Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated Nov. 1-2. The holiday has grown in popularity beyond Mexico and is now celebrated in various forms in many parts of the world, including the United States.
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Rooted in indigenous Mesoamerican traditions and Catholicism, the holiday is a time when families come together to remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away. Several Contra Costa County Library system branches have crafted Día de los Muertos displays and altars known as ofrendas honoring the celebration’s rich traditions.
Adorned with vibrant marigold flowers, glowing candles, colorful sugar skulls and cherished photos of family members, friends and even pets, the ofrendas offer beautiful reminders of those who have passed. Many libraries will host special Día de los Muertos programs and celebrations.
This year, attendees can create papel picado (traditional paper banners), decorate sugar skulls and enjoy interactive storytelling and music sessions that bring the history and significance of the holiday to life.
These hands-on activities provide a deeper understanding of Día de los Muertos and inspire creativity through art and crafts. Visit the library system’s events page at ccclib.org for locations and details.
Read Contra Costa: Read Contra Costa continues through Nov. 12 with two opportunities to meet the author. This year’s book is “The Things We Didn’t Know” by Elba Iris Pérez, a lyrical debut novel that tells the story of 9-year-old Andrea Rodríguez and her brother, Pablo, as they navigate life between two cultures.
Whisked from a Massachusetts suburb to Puerto Rico by their homesick mother and back again a year later, the siblings must learn to forge their own paths between the competing dynamics of family values and American culture.
Pérez will discuss her novel and answer audience questions in-person starting at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 in the Pleasant Hill Library and virtually at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12. For more information, visit ccclib.org.
Free news content: Did you know your library card gives you access to hundreds of digital newspapers for free? No paywalls here!
Just some of the newspapers you can access are The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the East Bay Times and the San Francisco Chronicle. Read from hundreds of other publications from around the country and the world by visiting the library system’s digital resources page (ccclib.org/resources).
Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about Contra Costa library services and programming or account information, contact the library system via online chat, email ask@library.cccounty.us, on chat at tinyurl.com/cccl-chat or text questions to 925-290-7627.
Brooke Converse is the Contra Costa County Library system’s public information officer and can be reached at brooke.converse@library.cccounty.us.
Library calendar
Veterans Day with the Walking Ghosts of Black History: 3 p.m. Nov. 9, Hercules Library. In honor of Veterans Day, Hercules Library is proud to host the Walking Ghosts of Black History, a nonprofit organization exploring the history of African American engagement in the U.S. military. Founders Leon Watkins and Larry Thompson will talk about their work, events and African American military contributions.
Trails and Tales: 10 a.m. Nov. 12, Briones Regional Park, Bear Creek Staging Area, 1611 Bear Creek Road in Lafayette. Enjoy a walk with a naturalist followed by storytime with a librarian. This program is part of a special partnership between the Library and the East Bay Regional Parks. The meeting spot is the last parking lot at the staging area.
Indigenous Tales and Songs with Storyteller Alicia Mary Retes: 2 p.m. Nov. 20, Clayton Library. Join storytelling artisan and educator Alicia Retes for an introduction to indigenous Central California storytelling and musical rhythm instruments. This program is in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.