History – Apache Junction Public Library

Introduction

The Apache Junction Women’s Club Scrapbooks are hosted at the Apache Junction Public Library.  Throughout the history of the Women’s Club, it was very active in supporting the Public Library. The Club was instrumental in securing a private library room in 1958, raising funds for the first permanent library in 1966, and building the current library in 1986. Throughout their entire history, they had fundraisers to help build new programs at the library and to secure funds for expansions.

Places in Time

The below map shows both the historical and current locations of the library.  Feel free to click on each location and explore.

Library Timeline

Below, you can find a timeline of the library, including both historical and current locations.  The link contains an interactive version of the timeline, hosted at http://www.sutori.com.

http://sutori.com/story/the-library-scrapbooks-of-apache-junction

The Library: Scrapbooks of Apache Junction - Library Timeline produced using Sutori.com.
The Library: Scrapbooks of Apache Junction – Library Timeline produced using Sutori.com.

History of the Library (Text Version):

  • 1958​: Three residents of Palm Springs organized a library in the Palm Springs Sales office
  • 1959: ​Library was moved to Superstition Mountain ​Elementary School on Broadway
  • 1962: ​Library was moved to Apache Junction High School ​with Apache Junction Woman’s Club as sponsors
  • December 13, 1963​: Woman’s Club formed a civic council to gather support for
    a new community library
  • May 9, 1964​: Woman’s Club civic council formed the Apache Junction Public Library Association, Inc.
  • July 10, 1964​: Library opened in a room that was donated in what is now ​Superstition Plaza East, 575 W Apache Trail
  • July 6, 1966​: Library moved into the building at 122 E. 2nd Ave.
    • Land, materials, and building construction was all donated.
    • The building was part of a land exchange and was demolished in 2016 to build a new Fry’s grocery.
    • Part of Second Ave was abandon to make room for Fry’s.
  • March 5, 1967​: The new library was dedicated
  • January 5, 1982: ​The Library was donated by the Association to the City of Apache Junction
  • November 15, 1982: ​Apache Junction Friends of the Library founded
  • July 1986: ​The Library moved to 1177 N. Idaho Rd. location
  • May 1995​: The East Wing addition was opened to the public.
    • This extension included children and teen areas, study rooms, computer classroom and a computer lab.
  • January 7, 2008: ​Opened the Mountain View Room addition.
    • This extension included a remodel of the children’s area.
    • Old staff work areas were also remodeled to become the Mystery Reading Room, quiet computing room and study spaces.
    • The new addition included new program spaces, an Arizona History Room, a Café, and a new Teen Space. The old Senior Center was remodeled to become a new staff workroom. A call center and drive up room were also added.
    • A time capsule is now located behind a wall in the children’s Hand In Hand area, to be opened in Sept. 2058.
  • July 2017​: Remodeled North Wing.
    • Moved stacks forward to create a program room that will seat approximately 100 people.
    • Two stacks were moved to children’s area for Juvenile Fiction, and one stack for Beginning Readers and displays.

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