Through November 10, the Seattle Public Library is offering programming to celebrate and explore the history of Día de los Muertos, known in English as "Day of the Dead."

Originating from the ancient Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua peoples, the Day of the Dead is now celebrated throughout Latin America and around the world. Today, the several-thousand-year-old holiday remains a time to remember and honor the dead.

Traditional celebrations are highly social, centered around the gathering of communities or families in order to create altars for their deceased loved ones, called ofrendas. These are made to welcome spirits back to the realm of the living. As such, they are lovingly garnished with handmade arts and crafts, food and water, candles, and family photos.

In an effort to help distanced communities celebrate the holiday this year, Seattle Public Library branches have tweaked their usual programming, emphasizing accessibility in South Seattle.

Visitors to the South Park Branch (8604 8th Ave. S.) can find "take-and-make" calaverita (sugar skull) art kits available for pick-up while supplies last. Local artist Amaranta Sandys has also developed a tutorial video for those who wish to participate in making them. It will be accessible for all generations and offered bilingually in English and Spanish.

"Follow along, learn, and create as she shares the history of Día de los Muertos celebrations and festivities around Mexico and the rest of the world, while she shows us how to make a decorative, mixed-media calaverita," said the SPL in its announcement of the at-home program.

Born in Mexico City, Sandys has a lifelong history with the holiday. Now a well-known Seattle artist and teacher, Sandys has facilitated the SPL's Día de los Muertos programming for over 15 years.

At the Beacon Hill branch, an interactive community bulletin board is also on display in the children's area. Visitors can participate by writing on a paper flower the names of loved ones who have passed away or a favorite activity or memory shared with them, then adhere it to the board.

The Seattle Public Library invites those celebrating to also share their Día de los Muertos artwork on social media using the hashtags #SPLDayoftheDead and #SPLDiadelosMuertos and tagging @splbuzz on Twitter or @SeattlePublicLibrary on Instagram.

You can find more information on current Library services on the SPL's "Road to Reopening" webpage for more information, or in last week's edition of the SGN Contact the Library's Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at https://www.spl.org/using-the-library/ask-us.