Services FAQs

  • General Questions

    Infoline is our telephone assistance line. You can call Infoline at 520-791-4010 with any question you can come up with.

    How many people live in Pima County? When is the next lunar eclipse? How many holds are on the top bestseller? Call Infoline!

    Infoline is open Monday–Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

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    Storytime is an opportunity for parents to introduce their children to reading and language in a fun way. At Storytime, children have an opportunity to do activities that promote development and learning.

    All programs are designed for parents to participate with their children; arrangements for school, daycare, or other group visits need to be made in advance.

    We offer different types of Storytimes. See all of our Storytimes in our event calendar.

    It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies

    Babies love stories and songs! The stories we read at Babytime are short and engaging, and the babies enjoy moving with the music. Share time with your baby in a fun, confidence-building environment.

    Babytime Storytime is approximately 30 minutes or less; it’s designed for babies up to 18 months of age.

    Toddler Storytime

    Toddlers are busy—busy learning and growing. Storytime with your toddler is the perfect time to listen, learn, sing, move and play together. The stories are short, the activities are fun, and sometimes there are puppets!

    Toddler Storytime is 20 to 30 minutes long. It’s designed for children 18- to 36- months old.

    Preschool Storytime

    Preschool-aged kids are curious about everything. Storytime is a perfect way for preschoolers to listen and learn about the questions they ask.  Kids love singing familiar songs and doing fun activities. Parents and caregivers are invited to play along!

    Preschool Storytime is 30 to 45 minutes long. It’s geared toward 3- to 5- year olds.

    Family Storytime

    There’s always something fun happening at Family Storytime. We’ll read stories and learn about other good books to read. We sometimes may do crafts, listen to music, or sometimes even watch a puppet show together!

    Family Storytime is about 45 minutes long. It’s for all ages.

     

    When you put in an Interlibrary Loan request, the pickup location is automatically set to your home library (ILLs are not allowed to be picked up through the pickup lockers). If you want to pick up an Interlibrary Loan request at a different library, please ask a staff member to change your home library.

    When you send in a request, we'll borrow it from another library system. This is called Interlibrary Loan. There are some limits on what we can borrow from other libraries. Please see below.

    • If the title came out within the last year or it's a movie, audiobook, or eBook, suggest a title for the Library to buy.
    • If the title is older than a year or it's a journal article or microfilm, request an Interlibrary Loan.

    Can I get anything another library owns through Interlibrary Loan?

    We cannot get the following:

    • New books (within one year of publication)
    • Any item we own or have on order, including reference books
    • Audio-visual materials: CDs, books on tape, videos, DVDs, or computer software
    • Rare or fragile books
    • Materials from the National Archives
    • Materials from libraries outside of the continental U.S.
    • Books that you borrowed via Interlibrary Loan in the past year. You can only request a title once per year.

    Occasionally, we will have only one copy of a title. If it is marked lost, billed, or missing, you may request the title through our Interlibrary Loan service, because although we still own a copy of the title, it is unavailable for checkout with no ETA on availability.

    Learn more and submit your request.

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    Librarian Files are a treasure trove of interesting and historical Tucson facts. Read the Librarian Files, opens a new window. 

    You have to be in good standing with the Library.

    • You have to have a regular, full-service library card to use Interlibrary Loan
    • You must owe $5 or less in fees
    • You must be a Pima County resident

    You are limited to three (3) Interlibrary Loan requests at a time (including Interlibrary Loan items currently checked out). This can be a combination of items, such as 2 books and 1 photocopy articles, or 3 books.

    Interlibrary Loans can't be renewed.

    Interlibrary Loans must be returned to the same library where you picked them up.

    There is a 3-day grace period. Late fees for overdue interlibrary loan items are 50 cents per day, with a maximum of $10.00. Charges for lost or damaged books are billed to you at whatever rate the lending library charges.

    In most cases, this service is free. We cover all shipping and processing charges. However, sometimes the library that owns the material charges a lending fee or copying cost. These costs are your responsibility. If a library charges a fee, we will notify you in advance for your approval.

