The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved $5 million in Community Solutions Funding for the construction of a new library in Litchfield Park.
The new facility, set to break ground in …
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The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved $5 million in Community Solutions Funding for the construction of a new library in Litchfield Park.
The new facility, set to break ground in the summer of 2025 and open in 2026, will be 40% larger than the current library, featuring expanded program spaces, updated technology, and improved community services.
The new library will be part of a larger cultural complex located near the historic La Loma hilltop property. The complex will also include the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center, Hilltop Park, and the proposed Agua Fria Arts Academy.
The existing library, built in 1979, will no longer serve the growing needs of Litchfield Park residents, and the new location is expected to better meet the demand for more space and resources.
“24,253 people identify the Litchfield Park as their home library,” said Jeremy Reeder, director of the Maricopa County Library District. “It’s small (but) it’s a community hub.”
The $5 million in funding is part of the county’s Community Solutions Funding program, which each supervisor can allocate annually to support projects that align with Maricopa County's strategic goals and provide public benefits.
The new library will feature enhanced book handling, quieter study rooms, and more space for community events and media collections, addressing the limitations of the current facility.
“Maricopa County libraries have so much to offer from books to entertainment, to school and career development resources. Maricopa County is proud to partner with the City of Litchfield Park to offer local residents a larger and more modern library that they can leverage for personal and professional growth,”said Clint Hickman, district four county supervisor.
The city of Litchfield Park and the Maricopa County Library District have collaborated on the project, with the city maintaining the existing library building since 1989. Although the community had mostly adverse reactions to the proposed move, the Litchfield Park City Council approved the new location after a special meeting in September, despite concerns about the new site’s accessibility.
“Then and now the library has been the heart of Litchfield park,” said Litchfield Park resident Sara Jenkins. “Paul Litchfield wanted the library where it is, not in his backyard.”
“You need to ask yourselves, council members, what is best for our city, our children and our future,” said Shelly Smith, an after-school theater arts program director in Litchfield Park.
Despite the opposition, the city council voted unanimously to proceed with the project, citing the long-term benefits of a larger library and the overall cultural complex.
“We’re excited to work with Maricopa County on a new library that will better serve our residents for generations to come,” said Mayor Thomas Schoaf. “This investment will strengthen our community and enhance the library experience for families here.”
“I was told once that there may be one vote in your tenure that will lose you 50% of your friends. I think it’s OK sometimes to embrace change,” said Councilmember Ann Donahue.
Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2025, with a grand opening planned for the fall of 2026. In the meantime, the City Council will host additional public meetings to gather input on how to repurpose the current library building for other community uses.
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