A library masterpiece. Every experience I've had here was excellent. Most recently I came for the Summer Solstice event (6/21/25) which was an architectural delight. There was live music, the architect spoke explaining the light and architecture at work for the special hour (12-1). It was beautiful and fascinating to witness. There was also a demonstration of the Washington Printing Press in the Rare Book Room with a special print that day created by library staff. There was also a limited tshirt that day at the Friends Bookstore with a print from the printing press designed by library staff. Every day here is a special day, but today was an extra special day. Staff is always ready to help, is friendly, and is very knowledgeable - whether it's Adult Services Staff, Youth Services Staff, Circulation Staff, or Municipal Security; everyone is here to help make your experience incredible. There's a first floor with an art gallery, the children's area, the adult fiction area, the checkout area, the accounts desk, the security desk, and the auditorium. The second floor has the computer, printing, faxing, copying, and scanning area, the business area, the arizona room, workforce area, and college depot. I loved the informative display cases on the second floor which held information on filming western movies in Arizona, about Burton Barr - their namesake, and about the architecture of the building. This was a very nice, informative touch. The third floor is administration and is not open to the public. This is where the magic of Phoenix Public Library is planned. This is where the PPL team orders and processes PPL materials, where staff plans programs, marketing, and more! The fourth floor is the teen room, the makerspace, and where the youth services staff plans programs. The fifth floor is the largest reading room in the nation, yes, larger than NYC Central Public Library's reading room! It's an impressive floor and my favorite with those beautiful North, and South views of Phoenix. This floor holds the adult non-fiction collection, and reference collection. Each floor has restrooms, look for signs. Can't find it? Ask the friendly staff at any service desk. Enjoy your visit at an architectural gem, a Phoenix Point of Pride, and at one of the best library's in the nation. read more

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This is a great multi-level central library with lots of programming and workshops to offer for everyone. There is plenty of parking, some shaded. There are charging stations as well. Accessible parking and entrance. read more

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5-story library in Central Phoenix that I've used multiple times to escape the summer heat. There's ample free parking, both covered and uncovered. The first floor lobby has a gallery I've walked past and never entered, but I appreciate that it's there. I always go straight to the 5th floor and sit at the rows of tables to do work/surf the internet on my laptop while basking in natural sunlight and views of the city and nearby mountains. Facing the windows can get hot, but it's better than spending my own money to blast the AC at home. Can't promise I'll take advantage of their other services or other floors, but I'll definitely be back to enjoy beautiful views while staying productive! read more

Burton Barr Central Library - 5th floor - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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What a fun library! I don't think I've ever been to a library this big before. Perfect for kids and a huge selection. My husband found some DVDs of movies he couldn't find streaming so he was super excited! There are 5 levels here which is insane. Looks like they have a lot of fun activities and events as well! Plenty of parking (shaded too). Awesome library and we will be returning read more

Burton Barr Central Library - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Visited the Burton Barr Phoenix Public Library for their Raise the Stacks fundraiser, and it was my first time there. The building is absolutely beautiful, five stories tall, full of natural light, and packed with books. At night, you can see the city skyline, It's a wonderful space to explore, learn, and get inspired. I'm already looking forward to coming back! read more

Burton Barr Central Library - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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I came here to sign up for a library card. It was a very quick process. I walked around the first floor afterwards and there are lots of different sections with books. I did not go upstairs. But there were elevators available. There was some construction going on, so some of the parking was limited. But I was able to find a space near the main entrance. I'm looking forward to coming here to use the different resources they offer. read more

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This is an incredible 5-story library with ample parking! I liked the little art exhibits they had inside. They have a large selection of books, audiobooks, movies, etc. There are also a ton of tables to work or read from. read more

