Pima County Public Library

The Pima County Public Library (PCPL) system serves Pima County, Arizona with a main library and 26 branch libraries as well as bookmobile service. The system has its headquarters in Tucson.[1] The service area includes the city of Tucson and the surrounding communities of Arivaca, Green Valley, Sahuarita, South Tucson, Ajo, Vail, Marana, Casas Adobes, and Catalina. The town of Oro Valley's library joined the Pima County Public Library system in July 2012.

Joel D. Valdez Main Library in Tucson

Early History

On July 8, 2014, in the Arizona Daily Star newspaper, historian David Leighton published news of his rediscovery of the first known public library in Tucson. The 1867 Territorial Library, created by the territorial government for the 10 years that Tucson was the capital of the Arizona Territory, 1867-1877. How large was it? In January 1877, the Territorial Library had 1,900 legal books and 300 non-legal volumes, which could be checked out by the public during regular hours.

In 1879, a group of women in Tucson began the Tucson Library Association, which was a private organization where members paid a subscription fee to help buy the books that they could borrow. Subscription libraries were popular in the west during this time, but excluded people who could not pay the fees. In March 1883, The women of the Tucson Library Association offered to give their whole private collection to the City of Tucson, if the city council would provide a room and other needed items for a free library.

On June 5, 1883, the city council dedicated the second floor of the new city hall for the purpose of a library, but didn't set aside any money to buy things like book shelves and furniture. It was not until July 6, 1886, after money was raised for the needed items, that the Tucson Public Library first opened its doors. The public library was in the original City Hall (building that also housed local prisoners.

In 1899, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie offered $25,000 to build a public library building in Tucson, if the city council would set aside land and guarantee a fund of $2,000 a year for its upkeep. The city council passed Resolution #20 in 1899, which provided land that was part of the Military Plaza for the site and set up the Library Fund. The new Carnegie Free Library opened in 1901.[2]

Carnegie Free Library designed by Henry C. Trost

In 1901 in response to a contest, the City of Tucson was gifted $25,000 by Andrew Carnegie to build the iconic Carnegie Public Library (1901 - 1934). It was designed by Henry C. Trost. Carnegie committed to paying up to $25,000 to build a new library on the condition that the City of Tucson supplied a building site and provided $2,000 per year to maintain the library. The Tucson Common Council made good on this deal by passing Resolution Number 20. This resolution earmarked $2,000 per year for library maintenance, and designated a site for the library. The site used constituted a portion of Military Plaza.

Today, the building is the Children's Museum Tucson.

Public library name changes

1883-1901: Library Hall

1901-1957: Carnegie Free Library

1957-1990: Tucson Public Library (TPL), a change made by Tucson City Council.

1990-2006: Tucson-Pima Public Library (TPPL), reflecting a new funding structure, the result of an agreement between the City of Tucson and Pima County to share library expenses 50-50.

2006-present: Pima County Public Library (PCPL). As of July 1, 2006, the library system is wholly funded and governed by the Pima County and its Board of Supervisors. It is still headquartered in Tucson, AZ.

Services
Library staff performing at Story Town

The PCPL system offers a variety of services for both children and adults. For children, storytimes are offered, including bilingual storytimes at some library locations. Children can improve their reading skills through our Read to a Dog program. Assistance with homework is also available online, by phone, and at specific library locations. Additional children's activities include El Dia de los Ninos/El Dia de los Libros, and the summer reading program.

PCPL also provides information on clubs, events, and opportunities available to teens. At PCPL, teens can serve as library advocates, participate on an advisory board, and volunteer. Teen programs include "MegaMania!!," an annual fandom con, programming classes, gaming, and drawing and poetry contests.

For adults, a wide range of services are available. Libraries host book clubs, computer classes, author visits, English classes, citizenship classes, and assistance looking and applying for jobs.

PCPL provides a wide range of services for the community. Their events are posted on the calendar. Further information is also available on their website.

In 2012 PCPL became the first library in the nation to employ a public health nurse on site. A Public Health Nurse from the Pima County Health Department offers on-site expert medical help to assist library customers who turn to the library for help and safety and directs them to social services when appropriate.

