Library manager outlines inclusivity policies, services and collection process to Los Alamos task force

Gwen Colavasa, library manager at Mesa Public Library, told the Los Alamos Inclusivity Task Force that the library follows the American Library Association ocuments such as the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read statement and that materials remain in the collection when staff followed the library—ollection-development criteria.

Colavasa said the library's mission is to "enrich our unique community with excellent customer service, knowledgeable staff, dedicated partnerships, welcoming spaces, and diverse spaces," and described steps the library is taking to make services and collections more inclusive for people of different cultures, gender identities, physical abilities and neurodiversity.

Those steps include staff participation in selecting collections, outreach to smaller and local publishers, displays and signage audits, accessible computer workstations, outside pickup lockers (Mesa Public Library has lockers; a White Rock locker is planned), an accessible registration option for library cards, a "library of things" that circulates nontraditional items, Narcan and hygiene product availability at circulation desks, and work to document procedures for programs and collections.

Colavasa read from the Library Bill of Rights during her presentation, telling the task force that "books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves" and that "materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background or views of those contributing to their creation." She added that removal of material after purchase is treated carefully: "If [collection development criteria] was not followed, then that might be an instance in which we would remove an item that would be a serious First Amendment violation. And so we would not do that lightly." (Gwen Colavasa, Library Manager.)

During questions, task force members probed the Library of Things criteria, banned-book complaints and accessibility funding. Colavasa said staff consider whether a local business provides a rental or service when deciding whether to add an item to the Library of Things and that staff are documenting the process so reasons are clear. She said community purchase suggestions are welcome, but staff ultimately evaluate feasibility using collection-development guidelines posted on the library website.

Task force members pressed about assistive-technology costs. Task force member Tina said a Braille embosser "probably costs close to $10,000" and a refreshable Braille display costs "$3,000 to $5,000," noting that such devices are expensive for private users. (Tina, Task Force member.) Colavasa said the library is relatively well funded compared with some regional libraries and receives support from the county and Friends of the Library, but warned that cuts at the state level could reduce digital resources: "The New Mexico State Library ... receives their funding from the IMLS. Their funding is likely going to be cut. And that may affect, down the line, some of the digital resources that we're able to provide." (Gwen Colavasa.)

Colavasa described other services: the library has added low-vision resources and accessible checklists for new services, runs programs that target multiple ages and demographics (including a previously successful drag-queen story hour that the library would consider repeating), and is working on a needs assessment and sound study at Mesa Public Library to improve acoustics and privacy. She said the library previously supported deliveries to homebound patrons during the COVID-19 period and would like to resume or redesign delivery but currently lacks resources to provide on-demand same-day deliveries.

The presentation and question-and-answer session touched on several specific offerings in the library of things: induction cooktops, thermal cameras, party kits, a shredder and forthcoming meeting-owl devices. Colavasa said the Southwest collection contains a small number of high-value or hard-to-replace titles secured behind locked cases; otherwise patrons of any age can access materials and parents are expected to make decisions for their children.

The library manager directed attendees to the library's posted policies and collection-development guidelines for the criteria that guide purchases and program decisions, and said staff will document library-of-things criteria and program procedures to increase transparency.

Colavasa said the library welcomes suggestions and continues to work with county and community partners to expand accessibility and services.