🏢 Phoenix Public Library — Phoenix, Arizona

Century Library

A compact neighborhood library tucked just off State Route 51 that has quietly served the Highland Avenue corridor since the Nixon era.

📖 About Century Library

The Century Library is a 6,500-square-foot neighborhood branch that opened in December 1973, making it one of the older continuously operating locations in the Phoenix Public Library system. Designed by the local firm Schwenn & Clark Architects, it sits on Highland Avenue just east of State Route 51 and south of Camelback Road, within Phoenix Council District 6. Despite its modest footprint, the branch has kept pace with modern service expectations, offering mobile printing, WiFi hotspot lending, and 24/7 contact-free pickup through holds lockers. It is also equipped with electric-vehicle charging and serves as a convenient stop for patrons using nearby Valley Metro transit. From May 1 through September 30 the library doubles as a designated cooling center, a meaningful role in a branch that first opened its doors more than five decades ago.

⭐ What makes this branch special

• Opened December 1973; designed by Schwenn & Clark Architects
• Compact 6,500 sq ft branch just east of State Route 51
• EV charging and 24/7 holds lockers for contact-free pickup
• Summer cooling center (May 1–Sept 30)

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