Rosaura "Rosie" Magaña plans to open Palabras Librería/Bookstore, a Spanish-language bookshop at 1023 Grand Avenue in Phoenix, Ariz., on November 14. The Phoenix New Times reported that Palabras, "which is Spanish for 'words,' will sell and rent out Spanish books and serve as an outreach center for a community Magaña sees as neglected by the arts scene."
"Phoenix has a large population of low-income and Hispanic people who would benefit from something like this," she said. "I feel that within that community, some people get left out and don't get to be a part of the arts district."
Magaña will also work with Enrique Cortazar, cultural attaché to Mexico, to build a list of resources and empower visitors to find whatever help they may need. "I went through the hardships of learning the [English] language and trying to make a living without knowing about the resources available," she noted. "We want to have a folder with lists of organizations that can help Latinos in the community who want to get a GED and take ESL classes."
Hoping to have approximately 1,000 titles in the store before she opens, Magaña will complement them with exhibitions of work by local or Mexican artists and poetry readings. New Times wrote that Palabras "will also share its space with Oh My Ears, a local musical troupe that strives to bring Latin-inspired classical music to the community."
