The International District has a new public library! The International District Library is located on Central, east of Louisiana Blvd, in Southeast Albuquerque. For those of us who remember, it sits where the old Caravan East nightclub used to be.
Address: 7601 Central Ave NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
Phone: 505-768-4970
The new library is a great addition to the Southeast Heights. This part of Albuquerque is one of the most populated, yet had been served by one of the smallest library branches, the San Pedro Library. The new International District Library is 25,000 square feet. Its gorgeous and contemporary design was crafted by RMKM Architects. RMKM took input from folks at town halls and worked with Library staff and the City Architect to shape the final design. The result is a spacious and inviting multi-space building with lots of light and color.
The main section of the library has 29 computers for the public to use, plus additional computers in the young adult and children’s areas. Study rooms and a conference room that seats up to ten can be reserved by the public via a library card. The first ever Multi-Gen Room is available for reservation and can host computer and language classes, adult literacy programs, and job training. The Jewell Community Room, named for civil and social justice leaders Bobbie and Tommie Jewell, holds up to 150 people. It can be booked by the community for a variety of activities. It’s especially great for dance rehearsals and performances, in honor of the Caravan East Nightclub. All reservations require an active library card.
The reading room is available for people to set up their laptops and work in quiet. The #youngadult room is perfect for doing homework and conducting group projects. In the children’s area, kids can read books, play with various games and learning activities, or listen to story time.
The library encourages people to just kick back and relax. Cafe style seating is paired with an indoor hydroponic garden. Outside is another green seating area. An outdoor plaza will hold performances closer to the fall when the weather cools down.
There’s even virtual reality equipment that will be used for upcoming gaming programs.
The new library’s hours are
Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00pm
Sunday, 1:00 pm to 5:00pm.
People lined up outside the door on the day of the library ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 9, 2022. The new library is a project that has been in the works since the early 2000s. Area manager Florence Sablan said that people are excited to have a beautiful place to come in and use the computer or read a newspaper. She said that during construction, people from the neighborhood would come up and say thank you for taking a chance on this location.
Anyone with a library card can take free computer classes and/or get one-on-one computer help. Call to make an appointment or register for one of the upcoming classes.
LinkedIn Learning is an online video tutorial-based continuing education platform. Many companies and corporations buy agreements with LinkedIn Learning to make the courses available to their employees. With your ABQ library card, you can access these tutorials for free! Subjects include marketing, grammar and writing, photography, social media, project management, web design, and more. Go to the link, enter your library card details, and start exploring.
The ABQ libraries website houses several online databases to help you with your research, whether it’s for a school paper, a manuscript, or a work project. Browse Encyclopedia Britannica, the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Consumer Reports, national newspapers like the Chicago Tribune and Wall Street Journal, and much more. This wealth of information is at your fingertips with your library card.
In addition to all of the online databases, use the LearningExpress Library for online tutorials, practice tests, and e-books for people of all ages. High school studies, college prep, career prep, and more are available on LearningExpress.
For K-5, the New Mexico State LIbrary offers Gale Info Bits. Short, easy-to-read articles on all kinds of subjects range from arts to sciences to geography.
This year’s summer reading program runs through July 30, 2022. All ages can participate. Register at a local branch or online and start logging your reading time. Audiobooks count, too! Enter the weekly drawing for prizes.
The library is another source for free images to use in your event flyers, presentations, papers, blogs, mood boards, whatever. Image sources include British Library, DK Images, Getty Images, and National Geographic. To browse and download images, log in with your library card details.
The main branch of the ABQ public library holds the genealogy center. It has 12 public computers with Internet access for research into your family history. Library staff can help you get started. You can also register for free online classes taught by local experts in genealogy.
Do you need a place for your group to meet? Book one of the rooms at the public library. They have conference rooms for small groups and individual study. Reserve a room using your library card.
Check the library calendar for ongoing free events. A quick glance at the events happening at the International District Library shows rock painting, henna body art, storytime, technology 101, anime and manga book club, and more.
More events are happening at library branches around the metro.
There are so many things you can do with your library card. A daily visit to the home page of ABQlibrary.org displays new and current events, courses, and resources. You can check out a free concert series, learn a new language, and download an ebook. There’s something for everyone at the public library. If you don’t already have your library card, apply for yours. And if your current library card is stuck in a drawer somewhere, dust it off and start using it now!
Shannon Moreau is the editor for the NMBLC EQ Blog.
