Why Should I Care?
“The health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture and our concern for the future can all be tested by how well we support our libraries.”
~ Carl Sagan
Every day, in the 5th largest city in the nation, thousands of Valley residents use their libraries.
Well, that is if they’re open. If it’s a Sunday, Monday, or Friday, between 4 and 8 of our 17 libraries are closed.
For the millions tax-paying citizens of Metropolitan Phoenix, this isn’t just inconvenient. It’s wasteful. Especially at a time when demand for library services is higher than ever.
The Every Library Every Day campaign is an effort, organized by the Friends of the Phoenix Public Library, to empower our community to speak up in support of having daily access to our public libraries. Join us in telling City Council that private dollars can support programs and services if public dollars can keep the buildings open.
Use the links below to get the facts. Then visit the “What Can I Do” page to take action now!
Do you know what Phoenix City Council District you live in?
Click here to find out.
Learn more about the role of public libraries in our nation.
Click here to read the American Library Association’s Report.
About Phoenix Public Library (2017/2018)
- 17 library locations
- 2 libraries open 7 days per week
- 11 closed 1 day per week
- 4 closed 2 days per week
- Over 200,000 children in early literacy and reading programs were given a better chance at succeeding in school
- Over 11,000 individuals received assistance in completing high school equivalency, college admittance, and financial aid applications from College Depot advisors
- Over 30,000 children and teens attended STE/AM (Science, Technology, Engineering/Arts, Mathematics) and coding programs.
- Connected over 10,000 job seekers to career resources.
- Provided over 21,000 healthy meals to hungry children through Kids Café.
- Provided over 800,000 hours of computer & internet access.
- 3.3 million patrons visited library branches
- 11.3 million items circulated
Visit them online at phxlib.org.
Get best practices, tips and tools for successfully advocating on behalf of your library in the
American Library Association’s Advocacy Handbook.
Since 1977, the nonprofit Friends of the Phoenix Public Library have promoted, enhanced and expanded the presence of the library for the benefit of the community.
Visit our website to learn more about the people behind the campaign.
About Literacy
- Only 79% of local 3rd graders are reading proficiently (Source: ReadOn Arizona) and one major marker of success is access to literacy materials, such as in libraries
- Children of parents with low literacy skills have a 72% chance of being at the lowest reading levels themselves (Source: ProLiteracy)
- Arizona students in grades 4 and 8 perform below the “proficient reading line” compared to the national average (Source: Literacy Partners)
- 75% of state prison inmates did not complete high school and are classified as low literate. (Source: ProLiteracy)
- Low literacy adds an estimated $230 million to the country’s annual health care costs. (Source: ProLiteracy)
- Individuals at the lowest level of literacy have a higher rate of unemployment than the national average. (Source: ProLiteracy)
- 93 million American adults read at or below basic literacy levels. Basic literacy skills do NOT include basic tasks such as identifying a specific location on a map or comprehending nutritional information on food labels – these tasks are designated as average or higher. (Source: Reading is Fundamental, National Center for Education Statistics)
- Poor literacy affects impacts nearly every aspect of life, including social and civic participation, earning potential, even health. (Source: Literacy Partners)
