Pam Harrison, Apache Junction library director, told the board on Nov. 13 that circulation and patron visits remained steady for August and September, with circulation in the 27,000–28,000 range and about 17,000 patron visits for each month. "We do about a 170 to 180 programs a month," Harrison said, and monthly program attendance recently reached about 3,000 to 3,200.

Harrison said volunteers are contributing strong hours and highlighted popular programs, including a sewing series that drew about 165 participants across nine sessions. On literacy, Harrison said federal National Center for Education Statistics data at the county level do not show alarming literacy or numeracy deficiencies for Pinal County, but she encouraged exploring local options for literacy and digital-literacy offerings. "It's something that we definitely need to think more about, and revisit and see where we go with it," she said, and invited board input on outreach approaches.

Harrison provided a detailed update on a planned library garden that has reached roughly 95% design completion. The project includes raised red-cedar beds, a seed/storage shed, a greenhouse with a small porch, picnic tables, an amphitheater with a canopy, festoon and bollard lighting that will be dark-sky compliant, and plantings intended to attract pollinators. She told the board the project’s footprint was originally estimated at about 5,000 square feet for the RFP but that more recent drawings show the garden is "actually over 19,000 square feet." "We were really off," Harrison said, adding that the team has adjusted layout and materials to address drainage and costs.

Harrison said some amenities (furniture, benches) may be purchased in a later budget year so more of the current budget can go to construction. She also said the library is considering donations for named benches and has discussed memorial options with Parks and Rec staff.

The director reported the state library is offering a potential $50,000 construction grant that would require a city match. The board will submit a letter of intent by the end of the month; Harrison said the library expects notification, likely in January, about whether it will be invited to apply.

On the new branch at City Campus South, Harrison said the library’s architects (Arrington Watkins) and staff are continuing site planning for the 22-acre parcel between Elliot and Warner on Ironwood. Staff toured peer facilities, including Heroes Library in Glendale and Gilbert Regional Park, to inform design decisions about shared park-and-library programming, shade, and amphitheater placement. Harrison said workforce partners have expanded services at the library, noting a Nov. 3 ribbon-cutting for Arizona at Work services and initial usage of three mornings per week.

Harrison closed by saying the library would continue outreach to determine community interest in literacy programming and would return to the board with findings. "I'll put it on the agenda again for our next meeting to see if we've had any traction with it," she said.