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Burton Barr Central Library

Burton Barr Central Library houses a collection of approximately 550,000​ volumes and the facility includes:

  • ​Great Reading Room is on the fifth floor and one acre in area.
  • StartUpPHX is a discovery space for business entrepreneurs.​
  • Arizona Room houses a research collection focused on the Southwest.
  • College Depot is a free, full-service college planning center.
  • @Central Gallery is a fine art exhibition gallery featuring work by Arizona artists.
  • Rare Book Room
  • Teen Central
  • Children's Place
Electric vehicle (EV) charging is available.​


Hours

  • M
    9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • T
    9 a.m to 7 p.m.
  • W
    9 a.m to 7 p.m.
  • T
    9 a.m to 7 p.m.
  • F
    9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • S
    9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • S
    1 to 5 p.m.

Map & Directions

​1221 N. Central Ave., 85004

​​Burton Barr Central Library is located on Central Avenue just south of McDowell Road. Visit Valley Metro for public transportation routes serving the library.

Building Facts

​Size: 280,000 square feet on five levels
Opened: May 1995
Architect: bruderDWL architects
Design Leads: Will Bruder with Wendell Burnette

City of Phoenix Council District: 7

Topics & Services

Programs at Burton Barr Central Library

​Browse all programs at Burton Barr Central Library.

@Central Gallery

​The @Central Gallery, located on the 1st floor of Burton Barr Central Library, is dedicated to supporting, sustaining, and strengthening the community by promoting local artists....

Arizona Room

Located on the second floor of Burton Barr Central Library, the Arizona Room offers a special collection focused on the history and culture of Phoenix, Arizona, and its peoples....

Ask Us

​We are unable to answer legal or medical questions, search microforms or research obituaries.

College Depot

Holds Lockers

Holds Lockers are located outside the main entrance of some Phoenix Public Library locations​, offering library customers 24/7, contact-free access to pick up library materials....

Hotspot Lending Program

​​WiFi Hotspots are available for check out.Wifi Hotspots are eligible to be placed on hold for any Phoenix Public Library location....

Kids Cafe

MACH1

Mobile Printing

Print from anywhere!​Print any document or web page virtually from your Internet-connected device to a printer at any Phoenix Public Library location​....

Presidential Papers Collection

​​Learn about the Presidential Papers Collection at Phoenix Public Library....

Rare Book Room

​The Phoenix Public Library received the Alfred Knight Collection as a donation in 1958....

Reserve a Room at Burton Barr Central Library

Sit, Stay, Read

Emerging readers can practice reading by reading to a book-loving dog!...

StartUpPHX

​The mission of StartUpPHX is to provide services and support for entrepreneurs....

Who is Burton Barr?

Burton S. Barr (1917 - 1997) ​was a successful businessman, a decorated World War II hero and Arizona’s most powerful politician for two decades as Speaker of the House.