    When you put in an Interlibrary Loan request, the pickup location is automatically set to your home library (ILLs are not allowed to be picked up through the pickup lockers). If you want to pick up an Interlibrary Loan request at a different library, please ask a staff member to change your home library.

    Read the Interlibrary Loan Policy.

    Submit your request.

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    The librarian at your branch can help you plan your visit. Please call your local library to talk about what you'd like out of your visit, the size of your group, and your available dates.

    Why should my child Read to a Dog?

    Read to a Dog is designed to allow kids the chance to read to a non-judgmental listener, one who will accept the story exactly as they read it.

    For many children, this allows them a rare chance to experience stress free reading; they're able to relax and having fun while reading! They come to think of themselves as good readers, which helps their self esteem and makes them eager to read. And eager readers practice their reading more often, leading to improved reading skill.

    All of these elements work together to increase a child's motivation to read, which is an essential element in becoming a successful reader.

    How does Read to a Dog work?

    Kids come to library during Read to a Dog and select a book to read to a furry friend. All of the dogs and handlers who participate have been certified as therapy dogs by an accredited organization.

    How do my dog and I become Read to a Dog volunteers?

    Find out about becoming Read to a Dog volunteers at your library here.

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    The Library's helpful staff love connecting people with resources that make a difference in their lives.

    In person: The Hours & Locations page, opens a new window has an interactive map that lets you find a convenient library.

    From home: You can also contact Ask a Librarian, opens a new window by phone at 520-791-4010 or email for information on any topic you're curious about!

    Community services: For social resources and community agencies that help with homelessness, housing, food, domestic violence, seniors/elderly, and more, see Community Services.

    Tech help: See our Digital Media Help page for help with ebooks, download able audiobooks, music, streaming video, and more.

    FAQs: To find answers to FAQs, click on the "Help" link at the top of any page, and search or browse the FAQs, opens a new window. They cover a wealth of topics, including:

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    Guidelines

    The Library will begin accepting submissions for our Call to Artists to exhibit artwork at library branches. Artists of all ages who live or work in Pima County are eligible to apply. Our goals include creating exhibition opportunities for emerging artists from culturally diverse backgrounds and increasing public awareness of and interest in the visual arts.

    Lineamientos

    La biblioteca comenzará a aceptar aportaciones para nuestro Llamado a Artistas para exhibir sus obras de arte en ubicaciones de la biblioteca. Artistas de todas las edades que viven o trabajan en el Condado Pima son aptos para aplicar. Nuestras metas incluyen crear oportunidades para exhibiciones de artistas nuevos de diversos orígenes culturales y promover la conciencia pública y el interés por las artes visuales.
     
     

    The Library has partnered with Unique Library to provide online assistance to library patrons via chat and telephone assistance via Infoline (520-791-4010).

    To accomplish this, Unique Library has access to the library’s website, catalog, and online resources.

    Live Chat service is available:

    • Monday–Friday, 6 am to 8 pm
    • Saturday, 7 am to 6 pm
    • Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm

    Phone service is available:

    • Monday–Friday, 9 am to 5 pm

    To access live chat service, click on the chat button where it says, "Need help?" in the lower right corner of the screen to open a live chat window. This button is hidden when the service is unavailable.

    Unique Library staff is able to answer questions relating to the library’s policies, programs, materials, and online resources (such as Overdrive, Freegal, Kanopy, etc.). In addition, Unique Library staff are able to perform some basic circulation functions such as placing hold requests and renewing library materials.

    Unique Library staff are unable to help with all questions. Whenever a question comes up that they cannot answer, they will direct you to the appropriate way to get your question answered.

    This feature provides real-time convenience to you, and we hope it will increase usage of library materials and services you may not know about. 

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    Are you curious about constellations, mystified by the Moon, or spellbound by stars? You can pursue or spark a love of astronomy at home with an Orion AstroBlast telescope.

    Borrowing
    A telescope may be checked out for 3 weeks by anyone who:

    • Is 18 years of age or older
    • Has a valid, full-service library card 
    • Has $5 or less in library fees
    • Shows picture ID at checkout

    Telescopes cannot be reserved or renewed.

