04/15/2026
Last week at Mexico Rotary, we welcomed Christal Bruner, Director of the Mexico-Audrain County Library.
Christal shared the rich history of the library, and how the library continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s community.
She reminded us that this is truly a county library system, serving not only Mexico, but also Vandalia, Farber, Martinsburg, and Laddonia. Patrons can reserve materials and pick them up at any location, making access convenient across the region.
The library offers so much more than books, including:
• Audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and newspapers
• Children’s and adult programs
• Interlibrary loan services
• Equipment rentals like projector screens
• Services such as faxing, notary, meeting rooms, and genealogy resources
Christal also highlighted newer digital offerings like Hoopla, Libby (for eBooks and audiobooks), and NewsBank, which provides access to publications like the Mexico Ledger and Kansas City Star, along with national magazines.
The 2025 numbers tell a strong story of impact:
124,863 total items circulated
27,402 digital checkouts
49,224 library visits
13,528 reference questions answered by staff
9,041 wireless connections
6,122 new items added to the collection
One of the library’s longest-running programs, “SMILE,” will celebrate 40 years next year, continuing to connect second-grade students with literacy through partnerships with local schools.
Christal also shared updates on ongoing improvements, including a full elevator modernization project to bring the original system up to current code.
After 50 years with the library, Christal’s passion for literacy and early reading development is still at the heart of everything they do.
Thank you, Christal, for sharing how the library continues to serve, grow, and support learning across Audrain County!
Mexico-Audrain County Library District
