Shuter Library of Angel Fire

Angel Fire is located in the Moreno Valley surrounded by some of the highest peaks in New Mexico.

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The Shuter Library of Angel Fire is a gem born from a flat tire and a missed stop. Back in 1978, after the New Mexico State Library’s Bookmobile failed to arrive due to tire trouble, seven determined women decided it was time for their town to have a library of its own. From humble beginnings in the back room of the country club, their dream of a dedicated communal space slowly took shape.

Over the years, community members hosted everything from fashion shows to fundraising dinners to support the vision. Eventually, land was generously donated, and local builder Brian Shuter agreed to construct the building at material cost. The library was then named after him and opened its doors in July 2002.

Outside, the library is encircled by a flourishing pollinator garden tended by the Angel Fire Garden Club. Inside, visitors are greeted by cozy reading nooks, enticing new book displays, and friendly staff like Dawn – who has been a familiar face at the library for over 16 years.

Patrons can take advantage of low-cost copy and print services, participate in a variety of events and programs, and enjoy $1 coffee or tea at the Bookworm Café. The library operates as a free diaper pick up site for parents, coordinated through the local food pantry.

This summer entailed a tea party, felted soap making, and a youth water war to beat the heat. Entertainers like Twirl Taos and Andy Mason were also in the summer line up. And to give old items new life, the library holds a wildly popular “Trash to Treasures” garage sale annually.

I sparked a conversation with a patron who utilizes the Wi-Fi services for his small business. He emphasized he wouldn’t be able to do what he does without the library. I also spoke to a teenager who was browsing on her laptop. She shared that she has been coming to the library since she was as young as her two little brothers. The boys were sitting next to her both nose deep in a book.

The Shuter Library remains a steady presence in Angel Fire: grounded in its grassroots history, responsive to the present, and ready for whatever comes next.

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