Our Sign is up next to the Fire Station!

History of the Library
 
The Placitas Community Library is a result of grassroots effort to establish a permanent library in Placitas. We believe that our library is an essential building block in developing a sense of community pride and spirit.
 
The library opened on March 1, 2004. The temporary rented building is in a 1200 square foot building just west of the Homesteads Shopping Center and is provided at minimal rent by Pepi Strahl, a resident of Placitas. Local talent, skills and materials transformed this garage into a workable library which opened in March of 2004. Furniture and books for the opening were donated from libraries in Roswell and Los Alamos.
 
In 2003 the library incorporated and the IRS approved our non-profit status on March 1, 2005. In the meantime in 2004, the library received “developing library” status from the New Mexico State Library system. The library operates with volunteer help and currently has 32 volunteers including four certified librarians. Since Placitas is an unincorporated village with no tax base, The Friends of the Placitas Library raise all of the library's operating funds.
 
The Library provides important services, internet access, interlibrary loan and copier/fax use. Patronage has doubled in the past year. The collection has rapidly expanded, now exceeding 14,000 items and 1,000 CDs, DVDs, audiotapes, large print and Spanish language books. The popular children's programs struggle to find any workable space. The local community population is growing quickly due to a high rate of housing development. The need for an adequate facility is urgent; the current building is bursting at its seams.
 
Placitas Community Library Funding
 
Basic operational expenses come from your donations:
Friends of the Library Annual Memberships
Annual Dinner and Silent Auction
Albuquerque Road Runners Annual 10K run
Jardinaros de Placitas (children's programs)
 
County General Obligation Bond –July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2011
 
NM State General Obligation Bond – July 1, 2007 – June 20, 2009
 
2006 and 2007 Grant from the American Library Association in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Humanities.
We the People Foundation Bookshelf - a program that encourages young people to read classic books and explore themes in American history, culture, and ideas.
This year's theme is "Pursuit of Happiness."
 
Donations of Time
The library staff and the library board are all volunteers. All operating expenses are funded by community donations through fund raising efforts of the Friends of the Library. From July1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, the dollar value of volunteer time was $169,090.

 
Placitas Community Library Construction Funding
 
The Kerr Foundation  (A Matching Grant)
2:1 Challenge Grant for library construction – We are happy to report the challenge has been met! Donations from

The Karakin Foundation and also the Fidelity National Title Company on behalf of their local office.
 
Dept of Housing and Urban Development
Economic Development Initiative Special Projects Grant for the construction of the Placitas Community Library
 
State of New Mexico
From the State Legislature for the construction of the Placitas Community Library
 
Sandoval County
For purchase of 4 acres of land for the library acquired from Tom Ashe
 
State of New Mexico  
For furniture and equipment for the new library
 

Private Donations

From private individuals