Fiesta de las Americas

Saturday, September 27 was Capitol Hill Library’s second year to participate in Fiesta de las Americas, an event organized by Capitol Hill Main Street. It’s something the community looks forward to --  normally held outside along 25th Street  -- and is kicked off by a parade, continuing throughout the day with pageants, live music and children’s activities. This year, Fiesta was moved to the Cox Convention Center due to the potential for rain on Saturday. And boy, did it rain!

Upon arriving at 8:30 a.m. in the torrential downpour, Capitol Hill staff were greeted by chaos and excitement. Exhibitors, performers, and coordinators rushed here and there to get ready for a day of entertainment, information, and fun. Due to the venue change, the parade didn’t include the gorgeous horses and striking caballeros, but there’s always next year! And the food trucks were parked right outside.

A mix of librarians, circulation clerks and library aides represented the Capitol Hill library. At our booth were various Metropolitan Library logo items, Info magazine, and event calendars specific to our location; there were also children’s and YA books to give away in a wide range of titles and interests that surprised and delighted the Fiesta attendees of all ages. We had some serious crowding at times!

All of us were excited about sharing information about events, as well as promoting library cards and talking about what the Metropolitan Library System has to offer. Several teens even asked about volunteer opportunities, which is great news for our after school homework and reading help program.

In our outreach, Capitol Hill Library provided a service to the community by creating awareness of what the Metropolitan Library is, what we provide, and inviting potential customers to visit the library. We liked having the chance to reach beyond the boundaries of the Capitol Hill library and offer an atmosphere of hospitality, exemplary service, and friendly interaction.