Frequently Asked Questions

All city offices are closed Thanksgiving day and the Friday following Thanksgiving day. Holiday closures are listed on the City Holiday Closures Calendar on our website: https://www.artesianm.gov/Calendar.aspx.

The Permit office is located at 119 S Roselawn STE 303.

We require an original signature on permit applications. You can download and print the application, but must provide the signed application to our office at 119 S Roselawn STE 303.

A Certificate of Occupancy, or C of O, is issued by the building inspector once all inspections are "finaled", or successfully completed, and denotes that the work was done in accordance with applicable building codes. The C of O is required before anyone can occupy a new building, and by most mortgage lenders for loan processing. Be sure to apply for all permits at the Permit office at 119 S Roselawn STE 303.

You can report illegal dumping by calling 1-844-496-5509. The hotline is hosted by members of the Southeast New Mexico Illegal Dumping Partnership.

You can call the department at 748-8298 or consult the zoning map here.

No, the closest car rental agency is Enterprise in Roswell, NM, (575) 622-4866 .

7 days a week, 0700-1700 Mountain Time, closed major holidays. $75 after hours fee, by prior arrangement only. AirNav

The Museum is glad to assist researchers, historians, authors, and genealogists in their pursuit of furthering knowledge and public awareness. Please submit a request via email at least two weeks ahead of time to schedule time in our Research Room, including purpose of research and potential outcome of research. If the research is for a publication, we would greatly appreciate receiving a copy afterwards to add to our research database. Please note that due to staffing and safety/liability constraints, some artifacts may be off-limits. At this time, we cannot accommodate visitors wishing to see artifacts that were removed from past exhibits, nor can we allow visitors into any space other than the open exhibit galleries and the Research Room.

The museum is not able to accommodate those types of requests. Once an artifact is removed from display or added to the collection, it is carefully packed in archival safe acid-free boxes, and is stored in our climate-controlled storage spaces on the museum campus. The primary concern for the museum staff is the ongoing preservation of artifacts and the historic house for future generations, followed by new exhibit development and school outreach/tour planning. We can assist researchers working on Artesia-related projects, but we cannot act as personal tour guides for people who simply wish to look at individual artifacts not presently on display.

Yes they are!  Thanks to researcher Skipper Steely of Paris, Texas, Sallie's diaries and transcriptions are now available to all interested history buffs!  They are listed on Amazon.com as "Chisum Diaries and Journals: Sallie and John Chisum Memoirs Merged" by Skipper Steely, in an electronic form.  Mr. Steely is a responsible researcher and nice man--he did this project right!  

Patrons log onto the public computers with their library card number and phone number. The patron's account must be current and in good standing. If you do not have a library account, we can provide a temporary pass. We just need to see a valid picture ID.

The Library does offers WiFi. Patrons can bring personal laptops, or other wireless devices, and connect to the library's Wi-Fi. The network name is Library. There is no password. Patrons can print from their wireless devices. The cost is $0.15 per page (each side) for a black and white copy, and $0.50 per page (each side) for color copies.

The library provides WiFi for patron use. The WiFi network is Library. There is no password.

Patrons can print from the public printers. The cost is $.15 per page (each side) for black and white copies, and $.50 per page (each side) for color copies. Patrons also can print from their wireless devices.

The Library does have a public fax machine where patrons are able to send faxes within the United States (no international numbers). The cost for this service is $1.00 per page. Incoming faxes are not available at this time.

The Library printers do have scanning capabilities. Patrons can scan a document to an email address or to a flash drive. The cost for scanning is $.10 per page. The Library has flash drives available at the Circulation Desk for $5.00.

The library can accept VISA or MasterCard for payment. We require a valid picture ID that matches the name on the card prior to the transaction. We cannot accept a credit card for a payment of less than $2.00. 

We have access to a certain number of New Mexico Legal Forms what can be printed by staff for $.15 per page. We also subscribe to the Legal Forms Library which is available online so patrons can view forms, fill them out online, and print as needed. The staff of the Artesia Public Library has no legal training and cannot offer legal advice. This includes what forms are needed, and how to complete or file forms.

We are able to offer a limited number of tax forms. These forms are typically available during peak tax season. We typically receive New Mexico State tax books with forms included, 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ forms and instruction books. We can print additional forms from the IRS website for the standard printing fee of $.15 per page. The Artesia Public Library has no financial training and cannot offer tax advice. This includes which forms are needed and how to complete or file forms.

