Desert Broom Library is a New Chapter for North Phoenix

I have always loved the experience of opening up a new book. The pages are just right, the stiff spine gives an air of authority and it seems like you’re getting an exclusive peek at a new world.

Imagine rows and rows of new books – thousands of them.

That’s exactly what you’ll see later this month at the new Desert Broom Branch of the Phoenix Public Library. The environmentally-friendly building is opening to the North Phoenix public, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. It’s on Cave Creek Road , just south of Tatum Boulevard.

Brett Barry and his North Phoenix family are very excited for the grand-opening. Barry is president of the new Friends of the Phoenix Public Library Desert Broom chapter. The group is already 30 people strong. His daughters are six and seven years old and they’ve never before had a library just a short drive away.

“My oldest daughter Lindis is a total bookworm,” said Barry. “We go out to dinner and she wants to read. Wherever we go she has a book in her hands.”

Lindis and her little sister Tira are in for quite a treat. The Desert Broom Library will have a children’s story room and plenty of story times for kids, a large children’s book section, a teen center, a community meeting room, internet access and a dedicated computer room. Beyond rows and rows of books, you’ll be able to access newspapers, magazines, DVDs and CDs.

The library estimates that 700,000 books and materials will circulate every year.

The most unique part of the whole experience may be the wonderful desert setting that makes our part of the city so beautiful. The 15-thousand square foot building sits on three acres of a 45 acre site owned by the city. We plan to build a city park there in the future.

Barry sees the library and future park as official signs that community services and conveniences have arrived in his neighborhood. Up until now, the Barrys made the longer drive to Paradise Valley Mall to enjoy the library. Now, seven days a week, they and other North Phoenix residents have this resource much closer to home.

“I’m excited about the whole library experience,” said Barry. “Kids can have their own cards and check out their own books.”

In this busy world, where we all search for quality time, the Desert Broom Library will be a calm, welcoming oasis, for children and adults.

“The beauty of the library is having a great place to escape,” said Barry. “It’s a place where I can grab a newspaper and zone out … a civilized place where I can sit down and have some quiet time.”

I am excited that this library will be opening for the whole community, and along with the Phoenix Public Library, invite you to be one of the Desert Broom pioneers, who get to see, touch and read all of those new books.

Please join us for our next Issues and Info Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 25 7 a.m. , at Jillian’s in the Desert Ridge Marketplace.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which encompasses most of Northeast Phoenix . She can be reached at 602-262-7445 or via e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.