Have you ever given yourself 100 days to make an important decision? That’s precisely what Camilla Delibris did.
At 27 years old, the SUNY New Paltz grad found herself faced with a myriad of life decisions – independence, a committed relationship and a career. Her choice forms the basis for the novel, “The Lively Life of Camilla Delibris, the Librarian,” written by Poughkeepsie resident Nivessa Rovedo Hatsley, which follows Camilla on her journey:
“So, Camilla Delibris, you state here in your letter of application for a position of reference librarian that you always wanted to be a librarian and work in a public library.”
Readers are introduced to Camilla in the midst of a nerve-racking interview at New Pastures Public Library. Hopeful Camilla aces the interview – with a little help from her brother – and thus her story begins.
“I had to write this story. My mind became filled with the plot, ideas, a character,” said Hatsley. “I’m the kind of person who has to write.”
Hatsley, an Italian-born mother of two has written a number of novels, including “A Long Letter to a Child,” “Manhattan Immigrant Girl” and “All the Mountains of the World,” and in each she incorporates a bit of Italy.
“‘The Lively Life of Camilla Delibris’ is an American novel, but it’s also Italian,” explained Hatsley. “Camilla is third generation.”
Camilla is also loosely based on Hatsley’s daughter, C. Sabina, for whom the book is dedicated. Like Camilla, Sabina is a cat-loving New Paltz graduate who adores libraries. In fact, Sabina too, is a librarian.
Hatsley was born in Friuli, a small hamlet in the mountains of northeastern Italy. The midwife who helped deliver her predicted that she would be a writer, and once she was old enough, Hatsley began to write and hasn’t stopped.
Hatsley is an avid reader of both books and newspapers. When she read a 2005 New York Times article, “No, It Wasn’t French vs. Indians,” Hatsley became inspired. She combined three loves: poetry, architecture and history, and created “The Lively Life of Camilla Delibris.” She also incorporated her love of libraries.
The outcome? An architecturally magnificent library, created and supported by a historically significant family, laced with some of Hatsley’s favorite verse. Through Camilla, readers are allowed a first-hand account of the inner workings of a public library – patron descriptions and all.
Throughout the work the library is preparing for the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War, and Camilla is put in charge. The war plays a significant role throughout the novel – it is a culturally significant event for the library’s out-going director, Katherine Van Velt, as well as the reason Camilla is hired.
“History affects us today,” said Hatsley, “You don’t live in the past, but the French and Indian War is with us, and it should be remembered with pride.”
As the library struggles to meet the changing needs of its patrons, Camilla struggles to come to a conclusion, and by day 98 she succeeds.
“Camilla is intelligent and cultured, but she isn’t sophisticated, but I’m very proud of her,” said Hatsley.
On Thursday, April 3, Hatsley will appear at a book signing hosted by the Italian Center on 227 Mill St. in Poughkeepsie at 7:30 p.m. The signing is open to the public. For more information, call 454-1492.