    Before coming to the Library, you can download, print, read and sign the Telescope Lending Program Terms and Acknowledgement Form (PDF). If you don't have a printer, we can print a copy for you when you arrive.

    Use of the telescope

    • TO AVOID SERIOUS EYE INJURY OR BLINDNESS, DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITH THE TELESCOPE. THE LIBRARY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURY CAUSED BY IMPROPER TELESCOPE USE.
    • When you check the telescope out you are responsible for the proper transportation, use, and care of the telescope at all times. The telescope must be treated with care and handled as instructed by library staff.
    • DO NOT TOUCH, WIPE OR CLEAN THE LENS. This will damage the protective lens coating.

    Returning the telescope to the library
    The telescope, including all parts and books, must be:

    • Returned directly to the Library where it was checked out.
    • Handed to a staff member, not placed in a drop box or left outside the door.

    Fees and Fines
    There is no fee for checking out a telescope. If a telescope is not returned within two (2) weeks of the due date, the PCPL customer will be charged current replacement costs. Replacement costs can be several hundred dollars. Actual replacement costs will be assessed for any part that is not returned with the telescope. If the telescope, or any part, is damaged, either from improper care or improper return, the actual cost of repair or replacement, whichever is less, will be charged.

    These libraries currently have a telescope to loan:

    The telescopes were a generous gift from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA). The 4.5-inch Orion StarBlast is well-known for its easy operation and compact design. The telescope is a great introductory-level instrument capable of imaging the moon, planets, and distant celestial objects, including the Andromeda Galaxy, located 2.5 million light years away!

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    Assistive Technology

    We have assistive technology for the visually impaired, including screen magnifiers, large type collections and keyboards, and eBooks. Read about our assistive technology resources.

    Collections

    We have a small braille collection and textured books, audiobooks on CD and to download, closed captioned DVDs, Tumblebooks, which are digital books for children and teens, and Freegal, which allows you to download or stream music for free.

    Services & Home Delivery

    If you're visiting a library for an event, you'll find that we have Induction Loop Technology in some of our meeting rooms.

    Home delivery of large type books and audiobooks is available for eligible people through Books by Mail.

    Arizona Talking Book Library

    The Arizona Talking Book Library provides free audio book delivery/downloadable services to the visually impaired, physically limited, and print disabled throughout the state; any person who cannot read standard print, hold a book, or turn pages is eligible for this free service.

    Each person has direct access to their own personal Arizona Talking Book librarian to ensure they receive their requested materials (which can include an audio player and headphones, free of charge.) The Arizona Talking Book Library features a collection of downloadable audio books, magazines, and Braille provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. Apply through the Arizona Talking Book Library for access to the Braille and Audio Reading Download service. 

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    You can translate the website into many different languages, and you can translate the catalog and your account interface into Spanish. For your account, log in and go to My Settings, then click on Display Language. The setting will stay as long as you are logged in and don’t change it back to English.

    To translate the entire site to Spanish for your session, click on the button on the homepage under the Quick Links heading: Translate|Traducir Sitio. The site will stay in Spanish for your session. This doesn’t include the catalog and your account. Use the method above to change those.

    For other languages, like new pages listed above, use the Google Translate tool that is at the bottom of every page. It displays just below the Pima County Privacy Policy link:

    Use the small arrow next to Select Language to see a pop up of the options. Simply click on one, and the site will translate to that language. Again, this is just for your current session and doesn’t include the catalog or account interface.

    These links will also translate the site. Simply click and navigate as usual.

    The catalog is available in Spanish and English.

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    Here is a list of our hours and locations.

    The link to the Hours & Locations of all of our libraries is located at the top of all the pages on this website, near where you log in to your account. 

    • Use the Find by address or ZIP code, search box, or
    • Use the Find by location name dropdown menu to select a specific location, or
    • Click the All Locations link to see a list of all our locations.

    On the Library's app, look for the map pin icon. 

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    When did the Geasa-Marana Library close?

    On January 27, 2017 at 5pm, the Geasa-Marana Library closed and library services ceased at that location.

    Why did the Geasa-Marana Library close?

