Maricopa County Library District

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Maricopa County Library District
Maricopa County Library District Logo.png
Maricopa County Library District
Location20304 W White Tank Mountain Rd, Waddell AZ, 85355, United States
TypePublic
Established1929
Branches18 [1]
Collection
Size9,984,242 [2]
Access and use
Population served6,667,241 [3]
Other information
DirectorJeremy Reeder [4]
Website mcldaz.org

The Maricopa County Library District is a public library system located in central Arizona, United States. It is the largest library system in the US by population served. [5]

Contents

The library district serves unincorporated areas in Maricopa County, Arizona. In addition, the district partners with cities/towns and school districts to operate their libraries. The district operates 15 libraries. [6] Each year, the Library District welcomes up to three million visitors and holds thousands of free events and programs for all ages. More than 60 libraries from across the county participate in Maricopa County Reads, the award-winning Summer Reading Program created and hosted by MCLD. In 2020, the Library District held nearly 6,000 events, including 700 online events, and circulated 7.5 million physical and digital checkouts. For Maricopa County and Town of Queen Creek residents and property owners, a library card is free.

Branches [6]

Collections and services

Maricopa County Library District is a popular materials system, meaning it does not contain academic or reference materials but offers audiobooks, children's books, and a collection of Blu-ray and DVDs. [7]

All libraries utilize the District's homegrown ShelfLogic classification system (formerly referred to as Dewey-less), which means they do not use the Dewey Decimal Classification format to file books. Instead, these libraries are set up with books and media located in "neighborhoods" by topic, like a modern bookstore. [8]

The Maricopa County Library District also operates a virtual branch and a Books by Mail program that delivers large print materials through the U.S. Postal Service to people unable to come to the library. [9]

The Maricopa County Library District has eMedia to provide downloads and streaming to desktops and mobile devices. The eMedia available include eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, TV & movies, and music. Customers also have access to Consumer Reports (website) and a series of research databases for homework and college prep, genealogy services, health information and more. [10]

History

Maricopa County started a free library system the day after the stock market crash in 1929. The enormous population increases in the 1960s and 1970s led the County Library System to undergo reorganization to meet the demands of the residents. In 1986 the State Legislature passed a bill allowing Arizona counties to establish library districts. [11] In 1987 the County Board of Supervisors voted to form the Maricopa County Library District (separate governmental and tax entities). The County Board of Supervisors serves as the District's Board of Library Directors.

In 2007, the Maricopa County Library District opened Perry Library, which abandoned the traditional Dewey Decimal System in favor of categorical shelving (i.e., Shelf Logic). [12] [8] Their Sun City Library moved to Shelf Logic in 2009 [13] as did its Gila Bend (2012) [14] North Valley Regional [15] and El Mirage Libraries in 2013. [16]

During fiscal year 2007–08, the library district welcomed more than 3 million customers and loaned more than 5 million units of materials.

In November 2008, the Queen Creek Branch Library opened a new 27,000-square-foot (2,500 m2) building, expandable to 47,000 square feet (4,400 m2).

In March 2009, the Goodyear Branch Library opened in temporary quarters in the Goodyear City Hall.

In May 2009, the Library District took over the once privately held Sun City Bell Branch Library and renamed it the Sun City Branch Library.

In 2014, the Library District began offering digital content to its customers. [17]

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted to eliminate overdue fines at County Libraries on May 22, 2019. [18]

In 2022, the Library District relocated the Goodyear Branch Library to a two-story building in the newly constructed Goodyear Civic Square, renaming the location after former Goodyear mayor Georgia Lord. [19]

In 2023, the Maricopa Country Library District went from 18 to 15 branches when they turned over the operation of three Surprise area branches to the city of Surprise, Arizona and their newly created Arts, Culture and Library Department. The impacted branches were the Asante Library, Hollyhock Library and Surprise Regional Library. [20]

Awards and recognition

The Library District has received national awards for its programs and technology. In 2005 MCLD was awarded the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award for The Mystery Club of Luna Drive, an original online serial novel. [21]

The library district was awarded the Pioneer Award for Quality by The Arizona Quality Alliance in 2006. [22]

In 2006 the district turned the book Tomás and the Library Lady by Pat Mora into a world premiere stage play adapted and performed by a professional children's theater company that toured schools and reached over 70,000 children. First Lady Laura Bush saw the play on invitation from the district. [23] The theater company toured it nationally in 2007. [24]

