Activities & Events
Event Schedule:
• Taos Public Library: August 19th, Wednesday, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
• Presentation & Reception
Recent headlines about immigration are full of executive orders, court battles, and Supreme Court rulings that can be confusing. Beneath the politics are much older questions about how our constitutional system is supposed to work. Professor Tracy Higgins will focus on three of those questions: who gets to decide immigration policy, what limits does the Constitution place on the government’s power, and what safeguards exist to protect people?
Tracy Higgins, a part-time Arroyo Seco resident, is a professor and director of the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School in New York City, where she teaches constitutional law and international human rights.
This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
'Taos Public Library Garden Talk'
‘Climate-Appropriate Plants for Taos and How to Water Them’
Presented by: Dan Jones: Designer of the Library Garden
*Part of the Friends of TPL Presentation Series
Event Schedule:
• Taos Public Library: July 25, Saturday, 10:30 AM
• Presentation & Reception
Watering seems to be the biggest point of confusion with plants, especially if you’re new to gardening. Do you have an irrigation system? Do you know how to set the controller to deliver what the plants need? Do you hand water? Discussions will include what you can grow with no water all the way to regular watering. What happens when you water native plantings? We’ll leave plenty of time for Q&A.
Dan Jones is a lifelong gardener with a Michigan State University Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Horticulture. He has been passionately learning about plants that work well in Taos and how to care for them for the past 15 years.
This event is free and open to the public.
The Friends of the Taos Public Library are proud to present
Chester Nez: Navajo Code Talker
Presented by Judith Avila
As Part of the Friends of TPL Presentation Series
Event Schedule:
• Taos Public Library: May 20, Wednesday, 6:00 PM
• Presentation & Light Refreshments
CODE TALKER (book) by Chester Nez
The first and only memoir by one of the original Navajo code talkers of WWII.
This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
The Friends of the Taos Public Library are proud to present an illuminating evening with Dr. Colin Nicholls titled “Why Does Light Pollution Matter?” on Wednesday, March 25th, at the Taos Public Library. The event features an educational presentation followed by a guided outdoor night sky viewing session.
As our world becomes increasingly illuminated, the “disappearing” night sky has impacts far beyond the reach of telescopes. Dr. Nicholls will lead attendees through a comprehensive look at how light pollution affects astronomers, while providing a crucial overview of its impact on wildlife, the environment, human well-being, culture, and the economy.
Crucially, the presentation will highlight how straightforward and inexpensive it is to mitigate light pollution, offering practical solutions for the community. Following a Q&A session, Dr. Nicholls will guide participants outside for a short observing session to view astronomical targets in the Taos sky.
Event Schedule:
• Taos Public Library: Until 6:00 PM
• Presentation & Light Refreshments: 7:30PM
This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly for the outdoor viewing portion of the evening.
Event date: December 5 – 4:00pm & 7:00pm MST
Event location: Taos Center for the Arts
We’re excited to announce our Winter Big Mountain Ski Movie | Supporting 2026 Library Programs, and we’d love your support!
The movie looks fantastic! And it’s a special thrill to watch it in a hall filled with equally avid skiers and boarders!
Click here to view the trailer and buy movie tickets!
And there’s discounted tickets for Members of the Friends!
https://go.rallyup.com/tsvmovienight/Campaign/Details
Your participation will directly support our mission to promote library involvement in the life of the community and community involvement in the life of the library by developing financial and human resources and sponsoring activities and programs.
Our library programs aren’t possible without YOU!
Thank you for supporting the Friends of the Taos Public Library.
Friends Member
Appreciation Event
The Friends Board held a garden party for Friends members at the Library Garden on August 24. The event was to show the boards appreciation of our members who contribute yearly to benefit the Library.
About 50-60 people attended. Great music was provided by by Brent Berry. Excellent food was donated by five restaurants for the event: Stella’s, Doc Martins, Martyrs Steakhouse, Paisano’s Italian Restaurant, and Monty’s Chow Cart.
