Sarah Jones — Carlsbad Public Library Director, Carlsbad, NM

Sarah Jones leads the Carlsbad Public Library with a passion for innovation, collaboration, and community involvement. Located in the vibrant city of Carlsbad, the library is a destination for patrons of all ages, offering programs, services, and collections that spark discovery and ignite curiosity.

For its director, Carlsbad Public Library is more than just a workplace—it’s home. Growing up in Carlsbad, she remembers walking up the wooden ramp into the children’s section and picking out one treasured book to take home. That sense of wonder stayed with her, inspiring a lifelong commitment to the library and its role in sparking discovery.

Known for outside-the-box thinking, Sarah consistently finds innovative solutions to community needs. From care kits that bypass literacy issues, to programs like Adult Storytime (which started as a playful experiment and has since been replicated in libraries in three states), her work is life-changing at the local level. One of her proudest moments is seeing children so engaged in the library that they don't want to leave, a true testament to the joy and magic that she brings.

Sarah credits ARSL for helping her grow professionally and creatively. The mentorship, networking, and conference opportunities gave her the courage to present ideas like Adult Storytime on a larger scale to an audience that included NMLA and ALA panels.

Reflecting on her career, Sarah says:

"My work transforms the community by sparking creative conversations and innovative solutions to address our low literacy rate. Through initiatives like our care kits, I meet people exactly where they are—removing barriers and building trust"

A Carlsbad resident by birth, Sarah's dedication, innovation, and support team make the Carlsbad Public Library a center of exploration, connection, and life-altering learning for all members of the community. 

Written by the ARSL Office