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Library board reports outreach, Library of Things and outdoor-classroom survey with 230 responses
Summary
Michelle Altair, vice chair of the Library Board, told the county council the board expanded outreach in 2024, approved updated library-system policies in January 2025, and has collected about 230 survey responses on a proposed outdoor classroom; staff also reported rising digital resource use and added a new streaming service.
Michelle Altair, vice chair of the Los Alamos County Library Board, briefed the County Council on March 18 about the board's recent activities, planned public events and a proposed outdoor classroom project adjacent to the library and senior center.
Altair said the board engaged patrons at both branches and at community events (Farmer's Market, the county fair and rodeo, Science Fest and Pride Fest), expanded hybrid meeting capabilities and promoted library initiatives including the seed bank and the Library of Things. She said the board completed a library-system policy review that council adopted in January 2025 and continued to support staff programming and outreach.
Outdoor classroom and community input
Altair described a staff-proposed outdoor classroom sited between the library and the senior center that would include a performance platform, built-in seating, satellite seating and a small storage shed. The library collected community input via a survey and Altair said staff had received about 230 responses during a short outreach window; design refinements and an architect's cost estimate are pending.
Digital services and collections
Library staff reported growth in digital-resource use. The board discussed two ebook/audiobook services (Libby and Hoopla), ongoing funding pressure for Hoopla (which can exhaust daily budgeted funds), and the addition of a third streaming service, Canopy, to ease pressure on other platforms. Altair said the library is tracking circulation statistics and using those data to inform purchases.
Library of Things
Altair highlighted the "Library of Things," an item-lending collection created in part with the Department of Public Utilities. Sample items include thermal-imaging cameras, induction-cooktop kits, power meters, telescopes, museum passes and book-club kits; the program is intended to conserve resources by encouraging borrowing before purchase.
Community partnerships and events
Altair said the library partners with Social Services to offer evening help on housing, utility or benefits questions and that staff and board members attend community events including Atomicon and the Bridal Festival; the library is also planning Earth Day participation with the seed library.
Council questions
Councilors asked for detail on the outdoor-classroom layout and seasonal usability; Altair said the site is shaded by trees and will likely support programming from spring through fall and on favorable winter days, and that one tree identified for removal is already dying. Councilors also asked about ebook vendors and frequency of digital-use growth; staff reported a 30'to'35% increase in digital usage over the previous six months and said Hoopla funds have been increased but can still be exhausted.
Ending
Altair said the board will finalize design input and seek an architect cost estimate for the outdoor classroom before bringing further details to council.