It was announced that the Community Room at the Library will be named “The Judy Anderson Community Room”. Judy was one of the original board members of the Friends in the early1990’s. She was on the 
board for many years and then worked in the Friend’s bookstore for many years into her 90’s. She was present at the party and a picture of her is included.
Friends members who attended expressed their appreciation for the event and a good time was had by all.
Silent Auction
Supporting 2025 Library Programs!
Silent Auction has ended. Winning bid recipients have been notified and deliveries are in progress.
Since all proceeds support Taos Public Library we thank you so much for your interest and participation in the auction!
Dave Hahn Event
Supporting 2025 Library Programs!
An Evening with Legendary Mountaineer and Taos Local
SOLD OUT!! — Please do not arrive at Wildflower Playhouse expecting to buy a ticket. None left.
December 3rd (Tuesday), 2024 6:00 PM – 7:00PM
Location – Wildflower Playhouse – 1339 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur
Don’t miss an evening with Taos local and mountaineering legend Dave Hahn. Against a backdrop of his stunning photos from Mount Everest to Antarctica to Kachina Peak, hear firsthand about his incredible journeys and record-breaking expeditions!
Upgrade to enjoy an Early Access Meet & Greet with Dave over wine and cheese. Early Access is from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ben Lujan and his son Eliseo, 1919.
Ben Lujan featured in a Beacon Blanket window display, c.1920s.
Photograph from Ben Lujan’s obituary, 1975.
October 26, 2024 2:00 PM – 4:00PM
Taos Public Library Community Room,
402 Camino de la Placita, Taos, NM 87571
Join the Discussion on a Taos Legend As we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the month of October, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the rich histories and contributions of Native communities.
The Couse-Sharp Historic Site, in collaboration with representatives from Taos Pueblo, invites the public to a thoughtful panel discussion about the enduring impact of artist’s model Ben Lujan. This event will take place in the community room at the Taos Public Library on Saturday, October 26th, from 2 to 4 PM.
Ben Lujan, while not widely known today, was a significant figure within the artistic and cultural spheres of Taos, New Mexico, during his lifetime. His extensive portrayal in early 20th-century art, railroad calendars, and advertisements contributed uniquely to America’s artistic heritage.
More than just a model, he was a man deeply engaged with his community and culture, experiencing firsthand the radical societal shifts occurring in Taos during his lifetime.
Topics will include the historical significance of Ben Lujan’s life, his contributions to the arts, and his impact on current artistic endeavors in Taos. The conversation will also touch upon the 21st-century perspectives on working within the artistic industry in Taos, reflecting on both past influences and future possibilities.
Admission is free and open to the public. Join us for an engaging afternoon of dialogue that promises to enrich our understanding of a pivotal figure in New Mexico’s cultural landscape.
For more information, please contact the Couse-Sharp Historic Site at (575) 751-0369 or admin@couse-sharp.org
Ken Harrold
President, Friends of the Taos Public Library
Thank you for visiting our web page and finding out more about the Friends!
We are currently doing a raffle which will enable us to continue our support of the Library. As you may already know the Friends sponsors almost all of the programs at the Library including children’s summer reading, children’s bilingual reading, Spanish, French and Chinese classes, yoga, knitting and more. We also help with book purchases when needed and we installed and maintain the Library Garden. We recently purchased equipment for the teen room. To help keep the Library vital and relevant to the community we need to do some fundraising and that’s where the raffle comes in. Buying raffle tickets gives you a chance to win a great prize and also helps us fulfill our mission to support the Library.
We have great prizes this year including – a two night stay at El Monte Sagrado, a private hot air balloon ride, a cord of Pinon wood, a Larry Martinez silver, gold and turquoise bracelet, gift certificates at Cid’s and Medley, and a handcrafted bracelet by Sonny Spruce.
You can buy raffle tickets online by going to : go.rallyup.com/friends2
There is also a link on this website to take you to the raffle site.
Thank you in advance for supporting our great Library here in Taos!
