Got my official Peoria Public Library card and what a beautiful library it is! Plenty of ample…read moreparking. Conveniently located right off Grand Ave. We were greeted immediately upon entering. My wife and I both requested library cards and the whole process took just a few minutes. Very friendly staff that know what they're doing. Open 11a - 5p on Saturdays with an enormous fiction and non-fiction section. You also have the ability to rent games, movies, laptops and a host of other items. It is incredibly clean and everything is spaced out nicely so you could easily sit here and do some work. There is even am awesome outdoor seating area with umbrellas! It has been years since I've stepped foot in a library despite being an avid reader. I was thoroughly impressed with the Peoria Public Library!

Good library! Sign up for a free library card that comes with perks! Clean inside with places to…read moresit and read or study. Lots of book options and also have phone apps to download to get the books you want to read conveniently. Also to mention that you have the option to get a free passes to museums, zoos, gardens and more!

This location is great, and it caters to a great community…read more There are things that aren't great. 1) The events are not accessible to all. See my elaboration below. 2) There is a need for more space. 3) The front desk staff are abrasive and dismissive. 4) There is not enough adult books. My elaboration: Yesterday 6/30 the library hosted an event for the Great American Puppet Theatre. We arrived early to the event to get a seat. When we arrived to the 11:30 showing it was a huge line. We went to the front desk to ask how we participate and they told us the show is full and we couldn't partake. SUPER bumbed that we didn't even have a chance. The woman at the front was rude and had no sympathy, she just starred at us. This is the second time we've tried to attend an event and couldn't. The room was small and the reason we were turned away was because of fire code. This event should've been a pre-registration to avoid people driving and then being turned away. Also, there was so many adults that could've stepped out to give more children an opportunity to join. I was NOT the only parent & child that was turned away. Another Yelp reviewer has said the same thing: https://yelp.to/fotzhgWfps

My favorite library on the west coast! I do Social Security seminars in the community room, it's…read moregreat. Parks & Recreation maintain this area, they are excellent! Ranger Nate is the very best

Worth a visit even if you don't need to do research since it's an interesting historic site with a…read morepainting of the library's namesake, Velma Teague, some cool artwork inside and out, and an information desk with staff eager to help and that helps to fill the gap of the downtown absence of a Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center (which hopefully, Glendale will rectify). This library is in the heart of Old Town Peoria and it is important to preserve it. Such a human scale building seems so relaxing and homey in these frantic times, and even if a more modern facility is built nearby, the city should repurpose a building that holds so many memories and adds to the special feel of Murphy Park, another treasure.

Velma Teague Library - A Historic Gem Worth Preserving…read more This is a great historic site that must remain open and supported. It is the heart of Glendale and a reflection of all its cultural beauty. The site holds deep community significance and has long served as a gathering place for many festivals. A library has stood on this site in Murphy Park since 1917. Over the years, it has been repaired and rebuilt as needed to keep up with the times. In 1969, it was dedicated to and named in honor of Velma Teague, the city's longtime librarian who served 35 years with outstanding dedication. She was considered a pioneer in her field, expanding the library's offerings to include cassettes and records, and broadening book selections to engage readers of all ages. Sadly, the library is not recognized as a historical landmark at this time--but it should be. Without that protection, the Glendale City Council could still move forward with plans to demolish the existing library to make way for a new, larger facility. Fortunately, public outcry, through petition signing and the involvement of community representatives, stopped this from happening in 2024. By January 2025, the initiative was put on hold. As of this writing, the future remains uncertain. Please visit the library, sit in the park, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, explore the many antique shops nearby, and have a wonderful Mexican lunch at Bitz-ee Mama's across the street from the library's front doors. Then, contact the Glendale City Council and voice your concerns about this still-pending issue. Help preserve the last standing piece of historic heritage that defines the heart of Glendale.Velma Teague Library - A Historic Gem Worth Preserving This is a great historic site that must remain open and supported. It is the heart of Glendale and a reflection of all its cultural beauty. The site holds deep community significance and has long served as a gathering place for many festivals. A library has stood on this site in Murphy Park since 1917. Over the years, it has been repaired and rebuilt as needed to keep up with the times. In 1969, it was dedicated to and named in honor of Velma Teague, the city's longtime librarian who served 35 years with outstanding dedication. She was considered a pioneer in her field, expanding the library's offerings to include cassettes and records, and broadening book selections to engage readers of all ages. Sadly, the library is not recognized as a historical landmark at this time--but it should be. Without that protection, the Glendale City Council could still move forward with plans to demolish the existing library to make way for a new, larger facility. Fortunately, public outcry, through petition signing and the involvement of community representatives, stopped this from happening in 2024. By January 2025, the initiative was put on hold. As of this writing, the future remains uncertain. Please visit the library, sit in the park, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, explore the many antique shops nearby, and have a wonderful Mexican lunch at Bitz-ee Mama's across the street from the library's front doors. Then, contact the Glendale City Council and voice your concerns about this still-pending issue. Help preserve the last standing piece of historic heritage that defines the heart of Glendale.

