Stories by Blake Herzog
After a yearlong closure, the Arizona City Public Library has reopened as the Pinal County Community Center and Library, following a renovation that tripled the facility’s footprint
The $3.2-million project added 3,700 square feet to the 1,852-square-foot facility. Shelves upon shelves of children and adult books have been installed in the expanded space, as well as meeting rooms, a kitchen and restrooms.
The library previously was operated by the all-volunteer Friends of the Library Arizona City and has become the second county-run library after San Tan Valley’s. A card from any municipal library in the county can be used to check out items.
The library now has three full-time employees and is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It includes computer stations, internet, copy services and special collections including children’s, large print, audiobooks and an Arizona room.
“There’s a little bit of everything here. It’s going to be a real good resource center, and I think the community is really going to like this,” said Dean Whitney, president of Friends of the Library Arizona City.
“It was nice to see all the kids in here; they’re the future customers.”
The library is hosting weekly storytime events and other meetings, including a Town Hall at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16 with County Supervisor Jeff McClure and sheriff’s office representatives.
The facility is at 13254 Sunland Gin Rd. For more information call 520.866.7740 or visit www.pinal.gov/639/library or the Arizona City Public Library Facebook page.