Controversies

In 2012, the Tucson Unit of the National Writers Union (NWU) publicly raised objections to the library's collection development policy. In an op-ed piece published in the Tucson Weekly's July 5 edition ("The Pima County Public Library Must Stop Getting Rid of Our Books"[3]), the NWU pointed out that PCPL ranks 28th, next to last, in the number of printed materials per resident in public libraries serving comparable populations, despite that in the same Institute of Museum and Library Services survey the library ranked sixteenth in the amount of money it spent on printed materials per resident. Because it discards books so aggressively, the op-ed piece continued, the library has a sub-par collection of books even though it spends enough money to have a much better quality collection.

In its reply to the piece, the PCPL stated that its collection development policy is geared toward "making room on the shelves for high-demand and popular books and materials in other formats" and pointed out that library circulation had increased from 6.2 million items in 2006 to more than 7.5 million items in 2010. It also stated that readers have the possibility of getting books they want via inter-library loan services or by requesting that the library order the book.[4]

In 2014, KVOA News did two special reports on the library. The first of these highlighted how the library was forced to supplement its standard security service with off-duty officers from the Tucson Police Department. This was done to provide additional security at three of the library branches in which an unusually high number of incidents, ranging from fights to domestic disputes, had taken place.[5]

The second KVOA News report focused on how "hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory is going missing from the libraries and nobody seems to know why," and how the library, though spending 750,000 dollars a year on security, is not particularly focused on securing or protecting the books, DVDs and CDs in its collection.[6]

