The Gila Bend Library, a long-standing resource for the Gila Bend community, is slated to close after the Gila Bend Unified School District (GBUSD) abruptly ended its partnership with the Maricopa County Library District (MCLD). For the past 30 years, the library housed on the GBUSD campus has offered not only books but also essential services like food assistance, job training, and internet access. Chairman Thomas Galvin of District 2 expressed disappointment in a statement obtained by Maricopa County's official publication, saying, "We would have loved to continue supporting the community for another 30 years but, unfortunately, the Gila Bend Unified School District (GBUSD) made a unilateral decision to end library service and told the Library District to vacate the building by the end of June."
The announcement came after attempts by MCLD to renegotiate the Intergovernmental Agreement fell through, with the GBUSD Superintendent notifying the Library District earlier this year of the termination. Highlighting the impact of this decision, Supervisor Steve Gallardo, representing District 5, told the publication, "This is a terrible result for students and families. The Gila Bend Library is a pillar of this community and has been for 34 years. Why would anyone want to take that resource away?" Despite the claim of "ongoing and increasing costs" by GBUSD as the reason for the termination, the school district plans to repurpose the building, which will presumably incur those same expenses.
The Gila Bend Library has occupied its current location for five years, and Maricopa County shouldered the renovation costs, totaling more than $558,000 to make the building move-in ready. Jeremy Reeder, director of MCLD, underscored the value the library has provided, recounting the various services in a statement to Maricopa County's announcement, "I'm proud of the incredible work we've done to serve the Gila Bend community over the past three decades, including curriculum support for students, free meals for residents in need, workforce development resources, and reliable internet service for all."
The facility offered 61 library programs for adults and teens in the past year alone and aided 64 people with workforce development services, as well as serving over 43,000 visitors. The closure is set for May 22, 2025, with the MCLD planning to assist staff and partners in the transition and moving out materials from the GBUSD location. Residents will still have access to online materials through MCLD's website following the closure.
