by Ada Negraru, Continuing Education Coordinator, New Mexico State Library
Welcoming the New Year with a list of new (or renewed) resolutions is still in fashion, and this year I added learning new skills or knowledge through attending public library programs to my list. Since the beginning of January, I attended three programs at Albuquerque and Santa Fe libraries, and I learned how to sew; how the Queer Movement evolved in the history of Germany; and how to escape an 80s-themed room.
Introduction to Sewing Machines! at Albuquerque Main Library
I’ve always felt intimidated by sewing machines – ever since past middle school attempts to learn how to operate them led to unfinished projects and the determination to stay away from any equipment dealing with bobbin winding, machine needles, and threading. My apprehension changed into enthusiasm during the Introduction to Sewing Machines! class taught by Library Assistant Ian Reschke at the Albuquerque Main Library on Friday, January 2nd. I sat down at one of the heavy-duty Singer sewing machines, and within two hours, under Ian’s patient guidance, I became familiar with safety rules and machine sewing tips and tricks, and to my surprise, I was able to leave the class with a complete project: a fully sewn fabric bookmark. All supplies, such as practice patterns, fabric and thread in a variety of patterns or colors were provided. Registration was capped at five people, so each class participant had use of their assigned for the duration of the class with no idle waiting for their turn.
The class is offered every first Friday of the month, with the advanced Community Quilt Class offered every second Friday of the month. Registration is required, and both classes tend to fill up weeks (or even months) in advance.
Something Queer at the Library: Queer Germany 1860s-1930s at Santa Fe Southside Library
Ever since attending Librarian Samuel Buelow’s Something Queer at the Library workshop at a past New Mexico Library Association annual conference, I hoped to be able to come to one of his highly popular talks. When I finally did, I was in for a treat: on January 13th, more than eighty people filled the Community Room at the Santa Fe Southside branch to watch Samuel’s presentation on the history of the Queer Movement in Germany between the middle of the nineteenth century to the late 1930s. The result of Samuel’s two decades of thorough research on the topic, the talk covered the cultural, medical, legal, and political aspects surrounding the development of the gay movement in Europe and Germany and its abrupt end during the Nazi regime. Primary sources such as drawings, photographs, periodicals, and correspondence punctuated Samuel’s presentation, which was followed by a lively Q&A and community discussion. Though not mandatory, a bibliography of fiction and non-fiction works was recommended prior to the event, with most titles available to loan from the Santa Fe Public Library.
Typically scheduled on the second Tuesday of the month at the Southside Library, the Something Queer at the Library talk series has gained reputation as one of the best prepared and attended events on the Santa Fe cultural scene.
Trapped in the 80s Escape Room at Albuquerque Juan Tabo Library
When a post promoting an 80s-themed Escape Room popped up in my Facebook feed, I instantly navigated to the Albuquerque Library’s events calendar to snag a spot during one of the three sessions offered at the Juan Tabo Library on January 10th. Wearing an outfit reminiscent of the period’s patterns and colors, Youth Services Librarian Barbara Walton welcomed me and the other seven participants into a room she had carefully decorated with symbols of the 80s’ pop culture, such as band posters, books and magazines, and even an audio cassette player in working condition. Many of these would turn out to be part of the clues of the equally well thought puzzle that needed to be solved in order to escape the 1980s trap and return to 2026. Our knowledge and memory of the time, problem solving and team cooperation skills were all tested during the very challenging, yet fun and engaging activity. Even though we did escape the room and made it back to 2026 by a split second, I probably would not have minded staying trapped in the 80s for just a little while longer.
Even though the first month of the year is almost over, I am determined to keep my New Year’s resolution of gaining knowledge and skills through attending library events. The three programs I had the privilege to attend so far in Albuquerque and Santa Fe set the bar very high, and I am on the lookout for equally engaging programs at New Mexico’s public libraries.