City breaks ground for new public library

Dreams come true.

Just ask Linda Wilmeth.

Wilmeth was among those in a small crowd on Tuesday who turned out for the official groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction for the new Maricopa Public Library, slated to open in mid December.

“It’s exciting,” she said, wiping away a tear.

Wilmeth, the second employee to serve patrons of the Maricopa Public Library since its adoption by the city in September 2004, has actually been busy taking care of checking books in and out and reading stories to children for more than a decade.

For the past 11 years, she’s been located in a donated portable building just east of John Wayne Parkway and north of the railroad tracks at the Maricopa Casa Grande Highway. But even before then, she said, she had already become involved.

“To me, the library is a service to its city,” said Wilmeth, who was visibly overcome with emotion each time she spoke of her years of service and her anticipation for what is yet to come.

The initial program began more as a limited service than an actual facility in 1958 when a few families heard about and took advantage of a Pinal County grant to obtain books to loan to locals.

Mayor Kelly Anderson presented awards to the John and Mary Lou Smith Family, his parents, Oliver and Hermina Anderson, and the Harry and Pat Brock Family, honoring their historical roles in Tuesday’s event.

Martin McDonald, acting director of Community Services, said things have come a long way since then, adding that even when the new library is built on the northeast corner of Smith-Enke Road and Desert Greens Drive, there will still be much room for growth.

“We’re going to take the traditional library concept, shake it up a little bit and do something new.”

McDonald, the first city employee to oversee the library, gave a nod to the Friends of the Library, who have provided much-needed support over the years, to the founding families and, of course, to Wilmeth.

“We’re really excited about doing something very special for the community,” McDonald said. “We’re going to open a beautiful and gorgeous facility.”

When completed, the library in the Rancho El Dorado community will feature 8,085 square feet in a single story, light-filled building with community meeting rooms and gathering spaces, a family place and storytelling area and a computer station.

McDonald said the need for an up-to-date library in a city such as Maricopa is apparent.

“We pride ourselves on having a highly educated population and workforce,” he said.

Anderson, who spoke before McDonald, agreed.

“The facility is not a luxury,” he said. “It’s a necessity of life. Today’s leaders read. And tomorrow’s leaders read.”

For more information on library programs, contact the Maricopa Public Library at (520) 568-2926.

Photo by RuthAnn Hogue