Library

• Internet Access 
• Reading Assistance Program 
• Inter-Library Loan 
• Quay County Voter Registration Site 
• Literacy Program
• Public Access Computers (one in Spanish) 
• Story-time Program
• Photocopies $1.00/page
• Notary Service $3.00
• Fax Service $2.00/page(Limited to USA fax numbers)

The story of the Tucumcari Public Library began around 1925 when six determined women shared a dream of bringing a public library to their growing community. Their passion and dedication inspired others, and in 1927 they officially formed the Coterie Club with one clear mission: to establish a library for Tucumcari.

The members of the Coterie Club worked tirelessly and volunteered their time without pay. They organized cakewalks, tag days, food sales, talent shows, tea parties, and bridge benefits to raise money. Community clubs and local organizations also contributed generous donations of books and funds to help make their vision possible.

Their hard work paid off in 1928 when the first Tucumcari Public Library opened in a room generously provided by the Masonic Fraternity. As the library's collection and popularity grew, it relocated in 1929 to the old hospital on Main Street. By 1937, the Coterie Club had rented two rooms and a basement in the Community Center to accommodate its expanding services. That same year, the club became incorporated, allowing it to receive state funding and continue growing.

For more than 30 years, the women of the Coterie Club remained committed to their mission without compensation. Their dream finally became a reality in 1958 when the City of Tucumcari built a dedicated library at 225 E. Center Street and officially assumed responsibility for library operations. As the community continued to grow, so did the need for a larger facility. In 1971, the former post office was renovated and expanded into the library building that still serves the community today.

The library's name has also evolved over the years. In 1989, it was renamed the Kenneth Schlientz Memorial Library in honor of Mayor Kenneth Schlientz, who served during the building's renovation and expansion. In 1997, the name was shortened to the Schlientz Memorial Library. Then, in 2002, it was renamed the Tucumcari Public Library in Memory of Kenneth Schlientz, preserving both the library's historic identity and honoring his lasting contributions.

Today, the Tucumcari Public Library stands as a lasting symbol of community spirit, volunteerism, and perseverance. What began as the dream of six dedicated women has grown into a valued resource for generations of residents. Their legacy lives on through a library that continues to educate, inspire, and serve the people of Tucumcari every day.