Title
Phoenix Public Library Advisory Board Recommended New Name for Library in Laveen - District 8
Description
This report details the process Phoenix Public Library used to determine a new name for the Library in Laveen. It also shares the new name recommended by the Library Advisory Board.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
In response to the approval by Council of Item 25 at the March 25, 2026 Formal City Council Meeting to rename the holiday and facilities named for Cesar Chavez, Phoenix Public Library completed a process to rename Cesar Chavez Library. Phoenix Public Library has a tradition of naming facilities after Sonoran Desert plants that began in the early 1960s. In 1963 a policy adopted by the Library Advisory Board and approved by the Phoenix City Council required branch libraries to bear names reflecting flora and plants indigenous to the desert region of Arizona. Two recent exceptions-South Mountain Community Library and Cesar Chavez Library-were named based on their unique associations with City of Phoenix, community partner organizations and geographical placement.
Following the March 25, 2026 meeting, Phoenix Public Library staff solicited feedback from the community to identify a new name based on the traditional naming convention. This included an invitation for public input from April 13 through May 15, 2026. Community members voted on one of five Sonoran Desert plant name options: Prickly Pear, Creosote, Chaparral, Senita and Manzanita.
The Library provided a page on phoenixpubliclibrary.org outlining the process for renaming Cesar Chavez Library, including access to the survey, steps and timeline. Staff issued messaging to Cesar Chavez Library cardholders with a survey and information about the renaming process. Team members worked with the librarian at what was Cesar Chavez High School to connect with students and solicit their input. Library leadership heard feedback and concerns from Council districts, community members and members of the Library Advisory Board.
The final selection was presented to the Phoenix Public Library Advisory Board. The Board recommends moving two options to the Heritage Commission on which to vote. One option is Prickly Pear, the name identified as the winner in the survey. The other is to reopen community input with the additional options of “Dolores Huerta Library” and “Farmworkers Library,” adding a write in option and including a required zip code. The Heritage Commission will provide a final recommendation to City Council.
Location
City Council District 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Library Department.