    An assessment conducted by Pima County Facilities Management concluded that it could cost up to $700,000 to make the upgrades needed to address limitations of the library’s current design and layout. The market value of the property is only $470,800. It was determined that the building was better equipped for use by Marana Unified School District (MUSD), whose administrators planned at the time of closing to use it as office space dedicated to their ongoing commitment to offer computer-based and technological programs at its seventeen schools across 550 square miles.

    What library can people use instead?

    The closest library is the Wheeler Taft Abbett, Sr. Library at 7800 N. Schisler Dr. 

     

     

     

    Books by Mail offers home delivery of large type books and audiobooks, for people who are visually impaired or who cannot read due to a physical disability.

    To be eligible:

    • You must reside in Pima County.
    • Your visual impairment is such that even after correction you are not able to read normal print comfortably for a sustained period of time.
    • You are physically unable to come into the Library and there is no one available to go for you.

    Call 520-594-5415 for more information. Please leave a message if we don't answer right away. We try to return calls within one business day.

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    Library volunteers select books for home delivery to customers who aren't able to visit the library in person, and Bike Ambassadors deliver the books once a month.

    If you would like books delivered to your home and you live within five miles of one of these libraries, please contact the librarian:

    How to Volunteer for Books on Wheels

    • Watch our events calendar for Books on Wheels Volunteer Orientations, which are held online, and follow the instructions there to indicate your interest.

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    We can help over the phone or email, or in person at any branch, with a variety of questions. We find that many questions can be answered quickly, while some answers may require checking additional resources and getting back to you.

    • Phone: Call Infoline at 520-791-4010    
      • Monday–Friday: 9 am–5 pm
    • Online: Fill out the Contact Us form

    We enjoy helping Pima County residents discover information in reference resources, recommending search strategies and community referrals, and helping you find books that meet your information and entertainment needs.

    Do you have the same reference services at all your locations? If you ask a reference question at a branch that requires more resources to answer, you may be referred to Infoline staff at Main.

    Does this mean librarians will do my homework for me? What about offering personal opinions, medical and legal expertise, or coordinating extensive research projects? We place reasonable limits on many common types of requests. These limits may include a number of questions during a specific time period, kinds of questions we are able to answer, and kinds of answers we are able to offer. For more information, see our Reference Services guidelines.

    For people who prefer to read the website in Spanish:

    Read about how to translate the website into another language in this post.

    The catalog and My Account pages include professionally translated text, where available, if you select Spanish as your language of choice. The text is not generated automatically. 

    The FAQs and some blog and news posts are professionally translated.

    The rest of the website, for example, the homepage and browse pages, has a Google Translate menu in the bottom right corner of the screen. When using that menu, the text is generated automatically into the language you pick from the list, which includes Spanish.

    An easy place to start looking for information in Spanish is by clicking on En Español, opens a new window in the header at the top of every page.

    For people who prefer to read the website in other languages besides English and Spanish:

    Some of our website (not currently including My Account and catalog) can be translated using the Google Translate button in the bottom right corner of the screen. When using that button, the text is generated automatically into the language you select. Here are information and links to translate the website.

    For parts of our website that non-English speakers have trouble accessing, for example, the catalog and account screens, we recommend setting your browser language to your preferred language, or using a service such as Google Translate, by copying and pasting the address of the page that you wish to view in your language of choice.

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    Staff has access to a telephone interpretation service for helping people in the Library in different languages.

    We also have wonderful videos in the following languages that teach the basics of using the Library:

    • Spanish
    • Arabic
    • Somali
    • Maay Maay
    • Nepalese

    Our Welcome to America area of the website for new immigrants may also have useful information.

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    Are you an individual artist?

    Artists who live or work in Pima County are encouraged to submit an application to exhibit when the library extends its Call to Artists. The Main Library welcomes more than 40,000 visitors each month – this level of visibility is unheard of in a regular art gallery. The space is incredibly visible to a vibrant and growing downtown community. 

    We will announce on our website when we are taking submissions. Log into our Submittable website during that time to apply. We are looking for all types of media. If you don’t already have a Submittable account, a valid email address is required to sign up. 

    Artists will be asked to submit up to five images of their work (not necessarily the pieces they will show) and an artist statement. Images can be in JPG, TIFF, or PNG format.

