The newly installed shelves at the White Rock Branch Library will be filled with books soon. Courtesy photo
LIBRARY News:
Library Manager Steven Thomas and Branch Manager Veronica Encinas are in the final stages of planning for the move from the current branch library to the brand-new building at the corner of Sherwood Boulevard and N.M. 4.
The new branch will be more than twice as large as the current branch, accommodating more books and other materials, more room for programs, and more room for seating for children, teens and adults. Friends of Los Alamos County Libraries have donated a substantial opening day collection of new materials.
The movers arrive July 20, so the White Rock Branch will have to close for about a week, in order to move more than 30,000 items to the new building. This time also will be used to complete the installation of the building’s computers and hardware. The new branch will open as soon as possible after the movers are done, with a soft opening tentatively scheduled for July 27 – although it’s possible this date will be adjusted in one direction or the other depending on how long the move actually takes.
“As soon as we are able to solidify our re-opening plans, we will send out additional information,” Thomas said. “Stay tuned to the Library’s website: http://www.losalamosnm.us/library for details.”
The Grand Opening celebration is slated for 11 a.m. July 31.
Previous library moves have relied heavily on volunteers, rather than professional movers, but the number of things to be moved and the space to be filled were much smaller at that time. The volunteers won’t be called upon until the bulk of the move has been accomplished.
“We have a wealth of volunteers,” Encinas said, “and we’re grateful for their support.”
During the moving week, the book drop boxes at both the old and new branches will be open, but as soon as the new building is ready to go, only the book drop at the new branch will be operational. Library staff will check the book drops every day during the move, and check all of the materials in.
Holds or requests can still be placed online or in person at Mesa Public Library during that week, but can only be picked up at Mesa. White Rock library patrons will be able to pick up their holds at Mesa Public Library during that week. If people are not able to get to Mesa before their holds expire, the hold will be extended.
