Joel D Valdez Main Library

I needed to check out a book they had in their closed stacks section for a tiny bit of research I was doing. Every librarian I spoke with was so polite and kind, and they even brought out extra books to help me on my quest. It was a short visit, but I found this library clean, organized, and spacious. I will return!

This library is the best, I am so excited to be part of the Pima County library family. When I signed up for my library card I was introduced to the extensive system available to members. First of all, checking out a book or movie etc is as simple as scanning your library card, typing in your personal identification number, and scanning your item. Done! The online catalog is so easy to use and has an app available on smartphones and tablets. One of my favorite features at this library is the seed exchange, and through the app I was able to hold seeds that weren't on location and have them sent to the location of my choice. This hold option is available for anything that can be checked out of the library!All three levels of the library are nicely organized and host computer catalogues for easy finds. There is even a handy poster which reviews the basic organization of the Dewey decimal system. The parking garage is so simple and the first hour is free.

I recently applied for and received a library card all in the same visit at the Joel D Valdez library, and despite not having a piece of mail to verify my address, the Librarian took my word for it and got me all set up. Overall it's a lovely place filled with all sorts of books, magazines and even videos that you borrow and take home for a while, as long as you bring them back by a certain time. And did I mention that you can do this for free?? The air conditioning was working really well and the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful. I'll definitely be coming back regularly. I love this library!

Friends, We love libraries, but this one is exceptional! The staff is very friendly and they have lots of books! Happy Reading! @Gorgeous.George2020

Awesome Library! I find myself concentrating really well in this Quiet, Cool, and calming environment. They always have computers, Espeon for Job Search. I assume they loan books and other things, too. I just have late fees from 2 years ago that has prevented me from taking advantage of such a great Library! The Library is smack dab in the middle of Downtown Tucson! This gives many benefits including easy public transportation, an abundance of restaurants and shops nearby, and the general General Downtown Atmosphere. Some disadvantages for some people might include: Greater concentration of Tucson's Homeless population. The large diversity downtown can make for a number of odd, interesting, uncomfortable, and bizarre events all around. But it's all just part of the charm!

I'll keep it simple. Pros: The library has a sizable selection of books on tape. Going for a long drive? Don't pay the rental fee at Cracker Barrel! Check out the local library first. The library keeps late hours Monday through Wednesday -- closing at 8 p.m. Open on Saturdays and Sundays, too. The librarians can be strict here. Seemingly more so than, say, the Valencia location and the Woods library. I'm serious. Do not mess with these folks. Do. Not. They have rooms to use if you are hosting a meeting or study group. Cons: The library has its own parking lot, but charges a fee if you stay beyond one hour. However, you can get free parking if you are there late enough. ...I cannot think of another con. That is all.

I love this place! It's huge the book selection is great. The kids area is amazing. I'm epically fond of the seed selection in the seed exchange program.

The library is the best. They offer so much and I use them constantly. You can put a book on hold from any library and they will bring it to the one closest to you. If they don't have a book you want you can suggest that they buy it. Everyone who works at the library is friendly, kind and helpful.

We stopped by the Friends of the Library Book store. They were the worst FOL I've ever been to. They were rude when I asked about prices of the books. Then they bragged about how much money make. This is not a place that gives, ita place that take and profits off donations and brags about it.

I've lived in Manhattan & San Francisco almost my entire life, and I just moved to Tucson, Arizona just a couple of months ago. I haven't had much interaction with the local people, I mostly spend my time at the JoeL Valdez Library doing some research work. The Library is amazing, open to all the public, with open spaces in all three floors and amazing amenities. What prompted me though to add a review is the exceptional customer service of the librarians here. In NYC they say people are nice but not kind, in the Bay Area they are kind but not nice. Well, if the people working at this library is indicative of the average person in this town then they are certainly extremely kind and exceptionally nice. There have been a few instances where the librarians have been both kind and nice to me, like giving me a set of earphones for free, even though they charge a fee but there are also times they go way above and beyond, like today, I asked the gentleman at the information desk on the first floor if he had a plastic fork so I can have my salad, and he immediately started looking through all the drawers, when a sweet lady named Mary stepped in and said "I have one at my desk back in the library offices." So she proceeded to walk all the way back to her offices and a few minutes returned with the plastic fork! So kudos, and a big thank you to the outstanding staff at this library for accommodating the people to the fullest, above and beyond their official responsibilities and duties.