The Ruidoso Public Library’s Unearth a Story Summer Reading Program runs May 27–June 24, 2026. Open to babies through age 18, participants can join age-based reading challenges, attend weekly programs, and enjoy special events. Four grand prizes will be awarded. Sign up online to get started.
Children visiting the Ruidoso Public Library during this year’s Summer Reading Program can search for hidden dinosaurs throughout the Children’s Area and adopt one to take home. Young readers are encouraged to name their new dinosaur friend and bring them along to Summer Reading programs and events throughout the season while supplies last.
This event has been postponed and a new date will be announced soon. The Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum will bring its interactive exhibit, The Arts of Democracy in New Mexico, to the Ruidoso Public Library once rescheduled. Check back for updates.
Part of the 2026 Adult Summer Reading Program, Snapshots in Time: Unlocking the History of Your Photographs features Stephanie Long of the Wingfield Heritage House Museum on June 18 at 2 PM. Learn how historical photographs can reveal family stories, local history, and hidden details through preservation and interpretation techniques.
Teens ages 11+ can test their teamwork and puzzle-solving skills during the Unearth a Story: Lost Facility Escape Room at the Ruidoso Public Library on June 19 at 11 AM. Reservations required. Call 575-258-3704 to reserve your team’s time slot.
Part of the 2026 Adult Summer Reading Program, the Zuhl Museum Fossils and Rocks Trunk Exhibit takes place on June 20 from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM. Presented by Tiffany Santos of the Zuhl Museum, this family-friendly educational event features fossils, minerals, and hands-on geology exploration.
Celebrate the end of the Ruidoso Public Library’s 2026 Summer Reading Program: Unearth a Story on June 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Families and readers of all ages are invited to enjoy raffle drawings, prize giveaways, recognition of top readers, and a final community celebration honoring a summer of reading, creativity, discovery, and adventure.
Part of the 2026 Adult Summer Reading Program, join Dave Greenwald for a Jornada Research Institute lecture on June 26 at 1 PM exploring archaeology, regional history, excavation research, and Southwestern heritage.
Join the Time Turner History Book Club for its July meeting at the Ruidoso Public Library. This month’s discussion features Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis, which brings to life the vital issues and personalities from the most important decade in our nation’s history. Meet on July 9, 2026, at 12:30 pm in the Library Conference Room. A limited number of books are available for checkout.
Chess Wizards Camp returns to the Ruidoso Public Library July 13–17 with a half-day morning session for students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Campers will learn chess strategy, teamwork, tournament play, and creative variations while enjoying fun activities in a welcoming environment. Online registration begins June 1 »
Join the afternoon session of Chess Wizards Camp at the Ruidoso Public Library July 13–17. Open to Kindergarten through 8th Grade students, this interactive camp teaches chess strategy, tournament play, teamwork, and creative game variations in a fun and welcoming setting. Online registration begins June 1 »
Teens ages 11+ are invited to Dungeons & Dinos at the Ruidoso Public Library on June 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM. This collaborative storytelling adventure combines tabletop gameplay, dinosaurs, challenges, and imaginative fun during the 2026 Teen Summer Reading Program: Unearth a Story. Reservations are required and space is limited.
Summer Reading fun continues at the Ruidoso Public Library with Pasta Paleontology on June 11 at 3 PM. Children of all ages are invited to create their own dinosaur-themed art using pasta while exploring creativity and prehistoric fun through this hands-on children’s program. Join us for an afternoon of crafts, imagination, and dinosaurs.
Join the Time Turner History Book Club for its June meeting at the Ruidoso Public Library. This month’s discussion features The Naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, A Lifetime of Exploration, and the Triumph of American Natural History by Darrin Lunde, the untold story of Theodore Roosevelt’s transformation from a curious boy collecting specimens to the "Naturalist-in-Chief" who sparked America’s conservation movement.
Join the Ruidoso Public Library on June 10 at 10 AM for Rocky Mountain Puppets’ Sketchasaurus Rex, a fun dinosaur-themed puppet adventure featuring prehistoric chaos, comedy, and interactive storytelling for families and kids.
Archaeologists at work! Join us on Thursday, June 4th, at 3 PM for a children's program where we will dig, discover, and excavate chocolate chips from your very own edible dig site while learning archaeology-inspired skills along the way! Open to all ages as part of the 2026 “Unearth a Story” Summer Reading Program.
Join children’s musician Andy Mason at the Ruidoso Public Library on June 3 at 11 AM for a lively morning of music, singing, and dancing during the Unearth a Story Summer Reading Program. Fun for kids and families.
Join the Ruidoso Public Library on May 29 from 10:00–11:30 AM for the LottaLove Farms Petting Zoo, part of the Unearth a Story Summer Reading Program. Families can meet friendly animals and enjoy a fun, interactive summer experience together.
Join the Ruidoso Public Library on May 28 at 3 PM for the Dino Jungle Escape Room. Solve puzzles, uncover clues, and race against the clock in this dinosaur-themed escape room adventure designed for kids and teens who love mysteries and teamwork.
Kick off the Ruidoso Public Library’s 2026 Summer Reading Program, Unearth a Story, during an all-day Opening Celebration on Wednesday, May 27 from 9 AM to 5 PM. Families can sign up for summer reading, pick up reading logs and event calendars, enjoy dinosaur-themed activities, games, snacks, prizes, and more.