Ken Harrold
President, Friends of the Taos Public Library
The Friends of the Taos Public Library is currently holding a raffle event to support the upcoming Library Events in 2024 – 25.
August 15th – October 31, 12:00 pm
Entry sales start: August 15, 2024 at 8:59 am MST
Available until: October 31, 2024 at 11:59 pm MST
Drawing date: November 04, 2024
Limited number of tickets available.
Prizes include 2 Night Stay at El Monte Sagrado, a bracelet from Larry Martinez Jewelers, a Cord of pinon from Andre Santistevan, a $100 gift certificate from Medley Taos, a bracelet from Sonny Spruce, a $100 gift certificate from Cid’s Food Market, a Private balloon ride and more!
Click The Link Below to Enter (and Win!)
https://go.rallyup.com/friends2/Campaign/Details
All Proceeds go to provide books, media, library programs and activities for all ages at the Taos Public Library.
Friday July 12, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
The Colfax County War: A presentation by author, Corey Recko
Recko’s new book “The Colfax County War: Violence and Corruption in Territorial New Mexico ” follows the troubled and bloody history of conflict over the Maxwell Land Grant in Colfax County, NM.
FREE; Donations Welcome
Supported by The Friends of the Taos Public Library
Sunday June 2, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Northern New Mexico Musicology + Demonstrations
Sunday June 2, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Performance @ TCA
FREE; Donations Welcome / Registration Recommended
Tickets: tcataos.org/onstage
Supported by The Friends of the Taos Public Library
in association with the Taos Center for the Arts
Saturday May 18 , 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Supported by The Friends of the Taos Public Library
Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres has retired and served as Vice President for Student Affairs/Full Professor at the University of New Mexico since January 2, 1996. He continues teaching in a part-time position.
He currently co-teaches three classes on traditional medicine cross-listed with eight academic departments, and regularly lectures and gives presentations on the history and lore of traditional medicine, curanderismo, to audiences ranging from scholars and students of Latin American culture to people hoping to become knowledgeable about alternative and traditional medicine, including lay people and medical professionals alike.
at the Taos Public Library
The man who killed the deer – Waters, Frank
Acequia : water sharing, sanctity, and place –
Rodríguez, Sylvia
Stargazer : a Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito novel –
Hillerman, Anne
The woman at Otowi Crossing : a novel –
Waters, Frank
Song of the lion – Hillerman, Anne
Cave of bones – Hillerman, Anne
The tale teller – Hillerman, Anne
People of the valley – Waters, Frank
Mushrooms of the Rocky Mountain region : Colorado, New, Mexico, Utah, Wyoming –
Evenson, Vera Stucky
The sacred bridge : a Leaphorn, Chee &
Manuelito novel – Hillerman, Anne
Compiled by The Friends of the Taos Public Library
View, Download or Print Complete PDF Listing
at the Taos Public Library
House of rain : tracking a vanished civilization
across the American Southwest – Childs, Craig
Killers of the Flower Moon : the Osage murders
and the birth of the FBI – Grann, David
Ojibwa warrior : Dennis Banks and the rise of
the American Indian Movement – Banks, Dennis
Taos pueblo – Wood, Nancy C.
Empire of the summer moon : Quanah Parker and the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful Indian tribe in American history –
Gwynne, S. C., (Samuel C.)
Dancing with the wheel :
the medicine wheel workbook – Sun Bear
Original instructions : indigenous teachings for a sustainable future
An Indigenous Peoples’ history of the
United States : revisioning American history –
Dunbar-Ortiz, Roxanne
The Pueblo food experience cookbook :
whole food of our ancestors
Sacred fireplace (Oceti Wakan) : life and
teachings of a Lakota medicine man –
Catches, Sr., Pete S.
Compiled by The Friends of the Taos Public Library
View, Download or Print Complete PDF Listing
at the Taos Public Library
Romeo and Juliet – Shakespeare, William
House of rain : tracking a vanished civilization
across the American Southwest – Childs, Craig
Sapiens : a brief history of humankind –
Harari, Yuval N.
