Farmington Public Library

Located in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest, the Farmington Public Library serves a culturally diverse population of approximately 110,000, with a collection consisting of more than 190,000 books, e-books, periodicals and multimedia titles.  www.infoway.org

Having a reputation as a leader in technology, the Farmington Public Library began using RFID nine years ago, and has maintained one hundred percent self-check ever since.  Public computer reservation and print release systems have been in place even longer, as the library has been offering internet access since 1996.  When its new facility opened in 2003, patrons of the Farmington Public Library began using one of the very first drive-up automated return and sorting systems.

The Farmington Public Library incorporates a wide variety of ways to guide users to its services.  The library uses a number of LED screens throughout the library to display book reviews and promote events.  Shelf tags throughout the stacks list staff picks, links to online resources, and QR codes for podcasts about books discussed on the library’s weekly radio program.  When a user wants help they can “Just Ask!” using instant messaging to talk to a librarian, and an interactive map of the library’s floor plan is in the works.

In addition to following the Farmington Public Library on Facebook or Twitter, library users are invited to sign up to receive a monthly online newsletter in order to keep up with its many programs.  The Farmington Public Library’s events calendar is filled with regularly scheduled story times, book groups, and book/film discussions, but there are also a number of special events, such as the annual Four Corners Storytelling Festival, where stories flow along the Animas River beneath the blue New Mexico skies.  Held each October, this free event offers some of the very best national and local storytellers and a mix of traditional Navajo tales, Hispanic cuentos, tall tales and cowboy poetry.  http://www.infoway.org/storytelling

Teen services at the Farmington Public Library include the obligatory graphic novel collection and gaming events, but also serves as the headquarters for the Mayor’s Teen Advisory Council and the editorial staff of Blended Zine.  Now seeking submissions for its eleventh issue, Blended Zine is a literature and art magazine for teens, by teens.  Area students submit their work, which is then reviewed and selected by a volunteer all-teen editorial staff.  In addition to the printed magazine, Blended is available in electronic format.  http://www.blendedzine.com

The Farmington Public Library recently upgraded to GL 3.4.1 and the staff is now busy working on projects to further enhance the user experience, while streamlining operations for staff.  Upcoming projects include the implementation of mobile access, voice and text messages, online registration, and improved authentication and download. SirsiDynix is happy to work with such a tremendous library and applauds the librarians and staff of the Farmington Public Library for everything they provide to their patrons and community.