MISSION STATEMENT:
To enhance the community through support for the Sun City Libraries.
To enhance the community through support for the Sun City Libraries.
Friends of the Sun City Libraries is a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of about 90 volunteers who support the city’s two libraries in a variety of ways that benefit the community. They raise money by selling books, they work as helpers in the libraries, they entertain memory care and assisted living patients, and they promote the libraries at public events. The Friends organization traces its history back to 1961, the year after Sun City was founded.
Friends’ volunteers operate Books Around the Corner, a store in the library at Bell Recreation Center that sells used books, DVDs, puzzles, and other items donated by the libraries and Sun City residents. Books cost as little as 25 cents and never more than $6. Special sales of popular books are held frequently. Store hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Between 2015 and 2024 book sales generated more than $366,224 to fund new library equipment and furnishings, pay for physical improvements, and sponsor special programs. In 2024, volunteers worked 9,520 hours.
Major projects have included installing new computer charging stations at reading tables in the two libraries, providing new computerized book-return machines, installing a seed catalog, acquiring a 3-D printer, purchasing furniture for the Gathering Place, upgrading the drinking fountain to include a bottle-fill capability, and installing drive-up drop boxes outside the Sun City Library, to name just a few.
Friends’ volunteers operate Books Around the Corner, a store in the library at Bell Recreation Center that sells used books, DVDs, puzzles, and other items donated by the libraries and Sun City residents. Books cost as little as 25 cents and never more than $6. Special sales of popular books are held frequently. Store hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Between 2015 and 2024 book sales generated more than $366,224 to fund new library equipment and furnishings, pay for physical improvements, and sponsor special programs. In 2024, volunteers worked 9,520 hours.
Major projects have included installing new computer charging stations at reading tables in the two libraries, providing new computerized book-return machines, installing a seed catalog, acquiring a 3-D printer, purchasing furniture for the Gathering Place, upgrading the drinking fountain to include a bottle-fill capability, and installing drive-up drop boxes outside the Sun City Library, to name just a few.
Friends sponsored 58 events and presentations at the two libraries in 2024. These events covered a wide range of subjects, including history, music, dance, crafts, culture, and games.
In 2024, as the leases were coming up for renewal, Friends learned that consideration was being given to closing one or both libraries. Friends responded with a campaign to raise public awareness, which culminated with more than 1,000 residents attending a RCSC board meeting to demonstrate support for the libraries. RCSC subsequently signed new five-year leases for both libraries.
In 2024, as the leases were coming up for renewal, Friends learned that consideration was being given to closing one or both libraries. Friends responded with a campaign to raise public awareness, which culminated with more than 1,000 residents attending a RCSC board meeting to demonstrate support for the libraries. RCSC subsequently signed new five-year leases for both libraries.
In an initiative called Share With Me, Friends’ volunteers conduct two separate but related programs for memory care and assisted living residents at two Sun City care facilities. In one version volunteers make brief presentations using various props, such as art, music, pictures, and books. The presentations spark audience members to share their own memories. In the other version, volunteers read to residents in one-on-one settings.
OUR LIBRARIES
Sun City is blessed with two libraries that serve the vital interests of the community in many varied and sometimes surprising ways. (Would you like to borrow a ukulele?)
The main branch, known as the Sun City Library, occupies 11,600 square feet in the Bell Recreation Center on 99th Avenue just south of Bell Road.
The Fairway Library, reminiscent of a small-town library, occupies 3,400 square feet in the Fairway Recreation Center at the cross streets of Peoria Avenue and 107th Street.
Books Around the Corner, which sells used books at deeply discounted prices, is operated in the Sun City branch by Friends’ volunteers. In 2024 it generated more than $40,000 for library projects. There is a small sales outlet for used books in the Fairway branch.
Both libraries are part of the Maricopa County Library District, which operates 20 libraries. MCLD provides the staff while Recreation Centers of Sun City provides the space and maintenance, and the Friends of the Sun City Libraries underwrites special projects and programs.
The main branch, known as the Sun City Library, occupies 11,600 square feet in the Bell Recreation Center on 99th Avenue just south of Bell Road.
The Fairway Library, reminiscent of a small-town library, occupies 3,400 square feet in the Fairway Recreation Center at the cross streets of Peoria Avenue and 107th Street.
