Vista Grande Public Library

Eldorado, NM is an unincorporated town southeast of Santa Fe.

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The Vista Grande Public Library was founded in 2001 through the determination and efforts of residents in Eldorado who saw a need for a library in their community. It is more than just a place to check out books – it's a place where people create community through service.
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The library sits strategically between the community school and senior center – literally and figuratively positioned perfectly to serve all ages. Inside, the atmosphere is bright and welcoming. Julia Kelso, the Library's Director since 2016, shared stories that paint a picture of a place fueled by shared support.

One of the library’s greatest strengths is its robust volunteer base, a group of over 50 community members who keep the library running with remarkable dedication. These volunteers don’t just shelve books – they connect with patrons and help maintain the daily rhythm of the library with care and consistency. As Julia put it, “They treat their roles like a job – and it shows.” Crucial services like monthly Medicare information sessions and a soundproof booth used for virtual medical appointments are provided by the library. A community meeting room, accessible even outside library hours, is utilized for everything from candidate forums to knitting circles and homeowners association meetings. Weekly movie nights, alternate between children and grownup films. Julia quipped that their showing of “Conclave” was particularly packed. A popular program offered by the library is Wags and Words, where children build confidence by reading aloud to therapy dogs. Dogs are welcomed into the library for the annual Dog Days of Summer adoption event in partnership with the Española Humane Society.
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The library offers visitors puzzles, coloring pages, origami and more. The collection includes physical and audio books, DVDs and CDs – for check out. Patrons can check out 6 telescopes for night sky viewing. The Santa Fe Stargazers Group meets at the library on a monthly basis to do star mapping and host talks.

At the Vista Grande Library, one theme stands out: the library is powered by people who take initiative. Julia shared the story of a community member who leads monthly technology classes for patrons and preceding each class is a Fix-it Clinic for free device troubleshooting.

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In Eldorado, the library is a place where service is celebrated, and neighbors become collaborators. It is a living testament to what happens when a community invests in itself.

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