In 2009, the library district received the National Book Foundation—Innovation in Reading Prize for developing innovative means for creating and sustaining a lifelong love of reading — awarded to the District for its "Dewey-less" libraries. Several of the libraries in the district have adopted a bookstore format for shelving books and media by subject matter to make finding them easier for customers. [25]

In 2017, the Library District was recognized as one of NACo's 100 Brilliant Ideas at work for its Teens Give Back program. [26] In 2018, the Library District received 12 national awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maricopa County, Arizona</span> County in Arizona, United States

Maricopa County is in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2020 census the population was 4,420,568, or about 62% of the state's total, making it the fourth-most populous county in the United States and the most populous county in Arizona, and making Arizona one of the nation's most centralized states. The county seat is Phoenix, the state capital and fifth-most populous city in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buckeye, Arizona</span> City in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Buckeye is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is Arizona's second largest city by area, and it is the westernmost suburb in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,502, up from 50,876 in 2010, and 6,537 in 2000. It was the fastest-growing city in the United States for 2017, 2018, and 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gila Bend, Arizona</span> Town in Maricopa County, Arizona

Gila Bend, founded in 1872, is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The town is named for an approximately 90-degree bend in the Gila River, which is near the community's current location. As of the 2020 census, the population of the town was 1,892.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodyear, Arizona</span> City in Arizona, United States

Goodyear is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is a suburb of Phoenix and at the 2020 census had a population of 95,294, up from 65,275 in 2010 and 18,911 in 2000. It was the third-fastest-growing city in Arizona between 1990 and 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surprise, Arizona</span> City in Maricopa County, Arizona

Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. The population was 143,148 at the 2020 census, up from 117,517 in 2010 and just 30,848 in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maricopa, Arizona</span> City in Arizona, United States

Maricopa is a city in the Gila River Valley in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. With 66,290 residents as of 2022, Maricopa is the largest incorporated municipality in Pinal County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gila River Indian Community</span> Indian reservation in Arizona, U.S.

The Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) is an Indian reservation in the U.S. state of Arizona, lying adjacent to the south side of the city of Chandler, within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area in Pinal and Maricopa counties. The Gila River Indian Community was established in 1859, and the Gila River Indian Community was formally established by Congress in 1939. The community is home for members of both the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and the Pee-Posh (Maricopa) tribes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix metropolitan area</span> Metropolitan area in Arizona, United States

The Phoenix Metropolitan Area, also known as the Valley of the Sun, the Salt River Valley, Metro Phoenix, or The Valley, is the largest metropolitan statistical area in the Southwestern United States, with its largest principal city being the city of Phoenix. It includes much of central Arizona. The United States Office of Management and Budget designates the area as the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), defining it as Maricopa and Pinal counties. It anchors the Arizona Sun Corridor megaregion along with the second-most populous metropolitan area in the state, the Tucson metropolitan area. The gross domestic product of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area was $255 billion in 2018, 16th-largest amongst metro areas in the United States.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), also known as Maricopa Community Colleges, is a public community college district in Maricopa County, Arizona. Headquartered in Tempe, MCCCD is among the largest community college districts in the United States, serving more than 100,000 students each year in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agua Fria River</span> Stream in Arizona, United States

The Agua Fria River is a 120-mile (190 km) long intermittent stream which flows generally south from 20 miles (32 km) east-northeast of Prescott in the U.S. state of Arizona. Prescott draws much of its municipal water supply from the upper Agua Fria watershed. The Agua Fria runs through the Agua Fria National Monument. The river then flows through a small canyon called "Black Canyon" into Lake Pleasant, a popular recreation area near Peoria, Arizona. (There is a large "Black Canyon" on the Colorado River along the Arizona–Nevada border.)

