The Octavia Fellin Public Library in Gallup organized an eight-week Summer Reading Program this year, featuring over 140 individual activities as part of the "Color Our World" theme. Events included a movie matinee, craft sessions, family video gaming, a writers workshop and film premiere, and an outreach escape room.
The library operates two locations in downtown Gallup: the main branch and the Children’s Library. The Children’s Library recently renovated its early literacy picture book section by installing forward-facing bins. Murals designed by teen patrons from the Teen Advisory Board now decorate the space. According to Youth Services Librarian Phil Neilson, patrons have responded positively to these changes.
The Children’s Library also features a Makerspace, community room, and a video gaming area. Neilson led efforts for the Summer Reading Art Heist! Escape Room at Rio West Mall—a program started in 2023 that has since expanded due to its popularity. The escape rooms are set up at the mall so both library visitors and shoppers can participate. Staff use these events as opportunities to share information about other library services.
Neilson described this year’s escape room as following an art-themed mystery where participants solved riddles and puzzles within one hour.
In addition to the escape room event, New Mexico writer Jimmy Santiago Baca hosted a writing workshop at El Morro Theatre. The theatre also held the world premiere of "Redemption Time," a documentary about Baca. During this event, Library Director Tammi Moe announced the launch of a capital campaign aimed at building a new library facility in Gallup.
Visitors were also given tours of local sites such as the historic Rex Museum to better understand how the Octavia Fellin Public Library serves Gallup residents.
"Patrons love the new look of the space," said Neilson regarding recent renovations at the Children’s Library.
