My favorite library on the west coast! I do Social Security seminars in the community room, it's…read moregreat. Parks & Recreation maintain this area, they are excellent! Ranger Nate is the very best

This location is great, and it caters to a great community…read more There are things that aren't great. 1) The events are not accessible to all. See my elaboration below. 2) There is a need for more space. 3) The front desk staff are abrasive and dismissive. 4) There is not enough adult books. My elaboration: Yesterday 6/30 the library hosted an event for the Great American Puppet Theatre. We arrived early to the event to get a seat. When we arrived to the 11:30 showing it was a huge line. We went to the front desk to ask how we participate and they told us the show is full and we couldn't partake. SUPER bumbed that we didn't even have a chance. The woman at the front was rude and had no sympathy, she just starred at us. This is the second time we've tried to attend an event and couldn't. The room was small and the reason we were turned away was because of fire code. This event should've been a pre-registration to avoid people driving and then being turned away. Also, there was so many adults that could've stepped out to give more children an opportunity to join. I was NOT the only parent & child that was turned away. Another Yelp reviewer has said the same thing: https://yelp.to/fotzhgWfps

Such a friendly place!…read more I thought libraries were a dying breed until I had my little one. The I started looking for things to do in the neighborhood. I found libraries, and the Avondale Civic Center one in particular. We love coming here for story time. The staff are engaging, welcoming, snd knowledgeable. They make it a point to get to know the kids who come in. I noticed there is also a teen program and many activities for adults as well. I did use the restroom here to change my baby and it was clean and well kept. My teen did gripe about the book selection, but I think that's just her being a teenager . If you're looking for some family friendly activities, this library has lots to offer.

I often have to go to a different library system to take out the books I am looking to read…read more Especially if it's a newer title.

Friendly staff! Also clean and quite for studying. It's small but has everything you need including…read morelaptop rentals.

This is such an amazing library it's very clean and the staff is so friendly and very helpful.read more

Honestly one of the most beautiful views in a library that I have ever experienced! All the windows…read moreshow a full 360 view of the desert (White Tank Mountains), and it is breathtaking! The staff are soft spoken and kind, the environment is quiet and relaxed, and they have a great selection of seeds for your garden. The parking lot is abundant, and the White Tank Nature Center shares an entrance with them. I plan to visit every time I'm out!

We've been here 3 times since we've moved here and it has become our favorite library! The big…read morewindows with the scenic view was a power move! It's clean, has plenty of sitting areas, and a book selection that is great for both adults and children! Lastly, the staff has always been welcoming, helpful, and kind! When school resume this will continue to be our go to library.

This library is located near the Surprise civic center. There is a lovely pond and trail just…read moreoutside of it. You can enjoy the view from the large picture window within the facility. Although I am not a resident of Surprise or Arizona for that matter, I was able to sign up for a free library card. I even got to choose my library card design that was created by residents in an annual contest. They have a variety of services here that you will find at other libraries across the country. You can check out physical books or download the Surprise Library app and find links to the Hoopla and Libby apps for free digital content downloads including movies, TV shows, podcasts, audiobooks, music, and more. They have laptops and WiFi devices available, but there seems to be a very long wait for these. People can check them out for a 3-week period. You can also use computers there at the facility. I loved seeing a group of friends playing games at a table. There was also a Seed Library for people wanting to grow their own plants. The Library of Things (LOTs) seems to be popular for kids to checkout toys. My favorite item was the cultural pass. They had available passes to a variety of museums and cultural establishments. You could checkout a pass and use it within a seven day period. I wanted to checkout the free pass to the Phoenix Art Museum. Unfortunately, this branch didn't have one available at the moment I came in, but the staff was kind enough to direct me to another branch that had it and they held it for me since they knew I was on my way. The pass was good for two free admissions to the art museum. This saved us over $50. What an amazing service offering! There are countless events on the calendar, especially for young families. It's definitely worth visiting your local branch to find entertainment and educational resources to enrich your life.

If you need to study, this is NOT the place to go. It is so noisy. There's a kid area and it…read moreliterally sounds like they're doing construction. They are loud, noisy, crying, screaming... not the place to go. This is a library not a playground. People are there to study. I do there often to study and one day a got came in screaming "taxi, taxi." With all due respect, the librarians game a responsibility to keep the place quiet and they do not. So if you need a quiet place, don't come here.

Loving the fact we have a new neighborhood library. My printer broke down and now, I just pay and…read moreprint at the library! The librarians are very helpful. I am enjoying reading young adult books with my daughter.

I love public libraries! I've been wanting to check this one out and I finally got the chance. It…read moreis small, but they have plans to expand. You can find what you need, books, movies, video games, computers, printers, and more.

I stopped by for toddler time on a Tuesday. Toddler time was packed! At least 30 littles where in…read moreattendance. The kids area is not very big so if not absolutely necessary I wouldn't bother bringing a stroller, the toys are a little grungy and old but they get the job done. My kids loved the kitchen area and train table (not pictured) - and they have A LOT of dvds and kids books.

Sitting, waiting for my daughter and wife to find some books in the YA section when a masked (in…read more2025) librarian approaches me and asks if I'm with a teenager. When I ask why, it's because this is a teen section. I'm sorry. #1 This is a PUBLIC library. For the public, #2 where I'm sitting there's a ton of manga right in front of me. What do I do if I come alone and want to borrow some Naruto? Lots of adults read manga. #3 what if I'll hear alone to pick up some books for my daughter? To the library staff: get it together. Policing sections is not going to work out for you. I'm a nice guy but you make the wrong person mad, and it could go much different. Also, it's 2025 and we know masks don't stop COVID. WHY ARE YOU STILL WEARING A MASK?

My family and I love this little library in Historic Avondale. We usually go to Coldwater coffee or…read moreMi Panadería first (highly recommend both of those spots as well) and then head over for some fun at the library. Of course they have a bunch of books, but they also have a little outdoor and an indoor play area for the kids. My kids enjoy the slides, coloring, and toy kitchen they have here. It's a great place to go when the weather is too hot outside to be at the playground.

Helpful librarians. Great audio book section. Plenty of computers and printers as well.read more

We love Burton Barr Library. My son is always so happy there. The activities are great and very…read moreeducational, 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.

A library masterpiece. Every experience I've had here was excellent. Most recently I came for the…read moreSummer 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.

I really enjoy the library. The Internet is super fast here however it is conveniently located next…read moreto a community college so you will find a hard time getting a table. There are also numerous homeless people inside the library which also seemed to hoard the tables. There is a large selection of books. They are doing a remodel, so the library will be closed here soon for a few months.

I'm a library girly and this place is great. There's plenty of parking, friendly staff, and the…read morepeacocks outside are soooo cute. When you're inside there's a lot of places to sit and they also have a lot of outlets if you need to plug in one of your devices while working/studying. Its not as huge as it seems on the outside. For the Wi-Fi all you have to do is ask or pick up one of those small pieces of paper located at the front desk. I definitely plan on coming here more before I head back to Cali.