New International District library now open

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The City of Albuquerque has officially opened its newest library in the International District. 

It’s part of the city’s effort to bring more resources to neighborhoods that have been historically under served.

The project that was years in the making has finally opened its doors

“This is a monumental day for the library and the city, the building has been in the works for over 10 years and it was identified back in 2007 as a gap in our service areas,” said Dean Smith, director of public libraries for Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. 

Now that gap is filled with educational resources.

“Books, DVD’s, computers we have cake pans odd things like cake pans, and Wi-Fi that you can check out, hot spots I should say, and it provides space,”said Smith. 

Space that Smith is hoping the neighborhood will take advantage of. 

“We hope this will become the town hall, the town square for the International District, people will hold their meetings here people will come and study here,” Smith said. 

By filling minds and investing in the neighborhood’s future.  

“It actually has a return on investment of  5-1 so for every dollar invested in this library $5 comes into the community, that return is in terms of better literacy rates, higher educational attainment, better employment and better incomes,” said Smith.  

Smith says the library is now open seven days a week and people can stop by and get their library cards.