Naming News

Director of Libraries Pat Hodapp is happy to make the following announcement:

The Santa Fe Public Library Board is pleased to announce the naming of the Southwest Room of the Main Library, located at 145 Washington Avenue, for Pedro Ribera Ortega and the Children's Room at the Main Library for Esther Martinez.

"When soliciting names for the new southside library, the Library Board was struck by the accomplishments of many of the nominees whose names were submitted. The Board decided to take this opportunity to honor two of Northern New Mexico’s leaders by naming rooms for them at the Main Library," stated Michele Huff, Library Board president.

Jennifer Jaramillo, Library Board vice president noted, "Both Pedro Ribera Ortega and Esther Martinez have given so much of themselves to the Northern New Mexico communities. The Library Board honors them for their contributions to the rich heritage of New Mexico."

Pedro Ribera Ortega was a well-known teacher, who instilled a knowledge and love of New Mexico in his students. He researched and often wrote his articles and books in the Southwest Room of the Main Library. The Southwest Room was once the City Council chambers and embodies the history of books and research. His popular book Christmas in Old Santa Fe captures a part of the rich, cultural history of Santa Fe. Ribera Ortega was known for his commitment to the New Mexico Spanish language, culture and history. As a teacher at Santa Fe High School, he always encouraged Hispanics to learn their language and history to help them keep their heritage. He conducted research in archives in Spain, Santa Fe and Mexico. He was a founder of the Caballeros de Vargas, which commemorates the return of Governor De Vargas to the Pueblos in 1693, with the annual festival which is held annually as the Santa Fe Fiesta. He also was the recipient of the Mayor’s award for excellence in the arts, the Governor’s Arts Award and was named a Living Treasure of Santa Fe. As a relative stated, "I can picture him hunched over at one of the old tables, reading and writing under the lamp in the Southwest Room; naming the room for him would be very appropriate."

Esther Martinez, also known as P'oe Tswa (Blue Water), was a storyteller and linguist of the Tewa language spoken in the Pueblos of New Mexico. At 94 years old, she received the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship for Lifetime Achievement. The noted Ohkay Owingeh storyteller, was dedicated to preserving the Tewa language and serving as an educator. Martinez wrote the initial San Juan Pueblo Tewa Dictionary and a children’s book, The Naughty Little Rabbit and Old Man Coyote. The contribution Martinez made to language and cultural preservation has not gone unrecognized. A few of Martinez’s honors include the National Association for Bilingual Education, Pioneer Award (1992), Living Treasure Award from the State of New Mexico (1996), Indian Education Award for Teacher of the Year from the National Council of American Indians, Woman of the Year Award (1997), New Mexico Arts Commission Governor's Award for Excellence and Achievement in the Arts. Among Pueblo people, Martinez is best known as the San Juan Storyteller. Martinez recently published My Life in San Juan Pueblo: Stories of Esther Martinez.

The Library Board and the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library will hold a special reception for the recipients later in the year.