Ceremony turns page on library changes

A buzz ran through the crowds in the Sun City Branch Library Saturday — and for once, librarians encouraged the extra noise.

The grand reopening ceremony for the library, which is now part of the Maricopa County library system, took place Saturday morning and featured performances from members of the Arizona Broadway Theatre, a ribbon-cutting, prizes and giveaways and snacks and refreshments.

John Peterson of Sun City won a book after spinning the prize wheel and said he’s much more likely to visit the library more frequently following the renovation and expanded collection of materials.

"It’s a tremendous library," he said.

Sally Beaton, another Sun Citian who visits the library three or four times a week, agreed.

"I think it’s really great," she said. "I think the thing I’m going to appreciate is the checkout system and the fact that you can acquire the things that aren’t here from the other libraries. I like that idea."

With the library among the 17 in the Maricopa County Library District, about 900,000 items are available to county residents who have a free county library card, said Harry Courtright, county library district director.

"It’s a wonderful day for people in Sun City. Their library is now a 21st or 22nd century library," he said. "They have all the latest and the people here now have access to the entire collection of the library district, where before, they only had access to the items that were in the building. Now they can request anything."

The library is organized with the "Deweyless System," which means items are arranged by genre and alphabetically rather than by the Dewey Decimal System — an easier prospect for seniors, Courtright said.

"We changed from using numbers and we use words, so if you’re looking for cookbooks it says on the book ‘cooking’ and there are big signs in the library," he said. "It makes it easier for people to browse and find what they’re looking for."

Since the library’s reopening several months ago, more patrons than ever have shown up each day, an indication to Courtright that the change is well-received among residents.

"On average between 900 and 1,000 a day. That’s really a good number for a library this size," he said.

Other dignitaries attended the event, including Max Wilson, chairman of the Maricopa County board of supervisors, who recalled his first memories in a library as a child, Rep. Debbie Lesko of Glendale, R-District 9, and Rec Centers of Sun City board president Warren Hoffmann and vice president Denny Nichols.

"We’ve gone from a very good library system to an even better one," Nichols said. "I want everyone to enjoy this facility."

The library had been open to the public since the summer but the special ceremony was planned for Saturday when more winter residents had returned to see the $700,000 in renovations and new system.

All Maricopa County residents can check out books and other materials with a free library card at the Sun City branch. To obtain a free library card, customers must confirm Maricopa County residency.

Library card applicants must show identification that includes a picture I.D. and proof of current Maricopa County residential address. Acceptable proofs of identification include driver’s license or state-issued identification card, military identification, personalized checks, lease agreement, passport or utility bill. A post office box number alone is not acceptable as confirmation of residential address.

Library customers may access the Internet via public computers, take computer classes, participate in book discussions, learn about health-related issues and talk with authors. For the full calendar of activities and more information visit www.mcldaz.org.

The Sun City Branch Library is at the Bell Recreation Center on 99th Avenue and Bell Road.

Erin Turner may be reached at 623-876-2522 or eturner@yourwestvalley.com.