Once at risk of closure, the only Portuguese public library in the United States will remain open in New Bedford, despite budget cuts.

The Casa da Saudade Branch of the New Bedford Public Library was previously slated to close its doors after the City Council cut $10.2 million from the mayor’s FY2026 budget proposal in June. That included nearly $115,000 that the library department would have used to pay staff and utility bills.

However, Mayor Jon Mitchell announced Tuesday that Casa da Saudade, which is located on Crapo Street, will stay open 24 hours a week. To offset costs, the city will adjust the operating hours of the Howland-Green, Wilks, and Lawler branches.

See more at wpri.com.