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This is the pride and joy of Phoenix's library system. Burton Barr is a beautiful and large library with a vast collection of books, audiobooks, CD's and other resources. The building is modern and full of natural light. It was designed to resemble a desert mesa and was built sustainably. Inside the library there is a water feature and glass elevators that reveal each level. There is also the nation's largest reading room and a printing press from the late 1800's that is used to print some of their materials. Most interesting to me was the City of Phoenix directories in the Arizona room that date back to the 1890's. Burton Barr is definitely a highlight of downtown Phoenix and a library to come back to again and again. read more

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This library is awesome! I've seen the building a million times but never visited it. I decided to stop in and take a look around. The staff was very pleasant and assisted me with getting a library card. It appears they have lots of events and activities for kids, which is great. I checked out all four floors and there's books, music, computer stations and lounge areas. Basically something for everyone. I was excited to see all plant books! Definitely will visit again. Parking is great they also have some covered parking. read more

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Comfort place to visit while hot summers with a lots of kids books collections,great activities to spend with family read more

Burton Barr Central Library - One of their masterpiece from the library - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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We love Burton Barr Library. My son is always so happy there. The activities are great and very educational, and he enjoys learning and interacting with other children. The staff is kind and welcoming, and the environment is perfect for kids. Highly recommended for families. read more

The Burton Barr Central Library has a nice reading room on the top floor coupled with nice architecture. There is a nice lake on the ground floor upon walking in and cool air conditioning because Phoenix can get mighty hot. While I appreciate the library being spacious with nice architecture I wish the stacks aka books were better for I didn't find too many books to my liking during my three hour visit here. The staff here is very friendly. I would say if you live in Phoenix and this is your main branch you can get books shifted from other branches here to pick up. Support your local library! read more

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A must-do free activity for toddlers! There is an amazing little play space for toddlers and young kids in the children's section. The song and story times are wonderful as well. There's even a small outdoor space just for the kiddos and parents. After exploring for awhile, we like to go for a ride up the elevator and look out the windows from the top floor. This library is a great place to pass some time with a little one, especially when it's too hot to go to the park. Like all Phoenix libraries, there is also the amazing perk of Culture Passes and the seed library! A fantastic free resource to the community. Now that I'm a mom and also on a tight budget, I've become a library stan!!! read more

Burton Barr Central Library - People/elevator watching from the 4th floor - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I was here last Saturday.Feb 22,2026..trying to get help on a resume' the clerk was not helpful @ all. I needed help.im not to swift on the computer I let her know. She was hesitant to come from around the desk.when she did she didn't want to get side by side to help. She sd she believes in space..cool needless to say no resume: as of yet read more

Yea it's big, lots of books and media. But there are a lot of homeless. Some smell, have to take my bags with me, can't leave them, wallet was stolen the first time I came. read more

Burton Barr Central Library - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Fantastic library. They were under construction for remodeling and moving content while I was there, but the library was still an amazing place. A beautiful building. read more

love this place. not only is it expansive in literature, but the employees are absolutely wonderful. everyone is so considerate and welcoming. this is the only library I would recommend for anyone. read more

This is a beautiful, well equipped library with a gorgeous view upstairs, high ceilings and a huge selection of books, movies, music, everything. Whatever you need it's here. I'd call it world class with a nice, helpful staff. But it's overrun by homeless people and rude kids. It's not uncommon to find people sleeping on the restroom stall floors and every time I come here to read or study, I'll choose the quietest area and without fail - every single time - somebody sits down right next to me talking on their phone, amongst themselves loudly, listening to music or playing games at full volume. People eating everywhere. I'm here now, upstairs in the individual reading area, empty-quiet on this side when I sat down, and two people are now talking loudly to their friend on speakerphone, a guy's phone just rang and another dude is listening to music via his phone's speaker. Especially since I'm studying incredibly dry technical material (I work as a Systems Engineer) for industry certifications, I leave here pissed off every time. If I move, I'll just move again and again throughout the building. There's gotta be a way to enforce or even suggest quiet - signs or something so it's a library again, not a homeless shelter/club house. Don't come here intending to intently read or educate. Nobody else is. read more

