Los Alamos Library Board hears Community Services year‑end update; July 7 minutes approved

Chelsea Ashcraft, senior management analyst for Los Alamos County’s Community Services Department, gave the library board a year‑end briefing at a meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m., outlining departmental achievements, staffing outcomes, program metrics and a slate of capital and accessibility projects. The board approved the minutes from its July 7 meeting before the presentation.

The department was named a gold‑medal finalist by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, Chelsea said, and the NRPA conference will announce whether the department receives the grand plaque next week. "Los Alamos County's community service department is among the best in the country when it comes to delivering exceptional community services," she said.

Chelsea described operational changes and metrics: the department completed national accreditation last year and is embedding continuous improvement practices; it reported August circulation at Mesa Public Library of 26,363 and digital circulation of 9,615 (about 27 percent of total circulation). The library ran 45 programs in August with total attendance of 1,669; staff estimated roughly 700 attendees were at AtomicCon, a multi‑venue event the department helped support.

Staffing and workforce development were highlighted. Chelsea said recreation filled five positions this year; five of the nine current full‑time lifeguards began as trainees. The department hosted eight high‑school summer interns and consolidated several part‑time library roles into two full‑time positions to attract longer‑term candidates. "We're actively implementing Cartograph, our new asset management system for the parks division," Chelsea said, noting a White Rock pilot will be followed by a county launch.

Chelsea outlined capital projects and planning work: two new playground designs are complete; Spireo Senior and Bun Bridal Fields renovations are underway; two athletic courts were renovated (the presenter cited 93 truckloads of concrete); Brewer Arena is nearing construction with a permanent ice‑rink chiller installed and a council‑approved shade structure; the golf course renovation is substantially complete. She said a master plan for Guaje Pines Cemetery is nearly finished, an artificial turf study is in final draft, and Site Southwest is developing North Mesa recreation and picnic‑grounds accessibility plans.

Accessibility improvements, Chelsea said, included upgrades to almost half a mile of the Kinnickinnick Park Trail, ADA‑accessible tee boxes and restrooms at the golf course, and a simplified ADA modification request process accessible from the county website. Chelsea also reported sustainability steps — a new policy to reduce single‑use plastics and replacement of gas golf equipment with electric parts and robotic mowers.

On social engagement, Chelsea said the department held 22 public information sessions and six surveys during the year; county Facebook pages received more than 26,000 visits and combined reach on Facebook and Instagram exceeded about 119,000 people.

Chelsea described partnerships and health‑focused work, including a council‑adopted comprehensive health plan, a health‑action‑center concept, and a new coalition called LAUNCH that brings together social services, the county health council, the New Mexico Suicide Prevention Initiative and the Los Alamos Community Foundation to expand suicide‑prevention training with a goal to train 1,000 people this year. She also discussed Sequential Intercept Model planning for crisis response and new juvenile services and counseling partnerships.

Board members asked follow‑up questions. Michelle asked about 'Gymkhana' and Chelsea explained it refers to equestrian course activities. Michelle also asked about a decorative deer fence planned for the Rose Garden; Chelsea said it would be taller than current chicken wire and likely about five to six feet, but she could not confirm the exact height and offered to follow up.

Before adjourning at 6:10 p.m., the board heard a manager's report that repeated staffing and program updates and noted two prospective library board appointments would be considered by county council the following night. Chelsea offered to provide additional details by follow‑up if needed.

The board took a single formal vote early in the meeting to approve the minutes from July 7; Diane moved, Michelle seconded, and the three members present voted aye.