Maricopa library celebrating 1st birthday on June 12

Almost one year ago Maricopa’s first municipal building, the Maricopa Public Library, opened its doors to a crowd of about 300 residents, who were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Tomorrow the library will celebrate its first birthday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family-oriented activities will include free face painting, prize drawings for stuffed animals, special guest storytellers, guessing games, movie shorts with popcorn, free bags filled with library goodies and refreshments.

The new children’s area will also be open. “It will have a lot more ambiance for the kids, featuring stuffed animals, fun rugs, kid chairs and tables, as well as a few other surprises,” said library manager Joe Gunter.

Maricopa’s public library is a popular place.

During the last year circulation at the library was over 200,000 items—more than the total circulation for the last two years. The library’s collection increased by 30 percent, and library cardholders more than tripled in number—over 10,000 new cards were issued in 2009-2010.

About 10,000 patrons visit the library each month, a number that equals the total number of visitors in the past three years. Story time attendance and Internet usage is up, and interlibrary loans have more than doubled.

Gunter says in the next year the library hopes to offer a downloadable movie service, begin pod-casting programs and increase the usage of electronic books.

He and the library staff invite all Maricopans to come out and celebrate with them on June 12.

If you go:

What:  Maricopa Public Library’s 1st birthday celebration
When:  Saturday, June 12, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Where:  41600 W. Smith-Enke Rd.

Library hours are:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday and Wednesday:  noon to 8 p.m.
Closed on Sundays

Photo by Joyce Hollis