Phoenix Public Library history

Believe it or not, the Phoenix Public Library with its multiple branches had its early beginnings in 1897, when a local women’s group, the Friday Club, formed to discuss history.

But these women quickly decided to collect an assortment of books and open a library in the Fleming Building in 1898 while still meeting regularly to discuss a variety of topics.

Success of this grassroots enterprise led the city of Phoenix to move the library into City Hall in 1899.

Founded December 5, 1900 as the Fortnightly Club, eight of the community’s most prominent women formed an educational study group similar to the Friday Club.

Fortunately for us, the Friday Club and other boosters were instrumental in obtaining a $25,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie in 1904.

Fortunately for us, the Friday Club and other boosters were instrumental in obtaining a $25,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie in 1904. It helped build the Carnegie Public Library at 1101 W. Washington Street, which opened February 14, 1908 with 7000 books.

From the Phoenix Municipal Art Collection, “Egyptian Evening” by Carl Oscar Borg (1911) was the first painting acquired by the Woman’s Club of Phoenix for $125.

The Municipal Restroom in City Hall Park opened on the northwest corner of Jefferson and Second Street in 1917.

The 1920 painting “October Cottonwoods” by Maynard Dixon was acquired by the Woman’s Club of Phoenix and is now part of the Phoenix Municipal Art Collection. (Photo: Donna Reiner)

Outgrowing the Fleming Building, the library moved to Historic City Hall a year later (pictured here in 1922) at 125 W. Washington Street. (Photo: McCulloch Brothers, Arizona State University Libraries)

By 1930, the Phoenix Public Library had added two other branches, with the Restroom Branch being the most heavily used branch.

Located at 1101 W. Washington Street, the Carnegie was Phoenix’s main library until 1954.

1977: Jimmy Carter had just moved into the White House, Wesley Bolin was filling in as governor over at the Arizona State Capitol, and Margaret Hance was settling in to her second year at City Hall.

​In April of 1987, the voters of the Village of Phoenix voted to have the Phoenix Public Library District established.

1988: By 1988, the population of Metropolitan Phoenix had boomed and city officials brought to voters a major “art bond” designed to define and characterize Phoenix’s culture.

1994: With completion of the new, Will Bruder designed central library in sight, the bond funds ran out.