Diana Domínguez
Diana Domínguez shares her love of reading in communities across Northwest Arkansas through her pop-up bookshop Más Libritos. | Diana Domínguez comparte su amor por la lectura en comunidades del noroeste de Arkansas a travéz de su librería móvil Más Libritos.

 También puedes leer este artículo en español, Más Que Palabras

For Diana Domínguez, stories have always been a lifeline. Raised in southwest Missouri by Mexican immigrant parents, she grew up bilingual and bicultural — experiences that deeply shaped her identity and relationship with books. 

“Reading helped me understand myself and the world around me,” Domínguez says.

That personal connection, paired with her academic background in English and Comparative Literature, planted the seeds for Más Libritos — a mobile bookstore rooted in representation, access and joy. After years working in libraries and visiting curated bookstores in larger cities, Domínguez saw a gap in Northwest Arkansas’ literary scene: a lack of spaces where communities of color could see their stories reflected.

Más Libritos began with pop-ups and eventually tested a shared storefront. While the storefront didn’t last, it sparked a realization — mobility offered flexibility and deeper community reach. Now operating online and through pop-ups across the region, Domínguez curates a collection focused on books by Black, Indigenous and People of Color — many in Spanish, and for all ages.

“It’s important to center stories written by and for us, especially at a time when censorship is attempting to erase our histories,” Domínguez says. 

Community recommendations also help guide her selections, ensuring her collection stays rooted in local interests.

Diana Domínguez
Diana Domínguez hopes to share Latin American stories and foster a love of reading in Arkansas through her pop-up bookstore Más Libritos. | Diana Domínguez espera compartir historias latinoamericanas y fomentar el amor por la lectura en Arkansas a tráves de su libería móvil Más Libritos.

Beyond bookselling, Más Libritos fosters connection. From bilingual storytimes and author visits to outdoor book clubs in public parks, Domínguez builds literary spaces where people can slow down and gather. 

“Sometimes customers come back to tell me how much a book meant to them,” Domínguez says. “That’s the heart of what we do.”

Still, challenges persist — from navigating publishing industry barriers to the political climate in Arkansas. Yet Domínguez continues with intention, supported by national recognition and local partnerships.

With plans to launch a bookmobile, Domínguez is building toward a future where access to diverse stories isn’t rare — it’s the norm. 

“We’re honoring the work that exists while imagining something even better,” Domínguez says.