    Artists may be contacted to show their work at other libraries with gallery spaces, as well.

    Are you a member of an arts organization, guild, or nonprofit?

    We have additional gallery spaces for two and three dimensional work that may be available. Please contact Wayne Wheeler at wayne.wheeler@pima.gov or Toby Wehner at toby.wehner@pima.gov any time during the year to learn more.

    Current Displays

    See all current displays at our libraries

    Find out more about Joel D Valdez Main Library

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    Step 1.  All dogs and their handlers who volunteer for the library's Read to a Dog program must be certified therapy dogs.

    Organizations that provide this certification are:

    Check the above websites for information about therapy dog/animal certification. The websites also list all the commands the dog must be able to do. A therapy dog is a very well-behaved dog, not a specially trained service animal. The dogs must also be calm and people focused.

    Step 2. To volunteer at one of our libraries, please fill out a volunteer application form and turn it in to the branch or branches of your choice either in-person or by mail.

    The minimum age for volunteering at the library is 14 years old.

     

    Physical Collections

    Cele Peterson Arizona Collection

    This collection features print and non-print materials of general and popular interest on the history, culture, politics, economy, peoples, languages, geography, and natural history of Arizona with an emphasis on Southern Arizona, Pima County, and the City of Tucson. See the Cele Peterson Arizona Collection in the catalog.

    This collection is housed at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library.

    Frank De La Cruz Collection

    The Frank De La Cruz Collection focuses on U.S./Mexico Borderland history, culture and traditions. Coupled with an historical overview of the Mexican/Chicanx experience along the border, the collection also offers insight into the contemporary issues facing this community. Read more about the Frank De La Cruz Collection. 

    This collection is housed at Quincie Douglas Library.

    Heritage Collection

    The Heritage Collection was developed in 2012, thanks to a $8,300 grant from the National Institute of Museum and Library Services. The collection was initially selected in consultation with the Oro Valley Historical Society. It features nonfiction materials on the history, archeology, culture, environment, and traditions of Arizona. New materials are added to this circulating collection each year. The collection was designed to encourage area residents to develop a sense of place, especially those residents who move to Arizona from other regions of the United States.

    This collection is housed at the Oro Valley Library.

    Steinheimer Collection

    The collection provides an unusual picture of Southwestern history, geography, and ethnology, focused through the unique prism of children's literature. It illustrates the development of the stereotypes of the Southwest and how those stereotypes were interpreted in children's books.

    Romantic ideas of desperadoes, Spanish conquistadors, prospectors and wily coyotes sit side by side with concrete facts about cowboys, pioneers, Gila monsters, native arts and ethnic folklore.

    The collection is named for Elizabeth B. Steinheimer, who passed away in 1979. Steniheimer's husband opened a bookstore in Tucson, and she became interested in children's literature, prompting mothers in the area to consult with her for selecting reading material for their children. She was a president of Libraries Limited, an organization that distributed books to children's state institutions. Steinheimer's friends and family donated $3,500.00 to the Library as a tribute, which was used to start the collection in 1980. The primary purpose of the collection at its founding was to aid teachers, researchers, or anyone studying children's literature.

    Source: Arizona Daily Star, July 12, 1981, p. 90

    See the Steinheimer Collection in the catalog.

    This collection is housed at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library.

    Trichloroethylene (TCE) Collection

    Trichlorethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent, was routinely dumped in areas of South Tucson during the 1950s. The Tucsonans who lived in these areas have had various cancers as a result of this pollution. The Valencia Library, opens a new window has a Superfund collection on the TCE pollution.

    Voices Unheard: Arizona's Environmental History. The Voices Unheard project aims to preserve the life stories of individuals who work and live near Superfund sites by using community-engaged oral history.

    Read more about TCE. 

    Online Collections

    Perspectives of the Past - Pima County Oral History Project

    To celebrate Arizona's centennial, the Library interviewed longtime residents to gain perspective on how our area has changed over the last 100 years. These oral histories preserve the stories of Pima County and connect us with our past. Listen to stories from local residents online at the Arizona Memory Project.

