SOCORRO PUBLIC LIBRARY TOUR
SOCORRO PUBLIC LIBRARY TOUR
The Socorro Public Library has grown and changed with the community it serves since its beginning in 1924. The oldest portion of the library, now serving as the Reading Room, was built around 1913. Over the years, rooms have been added to house the growing collection of books.
In 1932, a group known as the Woman's Auxiliary to the AIME (American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers), purchased this building from the Baptist Church. The group had founded the Socorro Public Library in 1924, but this was the first permanent home for the collection. The WAAIME's improvements to this building included the distinctive viga and latilla ceiling, the fireplace, and a flagstone floor.
In 1998, with the construction of a new addition to the library, the room was modified to meet ADA standards by taking out the old flagstone floor and adding a new smoother brick floor to make it easier for wheelchair access. In 2001 a new front desk was custom built and installed to accommodate the expanding needs of the Circulation Department.
Many Socorroans remember the friendly face of the woman whose portrait hangs in this room. Mrs. Brown was one of the original WAAIME founders of the public library, and a dedicated volunteer for nearly 40 years. From its beginnings in 1924, in rented rooms with donated books, the library grew through volunteer effort and community-based fund raising. After purchasing the original building for the library, the women started a building fund for an addition. Bit by bit the necessary funds were raised, and in 1956 the first addition, north of the original room, was completed.
Displayed along the walls in this room are rows of fired clay tiles decorated with petroglyph images found near Socorro. The tiles carry the names of people who have contributed to the completion of the newest addition of the Library.
Betty Thompson began twenty years of volunteer service in the Library in 1947. She recruited volunteers in order to expand hours and programs, raised money for the building fund and even helped to build shelving in the North addition. She was known for her wide range of abilities, from paperwork to roof inspections. Mrs. Thompson became the first person at SPL to earn state certification as a librarian.
When in 1964 the property south of the library came up for sale, the far sighted WAAIME bought it, believing that one day the growing library might find it useful. By 1971, the library was again filled to the brim and an addition was proposed and funded. The addition we call the Betty Thompson room was completed in 1975. Her portrait hangs above the reference desk.
In January of 1973, the WAAIME gave the Socorro Public Library to the city of Socorro, ending its years of volunteer service and stewardship.
The newest addition to the public library opened in February of 1998. It houses the children's library on its ground floor. It's a sunny space with low book shelves and comfortable nooks for curling up with a book and a stuffed animal friend. The upper floors are not opened to the public yet; Phase II of this construction project will complete public restrooms and meeting room on the 2nd floor and librarian work-space and offices on the 3rd floor.
Several interesting antiques and hand- made pieces of furniture have been donated to the library over the years. These are mainly found in the Anna K. Brown Room at present. The large walnut table beneath the windows is a 17th century Spanish refectory table, given to the library along with two Spanish chairs of the same period by Mrs. Brown (who traveled to Spain regularly on buying trips for her antique shop in Santa Fe). Emily K. Hilton donated the wooden revolving book cases which had been used for circulating books at the Hilton Pharmacy before 1924, and a glass walled case now used for rare books. Dr. C. G. Duncan donated the 19th century embellished walnut and pine instrument case which now contains the gifts from the French "Merci Train" (see below). Dating from the WPA era are two carved pine sofas, a pine table with carved legs, and two chest on stands carved in ponderosa pine.
Paintings in the library's permanent collection include the portraits by Marie Taylor of Anna K. Brown and Betty Thompson, also a painting by Alda Murowski of a mine tipple, watercolor by Gladys Bacon, and two paintings by Peter Klinefelter: "Socorro Black-on- White" and "Pueblo Bonito". The large oil painting over the fireplace called "Park City & Billing Smelter" done in 1886 by Leon Trousset depicts an area near the present day Evergreen and Spring Streets.
Forty-nine train cars filled with gifts for the people of America sailed from France to New York in 1949. Items ranged from dolls, toys, books, embroideries and hand-crafts to items of historic importance. Many of the items have personal handwritten notes attached. These gifts were a tangible expression of gratitude for American aid in two world wars and in the rebuilding of postwar France. On Feb. 16, 1949, the train car designated for New Mexico arrived in Santa Fe carrying gifts for the people of New Mexico. Mrs. A. K. Brown was among the representatives of 14 New Mexico libraries and colleges, attending the distribution of gifts.
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Last update February 25, 2006