Title
ADD-ON - 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. Staff recommends that the City Council approve renaming the former Cesar Chavez Library to Prickly Pear Library, consistent with the Heritage Commission's recommendation.
Report
Summary
In response to the approval by the City Council of Item 25 at the March 25, 2026, Formal City Council Meeting directing staff to rename the holiday and facilities named for Cesar Chavez, Phoenix Public Library has completed the process to identify a new name for the former Cesar Chavez Library.
The Phoenix Public Library has a tradition of naming library facilities after Sonoran Desert plants, a practice that began in the early 1960s. In 1963, the Library Advisory Board adopted a policy, later approved by the City Council, requiring branch libraries to bear names reflecting flora and plants indigenous to the desert region of Arizona. Two exceptions, South Mountain Community Library and Cesar Chavez Library, were named for their unique associations with the City of Phoenix, community partner organizations or their geographical placement.
Following Council action on March 25, 2026, Phoenix Public Library initiated a community engagement process to identify a new name aligned with the naming convention. From April 13 through May 15, 2026, community members participated in a naming survey and selected from five Sonoran Desert plant options: Prickly Pear, Creosote, Chaparral, Senita and Manzanita.
A dedicated webpage on phoenixpubliclibrary.org outlined the renaming process, the survey link and the timeline. A notification was sent to the library's cardholders with information about the renaming initiative and survey participation. Also, staff partnered with the high school adjacent to solicit feedback directly from students. Throughout the process, Library leadership received input from Council districts, community members and members of the Library Advisory Board.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On May 20, 2026, the Library Advisory Board reviewed the survey outcome and recommended two options for referral to the Heritage Commission. Option one: Prickly Pear, the option receiving the highest number of community votes. Option two: Reopening the community input process with the additional naming options "Dolores Huerta Library" and "Farmworkers Library," including a write in field and a required zip code.
On May 27, 2026, the Community Services and Education Subcommittee received an update on the renaming process.
On June 15, 2026, the Heritage Commission reviewed the Library Advisory Board's recommendations and formally requested that the City Council approve renaming the library to Prickly Pear Library.
Location
3635 W. Baseline Road
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Library Department.