Title
Phoenix Public Library's 125th Anniversary
Description
This report provides the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee with an overview of Phoenix Public Library's 125th Anniversary, recognized throughout 2023.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
2023 marks Phoenix Public Library’s 125th Anniversary of providing library services to the individuals and communities of Phoenix. Throughout the year, Phoenix Public Library will feature the library’s history, customer and staff stories, and celebrations of the library’s contributions to the community with activities and programs at Phoenix Public Library locations and on Phoenix Public Library’s website (phoenixpubliclibrar.org) and social media platforms.
On June 21, 1898, the “Friday Club” opened the first Phoenix Public Library location in two upstairs rooms of the Fleming Building at Washington Street and First Avenue. This was the result of 14 women recognizing the need for Phoenix, incorporated as a city in 1881, to have a free library. In 1901, the Arizona Legislature passed a bill allowing a tax to support free libraries, qualifying Phoenix to have a donated library building from Mr. Andrew Carnegie. The Carnegie Free Library at 11th Avenue and Washington Street was opened in February of 1908 and served as the library’s primary location until 1952. It was replaced by the original central library constructed on property donated by the Heard family at Central Avenue and McDowell Road.
In 1995, the current library flagship, Burton Barr Central Library was opened, and the original central library became what is now the Phoenix Art Museum. Recognizing how critical library services are to a growing city, community leaders have consistently supported Phoenix Public Library expansion. Through the decades, Phoenix Public Library has grown to be a system of 17 locations with almost 2 million customer visits a year, circulating almost 10 million items, welcoming almost 200,000 participants in over 6,000 programs, and connecting with thousands through outreach.
Today, Phoenix Public Library is more than just a place to find books, although library staff are always on hand to help fellow book lovers find their next great read. The Library also offers distinctive services such as Storytimes, Kindergarten Bootcamp, College Depot, StartUpPHX, and PHXWorks, just to name a few. With these services, Phoenix residents can turn to the library to help children be ready for school, find opportunities to learn new skills for a job, attend a great family program, have access to computers and the internet, find the resources to pursue continuing education, and find connections to start a local business.
On June 21, 2023, Phoenix Public Library will honor its 125th Anniversary as part of Burton Barr Central Library’s annual celebration of Summer Solstice. Architectural features of Burton Barr Central Library collaborate with the sun and are at their most prominent on the longest day of the year. This year’s Summer Solstice celebration will be the first return to welcoming in-person guests since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The day’s schedule will include live music, a formal program on the 5th Floor of Burton Barr Central Library at solar noon (12:29 p.m.), and activities planned in Phoenix Public Library’s maker space MACH1 (Makers, Artists, Crafters, Hackers), Rare Book Room, Arizona Room, and more.
The community can find details, program schedules and submit their stories by following the link on the “125th Anniversary” page on phoenixpubliclibrary.org
Financial Impact
There is no anticipated impact to the City General Fund.
Location
Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave.
Council District: 4
Online and Programming offered Citywide.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Library Department.