The Martha Cooper Library opened in November 2006.
Construction for the Martha Cooper Library started on February 25, 2005, and the library opened its doors in November 2006. The branch’s original collection was 20,000 items.
The 7,700 square foot library is named in honor of Martha Cooper (1928-2002), the former president and founder of the Garden District Neighborhood Association, who advocated for the library’s construction and was a major force behind school and neighborhood improvements for four decades.
The $2.6 million facility was funded with County and City bond funds and by a Community Development Block grant.
The naming ceremony took place on the November, 25, 2006. Ten years later, in June 2016, the library was temporarily closed for renovations to allow for more computers and a bigger children’s area as well as improvement to the service desk and an internal book drop. The library is one of several branches that participates in the snack program partnership with Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.
The $2.6 million facility was funded with County and City bond funds and by a Community Development Block grant.
Sources:
- "Groundbreaking for Cooper Library." Arizona Daily Star, 24 February 2005, p 19.
- Shelton, Shelley. “Library a fitting tribute to resident.” Arizona Daily Star, 22 November 2006, p 15.
- History of Garden District. The Garden District Neighborhood Association.
- Bommersbach, Becca. “Feeding Mouths, minds at Martha Cooper Library.” Arizona Daily Star, 24 December 2017, p E3.
- Gaber, Hannah. “Martha Cooper Library to get makeover.” Arizona Daily Star, 01 Jun 2016, p A2.
