🏢 Phoenix Public Library — Phoenix, Arizona

Harmon Library

A kaleidoscope of colored skylights and slotted windows announces this south Phoenix landmark, whose original 1950 building was reborn as public art.

📖 About Harmon Library

The Harmon Library has served south Phoenix for generations, tracing its roots to an original branch built in 1950 at 411 W. Yavapai. That aging facility was replaced by the current 12,400-square-foot building, which opened August 28, 2009 at 1325 S. 5th Avenue. Designed by the acclaimed Phoenix firm richärd + bauer, the new library draws inspiration from the patterns of a kaleidoscope, scattering colored glass through numerous skylights and narrow gun-slot windows to fill the interior with shifting light. The branch includes a 75-person multi-purpose meeting room, electric-vehicle charging, and practical community services such as blood-pressure kit checkout and WiFi hotspot lending. Rather than simply demolishing the beloved original site, the city commissioned a landscape artwork there — 'River of Shade' by artist Stacy Levy — preserving the old Yavapai Street location as a piece of public art.

⭐ What makes this branch special

• Kaleidoscope-inspired design by richärd + bauer, opened August 2009
• Colored glass skylights and gun-slot windows fill the space with light
• Original 1950 Yavapai St. site preserved as 'River of Shade' public art
• 75-person meeting room and blood-pressure kit checkout

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