UNM Gallup library director leads state academic libraries, boosts local access

Markos Chavez, director of the Zollinger Library at the University of New Mexico Gallup, became president of the New Mexico Consortium of Academic Libraries during the summer and formally took on duties that position him to influence statewide coordination on legislative and policy issues. The consortium represents academic libraries across New Mexico, including The University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Eastern New Mexico University, Western New Mexico University and others. Chavez said of his new role, "It feels weird, in a good way," and "It feels great to be president and keeping the academic library directors up to date and involved."

The consortium presents a unified position on matters that affect how libraries operate and how they serve students and communities. Its Executive Committee is selected through an annual nomination process that runs from April 1 to March 31, with officers serving in roles that include vice president and president elect before assuming the presidency. Chavez will work with fellow directors to implement projects of mutual benefit and to coordinate responses to legislative proposals that could affect library budgets, staffing and services.

Locally the appointment matters because the Zollinger Library functions as more than a campus resource. Chavez oversees the library's funding, staffing and programming, and he has worked to transform the library into a hub of services for students, faculty and the broader community. He was recognized as UNM Gallup Employee of the Month in May 2023, an acknowledgment that reflects his ongoing focus on service and outreach.

In July Chavez hosted the consortium's Directors Retreat at UNM Gallup, inviting library directors to tour the campus and to engage with Indigenous culture and artists. Performers from the Che’Be’Tu Apache Sweethearts and other Indigenous artists shared traditions with visiting directors, an element of the retreat that illustrated how cultural inclusion can be integrated into library programming and collections.

Public health and social equity are central to why this leadership change matters to McKinley County residents. Academic libraries play a role in health literacy, access to reliable information, and digital inclusion, all of which affect educational outcomes and community well being. A concerted statewide posture on funding and policy can help ensure rural and Indigenous communities receive equitable resources for internet access, programming that supports student success and community health information.

Chavez's presidency offers a chance for McKinley County to have a stronger voice in statewide conversations about how libraries contribute to educational equity and community resilience. By coordinating library leaders across the state, the consortium under his leadership may advance policies that expand access and preserve culturally relevant services for students and residents in Gallup and beyond.