The Newark Public Library
Grand Opening Of The
History of NJHRIC
In 1999, on the 25th anniversary of the Newark Puerto Rican Riots, Newark Public Library’s Multilingual Director, Ingrid Betancourt, invited Dr. Olga Jiménez Wagenheim, Professor Emerita of History at Rutgers University, to moderate a panel on the events. When Dr. Wagenheim sought research materials, she found only a single folder of newspaper clippings.
This absence of documentation revealed a larger truth: there was no institution dedicated to preserving New Jersey’s Latino history
Together with Betancourt and Paul Stellhorn, PhD, Dr. Wagenheim envisioned a haven for the community’s records. Their work led to the creation of two cornerstone collections: the Puerto Rican Community Archives and the Hispanic Reference Collection, documenting New Jersey’s Puerto Rican, Colombian, Dominican, Ecuadorian, Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian, Chilean, Salvadoran, and other Latino communities.
The Newark Public Library was the natural home for the NJHRIC. With its long tradition of service to immigrants and its Spanish-language book collection, La Sala Hispanoamericana, the Library offered both accessibility and trust. Building the NJHRIC required grassroots support. Dr. Wagenheim gathered a team of colleagues, students, and community members to raise funds and awareness through lectures, cultural programs, and grassroots efforts—so many, in fact, that community members fondly recall having been “Wagenheimed.” This group became the Friends of HRIC, a nonprofit organization that continues to champion the Center’s mission.
Since its founding in 2002, the NJHRIC has grown into a vital resource, housing over 75 archival collections ranging from 19th-century scrapbooks to VHS recordings, along with one of the largest public Spanish-language book collections in New Jersey. It has supported countless research projects, community programs, and public exhibitions, including the Library’s annual Latino Celebration.
Today, as demand for its resources continues to grow, the Newark Public Library is investing in a new, expanded space for the NJHRIC—bringing together archives, conference and research rooms, a children’s area, and community programming space all in one location. This next chapter builds on the vision of its founders and ensures that New Jersey’s Latino history will be preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
A Sneak Peak
Rendering Photos of NJHRIC at Newark Public Library
Join the celebration
Friends of NJHRIC
The Friends of NJHRIC is a membership organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the NJHRIC through programs, advocacy, and financial support. By joining the Friends, you attend cultural and educational programs that support the Library in many ways, including its special collections.
Executive Committee
Ernesto Fidel Díaz Guerrero, MA, M.Ed., Chairperson
Lourdes López, M.Ed., Treasurer
Vivian Lanzot, Ed.D., Vice-Chair
Reinaldo Santiago, Ed.D., Secretary
Board Members at Large
Iris Alvarez
Grissele Camacho, Esq.,
Karen Espinal, BA
Erika Mercedes, MBA
Nestor Ríos, M.Sc.
Ingrid Betancourt, MLS
Alixon Collazos-Gill, BA
Reynaldo R. Martínez, M.Ed.
Maria Yllescas
Donations & Tier System
Your contribution helps the NJHRIC continue preserving the histories and voices that have shaped Newark and New Jersey’s Hispanic and Latinx communities. With your support, we can expand access to our collections, deepen our programming, and ensure these narratives remain alive for future generations. Every gift makes a meaningful impact.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Diamond
Gold
Margarita Echevarria
Silver
Cha Cha Book Club
