Inside the Library that Keeps Estancia Together
Estancia is a town located within Torrance County in central New Mexico.
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In 1906, a library was started in a church basement before moving to a room in the fire station. Decades later, in 2005, the Williams family established a trust fund to build and maintain a designated library building. The Estancia Public Library now welcomes and serves the community in a gorgeous space with large windows overlooking the park.
Director Angela Creamer, who has been with the library since 2001, has helped shape it into an information hub. New residents receive welcome packets with a town map, a list of local services, and essential phone numbers. Staff work diligently to ensure patrons are guarded from misinformation and scams.
One example that shows how vital that vigilance is, a couple arrived with a letter offering a small business grant and were preparing to fax bank statements to a listed contact. Angela’s questions revealed the letter was vague and unsolicited; the couple had never applied for a grant. Her intervention stopped a financial scam in its tracks and left the patrons grateful and safer.
When one community member fell on hard times and experienced homelessness, the library welcomed him in. He was able to brush his teeth and freshen up in the restroom. Staff brought him soups and treats for his dog. That kind of compassion turns the library into a refuge as well as a resource
Young people of all ages find sanctuary in the library too. I witnessed K-5th graders run to the library for the after-school program Library Lizards. The group gathered around for a story read by Ms. Lori, followed by a craft activity.
The library also hosts Bookworm Buddies, an early childhood education program for littles ages 0-5. And for teens, Angela runs game nights and a book/movie club.
The Southwest Collection room is a key asset available for meetings free of charge. Everything from Head Start interviews to ukulele lessons are held in the space. One patron even used the room to attend a virtual court hearing with his lawyer.
Estancia’s story illustrates that libraries are the guardians of truth and keepers of community.