    Sonoran Heritage - A Learning Library Program

    The Sonoran Heritage Collection is a series of learning packets, materials and resources, media, and posters released in the late 1970s and early 1980s by the Tucson Public Library. This program was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, and was designed to explore the history, culture, and peoples of the Sonoran desert region of Arizona and Mexico. Topics include "Clothes and Costumers," "Play," "Power," "Shelter," "Family," "Work," "Genius," and "Destiny."

    Writers of the Purple Sage: Origins of a National Myth

    Digitized collection of packets that explore the effects the myths, values, and stereotypes transmitted in the early popular literature of the region continue of have on literature and life in the Southwest. See Writers of the Purple Sage: Origins of a National Myth.

    Related Links:

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    Yes, we do!

    Read about our Bookmobile and see a list of stops.

    The Bookbike gives out free books, library cards,  and information about library programs, as well as bike maps and information about bicycling events.

    We have three Bookbikes that go out on monthly visits as well as showing up at special events. Our Bookbike fleet operates within a five-mile radius of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library and the Valencia Library.

    In our first 13 years of operation (2012-2025), the Bookbike staff and volunteers went to 1,524 events, rode 3,955 miles, talked to 84,189 people, and gave away 110,023 books. We couldn't do it without our volunteers - since the program's inception, 2,979 volunteer hours have been put towards this effort.

    Volunteer: If you want to volunteer with the Bookbike, contact:

    Donate books: If you would like to donate any books for our Bookbikes, you can bring them to any branch and let staff know they are specifically for the Bookbike. We always need books in Spanish, Westerns, Science Fiction, and Children’s books.

    Where are the bikes? See a listing of upcoming Bookbike stops and volunteer trainings

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    Pima County Public Library is happy to consider adding your book* to our collection. We support local authors and are interested in titles about Tucson, Pima County, or the corresponding border region.

    Please email the following information to CDOmail@pima.gov. You may also write the Collection Development Office: Pima County Public Library, 101 N. Stone Ave., Tucson AZ 85701

    • Title, author, publisher, ISBN, price
    • Brief description of the book
    • Brief author information
    • Reviews from local media or professional journals

    * We do not acquire coloring books, spiral-bound books, books with removable pages, or books that will not stand up to heavy usage.

    A review copy is treated as a donation

    Review copies are not necessary, but if you do send one, please note the following Conditions of Acceptance:

    • Donated items become the property of the Library and will not be returned.
    • Donations may be retained by the Library depending on, but not limited to, such factors as condition, relevancy, and publication date.
    • If not retained, items may be sold by the Friends of the Pima County Public Library or disposed of at the Library’s discretion.
    • The Library cannot provide notice regarding the disposition of donated items.

    Author programs at the library

    Pima County Public Library hosts authors at library sponsored events or venues. Publishers and literary agents are encouraged to contact the Literary Arts staff at LiteraryArts@pima.gov

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  • Posting & Distributing Materials

    We help organizations get information to our community by distributing materials or posting information on our bulletin boards if we have the space. It's a free service, and you can get more information about our Bulletin Board and Handout Policy.

    Before dropping anything off, email a digital copy (a PDF works fine) of the printed piece along with your request to library.news@pima.gov with the subject line "Request to distribute materials." We'll review it and get back with you as soon as we can.

    If your request is approved, we'll email an approval memo to you that you can attach to your materials when you drop them off. The approval memo provides the information regarding where and when you can deliver your materials.

    If you have a flyer in digital format (PDF, JPG, etc.), we're happy to forward it directly to our libraries where they can print and post them on their bulletin boards if space is available. Library managers decide what is posted on their community bulletin boards and what is distributed to meet the needs of the surrounding community.

    We accept printed materials like:

    • Posters
    • Flyers
    • Brochures
    • Postcards
    • Bookmarks
    • Handouts
    • Newspapers
    • Magazines
    • Program catalogs
    • Guides

    Priority is given to:
    1. Library and Pima County activities and services,
    2. Public educational institutions, museums, and cultural events, and
    3. Newspapers and publications for the general community, if space is available.

    If you have any questions about distributing materials that aren't answered here, contact library.news@pima.gov.

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