Vallecitos Community Center and Library

Vallecitos, NM is an unincorporated community located in Rio Arriba County.

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Surrounded by lush forest, it’s home to fewer than a hundred residents– outnumbered, as locals like to say, by cows. Despite its small size and remote location, the Vallecitos Community Center and Library reflects an extraordinary level of dedication to the people it serves.

Housed in an old mercantile building dating back to the 1880s, the library began to take shape in 2013. Marlene Fahey and Edward Manzanares welcomed me in and shared its story– a testament to what a handful of determined individuals can accomplish with vision, elbow grease, and deep love for their community.

When the library first moved into the building there was no plumbing or electricity and the infrastructure was deteriorating. Nearly all the renovations have been carried out by volunteers, people like Edward, who devote countless hours of labor.

In a place where basic utilities like Wi-Fi, electricity, and running water aren’t accessible to every household, the library serves as a lifeline. During the pandemic, it became a digital hub, helping residents schedule appointments and pay bills online. Children doing virtual school found stability in its high-speed internet and tutoring support.

But what sets the Vallecitos Library apart are its unexpected offerings: a full kitchen, washer and dryer, free for community use. The nearest laundromat is an hour away, making the library's laundry facilities a crucial asset. A donated telescope is used for stargazing nights, and fishing poles are available for checkout– perfect for exploring the nearby Rio Vallecitos.

Functioning as a common space, the library hosts meetings for two domestic water associations and four acequia associations– gatherings vital to preserving local traditions rooted in land and water stewardship. The library also houses an impressive archive of genealogy documents.

One of the most touching services offered is homebound book delivery. Marlene shared that one long-time patron was diagnosed with cancer and could no longer make trips to the library. Since then she's ensured that books continue arriving at their doorstep– a small but meaningful gesture in a community where people look out for one another.

A community-built horno (traditional adobe oven) stands proudly outside, and a newly added wooden porch shades the entrance, offering relief from the sun. Marlene told me that every year, when the summer heat begins to diminish, the library gathers local musicians to play. Neighbors come together to dance, connect, and enjoy the rhythms of rural life.

Vallecitos challenges conventional understandings of what libraries offer. Through its services and with a whole lot of heart, it meets immediate needs in real time. It is an indispensable example of why rural libraries are so important.

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