Bayard Public Library

Bayard is located in Grant County, NM within the southern foothills of the Pinos Altos Mountain Range.

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Just off Central Avenue is the Bayard Public Library which boasts an eye-catching community garden. I was welcomed by Renee Provencio. Born and raised in Bayard, Renee returned to her hometown to serve as library director. She shared a guiding belief with me, “I see libraries as community connectors.”

That philosophy is visible through every program, partnership, and personal interaction. One story she recounted illustrates that ethos: a veteran came in seeking help with benefits. The library connected him with a local advocate who guided him through the process. The library offers patrons practical resources like free tax assistance, a sound-proof meeting booth, and 10 complimentary copies a week for patrons age 55 and older.

During my visit, the library was preparing for a Día de Muertos celebration. In the reading room was a community ofrenda with framed photos of loved ones who had passed, inviting reflection and remembrance. The event lineup included “Cuentos y Cafecito” with a Chicano historian, free face painting, local vendors, and a food drive in response to recent SNAP cuts– blending together cultural celebration and mutual aid.

Because of Renee’s background in conservation, environmental stewardship and education are now important to library programming. Through partnerships with Frontier Food Hub and New Mexico Wild, the library has hosted workshops on soil health and coordinated a trail clean-up. In collaboration with various organizations, National Latino Conservation Week was celebrated with seed bombs, conservation lotería, and worms!

The library has a strong commitment to youth programming. This summer, nearly 50 children participated in the reading program. Weekly Storytime is being expanded to include bilingual sessions for Spanish-speaking families.

The library is embarking on an oral history project in collaboration with the Silver City Museum. The project will be accessible online and aims to spotlight stories from New Mexico’s Mining District, preserving local voices and enriching regional memory.

When wildfires swept through the region this summer, Bayard found itself sandwiched between two evacuation zones. The library distributed critical information and served as a donation drop-off point for evacuees. In moments of celebration and crisis alike, the Bayard Public Library proves itself as a vital connector and resource for its community.

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