TULAROSA -- The seams of the new Tularosa library nearly burst as dignitaries from across the state, along with a crowd of local residents, crammed inside to observe the dedication ceremony.

First Lady Barbara Richardson, Department of Cultural Affairs' Stuart Ashman and State Librarian Richard Akeroyd were among the morning's featured speakers. State Sen. Dianna Duran and state Rep. Dan Foley were scheduled to speak, but were not present.

Tularosa Mayor Ray Cordova enthusiastically hosted the grand opening and was pleased the village now has its first official house of multimedia.

"We had a room at the community center," he said. "For the first time, we have a library."

The land and much of the building that houses the library was donated by the Kreutzkamp family, who now call Utah and California home. According to Cordova, the family has long-standing roots in the area. Allen Kreutzkamp said his family felt it was unlikely he or any of his family would return to the area, but family members wanted to do something for the community.

"I can't think of a better peak than us all being here today," Kreutzkamp said.

The state provided $100,000 to finish the building, and Richardson said she will go before the

state legislature to ask for the other $100,000 promised to the library. She said she was "hopeful" the legislature would approve the funds.

The state's first lady was happy about the opening. She said working for better literacy among the state's children is one of her priorities.

She said the state is "not as good as we should be" when it comes to literacy' but added that there are "a lot of good programs" and efforts being made to improve it.

Cordova thanked local contractor Lance Giest, and said though Giest was paid for his work, Cordova often saw him burning the midnight oil to get the job done. Giest said he "appreciated the opportunity to serve the community."

When asked how she felt about the new library, Librarian Randi Northrop, holding back tears, was speechless.

Cultural Affairs' Ashman stressed the importance of libraries in rural areas.

"I grew up in a place where there was no library," he said.

Akeroyd said New Mexico averages around 8.6 million library visits a year 9 a number he finds impressive, as there are only 1.7 million people in the state.

"Libraries are by far the most frequently visited cultural institutions in our state," he said.