(Tucson, AZ) The forthcoming library that will be located at 10931 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way has been named Esmond Station Library. It had been informally referred to as the Southeast Library. The Library, which broke ground in late-January 2020, will primarily serve residents of the Greater Vail area, including Corona de Tucson, Vail, and Rita Ranch. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated opening date is not yet available, but will be carefully selected at a later time when it is safe to do so.
Library customers were actively involved in the naming. A survey was distributed via social media, the Library's website, and targeted emails to nearly 22,000 customers living in southeast Pima County. More than 3,400 responses were received with 43.8% of respondents selecting Esmond Station Library.
The Library is excited that this will be the name of the new location in the Esmond Station Regional Park. Given the historical importance of the area, this name will help honor Vail’s past, present, and future. This new location will honor the region not only in name, but through public artwork created by local metal artist, Troy Neiman. The artwork—a 45-foot-long screen cut from steel plate—will feature a timeline of Vail history, local culture, and desert plants and animals.
The 8,000-9,000 square foot Esmond Station Library, designed by BWS Architects, will feature a meeting room that opens to the outdoors and movable shelving and furniture to create flexible spaces that can be adjusted to meet the needs of customers. Furnishings will promote community gathering and provide a sense of neighborhood living. Connected by trailhead to the Esmond Station Regional Park, the building will be within walking distance of Empire High School and Esmond Station K-8.
The Esmond Station Library will address the needs of the community in a variety of ways, including but not limited to access to library materials for homework support, a cutting edge information commons, programming for education, workforce development, and connected learning dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programming.
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