Peoria, Surprise and Glendale each run their own city library system, and each issues its own card. Peoria and Glendale cards are free to Maricopa County residents, Surprise has its own card and a Words on Wheels homebound delivery program, and the Maricopa County Library District mails Large Print books free to homebound county residents.
Northwest Valley libraries for retirees at a glance
- Peoria: Peoria Public Library, a city system with Peoria Main Library (8463 W. Monroe St.) and Sunrise Mountain Library (21109 N. 98th Ave.).
- Surprise: Surprise Public Library System, run by the City of Surprise since 2023, with Surprise Regional, Asante and Hollyhock libraries.
- Glendale: Glendale Public Library, a city system with Main, Foothills and Heroes Regional Park libraries, plus Velma Teague (closed for repairs at last check, with events at the Civic Center Annex).
- Cards: Peoria and Glendale cards are free to Maricopa County residents. A county (MCLD) card is not accepted for checkouts at Surprise branches.
- Homebound: Surprise Words on Wheels for eligible Surprise residents; MCLD Books By Mail for homebound Maricopa County residents.
- Programs: Adult book clubs, tech help and classes are posted on each system's live calendar.
Three cities, three separate library systems
Many newcomers assume one county card covers every library. It does not. Peoria, Surprise and Glendale each operate a city library system with its own catalog, card and policies. The Maricopa County Library District (MCLD) runs a separate set of branches elsewhere in the county, along with county-wide services like Books By Mail.
Surprise is the one that changed most recently. Its three libraries used to be county branches. In February 2023 the city took over management under the new Surprise Public Library System, and on July 1, 2023 the former Northwest Regional Library at 16089 N. Bullard Ave. was renamed Surprise Regional Library. From that date a Surprise Public Library System card has been required to check out materials at Surprise branches, and an MCLD card is no longer accepted there. County cardholders keep access to MCLD's own branches and digital library.
Library cards for new residents
Peoria Public Library. Any Maricopa County resident can get a free card at Peoria Main Library or Sunrise Mountain Library. Adults bring two forms of ID: one photo ID and one showing your current address, such as current mail, a personal check or a voter registration card. An Arizona driver's license with your current address and photo works by itself. Clear digital ID is accepted if staff can verify it, and you must be present when the card is issued. Peoria resident cards renew every three years; cards for county residents who live outside Peoria renew yearly. Peoria libraries do not charge overdue fines, though lost or damaged items are billed.
Glendale Public Library. A Glendale card is free to all Maricopa County residents. In person, bring a photo ID (a driver's license, state ID, Digital AZ Mobile ID, passport or similar) and proof of address (a utility bill or mail dated within 30 days, a lease or mortgage papers, car registration, a voter registration card and others). Glendale also offers an online eCard, which gives you eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming and databases but does not let you check out physical items. To upgrade an eCard, visit a service desk with photo ID and proof of address. Both card types renew every year.
Surprise Public Library System. Surprise issues its own card, and county residents can get one. The Surprise library website could not be opened during this check, so confirm the current ID list and signup steps with a Surprise branch before your first visit.
Peoria Public Library adult programs
Peoria's adult program list is broad. Recent listings include book clubs (Between the Covers, Novels @ Night, a cookbook club), one-on-one tech help, computer and AI classes, Medicare seminars, a Modern Retirement session, a Spanish conversation group, Master Gardeners talks, crochet and sewing clubs, a retro movie club and evening concerts. Programs rotate by season and by building, so check the calendar for Main or Sunrise Mountain, whichever is closer to the home you choose. Main Library is reachable at (623) 773-7555 and Sunrise Mountain at (623) 773-8650.
Surprise Public Library adult services
Surprise's events calendar covers Asante Library, Hollyhock Library and Surprise Regional Library, with an adult (18 and up) filter, community experiences and streaming events. Listings change often, so check it close to the date you want.
Glendale Public Library adult services
Glendale lists public computers, printing and Wi-Fi, mobile hotspots to borrow, 3D printing, book clubs, a Readers Concierge service that suggests your next read, culture passes, interlibrary loan, a seed library and free meeting rooms for cardholders. Foothills Library at 19055 N. 57th Ave. is the only Glendale branch with a drive-up window, handy on hot days. Main Library is at 5959 W. Brown St. and Heroes Regional Park Library is at 6075 N. 83rd Ave. All locations share one phone number, 623-930-3600. Velma Teague Library was listed as closed for repairs, with its events moved to the Civic Center Annex at 5752 W. Glenn Dr., so call before you go there.
Homebound and books-by-mail services
Surprise Words on Wheels. The Surprise Public Library System's homebound delivery policy describes Words on Wheels as a free delivery service for people who cannot visit a library because of illness, injury, impairment, a medical condition or a disability. You need an active Surprise library card, a home within Surprise city limits and the ability to manage an online account and place holds. No medical certification is required. Patrons borrow up to five items, with one delivery per month, and sign a service agreement. The program began as a six-month pilot approved in August 2023, so confirm it is still running before you plan around it.
Maricopa County Library District Books By Mail. MCLD mails Large Print books to homebound Maricopa County residents who cannot otherwise use library materials. Loans run three weeks and postage is free both ways through the U.S. Postal Service. You can sign up by calling 602-652-3070 or with the online form, and MCLD says it responds within two business days. Ask MCLD to confirm your address qualifies; this is county paperwork, separate from a city card.
Peoria and Glendale. Neither city's library pages that were checked describe a homebound delivery program. Both libraries say they provide accommodations on request, so call the desk and ask what is available for your situation. Books By Mail remains an option to ask MCLD about.
How this fits a home search
When buyers compare Surprise, Peoria, Glendale and the nearby 55+ communities, I put the closest library branch on the same sheet as the recreation center and the floor plan. Sun City and Sun City West have a different setup, covered in the Sun City AZ library guide. For the East Valley version of this page, see Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert libraries for seniors. If you want classes beyond the library calendar, the lifelong learning classes guide covers more options, and the Arizona 55+ living hub compares communities. In age-restricted communities, occupancy rules are in each community's CC&Rs; a library card does not change them.
Questions people ask
Can I use a Maricopa County library card at Surprise libraries?
Not for checkouts. Since July 1, 2023, Surprise branches require a Surprise Public Library System card. Your county card still works at MCLD branches and for MCLD's digital library.
Do Peoria and Glendale charge Maricopa County residents for a card?
No. Both say their cards are free to Maricopa County residents. Bring a photo ID and a proof of address that the library accepts.
Is there a library service that mails books to homebound seniors?
MCLD's Books By Mail sends Large Print books free to homebound Maricopa County residents (602-652-3070). Surprise residents can also ask about Words on Wheels delivery.
Does Peoria charge overdue fines?
No. Peoria libraries do not charge overdue fines, but lost or damaged items are billed.
Sources: Peoria Public Library, Glendale Public Library, Surprise Public Library System, City of Surprise, Maricopa County Library District.
Moving to the Northwest Valley and want the library, the rec center and the right floor plan close together? Talk with Terry Day, DeLex Realty, 602-483-4665.