Library to celebrate 115th

ALAMOSA—It’s their birthday, and they want everyone to help celebrate it!

It took more than a century in the making, but the Alamosa Public Library is inviting the public to celebrate its 115th birthday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 2.

“Today, the library offers its patrons some of the most up-to-date technology and information available,” said Library Director Heinz Bergann. “We are looking forward to offering the public a history of how far we’ve come.”

The event is being organized and coordinated by the City of Alamosa’s Library Board and will have displays that take visitors through time from the earliest beginnings of the library system here in the Valley through the decades to the present-day facility.

“The Alamosa Library Board decided to take on the project of the 115th birthday celebration because we are proud of the library and its history in the Valley,” said Patti Campbell, chairman of the Alamosa Library Board. “We also want to make people aware of the library and all of its offerings. What better way to do this than with a celebration?”

The events on April 2 will kick off the month-long recognition of the anniversary, beginning at 1 p.m. with refreshments and entertainment in the foyer of Alamosa City Hall, located at 300 Hunt Ave. in Alamosa. Visitors will then walk down the hall to the library, where historical photos of the library over the decades will be on display. Inside, there will be a variety of exhibits showcasing the past and current technologies and programs that the library has utilized over the years.

“I would like to think that we’re not just showcasing the library, but the history of it as well,” said Alamosa Mayor Josef Lucero.

The Alamosa Public Library has had quite a history, beginning when the city council first formally donated a small reading  room over the fire house in 1902. In 1908, it became known as the Alamosa Carnegie Library, thanks to national help from Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. In 1962, the library found a new home on Fourth Street and became known at the Alamosa City Library, which lasted for only a year when the library system spread throughout the surrounding counties, and changed the local library’s name to the City of Alamosa Southern Peaks Library. In 2011, it moved next to city hall and eventually became the Alamosa Public Library.

“It’s fascinating to look back and see where the library has been,” said Mayor Lucero, “but it’s even more exciting to look forward and see where it’s going.”

Cutline: Alamosa Mayor Josef Lucero, center, presents a proclamation in honor of the Alamosa Public Library’s 115th anniversary to Library Manager Salai Taylor, center, and Library Board Chairperson Patti Campbell, front left. Surrounding them for the occasion are from left Alamosa City Councilor Michael Stefano, Library/Parks/Rec Director Heinz Bergann and Alamosa City Councilors Liz Thomas Hensley, Charlie Griego, Jan Vigil, Kristina Daniel and Ty Coleman.

Courier photo by Ruth Heide.