Octavia Fellin Public Library
🏢 City of Gallup · Gallup, New Mexico
Octavia Fellin Public Library
Founded in 1922, the Octavia Fellin Public Library has served Gallup — New Mexico's hub of Route 66 and the Navajo Nation borderlands — for more than a century, housing one of the largest WPA art collections in the state: 29 works created between 1935 and 1943, including 26 paintings, a sculpture, and two hand-carved Hispanic armoires. Today it operates two facilities and a community MakerSpace with 3D printers, laser engravers, and Cricut machines.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 12pm–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 115 West Hill Avenue, Gallup, NM 87301
Phone: (505) 863-1291
Website: ofpl.online
Plus Code: 857HG7G5+5G (Gallup, NM)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Octavia Fellin Public Library
The Octavia Fellin Public Library was established in 1922 as Gallup's public library, making 2022 its centennial year. The City of Gallup transferred custodianship of 29 WPA artworks to the library in 1952 — works produced between 1935 and 1943 under the Federal Art Project, comprising 26 paintings, a sculpture, and two traditional Hispanic hand-carved trusteros (armoires). This is one of the largest WPA art collections held by a public library in New Mexico. The library is named for Octavia Fellin, a longtime director who shaped its growth. Today it operates the main branch at 115 W Hill Avenue (phone 505-863-1291) and a dedicated Children & Youth Library at 200 W Aztec Avenue (phone 505-726-6120), serving McKinley County residents with free cards. Collections span nearly 200 pieces of Southwest art alongside books, digital resources, and creative economy tools. The MakerSpace offers 3D printing on Ultimaker machines, laser engraving, sewing machines, an electronic kiln, Cricut machines, and button makers — plus Grow with Google Scholarships giving free access to career certificates in high-demand fields.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1922 — over 100 years of continuous service to Gallup and McKinley County
- 29-piece WPA art collection (26 paintings, 1 sculpture, 2 hand-carved trusteros) transferred from the city in 1952 — one of New Mexico's largest
- Nearly 200 total artworks highlighting Southwest heritage and the history of Gallup and the surrounding region
- Community MakerSpace: Ultimaker 3D printers, laser engraver, electronic kiln, Cricut machines, and sewing machines
- Children & Youth Library at 200 W Aztec Ave (505-726-6120) with its own dedicated staff and collections
- Grow with Google Scholarships: free access to Google Career Certificates in high-demand fields
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Octavia Fellin cardholders access free digital collections through New Mexico's statewide portal and partner platforms:
📚 Services
- MakerSpace: 3D printing (Ultimaker), laser engraving, Cricut, electronic kiln, sewing machines, button makers
- Supply kit requests for maker projects
- 13 public computers at Main Library, 10 at Children's Branch
- Free Wi-Fi at both locations
- Printing (first 10 pages free), scanning, and microfilm reader
- Inter-Library Loan through regional library network
- Meeting room reservations at both locations
- One-on-one technology assistance by appointment
- Grow with Google Scholarships (free career certificate access)
- Seed library
- StoryCorps materials collection
🎸 Programs
- Chess Club
- Book clubs for adults and youth
- Film screenings
- MakerSpace workshops: Cricut classes, laser engraving sessions
- Technology courses and digital literacy classes
- Youth programs and storytimes at the Children & Youth Library
- Monthly newsletter
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northwest New Mexico
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Octavia Fellin, and why is the library named after her?
Octavia Fellin was a long-serving director of the Gallup Public Library who shaped its development over many decades in the mid-20th century. The library was renamed in her honor to recognize her enduring contribution to literacy and community life in McKinley County.
What is the WPA art collection at Octavia Fellin Public Library?
The library holds 29 works produced under the Federal Art Project between 1935 and 1943: 26 paintings, a sculpture, and two hand-carved Hispanic armoires called trusteros. The City of Gallup transferred the collection to the library in 1952, and it is considered one of the largest WPA art collections held by a public library in New Mexico.
Does the library have a MakerSpace, and do I need an appointment?
Yes — the MakerSpace at the main library (115 W Hill Ave) is a community-operated workspace with Ultimaker 3D printers, a laser engraver, an electronic kiln, Cricut machines, sewing machines, and button makers. Classes and open sessions are listed on the events calendar at ofpl.online. Some equipment requires orientation or a scheduled class.
What is the Children & Youth Library, and is it a separate facility?
Yes — the Children & Youth Library is a dedicated branch at 200 W Aztec Avenue, Gallup NM 87301 (phone 505-726-6120). It keeps the same weekly hours as the main library and has its own staff, collections, and children's programming. Both locations use the same library card.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.