Suffolk Public Library staff kept up with their celebrations of Hispanic culture with a hunt for literary treasure at the North Suffolk Library.

The Latino Treasure Hunt held at the North Suffolk Library on Thursday followed the hunt on Sept. 17 at Morgan Memorial Library, both of which were part of the library’s Hispanic Heritage Month festivities. Community Services Librarian Matthew Thompson hid cultural cards in bookshelves throughout the library that could only be found by solving clues.

Each clue led participants to the works of famous Hispanic authors such as Gary Soto, Zoraida Cordova and Paulo Coelho.

“I learned that the library’s collection is actually pretty solid when it comes to representing Hispanic authors,” Thompson said about formulating this treasure hunt. “I just wanted to highlight how great our collection of Hispanic authors already is.”

He also brought a few tasty beverages and arts and crafts to help participants taste, feel and see different aspects of Hispanic culture.

“I’m trying to come at it from many different angles. As an educator, you don’t always know what’s going to stick,” he said.

He offered bottles of Malta Goya and Mexican Coca-Cola. There was also pineapple soda and refreshing Topo Chico sparkling mineral water.

Along with the Hispanic beverages were balls of string in many colors, numerous Popsicle sticks and a pair of scissors. The art supplies were for Ojos de Dios, or “God’s eyes,” which are ritual or devotional items commonly found in Mexican and Mexican-American communities.

“I’m from Texas, and I have memories of doing these kinds of things in elementary school,” Thompson said. “I thought it would be appropriate for the kids.”

The activity was a delight for 3-year-old Oliver Wells, who wrapped up his own “God’s eye” with Thompson’s guiding hands. Oliver got to make his own of orange, yellow, purple, red and sky blue to take home with him.

“This is a decoration, and it’s meant to be pretty,” Thompson told Oliver and Oliver’s mother, Janelle Wells.

Hispanic Heritage Month is held from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 annually to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The day of Sept. 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, according to hispanicheritagemonth.gov.

The Suffolk Public Library has already celebrated with Latin dance lessons and treasure hunts, and there are even more free activities coming in October.

“The library is a great place to learn, and one of the things we can learn about is another culture,” Thompson said. “If we can learn about other cultures, then maybe those people that are from these cultures will be more embraced by the community.”

There will be “Bilingual Storytime” on Monday at North Suffolk Library, followed by “¡Loteria! — Mexican Bingo” on Oct. 10 at Morgan Memorial Library and on Oct. 13 at North Suffolk Library.

Visit suffolkpubliclibrary.com for more information.