Phoenix Libraries will Reopen on April 19th

City of Phoenix officials said on Wednesday that people can start going inside Phoenix libraries starting on April 19 but there will be some restrictions.

Each library will only have 25% capacity and visitors must make a 45-minute reservation, wear a mask and practice social distancing. Reservations can be made up to three days in advance at phoenixpubliclibrary.org or through the Library’s Call Center. People can also show up and make a reservation at the door, assuming a time slot is available.

“Our reservations are for 45 minutes at a time and then we will clear the building for 15 minutes while we put everything back in place and ready for the next reservation block to come in,” said Lee Franklin, a spokesperson for Phoenix Public Library. “We are hoping and anticipating like so many others that the metrics will change so we can allow that occupancy to expand.”

People can visit inside Phoenix libraries starting at 12:30 p.m. with the last appointment available at 4:30 p.m. The library will then close at 5:30 p.m. Curbside service will continue as it had for months during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’ll still be from Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

So what is there to do inside the library? Visitors can use a computer or the internet, browse the book collection, use a printer, scanner or copier, pick up holds, check out materials and check out a laptop and/or WiFi hotspot.

Reopening the library buildings will be done in three phases. The first group will reopen on April 19, the second on May 3 and the third on May 17.

Group No. 1 includes:

• Burton Barr Central Library
• Agave Library
• Cesar Chavez Library
• Cholla Library
• Desert Broom Library
• Ironwood Library
• Mesquite Library
• Palo Verde Library

Group No. 2 includes:

• Desert Sage Library
• Harmon Library
• Juniper Library
• Saguaro Library

Group No. 3 includes:

• Acacia Library
• Century Library
• Ocotillo Library
• Yucca Library

The reopening announcement comes about three weeks after the Phoenix City Council voted unanimously to reopen the city’s outdoor amenities for its parks. All the amenities reopened on March 16 while the city pools and splash pads will reopen on Memorial Day. All indoor recreational centers are still closed.