New Mexico approves $2.5 million for rural libraries after coverage

When Diana Alba Soular began reporting for her solutions article titled “NM endowment offers perpetual funding source for rural libraries,” no money had been allocated in the state budget to support this network of essential community institutions in Southern New Mexico. While pressure from rural library advocacy groups had limited traction, Alba Soular’s sustained questions around state lawmakers’ positions on the matter contributed to their decision to add $2.5 million in funding. After unsuccessfully reaching out to state Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces, the chair of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, for an interview about funding rural libraries, she was able to get other representatives on the record. However, this allocation of money was only a fraction of the $27 million goal needed to fully fund the endowment initiative rural libraries are calling for.