Wow! A few weeks ago I was wondering "who still goes to a library?" Little did I know what great…read morekids programs that libraries offer. I took my baby here for a play group and it was great. We sang songs, had bubbles, and tons of toys to play with. There was even parachute time. Now I am wondering why I am even paying for gymboree when this is offered for free. The library also has a great kids section with tons of books, computers, toys, and an outside play area. This is the place to go to bring your kids. I am so excited to check out the other classes!

I was in and because of the wide variety of books. I was back out in about two minutes. No joke.read more

My family and I love this little library in Historic Avondale. We usually go to Coldwater coffee or…read moreMi Panadería first (highly recommend both of those spots as well) and then head over for some fun at the library. Of course they have a bunch of books, but they also have a little outdoor and an indoor play area for the kids. My kids enjoy the slides, coloring, and toy kitchen they have here. It's a great place to go when the weather is too hot outside to be at the playground.

Helpful librarians. Great audio book section. Plenty of computers and printers as well.read more

So I moved to a new place and it was finally time to check out the services offered in my new city…read more While I did not like my old neighborhood I loved being a city of Phoenix resident. I was a Phx resident for over 20 years and the services in that city are outstanding. I knew it would be hard to beat their library services, which are gorgeous facilities and well stocked. With that said though, Glendale has a reciprocity agreement so now I can use both. YEAH! When I arrived at the 59th location I was treated well and greeted by a friendly librarian who signed me up and did a great job explaining everything. This is a smaller branch and not as large or well stocked as the Phx locations but the facilities are very nice. It will do just fine. What was really fun was on the way home driving out of the parking lot I got to stop for a Peacock crossing, I was like, "Waaaaaaaaaa?" Then I realized they were out walking from the nearby awesome park they live at. So fun and cool!!!! Weird to have to stop in a parking lot to let Peacocks cross living in Phoenix Arizona and all. lol - I hope when you are there you watch out for them. I keep thinking most people might not expect them and might hit them if they drive unsafe. I would go back to this branch just to see the Peacocks. Ha!

Love the kids area as the teenage area. Keeps the library free of distractions while allowing…read morefamilies to bring their kids. My kids favorite part is the chickens, turkeys, and peacocks hanging out by the parking. Too bad their hours are short. Many days during the week they don't open until 1:00pm

This library has ample seating; teen, and child designated areas, as well as program rooms for…read moredifferent events that go on throughout the school year and summer. I would have liked to see more programs offered during the day to young children, however, they did have a handful of things that were offered during the late afternoon. Also, with the flat of computers that they have, I liked the fact that they gave an hour time limit for usage, to create access for people who may come in during the times that all computers are full. The staff was very welcoming and wouldn't answer any questions that you have. Last, but definitely not least, it is a great engaging way to beat the heat in the summertime!

The library was closed when I arrived but no matter - their wifi extends to the parking lot. And a…read moreplus, I was able to find an open power outlet and do a little bit of charging while I surfed the internet! I absolutely can't complain! [Review 17515 overall - 101 in Arizona - 1033 of 2022.]

I was immediately greeted by two ladies at the front desk with hellos and smiling eyes (couldn't…read moresee their actual smiles because we were all in masks-Covid). Amy was the friendly woman that helped me. First of all you need to know I have not had a library card for a lllooonnggg time. No reason just didn't have one. I have reached an age where buying books is just ridiculous. As soon as I read a book I donate or pass it on to a friend. I don't need a shelf of books. I also travel a lot and need to utilize ebooks more often. So back to Amy. She patiently told me how to access the local library when I'm in town and want an actual book but she also explained how to use Overdrive when I'm traveling to obtain ebooks. The library itself is small but well lit and just feels inviting. I know I will be using it for many years to come and am thankful it is here in El Mirage.

This is a small, lively neighborhood library with lots of computers and lots of children from the…read more elementary school across the street playing games on those computers during non-school hours. There is a nice, colorful area for tots and toddlers with books and computers just for them. That section is very well designed, I think; it reminds me of the seat in a bay window because of the way it is built. Even though there are many windows with a lot of sun coming in, it's still slightly claustrophobic because the windows are so cramped from top to bottom, with dark blinds to try to kill the glare, you can't really see outside in any direction. There is almost always a good selection of newly released DVDs in a wire rack on the librarians' desk. Of course, like all libraries, they have CDs and magazines as well. The staff is always great. There are few books in this location, maybe because it is so small. The bathrooms -- one toilet each -- are always kept nice. The parking lot is covered, and it's the best-guarded I have seen in such a small town -- due to the close proximity of the courthouse, there are cameras all over the place. It's ghetto fabulous!