Library of the Future

The Library of the Future project is a forward-looking initiative designed to enhance Pima County's public library system to meet the evolving needs of the community. Pima County is considering strategic options, including the potential development of a new, state-of-the-art facility for the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, ensuring continued service to Downtown Tucson patrons in a more efficient and sustainable manner. The project aims to modernize services, optimize resources across the system, and reinforce the libraries' role as essential community hubs. Public input will be sought through community forums to guide these important improvements.

Pima County Public Library’s strategic vision focuses on becoming less tied to physical spaces and more embedded within the broader community. The Library will continuously assess services to meet evolving needs, exploring alternative models such as 24/7 kiosks, partnerships for space and programming, and adopting technologies like RFID to enhance staff efficiency. Ongoing support for staff remains a priority, alongside balancing emerging community needs. The goal is to create a more agile library system, responsive to trends and community demands. A community survey in September will gather input on the most pressing needs from the public.

Click here to view the draft of the Library's 2024-2026 Strategic Plan.

Downtown Tucson Library

The current downtown library requires extensive renovations, including new elevators, a roof, HVAC, and plumbing systems, with an estimated cost of $90 million. A new building might cost closer to $20 million. Due to decreased post-pandemic foot traffic and rising costs, a smaller, more efficient building is being considered. There is no plan to leave downtown Tucson. The Library is committed to services for our Downtown community.

For more information, click here.

Emerging Trends in Library Usage

Nationwide, library usage has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The Main Library saw a significant drop in visitors from 39,211 in February 2020 to 18,486 in February 2024. Despite reduced foot traffic, demand for extended hours remains strong.

For more information, click here.

Current Staffing Challenges

The Pima County Public Library system faces severe staffing shortages, with over 1,000 hours per week unstaffed due to retirements, unfilled positions, and the expansion of branches without increasing staff. Efforts to address this include potentially closing or reducing services at underperforming branches.

Three branches are under review for temporary or long-term closures:

• Dewhirst-Catalina Library: This location faces higher operational costs due to leased space and contributes minimally to circulation and computer use.
• Santa Rosa Library: Despite low circulation, it sees high gate count and program attendance. However, it requires constant security due to safety concerns.
• Frank De La Cruz-El Pueblo Library: This branch deals with vandalism, drug paraphernalia, and safety issues, resulting in additional costs for maintenance and security.

Community forums will be held to discuss these changes and explore options for these branches.

For more information, click here.