The collected works of C. G. Jung – Jung, C. G.
Job searching with social media for dummies –
Waldman, Joshua
Killers of the Flower Moon : the Osage murders
and the birth of the FBI – Grann, David
Vincent van Gogh : the complete paintings – Gogh, Vincent van
Perceiving ordinary magic : science and
intuitive wisdom – Hayward, Jeremy W.
Breath : the new science of a lost art –
Nestor, James
The cook’s encyclopedia of soup
Compiled by The Friends of the Taos Public Library
View, Download or Print Complete PDF Listing
at the Taos Public Library
Demon copperhead – Kingsolver, Barbara
A world of curiosities – Penny, Louise
Lessons in chemistry – Garmus, Bonnie
The boys from Biloxi – Grisham, John
Remarkably bright creatures : a novel –
Van Pelt, Shelby
Treasure state : a Cassie Dewell novel – Box, C. J.
No plan b – Child, Lee
Spare – Prince Harry
Storm watch : a Joe Picket novel – Box, C. J.
Horse – Brooks, Geraldine
The way of the bear – Hillerman, Anne
Compiled by The Friends of the Taos Public Library
View, Download or Print Complete PDF Listing
December 16 , 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Supported by The Friends of the Taos Public Library
Join us for a photo session with Santa at the Taos Public Library!
The First 100 kids will receive a treat bag.
Free photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus.
Ended November 28 , 12:00 pm
Thank you to all who participated in our recent raffle! We had an outstanding turnout, reaching 100% of our goal of $5000 and a bit more! Winners of prizes are in the process of receiving them.
November 15 , 6:00 pm
Supported by The Friends of the Taos Public Library
Join John Kelly and Dawn Boulware as they present upcoming events and news about the Taos Ski Valley for Winter 2023-24.
September 30th – November 28, 12:00 pm
Supporting 2024 Library Programs
The Friends of the Taos Public Library is currently holding a raffle event to support the upcoming Library Events in 2024.
Purchase Amounts are $20 (10 entries), $50 (30 entries), $75 (50 entries) and $100 (70 entries).
*6890 entries entries left (as of 10-11-2023).
Prizes include 2 Night Stay at The Blake in Taos Ski Valley, a Private Hot Air Balloon Ride in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, a Half-Day Rafting Trip with Los Rios River Runners, a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32 GB), Two Signed Frank Waters Books, Azteca Mexican Grill | $50 Gift Certificate (2 available), and a Martyrs Steakehouse | $50 Gift Certificate.
Click The Link Below to Enter (and Win!)
Wednesday, September 27th, 6-7pm
Taos Public Library
Free
Daniel Barela
A Santos Carving Demonstration by Daniel Barela!
Part of the monthly lecture series sponsored by the Friends of the Taos Public Library.
Supported by the Friends of Taos Public Library
TAOS PUBLIC LIBRARY
402 Camino de la Placita
575-737-2590
Wednesday, September 20, 6-7pm
Taos Public Library
Free
Mirabai Starr
Award-winning author, contemporary translator of sacred literature, international speaker, and world-renowned teacher, Mirabai Starr will speak on her writings and the theme ‘One Love’.
Part of the monthly lecture series sponsored by the Friends of the Taos Public Library.
Supported by the Friends of Taos Public Library
TAOS PUBLIC LIBRARY
402 Camino de la Placita
575-737-2590
Wednesday, August 16, 6-7pm
Taos Public Library
Free
Darryl Lorenzo Wellington
The 6th Poet Laureate of Santa Fe, NM, Wellington is a writer, playwright, performance artist, essayist, and a Communications Fellow at Community Change, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of low-income people of color.
Part of the lecture series sponsored by the Friends of the Taos Public Library. Darryl Wellington, the 2021-23 Poet Laureate of Santa Fe, will be discussing black poetry and relate some history of black poets from Civil War times to the present.
Supported by the Friends of Taos Public Library
TAOS PUBLIC LIBRARY
402 Camino de la Placita
575-737-2590