal-San Miguel was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He is an architect, photographer, curator, writer, art collector and consultant who specializes in fine arts photography. Ruben currently lives in New York City.

Janelyn Bodega, 2012, Harlem