Any permanent or temporary resident of Artesia and the surrounding area may obtain a library card at no charge. Library cards are issued in person, at the library, upon presentation of a valid picture ID and proof of your mailing address. There is not a minimum age limit for a card. Please refer to the Library Cards portion of our website for additional information and the application.

Library accounts expire every two years. This ensures that staff can keep in touch with our patrons and make sure we have the most up to date contact information. Just stop by the Circulation Desk and complete the Application for Library Card. You will be able to keep the same card. If a replacement card is needed, the cost is $1.00.

Providing a minor with a library card is at the discretion of the legal guardian. However, a minor may not use a guardian's card to access the computer in the age appropriate area. There is no age limit for a library card, but if the applicant is under 18, the application must be signed by a legal guardian. Please see our Checkout Policy for additional information.

The Artesia Public Library has a large meeting room available for public use. Please carefully read the Meeting Room Policy before completing the application for use of the room. An advanced reservation is required, along with a $75.00 cleaning deposit. Applications can be sent in via email, via fax (575-746-3075), or in person at the Circulation Desk. A reservation is not considered complete until the deposit has been received. There is a small kitchenette off the meeting room with a sink, microwave, and refrigerator. Food and drink are allowed in this area of the library only. The room has tables and chairs, two large projections screens, and a computer system with the capability to connect an outside device. For specific technology needs or questions, please contact the library.

The Artesia Public Library has one conference room and four private rooms to be used for private study, test taking, language study, or small meetings. Two of the study rooms are equipped with MacBooks. Rooms with MacBooks are solely for test taking and language study. These rooms are used on a first come/ first serve basis and can only be reserved for proctored testing. To check out a study room, stop by the Circulation Desk to review and sign a copy of the Conference and Study Room Policy. You will need to leave an ID or other form of collateral at the Circulation Desk. A staff member will open the room. After you have finished with the room, you will need to check out at the Circulation Desk. A staff member will check and lock the room and your ID will be returned. 

We have copies of the Artesia Daily Press on microfilm from 1954 to 2006. Patrons can request the microfilm reels at the Circulation Desk and view on the library's microfilm reader. Patrons must have a valid library card or get a guest pass at the Circulation Desk. Issues of the Artesia Daily Press form 2006 to present are stored on CDs, also available at the Circulation Desk. Microfilm and CDs are non-circulating. Patrons can check out a disc reader to view past issues that are stored on CD. Additionally, we have copies of the Artesia Advocate from 1909 to 1954 on microfilm.

Additionally, we subscribe to NewsBank, an online database of newspapers which includes archived issues of newspapers from the surrounding area such as the Roswell Daily Record, the Albuquerque Journal and the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

We have many of the Artesia High School yearbooks that have been converted to digital copies and stored on DVD. Unfortunately, our collection is not complete and we do not have yearbooks from every year. Patrons can request the discs and check out a disc reader at the Circulation Desk. DVDs are non-circulating. 

The automotive repair manuals are now offered through an online database. The New Mexico State Library provides access to the Chilton Library throughEl Portal, a directory of their online databases.

The Library does have staff members who have been approved for proctoring. We do have private study areas available for testing. Patrons will need to contact the Library personally to make arrangements to take an exam.

We do not offer tutoring services at the library. El Portal, presented by the New Mexico State Library includes a link to BrainFuse, which provides students of all ages with live online tutoring and homework  help in English and Spanish from 2pm - 11pm, and includes 24/7 access to a comprehensive library of interactive tests, including academic skills assessments, standardized tests, and New Mexico-aligned tests. El Portal is accessible through the database section of the Artesia Public Library webpage. If the tutoring is for an elementary student, you can check with the student's teacher, counselor, or principal for tutoring available through the school system.

We are not able to offer GED classes at the library; however, we have several resources available for circulation. Please check our online catalog for availability of resources. Additionally, the Artesia Literacy Council does offer GED classes. Please visit their website for additional information.

Food and drink are not allowed in the main section of the library. This includes water and small candies. Food and drink can be consumed in the promenade and in the meeting room during approved meetings. Please properly dispose of any food wrappers and containers.

There are several ways to renew items. A new service provided by the library is text messaging. You can text “renew” to 575-215-1068. To utilize the text service, you must text from the phone number on record. You can login to your account in our catalog. Your card number is the account number and the phone number of record is the password. You can renew at any of the three self-check stations at the library. As always, you can contact any staff member either at the Circulation Desk or via telephone.

Remote Printing

We have contracted a print service so our patrons can send print jobs to the library and pick up at the circulation desk during regular business hours.
Print jobs must be in PDF or JPG format. At this time, we are only able to print on letter size paper.

