Sahuarita temporary library is under design; public comment sought

County architects are designing a temporary branch library that could open in Sahuarita this fall. Meanwhile, the county is seeking public comments on what services the library system should provide in the future.

There will be open houses in Green Valley in September and in Sahuarita in October where the public can comment on systemwide issues, such as a possible permanent Sahuarita branch.

The express branch could open in October or November, though no date has been set, officials said. The Pima County Public Library currently is refurbishing a mobile office building given to them by the town of Sahuarita in a three-way agreement that also included Rancho Sahuarita. The building is part of the old town hall and is south of the post office.

When work is complete, it will be an express library, meaning it will have public access computers and a small inventory of books, and patrons can reserve books from larger branches and pick them up in Sahuarita, library spokeswoman Steffannie Koenman said.

Joyner-Green Valley Library Director Amber Mathewson said, “Things are moving along with the Sahuarita Express Library. The library department is currently working with the county architects and designer to do any renovations that must be completed.

“We expect to have 12 public access computers. I will be managing both the Green Valley Library and the Sahuarita Express for the foreseeable future because it is an express library - meaning it will have a small collection and small space,” Mathewson said.

“It is difficult to determine what the effect on the Green Valley Library will be. We know that we already have many Sahuarita users. We anticipate that users will reserve materials from other libraries and this Express Library will be the pickup point for them.

“Carpeting and paint have been selected but we do not currently have a move-in date. I believe October or November would be a target at this time, however there is much to do with phone lines, computers, collections, and staffing. This is very exciting for the library and the community!” Mathewson said.

Community forums designed to obtain comment are taking place at each of the 26 branch libraries, as well as at locations in Sahuarita and Vail. The library system is seeking comments on how it can be a better resource to the community, which existing programs meet public needs, and which programs or services residents could be added or expanded. The planning process is expected to take several months.

The local forums will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Joyner-Green Valley Branch Library, 601 N. La Canada Drive, and at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at Sahuarita Town Hall, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way. For more information, call the Green Valley branch at 594-5295, extension 3.

A detailed listing of Community Forums is available at the Library’s Web site, http://www.library.pima.gov/about/news/?id=904, or by calling Info line at 791-4010. Comments can be made online at the Library’s Web site.

The idea of a Sahuarita public library branch got a big push in May 2006, when David Bailey, a board member of Friends of the Green Valley Library, and others began approaching local officials. Also involved were Rancho Sahuarita, the Sahuarita Unified School District and officials of the Town of Sahuarita.

Local library supporters are hoping to get a permanent Sahuarita branch funded through a countywide bond issue that may go on the ballot in 2009 or 2010. Bailey said he was confident that Green Valley voters will support a bond question that includes a Sahuarita library because Green Valley residents have seen their branch crowded with newcomers.

pfranchine@sahuaritasun.com | 547-9738