Awesome library. I usually see all sorts of people here. The ambience is nice, especially the top level (with all the desks). There are homeless people, but they usually mind their business. Bathrooms could be cleaned up a lot. Overall good place to do your homework, or work. read more

Beautiful Library with an indoor water feature and many activities going on. They have computers and several floors dedicated to different things. They also have a teen center, a resource center, and a kids section. They also have a security guard, ample parking, and a playground/park nearby. read more

This is based strictly off of my experience of coming here to read and study. First off, I loved the fact that there was a private parking lot and I didn't have to find parking on the street. Coming from out of town, that made coming here a lot easier. Secondly, I really liked the fifth floor for studying/reading. There were a ton of single tables throughout the floor, with some alongside the windows. Each had its own light, but I'd recommend sitting near the windows so you can just use the natural light and enjoy the view. It was pretty quiet the times I was there. There was one incident where a homeless man sleeping did get escorted out; but security was polite and there wasn't much of a ruckus. Overall, I thought it was a nice, clean, quiet place to study. The art gallery on the first floor was a cool bonus. read more

Burton Barr Central Library - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This library is huge! Plenty of good resourceful books to check out. Organization has a clean touch, great details of design, awesome atmosphere too! read more

Burton Barr Central Library - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Such an amazing library with great views. My favorite place to go and study. They have a variety of different genres and it's very organized. read more

What a cool building! Especially for Phoenix. Lovely selection of desks on the 5th floor to study and work. read more

Burton Barr Central Library - Front view of the library. - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Coolest industrial style architectural building. Gorgeous facility. Books, videos, computers, historical library section. culture pass. Great views from high up floors. Our library system has it all. It is a pretty marvelous/impressive facility. Bonus, right on the light rail path. read more

Best library experience by far! Truly worth spending your afternoon getting lost in everything they have to offer!

This is a wonderful library and a strong flagship location for the Phoenix Public Library system. Just driving up, you are greeted with nice architecture and a large parking lot. The inside has even more interesting architecture - glass elevators!, a little lake inside! - and the staff are always kind and helpful. There is a great selection of everything you can think of here, from new releases to old favorites on DVD. You can even grab CDs for music, if you're still rocking the boom box. The holds process usually goes pretty quickly, and they transfer from other libraries in the system (the all do), so you can get your hands on items quicker. They're also connected to the e-book system, and with the app Libby you can get access to a ton of e-books and audiobooks without ever leaving your home. They have a really easy check out process that is fully automated. You just put the books down, scan your card, and the magic machine knows all of the books you are trying to check out. Their book return outside is also automated and fun for kids (and kids at heart like myself), much better than just a metal door to drop things in. There are lots of other places and things in this library that I haven't even explored. I am really glad it is now my closest/easiest to reach library because it's always nice to visit. read more

Very massive building just filled with books. The bottom floors are kind of loud, but once you get higher it's gets pretty quiet. Lots and lots of places to study and read in quite. Keep note the the parking spaces for the library are pretty small so I'd recommend parking close to the park if you consider your vehicle large (or if you can't park). read more

This downtown library is so cool! Plenty of books, movies and resources. Featuring the large reading room on the top floor, the design and overall size of this library is great. Each floor has its own purpose, and there's a lot of support for college students or free internet services. The views of the city are a great free bonus, too. read more

Burton Barr Central Library - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Driving up to the building is impressive and entering it is bookworm's wonderland. I like the fountain that's inside which gives it a nice outdoor and calm relaxing feeling. A great place to get away from it all when you just want to read in an air conditioned building and staying out of the heatwave. read more

This is one of the best facilities I have seen. I can't wait to keep exploring more of the plethora of information these 5 floor building has to provide! People working here are super nice and kind! read more