Kick off the Ruidoso Public Library’s 2026 Summer Reading Program with “Unearth a Story: Field Notebook Pickup Day” beginning May 27 at 9 AM. Kids can pick up their Summer Reading Program Field Notebooks filled with discovery challenges, earn dinosaur stamps, complete activities for prizes, and enter a grand prize raffle during the summer reading season.
Discover the creativity of local photographers at the Ruidoso Public Library’s “The Spirit of New Mexico” photography contest slideshow. The digital showcase features community-submitted images celebrating the beauty and character of New Mexico and will remain on display throughout the month of May near the library’s front desk.
Join the Ruidoso Public Library Teen Book Club as they discuss The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Teens ages 12+ are invited to read, chat, and connect in a relaxed, no-pressure setting. A limited number of copies may be available for checkout at the library.
Join the Time Turner History Book Club for its May meeting at the Ruidoso Public Library. This month’s discussion features Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford, an engaging history of the Mongol leader and the global legacy of his empire. Meet on May 14, 2026, at 12:30 pm in the Library Conference Room. A limited number of books are available for checkout.
Celebrate the 5th Annual Día Celebration—Children’s Day/Book Day on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 11 AM–3 PM at the Ruidoso Convention Center. Hosted by the Ruidoso Public Library, this free family event features kids’ activities, free books, entertainment, and community resources. All are welcome!
Join the Ruidoso Public Library for a hands-on children’s program with the Sunspot Solar Observatory. Explore light, color, and the sun through four interactive stations, including sun art, rainbow experiments, UV beads, and filtered light astronomy. Open to children of all ages.
Join Ruidoso Public Library for its first-ever Teen Book Club on Saturday, April 11 from 11 AM–12 PM! The featured book is The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Hang out, enjoy snacks, talk books, and share what’s on your TBR list. Open to ages 11–18.
Join the Time Turner History Book Club for its April meeting at the Ruidoso Public Library. This month’s discussion features Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne, an award-winning history of the Comanche Nation and the life of Quanah Parker. Meet on April 9, 2026, at 12:30 pm in the Library Conference Room. A limited number of books are available for checkout.
Join the Ruidoso Public Library, Sunspot Solar Observatory, and NMSU for a family-friendly solar viewing event using specialized telescopes. Safely observe sunspots and solar activity while learning about our nearest star. Weather permitting.
Get ready for wildfire season at the Ruidoso Public Library on March 21. Learn how to prepare your home and loved ones and build your own emergency go kit. Gain practical tips, connect with neighbors, and strengthen your family’s readiness. Being prepared matters for you, your loved ones, and your home.
Join the Time Turner History Book Club for its March meeting at the Ruidoso Public Library. This month’s discussion features The Manhattan Project Trinity Test by Elva K. Österreich. Meet on March 12, 2026, at 12:30 pm in the Library Conference Room. Light refreshments provided. A limited number of books are available for checkout.
Young readers can join the Land of Enchantment Book Awards Battle of the Books at the Ruidoso Public Library. Pick a trading card, read books from the LOE nominees list, earn star stickers, and vote for your favorite titles. All participants receive a sticker and are entered into a prize raffle. Visit the Children’s Department display to get started.
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday at the Ruidoso Public Library on March 4 at 3 PM with a special Storytime featuring the Cat in the Hat. Kids will enjoy stories, snacks, and a fun take-home craft. Join us for an afternoon of imagination, laughter, and Seuss-inspired fun for the whole family!
Visit the Ruidoso Public Library during March for a special American Red Cross Month display. Explore a collage of historical Red Cross photographs honoring the organization’s service and its impact on communities through the years.
Join the Ruidoso Public Library for a Minecraft Children’s Program on February 19 at 3 PM. Kids of all ages can enjoy Minecraft build demonstrations, learn tips and tricks, and share photos of their own creations. A fun, creative program for young Minecrafters—no registration required.
Children are invited to enjoy a cozy afternoon at the library with a movie and popcorn! Come dressed in your favorite pajamas and settle in for a fun, family-friendly film screening of The Wild Robot. This relaxed program is perfect for kids of all ages and makes a great midweek treat.
Explore the true saga of the Viking Age with the Time Turner History Book Club. January’s selection, The Sea Wolves by Lars Brownworth, follows the Norse from Lindisfarne to Constantinople—revealing not just warriors, but merchants, law-makers, and explorers like Ragnar Lodbrok and Leif the Lucky. Meets Jan. 15 at 12:30 pm.
Join the Ruidoso Public Library for an Art Relay on January 8 at 3 PM. This Children’s Program invites kids of all ages to participate in a collaborative art experiment celebrating creativity and teamwork. A fun, hands-on way to explore imagination together during International Creativity Month.
New year, new hobby! January is National Hobby Month, and the Library is the perfect place to explore something new. Discover books on all kinds of hobbies, from art to sports and more. Not sure where to start? Roll the dice and let chance choose a hobby for you—it might become a new favorite. Ask a librarian for help getting started!
International Creativity Month runs January 1–31, 2026 at Ruidoso Public Library. Become a secret agent for the International Bureau of Creative Affairs and take on creative missions all month long. Pick up Top Secret mission envelopes from the library display and reignite your imagination. Stand by, Agent!
Join us Thursday, Dec. 11th at the Ruidoso Public Library for a Gingerbread House Children’s Program. RSVP for 2 PM, 3 PM, or 4 PM and let kids of all ages build a festive gingerbread house to take home. Supplies are limited—call 575-258-3704 or visit the library to reserve your spot. A fun holiday event for the whole family!
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