Ocotillo Library and Workforce Literacy Center
🏢 Phoenix Public Library · South Phoenix, Arizona
Ocotillo Library and Workforce Literacy Center
South Phoenix's only dedicated Workforce Literacy Center, Ocotillo Library pairs a full-service public library with hands-on job-search coaching — resume writing, interview prep, and computer skills — all free, inside a landmark 1967 building redesigned in 2012 to earn a Valley Forward Award of Merit.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 102 W. Southern Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85041
Phone: (602) 262-4636
Website: phoenixpubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 85599WVG+23 (Phoenix, AZ)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Ocotillo Library and Workforce Literacy Center
Ocotillo Library and Workforce Literacy Center has served South Phoenix since 1967, when Arizona architect Bennie M. Gonzales — a Phoenix native, ASU architecture pioneer, and designer of more than 300 Southwestern buildings — shaped the original structure. A $1.6 million remodel completed in 2012 by Durkin + Durkin Architects LLC, funded through an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Community Development Block Grant, transformed the 6,600-square-foot building into one of the Phoenix Public Library system's most specialized facilities. The branch is the flagship location of the PHXWorks initiative, staffed with dedicated career coaches who provide one-on-one resume assistance, interview preparation, occupational testing, language learning support, and computer skills training. A 24/7 outdoor holds locker lets the community pick up materials any time, while an EV charging station and seasonal Cooling Center (May 1 – September 30) reflect the library's deep commitment to neighborhood needs.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Designed by Bennie Gonzales (1967), Arizona's celebrated mid-century modernist, and remodeled in 2012 with $1.6 million in federal ARRA funding — winning a Valley Forward Award of Merit for Buildings & Structures: Civic
- PHXWorks Workforce Literacy Center: the system's dedicated job-seeker hub with in-person staff offering resume writing, interview coaching, occupational testing, and language-learning resources
- Public artwork 'Constellation of Cultures' by B.J. Krivanek & Joel Breaux, celebrating South Phoenix's multicultural community
- 24/7 holds lockers and EV charging station for after-hours pickup and eco-friendly commuting
- Cooling Center open May 1 – September 30 for South Phoenix residents during extreme heat
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Ocotillo cardholders can stream, download, and research free through the Greater Phoenix Digital Library and Arizona's statewide collections:
📚 Services
- PHXWorks career coaching: one-on-one resume, cover letter, and interview preparation
- Occupational testing and language-learning resources (PHXWorks collection)
- Computer access with free resume printing
- WiFi hotspot lending (three-week checkout)
- 24/7 outdoor holds lockers
- EV charging station
- Cooling Center (May 1 – September 30)
- Meeting room (22-person capacity)
- Document services: faxing, photocopying, scanning, mobile printing
- Free Naloxone (Narcan) kits
- Culture Passes
🎸 Programs
- PHXWorks workshops: resume writing, interviewing skills, computer literacy
- Sit, Stay, Read — emerging readers practice aloud with certified therapy dogs
- Children's story times and STEAM activities
- Adult literacy and language-learning classes
📍 Nearby Libraries in Phoenix
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Ocotillo different from other Phoenix Public Library locations?
Ocotillo is the only PPL branch designated as a Workforce Literacy Center. It is staffed with dedicated PHXWorks career coaches who provide one-on-one help with resume writing, interview preparation, occupational testing, and computer skills — services not found at the system's other 15 branches in the same depth.
Who designed the Ocotillo Library building and what is its history?
The original 1967 building was designed by Bennie M. Gonzales, a Phoenix-born architect who became one of ASU's first architecture graduates and designed more than 300 buildings across the Southwest. The branch was remodeled in 2012 by Durkin + Durkin Architects LLC using a $1.6 million federal ARRA Community Development Block Grant, earning a Valley Forward Award of Merit that year.
Does Ocotillo Library have 24-hour access to holds?
Yes. Outdoor holds lockers at 102 W. Southern Ave. are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Place a hold through the online catalog or Libby app, and pick up your items any time — even when the library is closed.
Is there an EV charging station at Ocotillo Library?
Yes. Ocotillo Library has an on-site EV charging station available to visitors. The library also offers WiFi hotspot devices for three-week checkout so you can stay connected at home after your visit.
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