){kind=icon}
I remember exactly what the library at my elementary school looked like. I remember the construction paper leaves hanging around the doorway, I think inspired by “Where the Wild Things Are.”
I remember checking out a biography about a ballerina and reading a whole lot of “Sideways Stories from Wayside School.” I think there might have even been a few “Lizzie McGuire” books stocked on the shelves.
I, of course, remember the beloved Scholastic Book Fair.
My love for the library reignited as an adult — but the Pima County Public Library has more than books. I rented a VHS about polar bears when I was a kid. I’ve used the printer. I’ve been tempted by the long list of book clubs offered. I’ve used the library as a cooling space during a very hot Tucson Meet Yourself.
Even as a lifelong Tucsonan, there are many things about our library that I had no idea existed. With the help of the library’s communications specialist Holly Schaffer, here’s a long list of everything you can do with your library card.
First, here’s how to get a FREE library card
- Visit in person with a photo ID. If your ID doesn’t have your current address, bring a piece of mail or a legal document with your name and correct address.
- Apply via email and get a physical card sent to you in the mail.
- Apply online for an eCard which provides limited library access.
If you live in Arizona but don’t have a photo ID or proof of address, you’re still able to receive a limited card with online library access.
There are 27 branches — click here to find the branch closest to you.
Let’s start with the obvious
Borrowing books is a big reason to get a library card. The Pima County Public Library has 889,010 print books and 101,150 digital copies.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can head here to find lists curated by the book-loving staff. Or you can go here to get personalized reading recommendations. There’s also a library blog with author Q&As, stories about services and more.
Free admission to museums
To folks without a library card, this might be a hidden gem. The Pima County Public Library offers culture passes which include free admission for two people at participating arts and cultural institutions.
There are some limitations — they’re offered on a first come, first served basis and you can only check out one pass (which includes admission for two) at a time. Participating spots in Tucson include:
- Children’s Museum Tucson
- Reid Park Zoo
- Tucson Botanical Gardens
- Tohono Chul
- Tucson Museum of Art
- MOCA Tucson
- Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
- Arizona History Museum
You can also check out a culture pass for participating Arizona museums outside of Tucson.
Computer and printer access
The library has free WiFi, plus desktop computers. You can also use their printers — it’s 10 cents per side of a page.
Cooling centers and snacks
Get out of the elements and enjoy the A/C at your nearest library.
Most branches also offer daily snacks for kids under age 18. Check the event calendar for details.
So many events and so many book clubs
The Pima County Public Library hosts hundreds of events every single month. That includes movie screenings, tech and job help, reading to dogs, art socials, storytimes, literacy programs, chess clubs and more for all ages.
As you can imagine, there’s also a long list of book clubs from LGBTQ+ reads to mysteries to groups specifically for teens.
Click here to see a list of upcoming events.
Get your high school diploma at no cost
Through Career Online High School, Pima County residents ages 22 and older can get an accredited high school diploma. The online school takes about a year to complete on average.
The e-library and a local Spotify
You don’t have to visit a library in person to enjoy its services — the e-library offers digital books, movies and magazines in addition to programs for online tutoring and job help.
You can peruse the Arizona Daily Star and The New York Times, read academic journal articles, get legal information, learn a new language and more — click here for a full list of digital offerings.
The Pima County Public Library uses platforms like Hoopla and Libby for audiobook listeners, in addition to Kanopy, which streams independent films and educational entertainment. There’s also Desert Streams — it’s like Spotify but for Tucson musicians. You can discover more than 100 artists from Znora to Miss Olivia & the Interlopers.
The library also works with Freegal, where you can download five free songs every week to keep.
Check out seeds
You can check out books and movies — but also seeds. The goal is to help the community connect with the process of growing their own healthy foods.
Seed libraries are available at most branches or you can use the library’s online catalog to check out seeds like radishes, peas, marigolds and penstemons.
Get homework help
The Pima County Public Library uses Brainfuse, which allows kindergarten through college students to connect with a live tutor online every day from 2-11 p.m. The service is available in both English and Spanish.
You can also get homework help in person on certain dates and the library has a long list of skills sheets for math, reading and writing.
Chat with authors
Through the library’s Writer in Residence program, writers of any age and genre have the chance to chat with local authors. Take a workshop or get one-on-one feedback and guidance.
Borrow a telescope
Thanks to a donation from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, adults can check out a telescope at select libraries. The telescopes can’t be reserved and can be checked out for a three-week timeframe.
Get tax help
During tax season, a handful of branches have free, in-person tax help for low-to-middle income taxpayers courtesy AARP Tax-Aide.
Get help preparing for the citizenship exam
Get free access to ProCitizen, which includes informative videos and practice exercises, with your library card. In-person citizenship classes are also available. Learn more here.
Book a room for meetings or studying
If you’re in need of a quiet space for a meeting or studying, most library branches have private rooms available with capacities that start at two people and go up to 148. Some libraries might require reservations.
Get books delivered by mail
For bibliophiles who are visually impaired or cannot read due to a physical disability and are unable to visit a branch in person, the library offers home delivery of large-type books and audiobooks.
The Bookbike
The Bookbike is a true gem, whether you have a library card or not. Three bookbikes — quite literally a library on wheels — roam around three library branches and also pop up at special events to provide free books to the community.
From 2012 to 2025, the Bookbike rode nearly 4,000 miles and gave away more than 110,000 books.
Ask a question
Have a question about literally anything, even if it’s not related to the library? Ask the Infoline! The hotline, 520-791-4010, is available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
How to help the library
The Pima County Public Library offers volunteer positions to both adults and teens ages 14-17.
You can also make a monetary donation to the library directly or to several groups that support the library, including the Pima Library Foundation and the Friends of the Pima County Public Library. You can also donate books!
This is an ad :)