by Marcy Botwick, Southwest Librarian
New Mexicans love history, the more local the better, according to a special section in the 2025 annual Public Library Survey (PLS) with questions about New Mexico history and genealogy in libraries. Libraries were asked if they had books on local or southwest history and if they had books or databases on genealogy. The survey had questions about staffing for history initiatives and links to local history clubs or museums. The PLS is run by the Institute of Museums and Library Services and sent out each summer in New Mexico by the State Library.
The history questions showed a strong interest in history and genealogy at libraries around the state. Ninety-three of the 101 library systems surveyed have special history collections. Thirty maintain genealogy collections including an outstanding genealogy center at the Albuquerque Public Library. Thirty-six libraries have subscriptions to paid genealogy services; twenty-one to Ancestry.com and fifteen to Heritage Quest. Eight libraries reported that they use Family Search, a free genealogy database supported by the LDS church. 
These numbers are interesting but only tell part of the story. Thirty-four libraries, or roughly a third of the respondents took the time to share “other information about the library and local history or genealogy.” Library directors, who typically fill out the survey, wrote about a wide range of activities, programs and resources including many collaborations with local history societies and museums. They described meetings, oral history projects, history clubs, conferences and digitization of yearbooks and other special archives. A number of library directors were reported to be accomplished historians and genealogists while others expressed interest in learning how to develop more historical or genealogical materials for their communities.
A big thank you to all who responded to this voluntary survey which was written by the New Mexico Library Association Local and Regional History Special Interest Group (L&RH SIG). The SIG is planning to use the data to help libraries around the state learn from each other with continuing education and programming. For librarians interested in talking about history and genealogy initiatives, the L&RH SIG will be meeting for lunch on Thursday, October 23 at the upcoming NMLA Conference in Albuquerque.
For more information, reach out to L&RH SIG chair Robin Sanchez (robin.sanchez@dca.nm.gov) or Marcy Botwick, Southwest Librarian at the New Mexico State Library (marcy.botwick@dca.nm.gov) Interested researchers can also use our Genealogical Resources: Where to start? libguide to explore available resources.