Visiting New Mexico libraries should be on your bucket list. Photo by Jim Schnur.
One of the first things I did after obtaining my New Mexico license was get my Rio Rancho Public Library card. Residents of New Mexico may obtain library privileges throughout the state. While two of the three Rio Rancho libraries are also go-to destinations to see roadrunners, let's take a tour of four other distinct and awesome public libraries.
For a visit to public libraries with specialized research collections, visit this blog.
A roadrunner outside Rio Rancho's Loma Colorado Main Library. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Martha Liebert Public Library (Bernalillo)
The seat of Sandoval County, the Town of Bernalillo is also known as the City of Coronado. By most historical accounts, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado visited the area in 1540. Diego de Vargas, the Spanish governor of Nuevo Mexico, established Bernalillo in 1695.
Volunteers started the town's library in the mid-1960s. The library's collection resided in a variety of locations before moving into the Roosevelt Building. Built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s, this two-story adobe and viga building previously served as the town's first public school.
A view of the library, formerly known as "Escuelita" by locals, on Calle Malinche. Photo by Jim Schnur.
During my visit to the library, I had a chance to talk with staff about the library's history and the recent renovations to the former school. The majority of the library collection resides on the lower floor, with the second floor having exhibit spaces, community rooms, and the home of a future community archive.
The exposed vigas (beams) are common in New Mexican adobe architecture. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The ceilings on both levels of the historic schoolhouse have vigas hewn from forests in the nearby hills along the Sandia Mountains. Hand-peeled, these logs used as beams show minor imperfections that preserve the efforts of the dedicated WPA laborers who carved them in the 1930s.
The vigas serve as a support system for the latillas (slats) that workers placed crosswise. Those who built the Roosevelt Building came from the area and understood the value of adobe construction.
A notable New Mexico history and culture collection near the service desk. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The library has an extensive collection for a town with a population under 10,500. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Pleasant music is played in some of the nooks and reading rooms. Photo by Jim Schnur.
This reading room is adjacent to the director's office. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Second-floor ceiling details of the vigas and latillas. Photo by Jim Schnur.
In addition to the typical programs one would expect, patrons who visit Bernalillo's public library can take Spanish language lessons in New Mexican Spanish, a dialect that incorporates some Indigenous words and reflects the relative isolation of Nuevo Mexico within the empire.
Art classes, public performances, English-language classes, and events focusing on Native American culture are found here. Pueblo weavers and other creative programs also take place.
The Friends of the Library bookstore on the second floor. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Corrales Community Library
A rural village near Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, Corrales benefits from its close proximity to the Rio Grande. Coronado's expedition visited this area in 1540, and Spanish farmers cultivated these fertile riverfront lands before the United States existed.
Despite the urban and suburban growth around them, the 8,500 people who live in this agricultural community are proud of their crops, homes, and presence in the bosque. Now a village, the corrals (corrales) that once defined this community are still found in places here.
A small agricultural community has an impressive library. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The Corrales Community Library began as a volunteer effort in 1957. Corrales became a village in 1971. This structure was built in 1979, largely by volunteers, and has five additional sections from subsequent expansions.
The library has grown in size as it serves the village and the area. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The library and a park are located in the heart of Corrales on W. La Entrada. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Library visitors enjoy a koi pond at the entrance. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The entrance area also has a service desk with volunteers. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Sections of the library have the vigas and latillas common in adobe structures. Photo by Jim Schnur.
One of the newer additions to the Corrales Community Library. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Comfortable areas are found throughout the library. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Patrons enjoy overstuffed shelves of books and artwork. Photo by Jim Schnur.
New Mexican architecture defines this library. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Small stained glass windows are found along many areas of the library. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The reference area also includes comfortable furniture and study areas. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The reference collection conveniently connects to the youth services area. Photo by Jim Schnur.
In a community where Spanish is a first language to many, the library has excellent Spanish language reference and circulating collections. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Many local public libraries have seed libraries. A large number of the seeds at the Corrales Community Library come from local farmers and gardeners. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The seed library at Corrales has its own room. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The Storybook Garden sits alongside the Corrales Community Library. Photo by Jim Schnur..
Placitas Community Library
With Pueblos to the north and south, the community of Placitas has a history that anchors its people to the beautiful northern ridges of the Sandia Mountains. The original settlement grew out of a 1767 land grant by the Spanish crown. Agriculture flourished due to the creation of acequias, waterways that steered snowmelt and rainfall for crops.
The Village of Placitas gained fame more than 50 years ago as a Counterculture hangout for hippies. By that time, a small library started in the late 1950s had taken shape. Today, the Placitas Community Library offers a wide array of programs that include Spanish classes and art exhibits.
A view of the Sandia peaks from the library's parking lot. Photo by Jim Schnur.
With its location above Rio Rancho and Bernalillo, the library occasionally hosts star gazing events in the dark skies. An extensive seed library is available to local residents who wish to expand their gardens.
The Placitas Community Labyrinth and a small garden sit next to the library. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Perched on a ridge, this library is a great location for stargazing in the dark sky. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Although Placitas has a population of less than 5,000, the library's motto describes this beautiful library very well: "A Place for Everyone~Una Placita para Todos." The word "placita"--a diminutive of "plaza"--means a "small square" or "small gathering place."
Additions to the current building have taken place over the years. Photo by Jim Schnur.
A garden display near one of the two meeting rooms welcomes patrons. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Although small in size, the library has an extensive New Mexico collection. Photo by Jim Schnur.
This room includes comfortable chairs, a coffee area, and mountain views. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The larger meeting room has rotating exhibits, lectures, and Spanish classes. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Santa Fe Public Library's Southwest Reading Room
The Santa Fe Public Library system operates three branches. The main library sits just two blocks north of the city's central plaza, and a few steps across the street from the New Mexico History Museum. In a city known for art and culture, the library maintains an impressive collection of books and resources.
For me, the Rail Runner is the easiest way to make the 100-mile roundtrip to downtown Santa Fe. Photo by Jim Scbnur.
A pleasant walk or free shuttlebus takes you to the downtown library. Photo by Jim Schnur.
In a city known for art, even a former card catalogue can find a second life. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The Southwest Reading Room offers a quiet place to study and research. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Similar to an academic special collections, this room has a variety of materials related to the history and culture of Santa Fe, the state, and the American Southwest. Photo by Jim Schnur.
To respect the confidentiality of patrons, I took only a few pictures here. Overall, the collections cover everything from old city directories to Spanish colonial narratives. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The entrance to the former public library on the opposite side of Washington Street. This building now serves as home for the Palace of the Governors archival collections. Photo by Jim Schnur.
A visit to the Palace of the Governors archives housing this collection at the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library may be a future trip. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The New Mexico History Museum is
profiled here.
Photo by Jim Schnur.
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