Use Your Library

Did you realize that you help your library simply by checking out a book or walking in the door? It's true! The library keeps statistics on number of checkouts, number of visitors, and other indicators that people are using the library, and these statistics help build the case for maintaining or increasing the library's budget.

Join Friends of the Library (FOL)

Friends of the Alamogordo Public Library is the advocacy group for the library. The over 450 members of FOL sponsor several cultural events each year and mobilize public support on governmental issues affecting the Library. FOL members get early admission to book sales and receive 10% off purchases.

FOL meeting are held at 6:30 pm on the third Thursday of each month in the library and are open to the public. Come by and get acquainted!

FOL membership are $5 per year; make your check payable to "Friends of the Library" and mail to

Membership Secretary
Friends of the Library
920 Oregon Avenue
Alamogordo, NM 88310

Volunteer as a Library Worker

Help your library and make new friends as a library volunteer! Volunteers shelve books, coordinate displays, and assist with other library tasks. Volunteers contribute about 4,000 hours of labor each year, the equivalent of 2 full-time employees. Ask for an application form at the Circulation Desk.

Help with Book Sales

Like books? Have extra time on your hands? Like doing something worthwhile for the community? Enjoy working under less than perfect conditions? Like to laugh but still work hard? Are you retired but not too tired?

The semi-annual book sales are the APL Foundation's premier fundraiser. Money raised goes toward library projects, including the children's Summer Reading Program and the new library building. You can help.

We need a few good volunteers who are physically able to help us prepare for booksales. You must be able to work in the cold, tolerate dust, be able to lift, stoop, and walk on cement floors. If you love to organize, that is a plus! Please call Joyce and she can answer any questions you may have about volunteering. Her home phone number is 439-0266 and cell number 430-1893.

Volunteer as a Foundation Worker

The APL Foundation needs volunteers to help with its fundraising activities. We are looking for positive, energetic volunteers to work on the Annual Fund drive, events, grants, public relations, marketing, communications, and more. Interested?

Write a Letter to the Editor

People tend to take libraries for granted. Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper, saying something nice about the library. The Letters column is widely read, and your letter reminds readers of the good job being done by our library. Mail or bring your letter to:

Letters to the Editor
Alamogordo Daily News
518 24th St
Alamogordo, NM 88310

Write or Call Your Commissioner

It is always helpful to remind your elected officials that supporting the library is a popular and politically-wise choice. Your City Commissioners are:

District 1: Marion L. Ledford, Jr., 3034 Del Sur, 437-6352
District 2: Aaron D. Rance, 3556 Mosswood, 434-0033
District 3: Robert Rentschler, 1418 Juniper, 437-5242
District 4: Josh Rardin, 1100 Dexter Lane, 434-0720
District 5: Joe Ferguson, 601 E. First Street, 437-0722
District 6: Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Cole, 401 Sunbeam, 434-0849
District 7: Mayor Ron Griggs, 2704 Birdie Loop, 439-1331

Do you live outside the city? Your input is still important. The Otero County government voluntarily contributes about $40,000 per year on your behalf for library operations. Your County Commissioners are:

District 1: Doug Moore, 1000 New York Ave., Rm. 101, Alamogordo, NM 88310-6935, 437-7427
District 2: Clarissa McGinn, 7320 US Highway 70 North, Alamogordo, NM 88310, 439-0999
District 3: Ronny Rardin, 46 KC Road, Alamogordo, NM 88310, 415-7062