This paper, co-authored by Battulga Buyannemekh, J. Ramon Gil-Garcia and Mila Gasco Hernandez is publish in Public Library Quarterly at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01616846.2024.2430060

This paper presents a case study of Ignacio Community Library (ICL) on the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Reservation (Colorado) to show how public libraries in tribal settings currently contribute to their communities and whether such context influences these contributions. Based on existing literature and a dozen in-depth interviews, we find that ICL meets various needs and empowers citizens with (advanced) digital skills to use (emerging) technologies for specific purposes and also to innovate. Further, ICL expands opportunities for active citizen engagement in public affairs. These contributions align with local priorities and demonstrate how unique local circumstances affect specific ICL’s contributions.