About Salazar-Ajo Branch Library
About Salazar-Ajo Branch
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Meeting Rooms
Please call 387-6075 for more information and to reserve the meeting rooms. Please read our Meeting Room Policy (PDF). See meeting rooms available at other library locations.
Print out a Meeting Room Use Application (PDF).
- Small conference room
- Seats eight people.
- Large meeting area
- Open area in the back of the library for meetings and programs.
- Accommodates approximately 40 people.
View community meetings held in our meeting rooms.
Computers and WiFi
The Library offers FREE computer and wifi use. Please see Computers Available at Your Library or WiFi at Your Library for more information. Please be sure to bring your library card! Don't have a card?
We offer free computer classes. Call 387-6075 for more information.
History
The Lillie C. Salazar-Ajo Branch Library was the first branch of the Pima County Public Library. It opened in 1946 and serves the communities of Ajo, Why, Lukeville, and communities on the Tohono O'odham Nation.
It is named after Lillie C. Salazar, who worked at the branch from 1985 to 1997. She was the branch manager when she died at the age of 59. Although she was born in Jerome, she spent much of her life in Ajo and was known by many as "Lillie from the library."
The current facility opened in 1996 with 5,000 square feet in two rooms. The collection has 20,000 items including books, CD's, DVD's, videos, talking books, magazines, newspapers and Spanish-language materials. Last year (fiscal year 2006-2007), more than 127,000 people visisted the branch.
It serves as a location for community organizations, a homework help center for school children and general meeting place for community residents. Last year, Homework Help tutors had 500 student contacts and 92 tutoring sessions, while more than 500 people attended 63 meetings held by community groups at the branch.
Citation: "A reference aid to library names," Arizona Daily Star, p. 49E, Dec. 31, 1999.
About Ajo, Arizona
Ajo was established as an unincorporated mining community in the 1800's. Ajo is designated by Pima County as a colonia. After Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation closed its mining operations in the area, Ajo became a retirement community and a gateway to travel in Mexico. The school, K-12, serves a large area including Ajo, Why, Lukeville and the town of Sonoyta in Mexico.
Community Links
- Ajo Chamber of Commerce
- Organized to promote economic programs designed to strengthen and expand the income potential of all business within the trade area; to promote civic, social and cultural programs to increase the functional and aesthetic values of the community; and to discover and to correct abuses which prevent the promotion of business expansion and community growth.
- Ajo Copper News
- Interested parties can research the old editions of the Ajo Copper News and selected photographs during office hours.
- Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge
- International Sonoran Desert Alliance
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Ajo Organizations
- Ajo Archaeology Association
- meets on the second Monday of the month, November through March, unless otherwise noted.
- Ajo Historical Society Museum
- Located in St. Catherine's Indian Mission. Interprets the history of Ajo and surrounding area, including the history of copper mining in the vicinity. Open seasonally December-April.
- Ajo Garden Club
- Generally meets on the first Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m. October through June.
- All Cancers Support Group
- Generally meets in the library on the third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
- Breast Cancer Support Group
- Generally meets in the library on the second Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
- Historic Ajo Preservation Society
- Generally meets on the first Tuesday of the month and meetings are open to the public.
Ajo Cultural and Historical Inventory
The Salazar-Ajo Branch Library, in conjunction with various community organizations in the Ajo-western Pima County area, has completed the Ajo Cultural and Historical Inventory Project. The goal of this project, funded by a grant from the Arizona State Library with money from the Library Service and Technology Act, was to identify where and how to access information on the history and culture of Ajo and western Pima County. Read more about the Ajo Cultural and Historical Inventory.