Elsie S. Hogan Community Library
🏢 Cochise County Library District · Willcox, Arizona
Elsie S. Hogan Community Library
The Elsie S. Hogan Community Library has served the ranching and wine-country town of Willcox since 1923 — named for the volunteer who ran it for six years before becoming its first paid librarian at the age of 71.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 100 N Curtis Ave, WILLCOX, AZ 85643
Phone: (520) 766-4250
Website: cochiselibrary.org
Plus Code: 854G7538+8H (WILLCOX, AZ)
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📖 About Elsie S. Hogan Community Library
The Elsie S. Hogan Community Library anchors downtown Willcox in the Sulphur Springs Valley, where the community has maintained a public library since November 1, 1923, when the local Woman's Club opened its doors with books donated by members. Elsie S. Hogan was one of the club's founding members in 1911 and volunteered at the library from 1961 to 1967; when the city took over operations in 1967, she became the first paid librarian at age 71, serving until her retirement in 1975. The library was dedicated in her honor on March 1, 1970, and moved to its current home — a remodeled historic market building at 100 N. Curtis Avenue — on February 12, 1996. Today the library holds approximately 32,000 items and gives cardholders access to the full Cochise County Library District collection of more than 400,000 items across 12 branches, plus Reading Arizona and digital resources through Libby and Kanopy.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened November 1, 1923 by the Willcox Woman's Club — over a century of continuous community service in Cochise County
- Named for Elsie S. Hogan, who volunteered from 1961–1967 and then served as the first paid librarian until age 85
- Located in a remodeled historic market building at 100 N. Curtis Ave since February 1996
- Collection of approximately 32,000 items plus access to 400,000+ items across 12 Cochise County branches
- Free e-resource cards available to non-residents — unlocks Libby, Kanopy and online databases from home
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
A Willcox library card opens free digital reading, streaming and learning resources:
📚 Services
- 21 public computers with self-reservation system and free Wi-Fi
- Self-checkout stations
- Interlibrary loan across the 12-branch Cochise County Library District
- E-resource cards for non-residents needing digital access
- Printing, copying and scanning
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten early literacy program
- Act One Culture Pass for discounted arts and cultural admissions
🎸 Programs
- Senior Exercise Class on Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00–10:30 am
- Children's storytime and youth programming
- Teen programs and activities
- Adult programs including crafts and community events
- Summer reading challenge for all ages
- Northstar computer literacy workshops
📍 Nearby Libraries in Cochise & Graham Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Elsie S. Hogan, and why is the library named after her?
Elsie S. Hogan was a founding member of the Willcox Woman's Club in 1911, the group that opened the town's first public library in 1923. She volunteered at the library from 1961 to 1967 and, when the City of Willcox took over operations in 1967, she became the first paid librarian — at the age of 71. She served until her retirement in 1975 at age 85. On March 1, 1970, the library was officially dedicated in her honor to recognize her decades of service.
Is the library part of a larger system, and can I return books to other branches?
Yes — the Elsie S. Hogan Community Library is a branch of the Cochise County Library District, which operates 12 locations throughout the county. Items can be borrowed from and returned to any branch in the district. Your library card also gives you access to the district's shared catalog of more than 400,000 items in various formats.
What is the Willcox area known for, and does the library reflect that identity?
Willcox sits in the Sulphur Springs Valley and produces 74% of Arizona's wine grapes — it was designated Arizona's second federally recognized wine-growing region in 2016. The area is also famous as the birthplace of Rex Allen, 'The Arizona Cowboy,' and has a deep ranching heritage. The Cochise County Library District collection includes local history materials reflecting the valley's agricultural and cultural roots.
Can I get a library card if I don't live in Cochise County?
Cochise County residents receive a free library card. Non-county Arizona residents can apply online for a free E-Resource Card that unlocks Libby eBooks, audiobooks and research databases. Non-residents wanting to borrow physical materials can obtain a full borrowing card with a $10 refundable deposit.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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