By Berdina Nieto, NMSL Rural Services Outreach Specialist
The Ambitious Beginnings of Books by Mail: Celebrating 50 Years of Service
For half a century, Books by Mail has been a vital service to New Mexicans statewide. By mailing books directly to patron’s homes and mailboxes, the program has created access to literature, information, and entertainment in New Mexico’s book deserts for 50 years. We’re incredibly proud of this enduring legacy and remain committed to continuing to provide library service to our fellow New Mexicans across the state.
1968: Inspired by heartfelt feedback about the existing books by mail service from patrons living between 60 – 100 miles away from the nearest public library, NMSL staff began working on the idea of a mail-order program that would serve rural New Mexico. They hoped to bring service to people who lacked library services which was approximately 40% of New Mexico’s population.
1971: Partnering with USPS, the NMSL staff begin sending catalogs and mailing books from the bookmobile headquarters starting in the regions they were already providing service to. Within a short time of launching the pilot, sixty families were receiving books by mail such as a Magdalena family that was “without television, receives mail twice a week, and would enjoy reading materials.”
As word spread about the service, NMSL received letters of enthusiasm from patrons such as “Thank you for the delightful books you send me. Evidently, this is not a service that is widespread. Friends in other states tell me there is no such service where they are. Another reason I am glad I am living in New Mexico.”
1972: A total of 6,993 books were mailed to 714 families. A huge success! The pilot was expanded to include more regions and began the process of becoming a regular feature centralized at the New Mexico State Library in Santa Fe.
1975: Books by Mail becomes an official program serving New Mexicans living in rural areas 20 miles outside city limits without access to a public library or a State Library Bookmobile stop. According to the annual report, 13,176 books were mailed to 1,1493 families during this period. Demand only continued to grow and soon the program expanded its services to include individuals who were home-bound and those with low vision even if they lived within 20 miles of a public library or NMSL bookmobile stop.
Sources: New Mexico State Records Center & Archives, New Mexico State Library Annual Report 1964-1965, New Mexico State Library Annual Report 1965-1966, New Mexico State Library Annual Report 1966-1967, New Mexico State Library Annual Report 1967-1968, New Mexico State Library Annual Report 1968-1969, New Mexico State Library Annual Report 1969-1970, New Mexico State Library Annual Report 1970-1971, New Mexico State Library Annual Report 1971-1972, New Mexico State Library Reports January 1969, New Mexico State Library Reports July-August 1969