Timeline
YearEvent
1883
  • Library established in 2nd floor of the 1883 Tucson City Hall
1891
  • The library begins with its first 2,000 volumes
1900
  • Andrew Carnegie pledges $25,000 to City of Tucson to build library
1901
  • Architect Henry Charles Trost is hired to build the new library, which is completed in June
1924
  • Funds are raised to build a children’s room in the library
1938
  • New Main Library dedicated at 200 South Sixth Avenue
1941
  • Fire destroys dome over central portion of Main Library
1945
  • Contract with Pima County for provision of county library services established
1946
  • Ajo Branch Library opens in Ajo, Arizona
1954
  • Bookmobile service begins in April
1957
  • On January 7, the name of the Carnegie Free Library was changed to "Tucson Public Library" by the Tucson City Council
1961
  • Major additions added to Main Library
  • Himmel Park Branch Library opens
1963
  • Bookmobile service discontinued; two new book trailers placed in service (one remains by 1977)
1965
  • Wilmot Branch Library opens
1966
  • Bookmobile services resume in November
1968
  • Friends of the Tucson Public Library organize
  • Woods Branch Library opens
1969
  • Valencia Branch Library opens
1972
  • El Rio Branch Library opens
  • Homebound service established
1973
  • Library Administration
  • Technical Services move from Main Library to City Hall Annex
1974
  • Library begins operation of Green Valley Library
  • Books by Mail service established
1975
  • Governmental Reference Library opens in City Hall
  • Valencia Branch Library expanded
  • El Pueblo Library opens
  • Tel-a-Tale service established
1976
  • Green Valley Library moves to County Government Center
  • Friends of the Pima-Green Valley Library established
1977
  • South Tucson book trailer established in permanent location
  • Marana Library opens
  • Columbus Branch Library opens—TPL’s first library using new CLSI circulation / inventory control system
1978
  • Mission Branch Library opens
1979
  • Nanini Branch Library opens
  • County Jail Library established
1980
  • Main Library Annex opened in Scottish Rite Temple
  • Infoline Service established
1982
  • Himmel Library expansion
  • Wilmot Branch Library expansion
1984
  • City of Tucson passes $15 million bond election for new Main Library
1986
  • Permanent Sam Lena-South Tucson Library opens
1989
  • Green Valley Library expanded, renamed Joyner-Green Valley Library
  • Nanini Branch Library expands
  • Dewhirst-Catalina Branch Library opens
1990
  • New Main Library on N. Stone opens, consolidating Library Administration, Technical Services, Periodicals, and Government Reference; new facility is 90,000 square feet (8,400 m2)
  • Permanent location of temporary Arivaca Library in mobile unit
  • The Tucson Public Library is renamed to The Tucson-Pima Public Library to reflect Pima County's increasing role in the library’s operations
1991
  • Himmel Library major refurbishing through L.C. Powell campaign
  • Sam Lena-South Tucson Library expansion
  • Kirk-Bear Canyon Library opens
  • Duesenberry-River Center Library opens
1994
  • City Bond Election includes $5.5 million for: renovations at Woods and Valencia, and a new Miller Golf Links Library
  • County Jail Library expands
  • Dewhirst-Catalina Library relocates
  • Arson fire at Sam Lena-South Tucson Library
1995
  • Tucson Public Library officially renamed Tucson-Pima Public Library
  • Marana Library expands
  • CLSI/Geac system discontinued. Begin operations on Innovative Interfaces, Inc.
1996
  • Ajo Library relocates across town plaza
  • Caviglia-Arivaca Branch Library opens in permanent facility
  • Valencia Library relocates to begin major renovation
1997
  • Woods Library relocates to begin major renovation
  • Ajo Branch Library renamed Salazar-Ajo Branch Library
  • Friends of the Arivaca Library established
  • Pima County Bond Election includes $5.25 million for Amphitheater School District/ Library joint-use school-public library (later used for the Oro Valley Library—an affiliate), a mid-town Tucson library, library facilities at the Kino Community Center, and expansion and improvements at South Tucson and Marana.
  • El Rio Library relocated in slightly larger quarters in Neighborhood Center renovation.
  • Groundbreaking for Miller-Golf Links Library
1998
  • Friends of the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library established
  • Tucson-Pima Library Foundation established
  • Valencia and Woods leave temporary quarters, returning to newly renovated facilities
1999
  • Miller-Golf Links Branch Library opens.
  • Salazar-Ajo Branch Library expands into adjacent storefront location
  • Complications with Amphi School site leads Pima County Board of Supervisors to relocate the planned northwest library to the Town Oro Valley municipal center site
2000
  • City Bond election approved and includes $5.5 million for library projects: expansion of Miller-Golf Links to 15,000 SF; 10,000 SF full service library at Quincie Douglas Center; 7,000 SF library and learning center at midtown location.
  • Groundbreaking for Santa Rosa Learning Center Library
2001
  • Town of Oro Valley groundbreaking for an affiliate Library
  • South Tucson expansion
  • Green Valley expansion
  • Juvenile Detention Center Library opens
2002
  • Nanini Library refurbished
  • Santa Rosa Learning Center Library opens
  • Southwest Library opens
  • Oro Valley Library opens as TPPL affiliate
  • El Pueblo Library relocates in center to larger facility
  • Teen Resource Center opens at Main
2003
  • Self-check system installed at Main, Woods Nanini and Green Valley
  • Main Library renamed for Joel D. Valdez
  • Main Library plaza redesigned; Jacome Plaza dedication
2004
  • Golf Links expansion completed
  • City approved renaming Midtown to the Martha Cooper Branch Library and Learning Center
  • Self-check system installed at Columbus, Golf Links, River, Valencia, and Bear Canyon branches Installed computer self-management software, pay printing software and filter choice software for public access
  • Quincie Douglas groundbreaking
  • Bear Canyon expansion groundbreaking
2005
  • Martha Cooper Midtown groundbreaking
  • Bear Canyon expansion completed, 11,000—15,000 sq ft.
  • Quincie Douglas Branch opened, 10,000 sq ft (930 m2).
