Phoenix Public Library is looking forward to a very busy year of continuing to serve our communities. Our focus is to offer resources, programs, and dedicated staff providing our customers and visitors a safe and welcoming library experience in which to explore, learn, satisfy a curiosity, grow or simply a space in which to reflect.

We are committed to providing free access to information, ideas, education and lifelong pursuit of knowledge. During 2019 Phoenix Public Library supported:

Over 10 million check outs of physical and digital books;
Almost 4 million visits to one of our 17 locations a year;
Over 60 thousand visits a day to phoenixpubliclibrary.org;
300,000 attendees to library programs including: early literacy Storytimes, Tools for School, Kindergarten Bootcamp, STEM programs such as Little Bytes, Builders Clubs and Robotics; personalized college application guidance; entrepreneurs connecting with local and small business resources; adults learning or practicing a new language, discovering a love for art, or diving in to the rich history of Arizona…these are just a sampling of the enriching and engaging programs we bring to our community members throughout the year.

But our biggest accomplishment was eliminating overdue fines in November of 2019. We are especially proud of making this significant change in policy and becoming a “fine free” library system, eliminating our practice of charging fines on overdue materials and forgiving all existing overdue fines. This change increased access and removed a significant barrier for over 100,000 cardholders with blocked library accounts due to overdue fines.

And happily, many customers have returned to the Library. In addition, we have issued 12,000 new Phoenix Public Library cards since then! Fall of 2019 also saw Phoenix Public Library customers able to now visit any one of our 17 locations on a Sunday with the restoration of Sunday operating hours at Acacia, Agave, Desert Broom and Desert Sage libraries.

I am very proud to lead the dedicated, professional and passionate Phoenix Public Library staff as we strive to do our part in building stronger communities. Plan to visit us regularly, whether you are looking to increase young children’s school readiness skills, connect with science and art programs, explore higher education resources, develop or broaden career/employment options, start a business, or enjoy an enriching program, Phoenix Public Library is a place where you belong and we look forward seeing you throughout 2020!

Rita Hamilton
Phoenix City Librarian