Las Cruces voters approve $26 million GO Bond for Branigan library renovation

UPDATE (Nov. 4, 2026): Las Cruces voters approved $26 million in bonds to support the renovation and expansion of the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.

The City of Las Cruces said 69% of voters cast their ballots in support the city's use of general obligation bonds for the library. With the approval, the city said it will expand the library by 20,000 square feet.

The city's portion of property taxes won't increase with the approval. The GO Bonds are payable from property taxes.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- Voters will see a bond regarding renovations to the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.

In July 2026, the Las Cruces City Council approved a resolution for the public to vote on the General Obligation (GO) bond to support the project. The bond is secured by property tax capacity already in place.

On the ballot, voters will decide whether they want to support the project without a tax increase.

Here's what voters will see on the ballot:

2026 GO Bond question:
Shall the City of Las Cruces be authorized to issue general obligation bonds, payable from property taxes, in an amount up to $26,000,000 to acquire, plan, design, develop, construct, improve, renovate, modernize, automate, furnish and equip the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library?

The project is expected to add 20,000 square feet to the library, an expanded children's area and more ADA-compliant features. Library Deputy Director Sarah Booth said the ADA-compliant plan involves changing the bookshelves. She said they're too close together and too tall.

Booth said the building is due for renovation as the city has "outgrown it," just as it did with the previous library, which is now the Branigan Cultural Center.

The bond passing, in Booth's words, would give residents "the library of their dreams that they deserve."