Desert Foothills Library

🏢 Desert Foothills Library Association · Cave Creek, Arizona

Desert Foothills Library

The Desert Foothills Library is an independently operated public library serving the Cave Creek and Carefree communities in northern Maricopa County, housed at 38443 N School House Road at the edge of the Sonoran Desert. It is one of the few nonprofit-run public libraries in Arizona, supported by the Desert Foothills Library Association rather than a county or city district.

📞 (480) 488-2286🌐 dfla.org🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday 9am–5pm
Tuesday 9am–6pm
Wednesday 9am–5pm
Thursday 9am–6pm
Friday 9am–5pm
Saturday 10am–4pm
Sunday Closed

Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 38443 N SCHOOLHOUSE RD, CAVE CREEK, AZ 85331

Phone: (480) 488-2286

Website: dfla.org

Plus Code: 855CR3P4+2P (CAVE CREEK, AZ)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&🌐Library website & card info →&📚Reading Arizona eBooks (Libby) →&🎓Arizona State Library →

📖 About Desert Foothills Library

Cave Creek was settled by soldiers and prospectors in the 1870s, incorporated as a town only in 1986, and today draws visitors with its Wild West heritage and Sonoran Desert scenery 33 miles north of downtown Phoenix. The Desert Foothills Library Association — a nonprofit organization — operates the library at 38443 N School House Road as the public library for Cave Creek and neighboring Carefree, an unusual arrangement in Arizona where most libraries are run by county districts. The library is open six days a week, with extended Tuesday and Thursday evening hours until 6 pm and Saturday hours for weekend access. It provides public computers, free Wi-Fi, a circulating book and media collection, children's programming, adult events, and access to Arizona's statewide digital resources through the Libby app. The library's independence means it relies on community support, memberships, and donations alongside any public funding to maintain its full range of services.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Independently run by the Desert Foothills Library Association — a nonprofit, one of the few non-county-district public libraries in Maricopa County
  • Serves both Cave Creek and Carefree, the neighboring small town, from its Sonoran Desert location on School House Road
  • Open six days a week including Saturday 10 am–4 pm, with Tuesday and Thursday evening hours until 6 pm
  • Children's and teen programming alongside adult author events and community programs
  • Access to Arizona statewide digital resources including eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines via Libby

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Desert Foothills cardholders can read, listen, and learn free through these digital resources:

&📚 Reading Arizona (OverDrive / Libby)Statewide eBooks and eAudiobooks provided through the Arizona State Library via the Libby app.
&📱 hooplaMovies, music, comics, audiobooks and TV shows — no waitlists, borrow any time.
&📑 eMagazinesFree digital magazines through the statewide collection — read current and back issues on any device.
&🎓 Arizona State Library ResourcesResearch databases, homework help, and statewide digital collections via azlibrary.gov.

📚 Services

  • Circulating books, audiobooks, DVDs, and magazines
  • Public computers and free Wi-Fi
  • Children's and teen programming
  • Adult author events and community programs
  • Arizona statewide eBooks and digital resources via Libby
  • Reference and reader's advisory assistance
  • Library cards for Cave Creek, Carefree, and surrounding area residents

🎸 Programs

  • Children's storytimes and youth programming
  • Teen programs and activities
  • Adult author talks and book discussions
  • Summer reading program
  • Community events and exhibits

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Desert Foothills Library part of the Maricopa County Library District?

No — the Desert Foothills Library is an independent nonprofit run by the Desert Foothills Library Association, not by the Maricopa County Library District. It serves Cave Creek and Carefree as a standalone public library supported by memberships, donations, and community funding. Your library card is issued by the Association rather than the county.

Does the Desert Foothills Library serve Carefree as well as Cave Creek?

Yes. The library at 38443 N School House Road serves both the Town of Cave Creek and the neighboring Town of Carefree. Residents of both communities can obtain a library card and use the full collection, programs, and digital resources.

What evenings is the library open late?

The library stays open until 6 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday hours are 9 am–5 pm, and Saturday is 10 am–4 pm. The library is closed on Sunday.

Can I get free eBooks with a Desert Foothills Library card?

Yes. Library cardholders can access Reading Arizona through the Libby app to borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks from Arizona's statewide digital collection, free with your card. The library also provides access to hoopla for no-wait digital books, movies, music, and comics.

✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.

✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.

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