  • Abbett-Marana Branch planning
  • Flowing Wells Branch planning
  • Virtual Branch Library established
  • On-line Homework Help initiated
2006
  • Pima County takes control of the library system in 2006, and the library becomes the Pima County Public Library
  • IGA signed for City/County transition
  • Wilmot Branch 40th Anniversary celebration along with the renaming to the Lewis C. Murphy Memorial Wilmot Branch
  • Soft opening of Martha Cooper Branch
2007
  • Renaming of Dan Eckstrom Columbus Branch Library
  • Abbett Marana Branch groundbreaking
  • Flowing Wells groundbreaking
2008
  • June - Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Branch Library opened, 20,000 sq ft (1,900 m2).
  • August – Opening of Flowing Wells Branch, 5,000 sq ft (460 m2).
  • Implemented new phone system
2009
  • January – Sahuarita Express Branch Library opened, 2,000 sq ft (190 m2)
2011
  • February – Renovated and expanded to 20,000 sq ft (1,900 m2). Murphy-Wilmot Library re-opens
2012
  • Grand opening of the Seed Library
  • Library gets its first Bookbike, housed at Joel D. Valdez Main Library
  • Oro Valley Library joins PCPL as a branch
  • Implementation of award-winning Library Nurse Program
2013
  • Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library re-opens, renovated and expanded to 15,000 sq. ft.
  • Library Nurse Program nationally recognized as a 2013 Top Innovator by the Urban Libraries Council
2014
  • Pima County Public Library named National Medal for Museum and Library Service Finalist
  • Opening of Idea+Space at Joel D. Valdez Main Library which offers workshops for small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs
  • Shelving improvements at Woods Memorial Library
  • Library Nurse Program receives the 2014 American Public Health Association's Lillian Wald Service Award.
2015
  • New Library website launched
  • Refresh of Mission Library, including expansion of the computer lab and addition of two study rooms
  • Seed Library hosts first International Seed Library Forum
  • Culture Pass, a partnership between the Library and the nonprofit organization Act One, debuts at eight libraries, making meaningful arts experiences accessible to all.
  • Two additional Bookbikes begin serving the communities surrounding Eckstrom-Columbus Library and Santa Rosa Library
  • 5th Annual MegaMania!! event is held at Pima Community College Downtown Campus. Free and open to the public, this family-friendly celebration of all things comics, anime, cosplay, and art has gained popularity since the inaugural event in 2011.
2016
  • Opening of 101Space at Joel D. Valdez Main Library, a dedicated environment for teens based on the principles of Connected Learning
  • Janni Lee Simner and Adrienne Celt serve as Library's first Writers-in-Residence, a program sponsored by the Arizona State Library, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
  • Refresh of Miller-Golf Links Library, including new carpet, a new service desk, new upholstery, and an expansion of public computers
  • Refresh of Martha Cooper Library, including a new service desk and book drop
  • Arizona Daily Star readers choose the Library as Best Adult Education Enrichment Classes (Favorite) and Best Arts/Cultural Education Programs (Winner) in the annual Readers' Choice Awards.
  • Amber Mathewson appointed as Interim Library Director
  • Launch of Career Online High School
2017
  • Geasa-Marana Library closes, building transferred to Marana Unified School District
  • Oro Valley Public Library's 101Space opens
  • Selected as one of three public libraries nationwide to launch DigitalLearn in collaboration with Cox Communications and the American Library Association.
  • Amber Mathewson appointed as Library Director
  • Kirk-Bear Canyon Library receives new carpet
  • Upgrades, including new lighting, expanded parking, updated paint, and re-carpeting made at Joyner-Green Valley Library
  • Eckstrom-Columbus Library celebrates 40th anniversary
  • Flowing Wells Library closes to undergo major renovation and expansion led by the award-winning architecture firm Line and Space, LLC.
  • Sam Lena-South Tucson Library temporarily closes for overhaul to maximize square footage and transform layout
  • LGBTQ+ Services Committee hosts Todd Parr in the Park to celebrate its 20th anniversary
2018
  • Begins offering Kanopy, a video streaming service providing access to 30,000 movies
  • Continues its ongoing support of the Tucson Festival of Books with abundant activities at the 10th anniversary event
  • Hosts free lecture with influential public intellectual Noam Chomsky at Joel D. Valdez Main Library
  • New shelving installed in the 14,000 square foot Joyner-Green Valley Library
  • New carpet installed in the 29,000 square foot Oro Valley Public Library
  • Wheeler Taft Abbett, Sr. Library celebrates its 10th anniversary
  • Himmel Park Library receives ADA compliant restroom
  • Children’s Room at Joel D. Valdez Main Library closes temporarily for LSTA grant-funded renovations, including the creation of an early literacy center and a tween space.
  • Murphy-Wilmot Library, Eckstrom-Columbus Library, Wheeler Taft Abbett, Sr. Library, and Martha Cooper Library selected by Pima County Office of Sustainability and Conservation to incorporate solar panels in parking lots.
  • Begins offering access to three additional video streaming platforms – Acorn TV, Qello Concerts, and Pongalo
2019
  • Ready, Set, School! program launches to prepare 4-5yr olds and their families for school
  • Kindred Team begins One Book, One Community program
  • Harry and the Potters played at the Flowing Wells Library for their 2019 Summer Tour
  • Construction of the Esmond Station Library begins
  • Many Nations Team launches Library Night Out at Old Pascua
  • Quincie Douglas Library and Woods Library temporarily close for remodels
2020
  • Library locations temporarily close for normal business on March 17th based on CDC guidance in response to COVID-19; Infoline services remain open during this time
  • Most library locations re-open with a Limited Service model on May 18th; allowing holds pick-up, computer use, and print/copy/fax services.
  • Begins offering eCard, a library card that can be signed up for and received through the website