Books Around the Corner, which sells used books at deeply discounted prices, is operated in the Sun City branch by Friends’ volunteers. In 2024 it generated more than $40,000 for library projects. There is a small sales outlet for used books in the Fairway branch.
Both libraries are part of the Maricopa County Library District, which operates 20 libraries. MCLD provides the staff while Recreation Centers of Sun City provides the space and maintenance, and the Friends of the Sun City Libraries underwrites special projects and programs.
Together, the two libraries house 43,000 items: books, large-print books, audio books, DVDs, Blu-rays, music CDs, puzzles, seed packets, children’s materials, memory care kits, kits for starting book clubs, and, yes, ukuleles (Fairway loaned them out 52 times in 2024). Users also have access to the 500,000 items in MCLD’s collection.
Combined, the two libraries hosted an estimated 170,000 person visits in 2024. They conducted more than 180 programs (music, dance, history, science, health, crafts, etc.) of which 58 were sponsored by Friends of the Sun City Libraries. Popular at the Sun City branch are almost weekly one-on-one sessions to help seniors conquer their cell phones. Cardholders may also take advantage of several at-home online services, including Kanopy, which streams free movies.
Both libraries have Wi-Fi, a bank of computers, printing capabilities, and free charging stations for cardholders. The Sun City branch has a 3-D digital computer, a program room, a small meeting room available to reserve, and a kiosk linked to the Maricopa County Recorder’s office.
The two libraries are staffed with 19 full and part-time librarians, assistants, and helpers, along with about 15 Friends volunteers, who typically work two hours a week shelving returned items, organizing materials, and preparing for programs.
Combined, the two libraries hosted an estimated 170,000 person visits in 2024. They conducted more than 180 programs (music, dance, history, science, health, crafts, etc.) of which 58 were sponsored by Friends of the Sun City Libraries. Popular at the Sun City branch are almost weekly one-on-one sessions to help seniors conquer their cell phones. Cardholders may also take advantage of several at-home online services, including Kanopy, which streams free movies.
Both libraries have Wi-Fi, a bank of computers, printing capabilities, and free charging stations for cardholders. The Sun City branch has a 3-D digital computer, a program room, a small meeting room available to reserve, and a kiosk linked to the Maricopa County Recorder’s office.
The two libraries are staffed with 19 full and part-time librarians, assistants, and helpers, along with about 15 Friends volunteers, who typically work two hours a week shelving returned items, organizing materials, and preparing for programs.
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SUN CITY LIBRARY
16828 N 99th Ave, Sun City, 85351 Mon: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tues - Sat: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sun: Closed (602) 652-3000 |
FAIRWAY LIBRARY
10600 W Peoria Ave, Sun City, 85351 Mon - Sat: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sun: Closed (602) 652-3000 |
2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SUE BLECHL - President
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TOM HAUGSBY - Vice President
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Board Members
- President: Sue Blechl
- Vice President and Board Development Committee Chair: Tom Haugsby
- Treasurer and Financial Committee Chair: Jessica Potter Slider
- Secretary: Joyce Voss
- Director: Irene Nathanson / Community Enrichment Committee Chair
- Director: Dan Kellams / Public Relations Committee Chair
- Director: Geri Thacker
Board Advisors / Committees
- Bookstore Manager: Cathy Weyers
- Newsletter Editor: Tom Everitt
- Web and Records / Community Enrichment Committee / PR Committee: Cindy Daly
- Event / Activity Coordinator / Volunteer Coordinator: Ruth Polansky
- Recreation Centers of Sun City Representative: Chris Nettesheim
- Sun City Libraries Manager: Nande Marin
- Fairway Library Supervisor: Renada Aung Khin
BOARD MEETINGS
The board of directors meets on the second Thursday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. Meetings in February, April, and October are held in person in the Program Room at the Bell Center library. All other monthly meetings are held on Zoom. All board meetings are open to the public. Contact Sue Blechl if you wish to be included in a meeting, and to learn how you can become involved with the Friends.
The board of directors meets on the second Thursday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. Meetings in February, April, and October are held in person in the Program Room at the Bell Center library. All other monthly meetings are held on Zoom. All board meetings are open to the public. Contact Sue Blechl if you wish to be included in a meeting, and to learn how you can become involved with the Friends.