Branigan Library will close Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27 for painting, moving, and rearranging selected service areas and staff offices. Patrons can return their library items using the outside book drop and fines will be waived for those two days. On Monday, July 29, the Library will re-open at 9 a.m. with full services available.
The most obvious change that will impact the public is the relocation of the magazines and newspapers section on the second floor. The Genealogy section, previously in the Reading Room with the magazines, now has been combined with the New Mexico Room. Specialized databases like Ancestry.com and research computers are housed there, along with a map collection and library items featuring New Mexico and southwestern history.
Other recent improvements include a 3M automated book sorter, allowing for more convenient, efficient returns and check-outs, a 42-inch digital display monitor announcing the Library’s daily events, a new 3M security gate to reduce collection theft and loss, outdoor landscaping, and much-needed expanded staff work areas.
In the near future, the library will make additional interior physical improvements such as new signage for the first floor service areas, new picture book shelves and brighter paint in the children’s section, improved lighting over the new book return sorter and new books section, and a one-stop information desk in the lobby to help library patrons with their questions.
Branigan Library annually serves more than 195,000 visitors and circulates more than 450,000 items each year. In 2010, the Library celebrated its 75th anniversary.