PHX Reporter

A new library facility opening soon in the North Valley will have a larger renovation budget courtesy of the $4 million approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on March 27.

“It’s no secret that Anthem, New River, and other unincorporated areas in North Phoenix have grown dramatically in recent years,” said Supervisor Bill Gates of District 3. “The Board’s investment is a step towards ensuring that the North Valley Regional Library is better prepared to offer top-of-the-line community services for the 45,000 people who call this area home.”

The new property, located at 41810 N. Venture Dr. in Anthem, consists of 27,188 square feet, and was previously owned by a media company that installed best-in-class technology throughout the space. The facility will undergo tenant improvements to better meet the needs of a modern public library, including opening up space on both floors and ensuring adequate space for events, study rooms and quiet spaces, customer service desks, dedicated teen and children’s spaces, and staff work areas.

“We are grateful for the Board’s support in funding the new facility’s renovations,” said Jeremy Reeder, Director of the Maricopa County Library District. “With a more open floor plan, library staff will have visual access to the entire library at once, providing more opportunities for better customer service and responsible staffing levels. I am excited to see how this thoughtful and intentional design will help us better serve the community.”

The library will feature a diverse collection of books, audiobooks, movies, and music broken down by subject and age group. All physical materials will be carefully selected and vetted by professional libraries in accordance with a Collection Development Policy that aligns with best practices from across the country.

The Library District closed on the $9 million property on January 24 after receiving approval from the Board of Supervisors. The current North Valley Regional Library has been co-located at Boulder Creek High School, where hours are limited to after school.

The tenant improvements are being funded using $4 million of Maricopa County Community Solutions Funding allocated by Supervisor Gates through December 31, 2024. The Board of Supervisors’ Community Solutions Funding is designed to help advance Maricopa County’s strategic goals and provide clear public benefits for Maricopa County residents.