Little libraries/pantries popping up around Las Cruces

Little libraries are popping up in neighborhoods around Las Cruces, and children and adults are taking, donating and reading books. Little food pantries will follow.

Tricia Heffelfinger and Cesia A. Otero started the project, called Doña Ana County Little Libraries and Pantries, as part of their longtime volunteer service to improve education and literacy in the community.

“I saw a post on a community Facebook page about a little library needing books,” Heffelfinger said. “I sent [Otero] the screenshot. She had the idea to create a map of all the libraries in our community. I created a post on a community Facebook page that same night, asking for locations of little libraries in town. The response was incredible – more than 350 likes and 200 comments. On Jan. 5, I created the Facebook page ‘Doña Ana County Little Libraries and Pantries.’ On Jan. 8, I picked up our first donation and visited my first little library. It has just taken off since then.”

“It has been amazing to watch how our community is coming together,” Otero said. “I think a big part of it has do to with the fact that we are all looking for different ways to connect and contribute in any way we can.”

Heffelfinger and Otero also plan to expand little libraries into locations in rural Doña Ana County. Iliana Perez is a volunteer working specifically on increasing libraries and pantries in the southern part of the county, Heffelfinger said.

"Part of our work is to ensure that our rural communities have the same opportunities as the Las Cruces areas," Otero said.

The little libraries and pantries are important for the community because they boost literacy, Heffelfinger said, and they “provide families with a fun, affordable way to obtain and trade books.”

“As an educator and mom, I can think of so many other benefits and opportunities, like family and community engagement, connecting families to the resources they need through libraries, incorporating art, etc.,” she said.

To get involved in the little libraries program, visit the Doña Ana County Little Libraries and Pantries Facebook page or donate books at any little library.

“We're looking for donations of supplies and builders, in hopes of connecting them with those who want a little library but might not have the means to build it,” Heffelfinger said. 

And, if there are businesses or individuals in Doña Ana, Organ or anywhere in the southern part of Doña Ana County willing to have a library/pantry placed on their property, they also should contact Heffelfinger.

Another project partner is New Mexico Lions Operation KidSight, Inc., which is helping “by offering spare pairs of glasses for those in need and supplying books through Scholastic Book,” said Program Manager Lion Brenda Dunn.

Lions clubs of Las Cruces (there are five) also are working on placing food pantries with little libraries.

“We are looking to have our first one placed at the Lions Club Community and Resource Center at 1501 N. Solano Drive, sometime in February,” Dunn said.

The Lions clubs will call their food pantries “Cali's Cupboard” in memory of Lions District Governor Carlos "Cali" Tellez from the La Mesa Lions Club, she said. Tellez, who died Jan. 20, 2016, “never wanted anyone to go hungry,” Dunn said.

“The Lions are excited to be able to help the community in this way and other ways, such as getting them eye exams and glasses if they have no other means to obtain them,” she said.

The community has clearly embraced the Little Libraries and Pantries program:

• "So excited of the positive impact this will have in our community!  Thank you for bringing this up!" Pablo Garcia.
• "Thank you for sharing this. I started my Little Library about seven years ago in memory of my oldest daughter who had passed. She was a speech and language pathologist. Her passion was books and reading." Lupe Hidalgo.
• "I am inspired to find all those kids books I bought so I can put them in one of these!"  Amy Rohr

Visit https://littlefreelibrary.org/. Contact Dunn at 575-525-5631 or nmlionskidsight@gmail.com. Email Heffelfinger at tricia575heff@yahoo.com. Email Otero at cgillard@lcdfnm.org.