About Himmel Park Branch Library
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Meeting Rooms
Please call 594-5305 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).
- Large Meeting Room
- This room is 620 sq. ft. and seats 45 people. It includes tables and chairs, chalkboards and a television and VCR which may be used on request. The television and VCR are provided by a generous donation from Cine-Raíces.
- Small Meeting Room
- This room is 50 sq.ft. and can seat 2-3 people. It is ideal for use by literacy volunteers or tutors.
Computers
You may reserve a computer two times per day. We offer:
- 1 non-reservable computer with 15 minute session (Express PC)
- 5 reservable computers with 45 minute sessions
We also have wireless internet access available. Bring your laptop and use the library's WiFi network for free. For more information, please see our WiFi FAQ.
History
Himmel Park Library is located in the northeast corner of Himmel Park. We are a small, friendly neighborhood library (at 2470' above sea level, a patron with a global positioning device has informed me) offering a wide range of materials and services for all ages.
The Himmel Park Branch Library was the first branch library located in the city of Tucson. In 1935, the City of Tucson bought a block of land from Mrs. Alvina Himmel Edmonson at a cost of $3,500. This land was in the vicinity of the current location of Himmel Park - an area bordered by First Street, Treat Avenue, Tucson Boulevard, and Hawthorne Streets.
Later purchases from Mrs. Himmel Edmonson increased the park to its present size. The property was sold with the agreement that the land would bear the name Himmel in honor of Mrs. Edmonson's parents. Mrs. Edmonson passed away in 1948 at her home, 2625 E. 1st Street, on property she had occupied for 51 years. The initial homestead included 160 acres of land and a home built of redwood.
Here are some excerpts of an interview with her by the Tucson Citizen in 1942:
Mrs. Edmondson, who is 73, came to Tucson as a young bride and recalls how Tucson was then a small village..."It was so quiet you could hear the silence," she said. Coyotes, rattlesnakes and Indians caused her great uneasiness..."They used to run in packs and lots of times when I walked four miles into town pushing the babies in a carriage and pulling a small wagon, in which I carried my purchases, I would have to chase them away with sticks. Great numbers of rattlesnakes were on the land and several times I had an Indian who worked on an adjoining homestead come over and kill them for me when they got too numerous."
The library was built using money from a $14 million bond issue. Several years later, after several citizens' lively debates about the location of the library, the Tucson City Council reaffirmed its "moral obligation" to place the library in the Himmel Park area. It was originally designed by William Carr but completed by Architect D. Burr Dubois. It was built by the Mann Construction Co. on a $76,290 contract and construction began in 1960.
The Himmel Park Branch Library opened on June 25, 1961. It consisted of one large room, a small office, small employees' lounge and public rest rooms totaling 4,103 square feet. The main room was divided by bookcases into three separate areas for children, teenagers and adults. The first year's circulation totaled 135,353 items checked out. Several renovations have occurred since 1961 and the branch has grown to a total of 5,652 square feet, including a large meeting room. The annual circulation averages over 220,000 items checked out.
Sources:
Pioneer Woman is Proud of Redwood, Tucson Citizen, May 21, 1942.
Death Comes for Pioneer Tucsonan, The Arizona Daily Star, January 13, 1948.
Daughter of pioneers: Catherine Edmonson rites to be tomorrow, Tucson Daily Citizen, May 21, 1973.
Neighborhood Info
- Himmel Pool
- 2nd St. & Tucson Blvd. 791-4157
- For more information see Aquatics.
- Tennis Courts
- Himmel Park Tennis Center
1000 N. Tucson Blvd
791-3276 - Picnic Areas
- To reserve a picnic table or barbecue please call the NorthWest District Office at 791-5890
- Historic Neighborhood Tax Break
- Is your home eligible for a break? Many in Sam Hughes are. We have the notebooks showing all qualifying structures that could bring a "substantial reduction" of your property taxes!
- Department of Neighborhood Resources
- A division of the City Manager's office which strives to give priority attention to neighborhood needs and promotes greater involvement in City Government. For more info about neighborhood associations in your area, or how to start one visit their website or call 791-4605.
- Neighborhood Association Newsletters
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- Sam Hughes
- Miramonte (PDF)
- Blenman Elm (PDF)
Chess Club
Our chess club is open to elementary grades through high school for kids of all playing abilities. Younger players are welcome if you have some knowledge of the game.
If you are just learning to play, maybe one of our experienced players can provide some coaching assistance. Come and play a game or two and share some ideas and tactics.
You may bring your own chess clock if you wish to use one. We have a limited number of boards so you are welcome to bring your own chess sets. However, since we are a library we do have several chess books that you may check out.
Parents are encouraged to participate. No registration required. Good sportsmanship is always expected!