LaFarge Library to Temporarily Close on Saturdays

Staff reductions will soon force the Santa Fe Public Library to close its LaFarge Branch on Saturdays.

The shuttering starts Feb. 4 and is expected to last about four months.

The library has been hit by the recent loss of 10 staffers to retirements, illness and moves, Director of Libraries Pat Hodapp said Tuesday.

Hodapp said the vacant positions require specific skills and can’t be done by temporary workers. The posts will also take some time to fill.

“We’re working as hard as we can to fill positions…the hours will be re-established as soon as we can get full staffing in the library,” Hodapp said.

LaFarge employees will work at the city’s other libraries on Saturdays.

Santa Fe’s interlibrary loan program is also on temporary hiatus, with the city’s interlibrary loan librarian being among the recent retirees. The Santa Fe Public Library loans out about 100 items a month and borrows around 158.

No other cuts are planned, though that could change if the library’s staff shortage continues.