PHOENIX — The city of El Mirage on Tuesday cut the ribbon on a new library that was repurposed from an old firehouse.

The $3.6 million project at 13513 N. El Mirage Road more than triples the size of the previous library at 7,435 square feet and is available to the city’s approximately 35,000 residents, as well as those who are part of the Maricopa County Library District.

“This library will build a strong foundation for our future by providing a place where our community can gather and learn,” Mayor Alexis Hermosillo said in a press release.

“I am proud of our partnership with Maricopa County because it allows us to maximize services for our residents. The endless learning opportunities that will happen here will only further enhance our quality of life in El Mirage.”

Operating hours for the library are Mondays through Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

A community celebration for the new library is planned for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The library includes a dedicated computer space named after El Mirage city councilmember Roy Delgado, study rooms, a children’s area and a multi-purpose community room.

Parking at the location was also increased to 32 spaces and offers vehicle charging stations as part of a pilot project with APS.

The city, which owns the facility, contributed $2.1 million for the project through capital improvement project funds.

Maricopa County contributed just under $1 million, while an additional $400,000 came from federal COVID-19 relief funding.

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