To print from a laptop or desktop computer

·Open a browser and navigate to print.princh.com
·Enter the printer ID (103199) and upload your documents
·Adjust your print settings as needed
·Pay for your print jobs with VISA, MasterCard, Apple Pay, Google Pay or cash (select Pay at desk)
·If you pay cash, your print job will not be released until you arrive
·Collect your job at the Circulation Desk

To print from a phone or tablet

·Install the Princh app for iOS or Android
·Open your document and share it with the Princh app
·Select the printer by scanning the QR code or enter printer ID (103199)
·Adjust your print settings as needed
·Pay for your print jobs with VISA, MasterCard, Apple Pay, Google Pay or cash
·If you pay cash, your print job will not be released until you arrive
·Collect your job at the Circulation Desk

Arraignments are Monday through Thursday, at 8:30 AM. Make sure to appear at least 15 minutes early, to complete any necessary paperwork. Arriving after 8:30 AM for arraignment will result in being re-scheduled for another date. If you have been set for another specific time and date, you will have received paperwork reflecting your hearing date.

Arraignment is when the defendant appears in front of the judge to be read the charge(s) against him/her and the defendant pleads to the charges.

You have the option of three pleas: Not Guilty, No Contest, or Guilty.

Court sessions will vary depending on the case load, and the types of cases being heard. Typically, arraignments and pre-trials are rather quick where trials can last for an hour or longer.

You may receive a summons, or the court may issue a bench warrant, suspend your license, or both.

Contact Motor Vehicle Division at 505-827-4636 and request a printout of your driving record.

Contact Motor Vehicle Division at 505-827-4636.

You may be arrested, depending on the reason for the warrant.  Your best option is to appear in court and attempt to resolve the issue so there is a better chance for a favorable outcome.

Call the Artesia Municipal Court at 575-746-9401, and inquire as to the status of the case. Bonds are not released until there is a judgment on the case.

You must contact the Court to verify if an alternate site for performing community service is available. You will not receive credit for community service hours unless it has been approved in writing from the judge.

No community service may be performed at any churches or private citizen's home.

Call 575-746-9401 to schedule another date. You will most likely be requested to sign a Notice of Hearing, to move the date of arraignment.

Call Municipal Court at 575-746-9401, and provide the name of the defendant for the case. You may be required to provide more information such as a date of birth so that you will be given the correct information on the correct person.

Defendants that are incarcerated are generally seen after morning arraignments. However, there may be times they will not be seen until the afternoon, depending on the court schedule. If you want to attend a court hearing for a person who is incarcerated, you are welcome to wait in the court lobby until they are brought to the court from detention. Make certain the court clerks know you are here for the inmate arraignment.

The judge may not speak to any person(s) pertaining to an open case outside of the court room.

The Artesia Municipal Court strives to keep the information in the court management system as accurate as possible. The purpose of updating information is to be able to have current contact information, as well as avoid possible complications from incorrect identifying information.

The Real ID Act has caused some frustration for us since many individuals are required to comply with legal name changes therefore making some of our data inaccurate. 

Occasionally we come across persons who are in our system two or more times, with different ways their name is spelled (Chavez vs.Chaves, De La Rosa vs. Delarosa), license numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers. This can come from transposed numbers for identifying information on citations, misinformation from other sources, or simple human error. When this happens, it can cause defendants to have issues with their driver’s license, make it difficult to pay a fine, or even appear on a case.

This court has made it our policy to make every attempt to prevent misinformation being sent to other agencies, to avoid causing negative complications for the defendant.

Many questions and concerns can be addressed by the City Department Heads and/or City Council Committees, but if you'd like to speak at a City Council Meeting, you can contact the City Clerk by calling City Hall at 575-746-2122 or by directly calling the City Clerk's Office at 575-748-8284 or 575-748-9985.

If you would like to contact City Councilors in your district, you may reach out to them using the contact information found on the City Council page of our website: https://www.artesianm.gov/106/City-Council.

Contact information for City Councilors can be found on the City's website  on the City Council page of our website: https://www.artesianm.gov/106/City-Council or feel free to contact City Hall at 575-746-2122.

You must purchase a burial property at the Cemetery or you may already own a property. Additionally, there is an opening, closing, and set-up fee charges.

Gate Hours - Summer 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Gate Hours - Winter 6:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

No. The opening, closing burial cost is to be paid when burial service is needed.

Click here for the Vendor Packet, which you must complete and submit to the Finance Department.