The Premio Literatura Clarice Lispector, the Clarice Lispector Literature Award, for the “2023 Personality of the Year” has been given to Hyannis Public Library Director Antonia Stephens “for her support of Portuguese-language writers abroad especially in Massachusetts, Hyannis – Hyannis Public Library.” The awards are chosen by Brazilian writer and journalist Jô Ramos, in partnership with ZL Books Editora.
“I am very honored to receive this recognition,” Stephens said. “What It means is that our Library and our dedicated staff are recognized for responding to the needs of this community.”
The Library, whose mission it is to serve the needs of its diverse population, has designated sections for books by Brazilian and Spanish writers both for adults and children.
Natalia Frois, a Trustee of the Library, who came to the Cape from Brazil as a child and was recently given a Human Rights Award from the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission, is an author and founder of International Business Relations. She has fostered connections for the Brazilian community for several years. She recently organized a bilingual friend-raising event at the Library for its Capital Campaign — “Meet Your Future Library.” Ms. Ramos attended the event and donated many books by Brazilian authors to HPL.
“The Library is very important to our community,” Frois said. “It provides not only books, but many resources to serve our needs. The ESL Conversation and the ESL with Companion Dogs are great programs to help our community understand and speak better English.”
Stephens added, “We offer regular classes in English Conversation and Basic English run by our Community Programs Librarian Milvia Nogueira and Circulation Assistant Carolyn Barnes, which are well-attended by Portuguese speaking patrons and individuals who have immigrated to the area. And our Bilingual Library Assistant Camila Martins offers one-on-one tech help in English or Portuguese.
In the future, we hope to host more authors who write bilingual books or books in languages other than English, and we really hope to inspire our local immigrant community to share their stories with us–in print, orally or in any other medium.”
For upcoming events, see the Library Calendar at hyannislibrary.org, join us on Facebook @hyannispublib or call the Library at 508/775-2280.
About Hyannis Public Library:
Located at the center of Main Street, the Hyannis Public Library is committed to cultivating a strong and stable connection with its surrounding community. It is a resource center that responds to the needs of its diverse populations by providing creative programs and services.
HPL was established in 1865 and has been in its present home since 1908. The original house, which once belonged to James Otis and Capt. Samuel Hallett, was renamed for Ora Adams Hinckley, the first full time librarian from 1909 until 1943. Though in later years The Eagleston Wing and The Twombly Wing were added, the original house today serves as Ora’s Parlor, HPL’s popular bookstore.
The building is in disrepair and the current Campaign for the Hyannis Public Library is designed to raise funds to bring the building into the modern era while honoring its historic roots.
