The Española Public Library has undergone a transformation under new Library Director David Lopez.
Since taking the helm in February, he has been on a mission to breathe new life into the library, focusing on creating a welcoming environment and expanding its role as a vital community hub. His efforts are not just focused on books and computers, but also aims to foster a sense of belonging and opportunity for Española’s residents.
“I want all our patrons to come in here, you know, feel comfortable, feel greeted, feel welcomed.” Lopez said. “If there’s anything that they need, we’re here to help.”
From his first day on the job, he recognized the need to revitalize the library.
“This place definitely needed a facelift,” Lopez said.
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, he brings a wealth of experience in customer service and was struck by the library’s interior.
“All the walls were just white brick,” he said. “You know, honestly it looked like a jail cell or, you know, some type of place to put people away and not to welcome them.”
To address this, Lopez prioritized aesthetic upgrades. Over the past six months, the library has been repainted with vibrant colors to create a more inviting atmosphere, particularly for young patrons.
The transformation extends far beyond simple cosmetics, however. Under Lopez’s leadership, the library has gotten rid of unpopular books in exchange for $4,000 worth of new books from Barnes and Noble.
“Any books that haven’t been checked out in the last 10, 15, 20 years, I’m getting them off my shelf,” Lopez said. “All they’re doing is just taking up space for a brand new book.”
He has focused on selecting new books for all ages — from toddlers to adults — Lopez sought to purchase books that would captivate the community across all age demographics.
Lopez has also introduced programs to engage the community, with a particular focus on children and families. This summer, the library launched a reimagined reading program that encouraged children to choose books that they enjoy, rather than mandating specific titles.
“I would rather have the kids read something that they’d like, opposed to being told what they had to read, because I knew that was going to discourage,” Lopez said.
He deemed the program a resounding success, with nearly 100 children participating — a significant increase from previous years.
Another project is the Chromebook Initiative Program, designed to reward young readers. The program encouraged young readers to read 10 books in an eight-week span. At the end of the eight weeks, readers would be rewarded with a free Chromebook.
“We kept encouraging them,” Lopez said. “And then we were able to see that these kids were actually reading bigger more advanced books throughout the summer.”
In keeping with his vision to modernize, the library recently acquired an EyeClick interactive educational projector, a device offering more than 300 educational games in subjects like math, science and social studies.
“We are the only people that have this in a 50-mile radius,” Lopez said.
Beyond youth programs, he is committed to making the library a broader resource for everyone in the community. He plans to partner with outreach organizations to provide information on issues like drug addiction, homelessness and family aid.
“There’s so many people out here just running blind and don’t know where to go or ask questions,” Lopez said. “I believe our patrons should be able to come into our library, ask us questions and that we should be able to help. Then if there’s something that we don’t have the answer to, I just tell them, ‘Well, you know, just give us a minute. Let’s figure it out.’”
He pointed out that the ongoing metamorphosis of the library has been done with very little funding.
“If I could show the higher-ups or different organizations who provide grants and stuff that, ‘hey, look at these activities that we’re putting on with nothing,’” Lopez said. “Wait ’til we actually have grant funding to where we could actually put on bigger, exquisite, you know, STEM programs, robotics courses.”
He hopes that soon, the library will even be able to host an eSports club.
“I’m really big on feedback,” Lopez said, encouraging residents to share their ideas for programs and activities.
From senior computer courses to library field trips for local schools, he is determined to tailor the library’s offerings to Española’s needs.
“We’re always looking for something … I think this is the reason why our library has taken off,” Lopez said. “We’re being proactive here.”