News and Projects @ the ABC Libraries

We are always working to improve library services to Albuquerque/Bernalillo County. Here are a few of our current projects:
Special Programs | Facilities Projects | Technology Projects

Get involved at ABC Libraries

Join the Friends, visit our Advisory Board's Support ABC Libraries website, and come to one of our upcoming 'Get Involved' events:

Special Programs

Summer Reading Program

Summer is a time for dreams, and this summer ABC Libraries is encouraging our community to "Dream Big: Read" during the 2012 Summer Reading Program, the annual celebration of reading for pleasure (and reading for prizes!).
Kids, teens and adults can all sign up for the summer reading program, attend a variety of events, and enter to win fabulous prizes, including a $250 Southwest Airlines gift card and a digital production class from Quote Unquote, Inc.
Full information is available on our Summer Reading Program site.

 

Community Science Connections

The Community Science Connections coalition of museums and libraries is working to engage families in hands-on science and introduce them to resources available in our communities through events at libraries and science education institutions throughout Albuquerque and greater New Mexico. More information here.

 

 

 

Every Child Ready to Read

Research shows that children get ready to read years before they start school. Every Child Ready to Read® is an early childhood literacy program developed by the American Library Association. Designed for parents and caregivers, the program provides daily practices that help start children on a path to becoming strong readers, and achieving long-term academic success.

 

Facilities Projects

Special Collections Renovation

Renovations are nearly complete at the historic Special Collections Library on Central and Edith. The building, which dates from 1925, is an excellent example of Spanish-Pueblo Revival architecture. The renovations highlight its architectural significance, as well as providing a comfortable and usable facility for those accessing our Local History and New Mexicana collections, our archives, or visiting the Center for the Book.

The Special Collections Library will reopen on June 5th and we'll host an open house on June 9th.

Note: the genealogy collection is remaining at the Main Library as the New Mexicana, local history and archival collections return to the Special Collections Library. Read an open letter from the Director regarding this decision.

Juan Tabo Renovation

The Juan Tabo Library is closed, and is expected to reopen in the fall.

The book drops at Juan Tabo are locked. Borrowed materials can be returned to any other ABC Libraries Branch.

The extensive improvements to the Juan Tabo Library will impact every square foot of the building and include:

• A full roof replacement.
Removal of the current roof layers will expose the
perforated roof deck — and the inside of Juan Tabo Library — to the elements. This alone necessitated the building’s closure.
• Sculpted roof insulation
to help control heating and cooling costs and provide for better drainage.
• Upgraded clerestory windows.
The installation of double-paned replacements with higher parapets will put an end to the leaks currently caused by heavy rains and snow.
• Wall carpeting will be removed and replaced
with fresh plasterboard and new paint.
• The exposed ceiling and trusses will be cleaned and painted.

The Juan Tabo Library opened in 1983.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to a beautifully improved Juan Tabo Library.

 

Central & Unser Library

Designs are complete for a new library to be located at the intersection of Central and Unser. This will be a state of the art, full service library with plenty of community meeting spaces, study rooms, and computer access, as well as being a comfortable place to browse our collection of books, magazines, music, movies and more.
With the design phase complete, we are now ready to begin securing funding for the construction of this exciting new library. More images here.

 

Technology Projects

 

Beginning April 1st, 2012, ABC Libraries has Kindles available for check-out. Kindles can be requested through the catalog and delivered to any of our branches. Full information is availble in our guide to ereaders.