Maricopa’s new public library gets sneak peek

Thursday evening the city of Maricopa and D. L. Withers Construction held a preview of the new Maricopa Public Library for city officials, the project team, library staff and Friends of the Library.

Sponsored by the contractor and Concert Architectural Interiors, the event provided a sneak peek of the interior of Maricopa’s first public building.

Mayor Anthony Smith detailed some of the library’s history, captured in Patricia Brock’s “Reflections of a Desert Town.” The facility’s first permanent home was in a renovated barracks brought from Williams Air Force Base, which has been Maricopa’s library since 1983. Smith lauded the library staff for the work done there, including the children’s programs. “We are not done yet,” said Smith, referencing plans for a “bigger and better” second library sometime in the future.

Noting the new library is Maricopa’s first public building, Smith said, “The beauty of involvement in this town is you get to be first.” He asked those in attendance to celebrate “learning, education and fun.”

Former mayor Kelly Anderson called the new library “a product of community,” recalling its groundbreaking almost one year ago. He explained that it was former councilman Kelly Haddad who always stressed the need for a park and a library to enhance quality of life in Maricopa.

“Without the Friends of the Library,” Anderson added, “it would have been the PR (Parks and Recreation) Department, not the PRL (Parks, Recreation and Libraries).” He noted, “Roots are very important,” pointing out the history emphasized in the library’s design both in the rotunda and on the timeline fence.

The idea for the timeline fence came from the timeline in the old library created by children in the community, according to project architect Dawn Brown.

David Bradley, D.L. Withers vice president, spoke of the passion involved in the building of the new library. “It was a wonderful experience, and we would like to move forward with you,” he said.

June 13 will be the public grand opening of the Maricopa Public Library, located at 41600 W. Smith-Enke Road. The ribbon cutting is set for 10 a.m. with special events to follow.

Photos by Joyce Hollis