The Heart of Kewa Pueblo: Its Library
Kewa Pueblo, also called Santo Domingo Pueblo, is a tribal community in north central New Mexico.
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Santo Domingo Pueblo Library may be small, but its impact is huge. It’s run by Director Shana Coriz, Librarian Tracy Garcia, and Programs and Activities Coordinator Alyssa Rosetta. These three individuals have shaped it into a hub of learning and community care.
Youth programming is at the core of the library’s work. After school the space fills with students. Before crafts or activities begin, kids settle in for homework or at least 20 minutes of reading. They’re also challenged with translating books from English to Keres, refining their language skills.
I had the opportunity to teach a pinch pottery class with the library’s after school program. The school buses dropped students off outside and they rushed in excited to shape their own unique piece. It was amazing to see the creative designs and color combinations they painted on.
The library coordinates weekly visits with the elementary school and even serves as a designated school registration site, offering hands-on support for families completing enrollment. Free Little Libraries extend access to reading materials across the community, with stations outside the library, middle school, and early childhood center.
The library’s support extends well beyond students. Staff regularly help community members navigate applications for SNAP and Social Security benefits, and the library serves as a reliable access point for public computers and high-speed internet. Adult Keres language classes have been recently added to the library’s programming in collaboration with the Kewa Language Department.
For local entrepreneurs, the library offers food handler licensing classes. Alyssa recalled one tribal member who was thrilled after scoring 100% on her exam. Business resources also include free access to design tools, cardstock for printing business cards, and equipment such as a Cricut and a laminator.
The Santo Domingo Pueblo Library is a classroom and resource center, a registration office, and for young people and elders alike, a safe place. Small but essential, the library meets people where they are with crucial services, cultural programs, and a sense of community.
