The Public Library Albuquerque-Bernalillo County conducted its Summer Reading Program across all 19 branches this year, offering activities for children, tweens, teens, adults, and families. The program followed the national Color Our World theme and included fine and performing arts events, movie screenings, STEAM programs, and appearances by special performers.
Over 350 special programs were held as part of the 2025 Summer Reading Program. More than 14,000 patrons registered to participate in these events throughout Albuquerque. Deborah Hassi, Senior Youth Librarian, coordinated the system-wide events and encouraged participants to visit different library branches around the city. This year’s Branch Visit BINGO game allowed patrons to earn raffle entries by completing a bingo card with branch visits.
A visit to the Main Library downtown included a tour of its Genealogy Floor and Youth Floor. The lower level Youth Floor overlooks an outdoor patio garden and serves as a space for reading and programming. On that day’s schedule was a 3D Pen Creations program for tweens where attendees used equipment to make their own creations.
At the Juan Tabo branch later that day, an all-ages performance featured Mike Schneider—known as Pint-Sized Polka—who is a regular guest at New Mexico summer reading events. The branch displayed colorful decorations for Summer Reading and used stand-up cutouts of scheduled performers along with samples of upcoming crafts as part of its marketing efforts.
According to library staff: "The Public Library Albuquerque-Bernalillo County continues to provide abundant and varied programs for patrons of all ages – in the summer, and all throughout the year."
