Casa da Saudade
Public library in New Bedford, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Casa da Saudade (lit. 'House of Saudade'), or simply Casa, is a public library located at 58 Crapo Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Casa da Saudade is the only Portuguese-language centered public library in the United States. The library avoided closure in 2025 amidst city budget cuts and is currently operating at reduced hours.
| Casa da Saudade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 58 Crapo Street, New Bedford, MA |
| Scope | Portuguese-language material |
| Established | April 25, 1971 |
| Branch of | New Bedford Free Public Library |
| Other information | |
| Website | www |
History
Casa da Saudade was inaugurated on 25 April 1971 at a storefront on Rivet Street in New Bedford with a collection of 3,000 titles and support from a federal grant.[1][2] In 1975, Casa moved to its current location at the Sister Aurora Avelar Community Center on 58 Crapo Street.[1][3] Casa is a branch of the New Bedford Free Public Library.[2]
In 2000, senator Ted Kennedy presented New Bedford with a $500,000 grant to establish a Portuguese cultural center at the Casa da Saudade. While mayor Frederick Kalisz's administration intended to use the money to relocate and expand Casa to create a Portuguese-American Cultural Center, mayor Scott W. Lang instead used the funds to remodel the community center that the library is housed in.[4]
In 2025, Casa da Saudade was faced with potential closure due to budget cuts.[3] The announcement drew strong pushback back from the region's lusophone community, including Massachusetts representative Antonio Cabral.[3][4] Prior to 2025, Casa da Saudade's hours were reduced from 40 to 32 hours a week as it was the lowest visited public library in New Bedford.[4] Rather than closure, the library's hours were reduced to 24 hours a week.[5][6]
Community impact
Casa da Saudade has been the only Portuguese-language centered public library in the United States since its opening in 1971.[3] Aside from a library, Casa has served as a cultural institution and community center for the Portuguese community in New Bedford[a].[2][5] The library has hosted events with Portuguese writers, artists, and politicians,[4] such as former president of the Azores Carlos Cesar.[8]
Following the prospect of closing in 2025, Casa committed to focusing on Portuguese material and serving as a research center for Portuguese American history in New Bedford.[5][6]
Collections
As of 2025, the library had 34,000 items and 92 newspaper subscriptions related to the Lusosphere in English, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean Creole.[1][3] The library also provides newspapers, magazines, and videos.[1] Around half of the collection is in Portuguese or Cape Verdean Creole.[5][6] The library also holds archives of Portuguese American history in New Bedford.[5]
As of 2023, the library has started offering material in Spanish to serve the growing Hispanic community in the region.[1]
Notes
- In 2025, Portuguese Americans made up 34% and Cape Verdean Americans made up 8.8% of New Bedford's population.[7]