Palo Verde Library is a new library in an older area of Phoenix. It is in the same complex as a leisure centre. The library was packed with people the afternoon I visited it. I did not take photographs in part of the library as there was no way I could do this without being totally intrusive. It was great to see the library so well used. It is another really lovely library in Phoenix.
This photograph shows the drive by returns area and window which you can use to talk to library staff, without leaving your car. It is a lovely colour.
A three step reading program was being promoted. This was a Phoenix wide program to teach children to read and was targeting parents of small children.
This shows the sky lights in the library - it was lit this way, and the light levels were impressive. I had not realised they were skylights as they look like lights. This is an interesting design feature. The flying book sculpture is at the entrance to the children's collection and service area.
When you are driving (walking or cycling) up to Agave Library this sign stands out blocks away. It helps build a sense of excitement about visiting this library because this is a very dramatic library sign. The sign is also welcoming, because you are coming to the library, this building which is making a statement is open to you, for free. You can borrow items, you can use databases and other online resources, you can participate in library programming, use computers, collaborate, read...the list really goes on and on. This amazing, beautiful space is yours, and it would be an incredible library to have as your local library.
Parts of the interior have an exposed, industrial look (as you can see in the ceiling here), and this works really well. There is great use of colour (such as in the non-rigid divider), with seating, and with this shelving (below).
It was great to see agaves featuring in the landscaping (reflecting the library name)
and lovely outdoor spaces for the library as well
The library was obviously very well used, with people using the spaces in many different ways. I visited the library shortly after it opened for the day, and already many people were making use of the spaces, and there was a packed children's event in progress.
For some areas I did not take photographs because of the number of people using the library (as I did not want to intrude on their experience of their space - I was being a library tourist, this was their library).
This is one of the most exciting libraries I have ever visited, because of how people were using the spaces, and because of the space and design. It was a very beautiful library and it was a highly functional library. It is one of several exciting libraries which I visited (while on holidays) in Arizona.
Have a look at some of the photographs I took when I visited this very popular and well used library.
You can see the whole set of photographs I took (or you can look at them here to read the descriptions as well).
