The Most Iconic Libraries in Arizona

While Grand Canyon National Park may be Arizona’s most famous attraction, the state is also home to several iconic libraries worth discovering. Step inside, and you’ll find more than books; these spaces serve as hubs of learning, creativity, and community. In Phoenix, the Burton Barr Central Library stands out with its striking glass and steel exterior, while in Sedona, sunlight floods through windows framed by the surrounding red rocks. Other cities, including Tucson, Tempe, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, and Prescott, each have libraries with their own unique story and character. From research and reading to simply enjoying the atmosphere within, these spaces offer a distinctive glimpse into the culture, history, and daily life of Arizona’s communities.

Burton Barr Central Library

Burton Barr Central Library is Phoenix’s largest library, covering 280,000 square feet across five floors. Designed by architect Will Bruder and opened in 1995, it is named in honor of Burton Barr, a former Republican Majority Leader in the Arizona House of Representatives. Notable features include its striking glass-and-steel exterior and a grand reading room on the top floor that spans an entire acre, one of the largest in the United States. The library holds approximately 550,000 volumes and includes the Arizona Room for local history, a college planning center, a children’s library, a teen center, gallery spaces, and a makerspace. It's located along Central Avenue and backs onto Margaret T. Hance Park. Nearby, visitors can enjoy the park or walk to Roosevelt Row, Phoenix’s arts district, which has murals, galleries, cafes, and boutiques galore.

Joel D. Valdez Main Library

Downtown Tucson’s Joel D. Valdez Main Library is the city’s central public library and a key community hub. Named after Tucson’s longtime city manager, the 96,000 square foot building opened to the public in 1990 and houses a collection of approximately 1.2 million volumes, including books, digital resources, and special collections, such as the Cele Peterson Arizona Collection and the Steinheimer Collection.

While there, explore the seed library, which includes heirloom plant varieties, use public computers, or enjoy spaces dedicated to children and teens. The library also hosts art exhibits, lectures, author events, and family programs. Its downtown location makes it easy to combine a library visit with other Tucson landmarks and attractions. Nearby, take in the atmosphere of Historic Fourth Avenue, known for its eclectic shops and vibrant nightlife, or retreat to Mercado San Agustín Public Market for local food, artisan vendors, and cultural events.

University of Arizona Main Library

The University of Arizona's Main Library opened in 1977 and serves as the academic heart of Tucson. Over the decades, the five-story building has become a hub for students, faculty, and the public, housing millions of volumes across disciplines from science and engineering to humanities and special collections. The library also emphasizes modern research tools, with digital labs, collaborative study spaces, and extensive support for both in-person and online research.

Located on the university’s leafy campus, the library is near several of Tucson’s notable attractions. The Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium is just a short walk away, offering hands-on science exhibits, a mineral museum, and monthly planetarium shows with high-definition dome projection. Visitors can also explore the Arizona History Museum, which features a range of exhibits, including stories and artifacts of Geronimo and Wyatt Earp.

Hayden Library

On the Tempe campus of Arizona State University, Hayden Library stands as a landmark of research and learning. The library measures 252,600 square feet and features a five-story tower that has become an iconic part of the campus skyline. Originally built in the 1960s and recently renovated, it was named after Charles Trumbull Hayden, one of Tempe’s founders. The redesign transformed the building into a bright, welcoming space with student commons, open study areas, and modern technology hubs, while also housing extensive archives that serve both scholars and the public.

Its central location makes it easy to combine study with recreation. After exploring everything it offers, visitors can take a short walk to Tempe Town Lake for kayaking or a relaxing stroll along the water, or explore nearby Mill Avenue, known for its restaurants, nightlife, and boutique shopping.

Civic Center Library

A centerpiece of Scottsdale’s cultural scene, the iconic Civic Center Library has welcomed visitors since 1968. Part of the Scottsdale Public Library system, the library features a design that blends art and architecture with open, light-filled spaces and high ceilings that complement the building’s structure and layout. One of its standout features is the Scottsdale Heritage Connection, a 2,000-square-foot space that celebrates the city’s history through local art, artifacts, and curated collections.

Beyond its collections, the library offers programs and spaces for all ages, including early literacy activities, art exhibits, and community events. Visitors can stop by Yellow Spruce Roasters inside the library for coffee, tea, or pastries while enjoying a book or attending a program. Just outside, the Civic Center’s landscaped gardens provide a quiet spot to read, and a short walk leads to Old Town Scottsdale, where the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, galleries, boutiques, and outdoor spaces continue the cultural experience.

Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library

The Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library traces its roots back to 1890, when the first reading room opened in a parsonage on Leroux Street. It moved several times and evolved significantly over nearly a century until 1987, when the permanent 34,000 square-foot library opened its doors to the public. Housed in a distinctive building that features local art, the library offers programs and services for all ages, including story hours and summer reading for children, as well as computer tutoring, book clubs, and writing workshops for adults. Its collections include books, digital materials, and local history items, and cardholders can also access museums, zoos, and other cultural and scientific venues across Arizona through the library’s Culture Pass.

The library’s location makes it a convenient starting point for exploring Flagstaff. Downtown offers coffee shops, restaurants, and independent bookstores, while nearby attractions such as Lowell Observatory and Walnut Canyon National Monument provide opportunities to explore the region’s scientific, historical, and natural landmarks.

Sedona Public Library

Founded in 1958 by local volunteers, Sedona's Public Library has grown from a small collection of donated books into one of northern Arizona’s most beloved cultural landmarks. The current building on White Bear Road, dedicated in 1994, reflects Sedona’s natural beauty and artistic spirit, with exposed timber trusses and large windows that frame the surrounding red rocks. The library houses a collection of more than 60,000 items, and more recent additions include an 18,000-square-foot commons area.

Adjacent to the library is a used bookstore worth exploring, and cardholders can also access arts and cultural venues across Arizona through the Act One Culture Pass. The library is just minutes from Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, a Spanish-style marketplace filled with galleries and boutiques, and a short drive from trailheads in Red Rock State Park.

Prescott Public Library

Prescott Public Library’s story begins in the late 19th century, when a resident reached out to Andrew Carnegie for support in creating a library for the frontier town. Carnegie’s funding made it possible, and in 1903, Prescott’s first Carnegie Library opened on Gurley Street, serving the community for more than 70 years. By 1975, the library had outgrown its original space and moved to its current home on Goodwin Street, which later underwent a major renovation and expansion, completed in 2006.

Today, the library offers an extensive collection of books, magazines, DVDs, and digital resources, along with cozy study rooms, public computers, microfilm readers, and striking indoor and outdoor artwork. Programs for all ages include children’s storytimes, teen book clubs, and technology training sessions. Its central location makes it easy to enjoy Prescott’s small-town charm, with the Courthouse Plaza commonly hosting festivals and concerts, Whiskey Row's historic saloons and lively pubs, as well as cafés and local shops just steps away.

A Look At Arizona's Most Iconic Libraries

Across Arizona, cultural hubs like Phoenix’s Burton Barr Central Library, Sedona Public Library, and Tucson’s Joel D. Valdez Main Library are more than places to borrow books. These spaces host art exhibits, storytimes, author events, and makerspaces, offering opportunities for learning, creativity, and community connection. Many are located near parks, historic districts, and scenic landscapes, making them ideal starting points for exploring their cities. From strolling the red rock-framed windows in Sedona to visiting downtown Tucson’s vibrant Mercado San Agustín or enjoying Phoenix’s nearby Margaret T. Hance Park, each library provides a window into the unique character of its home community.