From left are Mesa Library Marketing/Communications Specialist Sara Lipich and Mesa Vice Mayor Scott Somers at the new Gateway Library, 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway, in Mesa.
Richard H. Dyer
There are three entrances to the new Gateway Library is at 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway, in Mesa.
Richard H. Dyer
ThinkSpot Librarian Jeff Stoffer demonstrates a computer-controlled FarmBot that can plant seeds, tend the crops and remove weeds at a patio outside the Gateway Library’s makerspace area while Youth Services Librarian Alyssa Carter, left, works.
Richard H. Dyer
Gateway Library Branch Coordinator Erin Jones shows part of the ThinkSpot makerspace equipment room.
The grand opening of the new Gateway Library, 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway, is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
It is the city’s first new full-service library in 30 years.
After a ribbon cutting, the celebration continues until 2 p.m. with live entertainment, interactive activities and special guests highlighting the America 250 celebration.
Several city of Mesa departments will be on site. Attendees can also complete a Gateway Library Passport to explore the building’s features and win prizes.
A green screen background on wheels so it can be moved. An XTool computer-controlled router for metal and other materials. A multiple-color 3D printer. These are some of the unique features built into the Gateway Library that opens Saturday in Eastmark in southeast Mesa.
It is also Mesa’s first library with a dedicated sensory room with lighting, color, acoustics and furnishings that support neurodiversity.
“It is the first autism-certified center in the library system. That was important to us to design that, incorporate it into the library,” Mesa Library Director Polly Bonnett said. “(W)e wanted to make sure the building was welcoming to all abilities, to make ... a more calming environment if it’s needed. Libraries can get a little loud and noisy, so we wanted to offer a respite... before you enter back into the active part of the library.”
Also unique is that the 28,000-square-foot library building adjacent to the Eastmark Great Park has three entrances.
“Since we are situated in a park, we wanted it to feel integrated into the site, so the three entrances are new for this library, and that is intended to draw people in but also to connect to those outdoor amenities that we have surrounding the library and to really communicate that the library goes on beyond the four walls. So we have outdoor programming spaces too — that’s new and unique for this library,” Bonnett said.
Other amenities at the library at 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway include a digital art wall, ThinkSpot collaborative makerspace, teen lounge, children’s area and an outdoor plaza. The approximately $16.8 million project is funded by the 2018 bond election for arts and culture.
The equipment for the makerspace is housed in the back so the front can be used by other patrons.
“All four of our branches have a ThinkSpot. This one is a little bit different than our Main and Red Mountain Branch libraries in that it has a separate equipment room from the open public makerspace,” Gateway Library Branch Coordinator Erin Jones said. “So the front part of the room can be used by anybody at anytime for studying or any purpose. And then if you want to use the equipment, you do our online training and then you have access to all the equipment.”
Books and other library materials are on movable shelves so the library’s interior can be used for a variety of events, Mesa Vice Mayor Scott Somers said.
“It’s one of the most unique designs for a library or any public space that I have seen in a very long time,” he said. “This is a market space — multiuse space. You notice everything is on wheels so they can move things out of the way and have events inside here when the summer heat hits. So if you want to bring a little of that farmers market kind of events inside, that’s an option in here,” he said.
Electrical connections have been installed for events held outside the library such as for food trucks, he said.
Somers plans to hold office hours at a room in the library to meet with constituents.
“Probably once a month reserve one of these rooms and people can sign up to talk to me about issues. That’s something that has been missing in this area — the ability to do that,” he said.
Council District 6 residents in southeast Mesa have been eagerly awaiting the completion of the library, Somers said.
“They’re excited. The tension and excitement have been building for months. They’ve watched this come out of the ground, and I think it came to a crescendo when they put in the palm trees out in front,” he said.
Area residents have been going under or over yellow tape surrounding the library to get a look at what is inside, Somers said.
“The ladies have been going out and cleaning the windows because people go under the tape and come up, they’ll look in and see what’s going on so they have to clean the fingerprints and nose prints off of the windows. It has been a lot of anticipation,” he said.
Over time the look will change for the glass and weathered metal open concept-designed building.
“I think it looks really beautiful. The metal panels are going to continue to weather over time — they are not finished weathered right now. Once the landscape grows in, this is really going to feel like it’s always been a part of this park, like it was designed this way,” said Architect and Mesa native Kevin Kolden with Richärd Kennedy Architects.
Regular hours will begin on Monday, Dec. 8. They are: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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