Library Directors
YearDirector
1887–1896
  • Nellie Pomeroy, Librarian
1896–1918
  • Jennie H. Batte, Librarian
1918–1946
  • Mary D. Breathitt, Librarian
1946–1962
  • Gertrude E. Burt, Head Librarian
1962–1968
  • John F. Anderson, Library Director
1968–1972
  • Frank Van Zanten, Library Director
1973
  • Elizabeth Ohm, Acting Director
1973–1982
  • John F. Anderson, Library Director
1982–1991
  • Marcia King, Library Director
1991–1996
  • Liz R. Miller, Library Director
1997–2003
  • Agnes M. Griffen, Library Director
2003–2005
  • Betsy Stunz-Hall, Library Director
2005-2012
  • Nancy Ledeboer, Director
2012-2016
  • Melinda Cervantes, Library Director
2016
  • Amber Mathewson, Interim Director
2017 -
  • Amber Mathewson, Library Director

Libraries
  • Joel D. Valdez Main Library
  • Bookmobile-Readrunners
  • Caviglia-Arivaca Branch Library
  • Dewhirst-Catalina Branch Library
  • Dusenberry-River Branch Library
  • Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library
  • El Pueblo Branch Library
  • El Rio Branch Library
  • Flowing Wells Branch Library
  • Geasa-Marana Branch Library (This location closed permanently on 1/27/17)
  • Himmel Branch Library
  • Joyner-Green Valley Branch Library
  • Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library
  • Martha Cooper Branch Library
  • Miller-Golf Links Branch Library
  • Mission Branch Library
  • Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library
  • Nanini Branch Library (Casas Adobes, unincorporated area)
  • Oro Valley Public Library
  • Quincie Douglas Branch Library
  • Sahuarita Branch Library
  • Salazar-Ajo Branch Library
  • Sam Lena-South Tucson Branch Library
  • Santa Rose Branch Library
  • Southwest Branch Library
  • Valencia Branch Library
  • Wheeler Taft Abbett, Sr. Branch Library
  • Woods Memorial Branch Library

References
  1. "Library Administration." Pima County Public Library. Retrieved on January 18, 2011. "Mailing Address Pima County Public Library 101 N. Stone Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701"
  2. David Leighton, "Street Smarts: Books a hot commodity in early Tucson," Arizona Daily Star, July 8, 2014
  3. Greg Evans, "The Pima County Public Library Must Stop Getting Rid of Our Books", Tucson Weekly, July 5, 2012.
  4. "Library Response: We're Following Industry Standards, and We're Circulating More Items," Tucson Weekly, August 2, 2012.
  5. "Pima County Public Library buys peace of mind," News 4 Tucson, Feb 27, 2014
  6. "N4T Investigators: Pima County libraries losing inventory," News 4 Tucson, Apr 7, 2014

Sources
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