A downtown Glendale library whose fate has been up in the air has temporarily closed after a fire caused "significant damage" to the building's electrical system.
A nearby building is being converted into a short-term home, while officials evaluate the needs of Velma Teague Library, located in historic Murphy Park.
The fire in July is just another facility and maintenance challenge for the library, which was built in 1971.
City officials have been trying to address the aging building's issues effectively for nearly two years. At one point, the city was going to demolish and relocate it, but leaders scrapped the controversial plan after resident pushback.
The overall future of Velma Teague remains uncertain. City leaders' main priority right now
is figuring out how to continue providing library services to patrons during the 15,500-square-foot building's closure.
What's going on with Velma Teague Library?
By early September, officials still didn't know what caused the fire, according to Michelle Woytenko, director of field operations.
Lesley Miller, a city spokesperson, confirmed Sept. 23 that the cause was still unknown. John Chester, a Glendale fire spokesperson, said it was an exterior fire that did not spread inside.
Woytenko told city leaders that officials estimated it would cost about $2 million to fix the interior electrical work.
But the library already had other issues, including aging systems, plumbing concerns, roof leaks, asbestos and heating, cooling and air conditioning, according to the city. Some of these require significant repairs, replacements and investments, and the city had already budgeted $5 million for these.
Woytenko said the fixes would take six to 12 months, but believed it would be closer to 12 months. The $7 million cost would only solve operational needs, not overall improvements to the library and patrons' experience.
Glendale previously considered demolishing and relocating Velma Teague to a nearby city-owned facility. City officials said it was a cost-savings proposal that would allow the city to offer improved services to the community.
City leaders opted for alternatives after there was fierce opposition from residents who wanted to preserve the library in Murphy Park. The city's Library Advisory Board has been involved in the discussions.
Those alternatives are still being worked out. Following the fire, a city statement read that establishing a temporary library will give officials time to take a comprehensive look at the "total capital and maintenance needs for the building, beyond the necessary short-term repairs at the downtown branch."
Where should Velma Teague Library patrons go now?
Glendale's Civic Center Annex building, less than a five-minute walk east, will serve as the library's temporary location.
The temporary site is expected to open by Dec. 1, but weekly library events have been underway since late August. Library patrons can go to Glendale's other branches or use the library's digital collection during the transition.
Once the temporary transition is complete, the nearly 10,000-square-foot building will house books, public computers, meeting and program spaces and other services, according to the city.
Kimberly Hall, Glendale's community services director, said the temporary space was an "excellent" solution to continue serving patrons in downtown Glendale.
“The space allows the library and staff to continue offering all the resources and services our community enjoys," Hall said in a statement.
The temporary site is located at 5752 W Glenn Drive. Patrons can use the free Glendale Urban Shuttle transit service to get there.
For updates on the temporary site, hours and programming, people can visit Library.GlendaleAZ.gov.
Republic reporter Shawn Raymundo contributed.
Elena Santa Cruz covers the West Valley cities of Glendale, Surprise and Peoria. Reach her at elena.santacruz@arizonarepublic.com or follow her on X @ecsantacruz3.
Like this story? Get more West Valley news straight into your email inbox by signing up for our free weekly West Valley Newsletter, which comes out on Tuesdays.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What's next for troubled Glendale library after fire closes it
