The library traces its origins to 1897 when a group of citizens decided to raise funds for a library. This group, the Friday Club, consisting of women of upper socioeconomic standing with the same interests of advancement, sought to establish and organize the first public library in Phoenix. By opening day, the library consisted of 1,500 titles.^[5] In 1904, industrialist Andrew Carnegie donated money for a library building on Washington Street near the state capital; this building is still in operation as a museum, archives and research center operated by the state of Arizona.^[6]

With the explosive growth of Phoenix after World War II, new branches were added citywide. A Central Library was opened in 1953 (replacing the Carnegie Library as Phoenix's main library location), but replaced by the aforementioned Burton Barr Central Library in 1995 (its building is now part of the Phoenix Art Museum).^[7]

• The Burton Barr Central Library opened in May 1995 and is 280,000 square feet (26,000 m²) on five levels. The library is in Phoenix's City Council District 7.
• The Acacia Library opened in January 1969 and is 6,600 square feet (610 m²). It replaced the earlier Desert Mission Library which opened in 1929, and was housed in a 2,400 square feet (220 m²) building on 330 E. Eva Street. Acacia library is in District 3.
• The Agave Library opened in June 2009 and is 25,000 square feet (2,300 m²). The library is in District 1.
• The Century Library opened in December 1973 and is 6,500 square feet (600 m²). The library is in District 6.
• The Cesar Chavez Library opened in January 2007 and is 25,000 square feet (2,300 m²). Like the Central Library, Cesar Chavez is located in District 7.
• The Cholla Library opened in 1977 and was expanded and remodeled in 1990. The library is 30,000 square feet (2,800 m²) on two levels. The library is located near Metrocenter Mall in District 1, like Agave.
• The Desert Broom Library opened in February 2005 and has won numerous awards for its design, including the 2006 ALA/IIDA Award for Innovation in Sustainable Design. The library is 15,000 square feet (1,400 m²) and is in District 2.
• The Desert Sage Library opened in July 1997 and is 13,400 square feet (1,240 m²). Like Central and Cesar Chavez, Desert Sage is in District 7.
• The Harmon Library opened in December 1950 and was replaced with a new structure in August 2009 and is 12,400 square feet (1,150 m²). Harmon is in District 8.
• The Ironwood Library opened in October 1991 and is 16,300 square feet (1,510 m²). Ironwood is in District 6, like Century Library.
• The Juniper Library, 14,435 square feet (1,341.1 m²), opened in July 1996. Juniper is in District 3.
• The Mesquite Library, 19,875 square feet (1,846.4 m²), opened in November 1982 and was expanded in May 1998. Mesquite is near the Paradise Valley Mall in District 3, like Juniper.
• The Ocotillo Library opened in 1967 and was remodeled in 2012. Ocotillo is 6,600 square feet (610 m²) and is located in District 7, like several others, including Cesar Chavez.
• The Palo Verde Library opened in January 2006 in Maryvale Village. Palo Verde is 16,000 square feet (1,500 m²) and is located in District 5.
• The Saguaro Library opened in September 1964. Saguaro is 10,500 square feet (980 m²) and is in District 8, similarly to Harmon.
• South Mountain Community Library opened in September 2011 as a partnership between Phoenix and South Mountain Community College (SMCC). SMCL is 50,000 square feet (4,600 m²).
• The Yucca Library opened in March 1969 and was remodeled in 2001. 10,000 square feet (930 m²) in size, Yucca is located in District 5, like Palo Verde.

• Phoenix Public Library Official Web Site

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