Young Adult Book Trailer Competition

Would you like to pursue a career in the film industry? Work behind the scenes directing, producing, lighting, and more.

Here is your chance to showcase your talents with a Young Adult Book Trailer Competition. We will be hosting workshops in scripting, videography, editing, and more!

Book trailers will be showcased at the end of the competition and prizes awarded.

The registration deadline is January 31st, 2020 and is available down below. Competition is for anyone ages 13-18 and begins February 1st through April 4th, 2020.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-726-6120 for more information.

Author Reading and Q & A

Gary D. Schmidt,

Newberry & Printz Honor Author

Join us at El Morro Events Center on Friday, November 22nd at 4:00 p.m. for a reading and discussion with Newberry and Printz author Gary D. Schmidt.

He will be reading from his novel The Wednesday Wars and we will be giving away 25 copies of the title as door prizes to be signed by the author.

This program is in partnership with Rehobeth Christian School.

Email childlib@gallupnm.gov or call 505-726-6120 for more information.

Shimá Storytelling

Join us at the Children’s Branch on Wednesday, November 13th at 10:30 a.m. for Shimá Storytelling. Shimá Storytelling is an active and engaging program for children of all ages featuring storytelling, singing, and activities in Diné Bizaad (Navajo language).

We are a team of Mothers who are actively involved in strengthening k’é through the revitalization of the Diné language beginning first at home with our little ones.

Email childlib@gallupnm.gov or call 505-726-6120 for more information.

We READ, We TALK Book Club – November

The last discussion of House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea will take place in the Main Library on Saturday, November 9th at 2:00 p.m.

The story of Pulitzer Prize finalist is about the De La Cruzes, a family on the Mexican-American border, who celebrate two of their most beloved relatives during a joyous and bittersweet weekend.

Get ready for great conversations, good food and tons of fun!

Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 863-1291 for more information.

First Amendment Film Festival

American Library Association provided graphic. 2019.

Film and video productions can vividly depict the impact of censorship on individuals and society. A First Amendment film festival for Banned Books Week will be hosted in the Meeting Room of the Main Library.

Join us for film screenings based on book titles that have been censored.

Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.


Film Screenings:

Footloose (2011)

Monday, September 23rd
at 5:30 p.m.

City teenager Ren MacCormack moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace.

  • Rating: PG-13
  • Duration: 1 hr. 53 mins.
  • Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music

View trailer HERE

Color Purple (1985)

Tuesday, September 24th
at 5:30 p.m.

A black Southern woman struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades.

  • Rating: PG-13
  • Duration: 2 hrs. 34 mins.
  • Genre: Drama

View trailer HERE


Bless Me Ultima (2012)

Wednesday, September 25th
at 5:30 p.m.

A drama set in New Mexico during WWII centered on the relationship between a young man and an elderly medicine woman who helps him contend with the battle between good and evil that rages in his village.

  • Rating: PG-13
  • Duration: 1 hr. 46 mins.
  • Genre: Biography, Drama, History

View trailer HERE

Precious (2009)

Thursday, September 26th
at 5:30 p.m.

In New York City’s Harlem circa 1987, an overweight, abused, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

  • Rating: R
  • Duration: 1 hr. 50 mins.
  • Genre: Drama

View trailer HERE


Importance of celebrating Banned Books Week:

Each year, the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) records hundreds of attempts by individuals and groups to have books removed from libraries shelves and from classrooms. The OIF tracked 347 challenges to library, school and university materials and services. Overall, 483 books were challenged or banned in 2018.

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials.

Banned Books Week (September 22-28, 2019) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

Traditionally the ALA releases a Top Ten List within the State of America’s Libraries Report each April. This year 11 books were selected, since two titles were tied for the final position on the list, and both books were burned by a religious activist to protest a Pride event.

Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.