How It All Began<\/h3>\n
The push for a local library began in the late 1990s, when Oro Valley\u2019s population was rapidly increasing with family neighborhoods and retirement communities like Sun City Vistoso and SaddleBrooke. Before the library was built, residents had to travel to branches like the Nanini Library for public library services.<\/p>\n
In 1997, Pima County voters approved a bond issue that set aside $5.25 million<\/strong> for a new library to serve the northwest area. While the initial plan was for a joint-use facility with the Amphitheater School District, a final decision in 1999 led to building a standalone library on the Oro Valley municipal campus. The Town of Oro Valley provided the land,thanks in part to a local developer\u2019s help,and collaborated with Pima County to bring the vision to life.<\/p>\n The project received strong public funding, but it was the Oro Valley community that truly brought the library to life. The newly formed Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library<\/a> began raising funds before construction even started. Their grassroots efforts brought in over $100,000<\/strong> to furnish and enhance the facility beyond its base construction budget.<\/p>\n The Town Council gave a $7,400 seed grant, and locals organized book sales, raffles, and donation drives. Charter Lifetime Members donated $1,000 each, while companies like Comcast provided funding and promotional help. The first used book sale was held in October 2001 at James D. Kriegh Park, and support kept growing from there.<\/p>\n The ribbon-cutting on August 17, 2002, was a major town event, with remarks from then-Mayor Paul Loomis and local dignitaries. The celebration included live music, refreshments, and special programs throughout the opening week to introduce the public to the new library and all it had to offer.<\/p>\n At launch, about 15,000 square feet<\/strong> of the building was in use, including the main collection, reference materials, a children\u2019s room, and limited seating. Even with only part of the facility complete, the response was overwhelming. By the end of the library\u2019s first year, thousands of area residents had signed up for library cards.<\/p>\n What began as an affiliate of the Tucson-Pima Public Library system,operated mainly by the Town of Oro Valley,soon became a vital and heavily used community space, serving families, retirees, and everyone in between.<\/p>\n To explore more about how the library continues to grow today, visit our Legacy of the Oro Valley Library<\/a> feature article.<\/p>\n The success of the Oro Valley Public Library<\/a> didn\u2019t just come from public funding,it came from passionate people. From early planners to everyday volunteers, the library\u2019s development has been shaped by civic leaders, cultural advocates, and residents who simply cared enough to get involved.<\/p>\n As Director of the Tucson-Pima Public Library in the late 1990s, Agnes Griffin<\/strong> was among the first to champion a new library in Oro Valley. She not only helped lay the groundwork for the project but also encouraged local resident Jayne Kuennemeier to form a Friends group to support the effort. Griffin later served on the library\u2019s technical advisory committee, providing seasoned guidance during the planning stages.<\/p>\n Jayne Kuennemeier<\/strong> became the library\u2019s most dedicated grassroots organizer. She assembled a founding board for the Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library, including early volunteers like Henry Suozzi, Mary Ann Schumacher, Alisdair Innes, Marjorie Gerdes, George Heine, and Jane Roether. Under her leadership, the Friends group grew to over 200 members in its first year and raised tens of thousands of dollars. Kuennemeier continued her advocacy in later years, including service on a 2008 Town task force studying library governance.<\/p>\n Often called the \u201cMuse of Oro Valley,\u201d Dick Eggerding<\/strong> was instrumental in securing the library site at Naranja and La Ca\u00f1ada Drive. As a longtime arts advocate, Eggerding helped push for the land donation and made sure public art would be a part of the library\u2019s identity. Thanks to Oro Valley\u2019s 1997 \u201c1% for Public Art\u201d ordinance,which Eggerding co-authored,the iconic Tree of Knowledge<\/em> sculpture was commissioned as a centerpiece of the new library campus. His work helped ensure the building was not just functional, but beautiful and inspiring as well.<\/p>\n As the first Library Manager, Jane Peterson<\/strong> guided the Oro Valley Public Library through critical growth years. Hired by the Town, she coordinated daily operations, worked closely with the Friends group, and led the library through its 2004\u20132005 expansion. That project added dedicated spaces for children and teens. Peterson was also at the helm when the library transitioned from a town-operated affiliate to a full branch of the Pima County Public Library system. She retired in late 2012, having shaped the library during its most formative decade.<\/p>\n Beyond their founders, the Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library<\/a> have been a constant force for good. Longtime volunteer JoAnn Dumas<\/strong>, who was later honored as \u201cVolunteer of the Decade,\u201d helped professionalize the group\u2019s book sale operations. In 2011, Joyce and John Nichols II<\/strong> donated funds to upgrade the public computer lab, earning them Lifetime Member status on the library\u2019s donor mural.<\/p>\n Each year, the Friends host used book and jewelry sales to fund library programs, technology upgrades (like 3D printers and projectors), and special events. Their efforts continue to make a meaningful difference in library services and programming for the entire Oro Valley community.<\/p>\n The Oro Valley Public Library is the product of collaboration between the Town of Oro Valley, Pima County library leadership, and everyday residents. Leaders like Kuennemeier, Eggerding, and Peterson brought unique strengths,organizing community support, securing public art and land, and managing operations,to build not just a building, but a lasting institution that serves and reflects the people of Oro Valley.<\/p>\n Learn more about the library\u2019s early history and community-driven development in our Legacy of the Oro Valley Library<\/a> article.<\/p>\n The success of the Oro Valley Public Library<\/a> is no accident. From the very beginning, it was shaped by passionate residents, civic leaders, and library professionals who shared a common goal: to build a library that would truly serve its community. Below are just a few of the individuals and organizations who played key roles in bringing that vision to life.<\/p>\n As Director of the Tucson-Pima Public Library system in the late 1990s, Agnes Griffin<\/strong> was one of the first to recognize the growing need for a local library in Oro Valley. She asked Oro Valley resident Jayne Kuennemeier<\/strong> to organize a Friends group to support the new branch, and later served on the library\u2019s technical advisory committee. Her professional insight helped ensure the project was guided by experienced library leadership from the start.<\/p>\nCommunity Support and Fundraising<\/h3>\n
Grand Opening in 2002<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nCommunity Advocacy and Key Contributors<\/h2>\n
Agnes Griffin<\/h3>\n
Jayne Kuennemeier<\/h3>\n
Dick Eggerding<\/h3>\n
Jane Peterson<\/h3>\n
Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library<\/h3>\n
A Collective Achievement<\/h3>\n
Community Advocacy and Key Contributors<\/h2>\n
Agnes Griffin<\/h3>\n
Jayne Kuennemeier<\/h3>\n