Phoenix Public Library and the new owners of Park Central Mall have announced that temporary library services will be available to the public beginning this month, in an almost 30,000-square-foot space at the mall, located on Central Avenue just south of Osborn Road.
“This temporary location at Park Central is a welcome addition for our residents as our centerpiece library Burton Barr undergoes repairs,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “As the new Park Central location will quickly show, our Phoenix Public Libraries are much more than libraries. They are vital and bustling gathering places where young people, entrepreneurs and job seekers can get mentoring and tools to succeed.”
Located along the light rail and approximately 2 miles from the temporarily closed Burton Barr Central Library, “Phoenix Public Library @ Park Central” is tentatively scheduled to open on Jan. 5.
Families will be able to attend early literacy programming such as Storytimes, teens will be able to gather after school for homework help and coding programs, those relying upon the library for access to the Internet will be able take advantage of 28 computer stations—all of this in addition to a range of more than 50,000 library materials (books, CDs, magazines, DVDs, etc.) for all ages available for check out. There also will be free WiFi for the public.
The bulk of Park Central Mall was recently purchased by a partnership between Plaza Companies and Holualoa Companies, who have announced plans to revitalize the landmark central Phoenix property. Sharon Harper, president & CEO of Plaza Companies, said the goal of the revitalization will be to make Park Central the heart of midtown once again—and hosting the library is a great way to start.
“We are very pleased to be able to provide space at Park Central for the use of the Phoenix Public Library and the people of our community,” Harper said. “Our goal for Park Central is to make it an exceptional place for our community once again, and this is a step in that direction.” Harper said that patrons will be able to easily access the library space, located below the former Goldwater’s store, facing Central Avenue, while the renovation of the property takes place in the coming months.
A public open house is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13. Regular library hours will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.
For more information, call 602-262-4636 or visit www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org.
