The Cal Poly Reads Latine Mini-collection is a sub-collection of Cal Poly Reads

Co-funded by the Kennedy Library and a Cal Poly HSI Mini-grant, the collection was curated by Kyle Tanaka (Student Success & Outcomes Librarian) and Victoria Tonascia (Acquisitions Specialist) in partnership with a student fellow, Nina Del Sanchez Bujewski (English, Spring 2025).

Impact Statement

It has been an incredible honor to collaborate with the library on this curation initiative. Latine people are a foundational pillar of this country, both in establishing the nation and contributing to its innovative growth. Latine culture is embedded in California soils, architecture, food, and music. Latine culture is color in the nation’s tapestry. Books became my passion when I first saw myself, my family and my culture in the infinite potentiality of literature. We are resilient. We love fiercely and without shame. Our stories are rich and without limits. At a predominantly white institution, representation is not just important but essential. Now more than ever it is essential to show resistance to hate. We have always been here, we belong here, and we are not going anywhere. 

Curation Process

My priorities for this collection were to find books representing cultures across Latin America with multiple languages, a wide range of genres, and the intersectionality of queer identities. There are books representing cultures from every Latin American country including the Caribbean and Indigenous cultures. It was important for any Latine person to be able to find themselves in this collection, not just the mainstream stories. There are books in English and Spanish, as well as indigenous languages such as Yagán, Guaraní and Zapotec languages. Whether you are looking for fantasy, realism, mystery, or memoir, there’s a genre in this collection for every reader.