Mayor John Leach Junior spotlights busy Show Low Public Library’s makerspace and youth programs
January 31, 2026 | Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona
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Mayor John Leach Junior toured the Show Low Public Library on a recorded segment, inviting library staff to show the facility’s services and resources.
Kendra Abel, the library services manager, said the library is the busiest in Navajo County and estimated annual visitors "between 50,000 and a 100,000," noting the library recorded about 90,000 visitors in the past year. "We have about 12,000 registered borrowers," Abel said, and the collection includes "over 40,000 items" of books, movies, magazines and audiobooks.
The tour focused on hands-on services that extend beyond traditional lending. An unnamed library staff member demonstrated the makerspace, which includes three 3D printers, a sublimation station used with a heat press for printing on cloth, a Glowforge cutter for carving wood and some metals, and an embroidery machine that can automatically embroider uploaded designs. The staff member said the 3D printers are used for hobby projects and practical parts—"I've seen people make gaskets with them for their different machinery they had at home"—and that patrons can email staff to schedule appointments and receive instruction on equipment use.
Staff also described a public computer lab available for email and document work. The same staff member said the library offers regular instruction, including basic internet-safety and printer-use classes held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
Forrest Murphy, who identified himself as the staff member in charge of youth programs, led the tour of the new youth space and described recurring offerings: story time, early STEM sessions, a homeschool connection, the RISE program with local schools and an after-school program in partnership with the parks and recreation department. Murphy estimated attendance on program days at "30 to 50" children.
Mayor Leach emphasized the library’s role in the community and encouraged residents to visit the facility. Abel noted the library also runs programs for adults and teens and posts event information on its Facebook page (facebook.com/shololibrary, as stated in the transcript).
The segment concluded with the mayor calling the library a "hidden gem" in Arizona and inviting local residents to come see the facility.
Kendra Abel, the library services manager, said the library is the busiest in Navajo County and estimated annual visitors "between 50,000 and a 100,000," noting the library recorded about 90,000 visitors in the past year. "We have about 12,000 registered borrowers," Abel said, and the collection includes "over 40,000 items" of books, movies, magazines and audiobooks.
The tour focused on hands-on services that extend beyond traditional lending. An unnamed library staff member demonstrated the makerspace, which includes three 3D printers, a sublimation station used with a heat press for printing on cloth, a Glowforge cutter for carving wood and some metals, and an embroidery machine that can automatically embroider uploaded designs. The staff member said the 3D printers are used for hobby projects and practical parts—"I've seen people make gaskets with them for their different machinery they had at home"—and that patrons can email staff to schedule appointments and receive instruction on equipment use.
Staff also described a public computer lab available for email and document work. The same staff member said the library offers regular instruction, including basic internet-safety and printer-use classes held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
Forrest Murphy, who identified himself as the staff member in charge of youth programs, led the tour of the new youth space and described recurring offerings: story time, early STEM sessions, a homeschool connection, the RISE program with local schools and an after-school program in partnership with the parks and recreation department. Murphy estimated attendance on program days at "30 to 50" children.
Mayor Leach emphasized the library’s role in the community and encouraged residents to visit the facility. Abel noted the library also runs programs for adults and teens and posts event information on its Facebook page (facebook.com/shololibrary, as stated in the transcript).
The segment concluded with the mayor calling the library a "hidden gem" in Arizona and inviting local residents to come see the facility.
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