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arizona State Route 238</span> State highway in Arizona, United States

State Route 238, also known as SR 238, is an east–west state highway in central Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perry High School (Gilbert, Arizona)</span> High school in Gilbert, Arizona

Perry High School is a public high school located in Gilbert, Arizona and the 4th high school built by Chandler Unified School District (CUSD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maricopa Association of Governments</span> Council of governments for greater Phoenix, United States

Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a Council of Governments (COG) that serves as the regional agency for the greater Maricopa region in Arizona, United States. This includes the Phoenix area and the neighboring urbanized area in Pinal County, containing the Town of Florence and City of Maricopa. When MAG was formed in 1967, the elected officials recognized the need for long-range planning and policy development on a regional scale. They realized that many issues such as transportation, air quality and human services affected residents beyond the borders of their individual jurisdictions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maricopa County Sheriff's Office</span> Law enforcement agency in Arizona, United States

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) is the law enforcement agency that serves Maricopa County, Arizona, and is the largest sheriff's office in Arizona. The MCSO provides patrol services and criminal investigation to unincorporated areas of the county and operates the county jail system. It also serves as the primary law enforcement agency for any incorporated cities within the county that have contracted with the agency for law-enforcement services. The county sheriff is elected by the citizens and serves as the highest law enforcement official in Maricopa County. The current Sheriff of Maricopa County is Paul Penzone, elected in 2016. As a result of policies and practices under former sheriff Joe Arpaio the MCSO has received significant critical media coverage, federal investigation, and judicial oversight.

Many arterial roads in the Phoenix metropolitan area have the same name in multiple cities or towns. Some roads change names or route numbers across town borders, resulting in occasional confusion. For example, the road known as Apache Boulevard in Tempe continues east as Main Street in neighboring Mesa and then as Apache Trail in Apache Junction. Although Broadway Road maintains the same name through Goodyear, Avondale, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and Apache Junction, each town uses a different reference point for address numbers.

There is a current proposal to bring commuter rail service to the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Geraldine Peten is a former member of the Arizona House of Representatives, representing District 4. She was appointed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in 2017 to replace former representative Jesus Rubalcava. Peten is a Democrat and was the seatmate of the Democratic Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives Charlene Fernandez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward L. Varney</span> American architect (1914–1998)

Edward Leighton Varney Jr. (1914–1998) was an American Modernist architect working in Phoenix, Arizona from 1937 until his retirement in 1985. He designed the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, and Sun Devil Stadium at Arizona State University. In 1941, he began his career, which would extend to his retirement in 1985. His firm would continue designing buildings into the 1990s.

References

  1. ↑ "All Locations and Hours – Maricopa County Library District". mcldaz.org. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  2. ↑ "Annual Report" (PDF). azlibrary.gov. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  3. ↑ "Annual Report" (PDF). azlibrary.gov. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  4. ↑ "About the Maricopa County Library District". mcldaz.org. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  5. ↑ "The Nation's Largest Public Libraries: Top 25 Rankings". American Library Association. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "All Locations and Hours - Maricopa County Library District". mcldaz.org. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  7. ↑ "Collection Development Policy" (PDF). mcldaz.org. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  8. 1 2 "Arizona Library Shuns Dewey System". NPR.org. June 16, 2007. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  9. ↑ "Books By Mail – Maricopa County Library District". extranet.mcldaz.org. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  10. ↑ "Use our electronic resources". mcldaz.org. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  11. ↑ "ARS 48-261". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  12. ↑ Lynch, Sarah N.; Mulero, Eugene (July 14, 2007). "Dewey? At This Library With a Very Different Outlook, They Don't". The New York Times . Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  13. ↑ "County library embraces Dewey-less world" . archive.azcentral.com. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  14. ↑ "Vast Improvements Mark Much Anticipated Reopening of Gila Bend Branch Library". www.gilabendaz.org. June 2012.
  15. ↑ "Ditching Dewey…and other cool improvements coming to the library". Anthem AZ News | Anthem Arizona. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  16. ↑ "El Mirage Branch Library to close for interior facelift". www.cityofelmirage.org. March 2013.
  17. ↑ "Maricopa County Libraries to offer digital streaming". azcentral. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  18. ↑ "Readers rejoice: Maricopa County libraries to stop charging late fines". azcentral.com. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  19. ↑ "Goodyear to name library in honor of late Mayor Georgia Lord and host a celebration of life Jan. 21". azcentral. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  20. ↑ "Surprise Public Library". www.surprisepubliclibrary.gov. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  21. ↑ "Winners of the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award". American Library Association. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "County library district wins quality award". Phoenix Business Journal. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  23. ↑ "First Lady Laura Bush Visits MCLD". Arizona Library Association. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "Tomás and the Library Lady". Patmora.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  25. ↑ "Innovations In Reading Prize, 2009". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  26. ↑ "Teens Giving Back". NACo. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  27. ↑ "Press Release – Maricopa County Wins 48 National Awards". mcldaz.org. Retrieved 2018-07-29.

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