New Mexico 2022 GoBonds Going to the Voters at $19 Million

We are thrilled to share that the New Mexico "GOBonds for Libraries" aid package has been authorized at $19 million by the state legislature and placed on the November 2022 ballot by the Governor. This is a substantial increase from previous General Obligation (GO) Bonds. If it passes in November, it will positively impact public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries, and tribal libraries. 

The EveryLibrary Institute was proud to partner with Meristem Advisors to create a financial analysis of previous GOBonds for the New Mexico Libary Association to share with the legislature. The 2022 GOBond package is the first one in several biennials was not reduced by the legislature after introduction. HB 153 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROJECTS authorizes Library Bond Issue B at $19,000,000, including $6 million each for public, academic, and school libraries, and $1 million for tribal libraries. A chart of all projects funded by the General Obligation Bond Projects bill is hosted by the state legislature. This is double the amount for Bond B in 2020. The GOBond will now appear on the November 8, 2022 statewide ballot for voter approval. 

You can review the EveryLibrary Institute Report "Impact of GOBonds on New Mexico Libraries (2021)". This kind of policy-focused research is at the core of our work at the Institute. Please contact us at [email protected] to talk about your state or local library financial and policy framework needs. Portions of this project were underwritten by donors like you. If you are interested in seeing more of this kind of work for libraries, please donate today.