Tonto Basin Public Library

🏢 Gila County Library District · Tonto Basin, Arizona

Tonto Basin Public Library

Tucked along Old Highway 188 beside Roosevelt Lake in Tonto Basin, this Gila County Library District branch has grown from humble community roots — boards and cement-block shelves — into the heart of library service for one of Arizona's most remote lakeside communities.

📞 (928) 479-2355🌐 gcldaz.org🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 415 OLD HWY 188, TONTO BASIN, AZ 85553

Phone: (928) 479-2355

Website: gcldaz.org

Plus Code: 855CVMCP+F6 (TONTO BASIN, AZ)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&🔍Search the Catalog →&📚Borrow eBooks (Libby) →&🏠Gila County Library District →

📖 About Tonto Basin Public Library

The Tonto Basin Public Library, established on October 23, 1983, began as a grassroots effort with board-and-cement-block shelves and a picnic table for a work area. Starting as the Tonto Basin Community/School Library, it became a branch of the Gila County Library District and today serves the small but tight-knit community nestled between the Mazatzal Mountains and Roosevelt Lake on Old Highway 188. The library provides Tonto Basin residents with books, DVDs, audiobooks, and public computers in a rural setting where this branch is the primary access point for a wide geographic area. Story time for children is a cornerstone program, supplemented by interlibrary loans that bring materials from across the district and the state. Cardholders have access to the full digital catalog of the Gila County Library District through Libby, including eBooks, audiobooks, and eMagazines, as well as statewide Arizona databases through the Digital Arizona Library.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Founded October 23, 1983 — grew from board-and-cement-block shelves to a full public branch
  • Located on Old Hwy 188 between the Mazatzal Mountains and Roosevelt Lake
  • Story time for children — a cornerstone community program
  • Interlibrary loan access to materials from across the district and state
  • Free public Wi-Fi and public computers with internet access
  • Libby / OverDrive eBooks and audiobooks free with a Gila County library card

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Your free Gila County library card unlocks eBooks, audiobooks, and Arizona's statewide digital collections from home.

&📚 Libby / OverDriveBorrow eBooks and audiobooks from the Gila County Library District — free with your library card. <a href='https://gcldaz.overdrive.com/' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>gcldaz.overdrive.com</a>
&📄 eMagazinesFree digital magazines for adults and children through the district's eMagazine collection.
&🌎 Digital Arizona Library (DAZL)Arizona State Library's statewide portal — free reference databases, historic newspapers, and research tools for all Arizona residents. <a href='https://azlibrary.gov/dazl' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>azlibrary.gov/dazl</a>
&📖 Reading Arizona eBooksArizona-themed eBooks and audiobooks for all ages via Libby — free statewide curated collection. <a href='https://libbyapp.com/library/readingarizona' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>libbyapp.com/library/readingarizona</a>
&💻 Northstar Digital LiteracyFree online modules for computer, internet, and workplace digital skills — assessments available at the library.

📚 Services

  • Free public Wi-Fi
  • Public computers with internet access
  • Printing, copying, and scanning
  • Interlibrary loan
  • Books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks on disc
  • Library e-card (apply online)
  • Culture Pass (free museum and attraction passes)

🎸 Programs

  • Story time for children
  • Northstar Digital Literacy training
  • Culture Pass program

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Tonto Basin Public Library founded?

The library was established on October 23, 1983, starting as the Tonto Basin Community/School Library with improvised shelving — boards on cement blocks — and a picnic table as the work area. It later joined the Gila County Library District and grew into the community's full public branch.

What is the closest library to Tonto Basin if I need extended hours?

The closest Gila County Library District branch is the Miami Memorial Library (~41 miles). The Payson Public Library (~37 miles via AZ-188 north) offers extended evening hours Monday through Thursday until 7pm and is the district's largest branch.

Does the Tonto Basin Public Library offer children's programs?

Yes. Story time for children is a regular program at the branch. The library also provides access to the Gila County Library District's youth digital collections — children's eMagazines and eBooks through Libby — for families to use at home.

Can I get a library card at the Tonto Basin branch?

Yes. Gila County residents can register for a free library card in person at 415 Old Hwy 188, or apply for a digital e-card online at gcldaz.org for immediate access to eBooks, audiobooks, and research databases.

🎨 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.

👶 This library runs story times for kids. See how library story times work — ages, what happens and that they are free — and find other libraries with story-time programs library story times by state.

✓ 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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