Spaces

Mesa Public Library

The main branch of the Los Alamos Public Library, the Mesa Library, has a number of architectural features of interest and spaces available for visitor use. Before entering the library visitors will notice a raised garden bed, bench seating, and several pieces of outdoor public art. Upon entering the lobby at Mesa houses the first amenities available include community bulletin boards, as well as event postings open to the public and high table seating equipped with outlets.

The central area between the East and West wings houses a thin "wedge" shaped sitting area.  The wedge displays an architectural detail of square openings arranged in a line, permitting viewing through the center of the building from the entry to the south end.  This area is also equipped with varied seating choices and study carrels. The upper level rotunda is full of comfortable armchairs and tables of varying types.  The circular area is cozy and naturally lit, and enables views of both the mountains and the art gallery. The area near the main desk houses several computers for patron use, as well as a printing and copying station

White Rock Branch Library

In addition to more traditional library items, White Rock Branch Library has spaces that anchor the building into the community. 

Browse our foyer cubbies for helpful brochures, maps, tax forms, etc. or ask a staff member to hang your/your organization’s flyer on our bulletin board;

Apply for a job, research an issue, check your email, or play a game on one of our patron computers; Reserve the large Multi-Purpose Room to host your next Little League, HOA, or Girl Scout meeting or check out one of the smaller Study Rooms to write your thesis (rules of use on our website); Our Storytime Rug area hosts both Music & Movement and Storytime weekly, but it’s also home to a play kitchen, board books, and our felt wall. Our Creativity Corner contains tried-and-true favorites like crayons, a chalkboard, games, and crafts PLUS a state-of-the-art light table for hours of creative play. Attend a formal summertime activity or relax in the shade of one of the terrace trees. Inside or out, the White Rock Branch Library is an essential, welcoming, helpful space. Come check us out!

For more information on the space available to the public click on the menus below. 

Art Gallery

Art Gallery

The Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library features artists of northern New Mexico, traveling museum exhibits, and regional cultural exhibits. This gallery is located on the upper level at Mesa Public Library. The library contracts with La Mesilla Arts LLC to provide monthly art shows.

Youth Art Gallery

This gallery is located in the Youth Services area of Mesa Public Library and shows work exclusively by and for people 18 and under. Local schools and classes, young artists and groups with work directly related to youth themes are welcome to contact Youth Services staff at 505.662.8258 or ysweb@lacnm.us for more information about current exhibitions and opportunities.

 

Friends of the Library

The Friends of Los Alamos County Libraries (FLACL OR Friends) is a non-profit, 501c3 corporation that supports the services and staff of the Los Alamos County Library System, including both Mesa Public Library and White Rock Branch Library, and the Lora Belle Cole Library at the LA County Detention Center. The Friends’ Board has a contract with LA County to operate the Friends Bookstore and give the Bookstore profits to the libraries in a block grant that they may spend as they see fit. Friends’ other source of moneys is donations, some of which are given in honor or memory of friends and family. Such funds can be designated additionally by the donor(s) to fund a plaque placed on the Catalog of Giving on the third floor of Mesa Public Library. For more details on the Catalog of Giving or to make a donation online, check out our website at www.FLACL.org. For more current Friends’ Bookstore information such as to see if there are sales in the Bookstore, you can visit our Friends of Los Alamos County Libraries Facebook page. Bookstore Volunteers are always welcome. Friends of the Library Bookstore Hours are:

  • Monday - Thursday: 10am - 6pm
  • Friday: 10am - 5pm
  • Saturday: 1am - 4pm

When Mesa Public Library is closed the bookstore is as well.

 

 

Special Collections

Microfilm

A microfilm/fiche reader/printer is available for use at Mesa Public Library near the Questions and Answers desk. Black and white printing is free and color printing costs $0.15 per page. The library has the Los Alamos Monitor and the Albuquerque Journal on microfilm. Microfilm can also sometimes be borrowed from other libraries.

Southwest Collection

The Southwest Collection contains over 3400 fiction and nonfiction books about New Mexico and Arizona. Topics include philosophy, religion, social issues, transportation, geology, biology, cooking, gardening, art, recreation, history, Native Americans, pueblos, biographies, bibliographies, poetry and literature, mystery novels, westerns and New Mexico cities and counties. The collection includes a special emphasis on Los Alamos historical and archival materials, the Los Alamos Ranch School, the Manhattan Project, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bandelier National Monument, the Valles Caldera, the Northern New Mexico region and selected New Mexico state documents.

Locked Case

The library does not have a designated rare materials collection, but there is a small collection of titles held in locked bookcases. The purpose of the locked case is to insure that the library will always have a copy of these important items on the premises. An item is placed in the locked case if the item is by a local author and deals with the Los Alamos area or it is of lasting local or historical interest and difficult to replace or too fragile to be housed in open stacks.

 

Study Rooms

Study rooms are closed or non-public forums, and are intended for individual or small-group study. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and users must check in with staff prior to using the rooms. In addition, each library has a small meeting room that may be reserved for small meetings of 6-8 people, plus a larger meeting room that can accommodate up to 40. Visit laconm.libcal.com to reserve a room.

Mesa Public Library has 8 study rooms available during open hours. Six of these rooms seat up to 2 people and the two larger study room can accommodate up to 6. These must be checked out from the service desk.

The White Rock Branch Library has 2 study rooms that can each seat 8 people. These rooms must be checked out from front desk staff.

 

Quick Links

Reserve a Room

 

In This Section

Back to top