| Scottsdale Public Library | |
| Type: | Public library system |
| Num Branches: | 4 |
| Location: | Scottsdale |
| Director: | Mandy Carrico[1] |
| Dir Since: | May 2023 |
| Website: | https://www.scottsdalelibrary.org |
| Annual Circulation: | 2,984,776 items per year |
| Collection Size: | 800,000 (est) |
| Established: | 1955 |
The Scottsdale Public Library is the public library system for Scottsdale, Arizona, and is owned and operated by the City of Scottsdale. As of 2023 the library system serves Scottsdale’s 226,918 residents, residents of Maricopa County, and numerous visitors from around the world.[2] The library’s collection contains over 800,000 items (including books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, audio books and more). The library circulates around 2.9 million items per year.[2] The library is a member of the Urban Libraries Council.[3]
As Scottsdale's population continues to increase, the mission of the Scottsdale Public Library System remains more steadfast than ever: “Putting People at the Heart of Dynamic Library Services.” [4]
The Scottsdale Public Library was started in the summer of 1955 by Lou Ann Noel and Beth Fielder. Located in the un-air-conditioned Adobe House, which at the time served as a community center, the library was originally open for only two hours, two mornings a week, and its collection consisted of 300 donated books.
In 1958 the Friends of the Library, a non-profit, community organization made up entirely of volunteers, was organized to support and fund-raise for the library.[5] In 1960 the City of Scottsdale assumed responsibility for the library and hired the first professionally trained librarian. Later, the City hired additional paid staff to keep up with the demands of the community and, in 1968, opened a new 37000square feet main library.
Much has changed since the library’s conception in 1955: four branches were added, buildings and services have been renovated and expanded, staff and volunteers have come and gone, and technology has been upgraded with the times. The days of card catalogs may be over, but the library still plays a vital role in the lives and education of Scottsdale residents.
The Palomino Library opened in 1995 as a shared-use facility on the campus of Desert Mountain High School and served both the public and the school’s students and staff. This location reverted back to a school library only on May 21, 2020 after the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Unified School District was phased out.[6]
The Scottsdale Public Library system has four active locations: a main library and three branches—Mustang, Arabian, and Appaloosa—which, in keeping with the city's western culture, were named after horse breeds. Since 2011, Civic Center and Mustang Libraries have been among 450 libraries in 29 states that have received the designation of Family Place Libraries™ for their welcoming, child friendly environments.[7] [8] [9] Family Place believes good health, early learning, parental involvement and supportive communities contribute to the growth and development of children. Designated libraries offer a five-week parent/child workshop, appropriate collections and space, as well as staff trained in family support.[10]