Burton Barr Central Library - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This is a very nice and huge library, rival of the one near Petco Park in San Diego. The ground around the building is nice and clean with a few sculptures and border by a city park. As you enter the building, you are greeted by the security desk and information desk. We came in search of a certain geocaching log book, a quick look around told us that we need to head to the 5th floor. Every floor is packed with rows and rows of shelves well labeled. There are many desks, computer stations for people to use, spacious and well lit. I went to the service desk and was quickly pointed to where I needed to go along with a map. This is a true bookworm heaven, good place to study and hang out for many folks and I mean that in a loose way to explain the security desk and staff walking around. I was only here for 15 minutes but love it, it's aesthetically pleasing, water fountain, skylight, nice view, vast resources, people are nice and helpful. What more can one ask for in downtown Phoenix. read more

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l used to live walking distance from the Burton Barr library. It was impressive and a wonderful resource. My experience today has made me think again. The place has never recovered from COVID. Plexiglass barriers still separate the staff from the patrons. The little used book shop lies fallow. Living magazine is only available on line (Serioisly? Martha Stewart, love her or hate her is still mainstream and full of useful information for those of us who entertain). Library closes at 5:00 pm ????? Used to be 9:00pm. These are not the features of a world class library in the 5th largest city in the nation. But my final comment is for the women's bathroom on 5th floor. DISGUSTING. One stall overn with poop. one stall completely out of order. No soap. Used bandais on sinks. Used diaper? Depends? left on one stall. Wow. read more

Nice facilities. Good place to study or read books. Also many useful events on small business and public assistance. Also educational programs for children and adults. Only wish the hours were longer. read more

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Beautiful and giant library! I was here for a little weekend solo getaway from AZ and am so glad I stoped in to look around.

Very nice library. Lots of things going on. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

This might be one of the best public libraries I have been so far. I love libraries and was totally psyched when I found out how huge this was. It has 6 floors with plenty of good collection of books. The top floors have lots of private space and desks for you to read, write or work. It is also less crowded than the lower floors. Every floor has a theme, I believe one floor had some sections dedicated to kids or teen stuff; another one had some art stuff. They also had some lecture rooms, sort of like an auditorium to hold workshops. Great stuff! It has a huge parking lot and very close to the metro rail station. read more

Burton Barr Central Library - Artwork - Libraries Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Holy moly this place is amazing!!! What a fantastic job rebuilding. THIS is the kind of thing I want my tax monies going to. This is the kind of thing that actually makes society a better place. The kids' section alone is worth the trip out here. I'd like to address many reviewers' comments about homeless people being here. Yes, they are. And you know what? GOOD! I'm glad there is a place they can go to to escape the heat, relax, and edify their minds. They are as worthy of respite and calm as any of us. Frankly, I find their presence here even more of a reason to come. I want to support an institution that supports all human beings. Great job city of Phoenix. read more

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Libraries are my favorite secret hangout spots. I've always been drawn to a library; it might be because the books on the shelves can transport you to another place and time, like a free vacation! The Central Phoenix Library does not disappoint. It takes my wonderland experience of wandering between bookshelves to the next level. Stellar book and media selection. The place is organized, easy to navigate, easy check out, and a great reference for resources for the community. The fifth floor boasts views of the sprawling cityscape of Phoenix. Be prepared to see some of downtown's vagrants reading quietly and also taking a break from the heat. This can make for some interesting body odors. And every time (seriously EVERY TIME!) I go, as I approach the entrance, there is always a person that asks me if I'm registered to vote, have I heard about Prop 'xyz' or did you hear about "____" running for office? The answer is no!I like to come to the library to be an introvert and not talk to anyone. I know that sounds austere, but I feel that the library is a sacred ground of solitude, AND peace and quiet. Once you get past the fire breathing dragons and the trolls under the bridge, it is all worth it. read more

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I love bringing the kids here! Their children's section is incredible! So many things to explore. It's all very tactile and engaging. They have a small but spacious patio perfect for the kids to run around and let out some energy. They have crayons and color sheets. You can brings snacks to eat in their kid cafe or outside on the patio. Tons and tons and tons of books- a very diverse selection. The whole place is very open and clean. The museum has these great big windows and glass elevators and hosts great artwork. And it's all free! We always plan to stay for at least a couple hours when we come. read more