White Tanks Branch Library

We love this library! My girls love coming here. It’s always clean and so far everyone we’ve encountered has been nothing but nice.

This is my library of choice in the Maricopa County system! It’s beautiful and quiet and I always find the staff helpful. If I need a book at another library I go online and request it to be sent to the White Tanks location and they send me an email letting me know when it arrives. I am sorry for the reviewer that found the male librarian rude to parents of «loud children/​babies»; however, I am grateful that he does this because my number #1 requirement for any library is peace and quiet.

This is great library to come to if you crave some peace and quiet. It’s located in Waddell and nestled at the base of the White Tank Mountain. It’s a bit of a drive from Surpise (about 28 minutes) but in my opinion, it’s worth it. It’s peaceful and serene here. Sometimes I don’t even feel like going into the library. When I exit my car, I just want to drink in the panoramic view of the West Valley and as I said, it’s so quiet… there’s no traffic, no cars… just quiet!
The library itself is spacious and well lit. If you want a more spectacular view while you’re studying or reading, as you enter head to the back of the library where the large windows are and there you can see more of the White Tank Mountains.
The library staff are friendly and helpful when needed. I find the selections small or limited.
I don’t use the computer and I’m not sure if they offer free internet for patrons but the library does have free wifi so that’s helpful if you bring your tablet or laptop.
The library is usually quiet except for the occasional noisy kid.

Its a fantastic library. the views are beautiful and the library is clean. The only issue is the male librarian. I have seen him on more than one occasion tell a family they had to leave because the children in the children’s area where too loud. He told a woman with her baby to settle down or leave after one of the infant classes. Usually not a big deal but he is rude and stands there very confrontational when addressing a parent. He often speaks disrespectfully to the children. If it wasn’t for him i would have given 5 stars.

Not much to do when you get into the Mountains other than hike some trails. The Library was beautiful and they fed the snakes on the Friday that we were there and out 5 kids loved it. This was FREE, so you can’t beat that.

We come here mainly to take my daughter to the weekly playgroup that Phoenix Children’s Hospital (I believe) sponsors. She loves it! There’s a really good selection of kids books. I’m not much of a reader (gasp!) so I can’t say much about the adult selection but hubby (who is a reader) seems to like it. I think they have a thing online where you can request a book to be available at a specific library so you can always go that route.
The best thing about this library is its location. Granted, out of the way and nothing near by but homes and a BEAUTIFUL view of the White Tanks. If I didn’t have a kid, I would just sit in there all afternoon with a book or magazine and check out the gorgeous landscape. The architecture is also very nice. Simple, crisp and blends well with the landscape.
The library is connected to the park so before or after your time at the library, you can always do a hike! If you are in the area, definitely check it out!

Awesome library… what a gorgeous view! Totally worth the drive.

Beautiful, quiet and fun. Love being able to check out movies for free, good selection. Just needs more books to fill the shelves and more popular books available to check out instead of having to go on a wait list. Other than that is is wonderful. I love going there to study, read, and relax. Beautiful area.

Gorgeous!!!
Maricopa County has opened up a new library branch in the west valley and it really puts the other branches to shame. Literally right outside of the park gates for the White Tanks Mountain Preserve this modern building stands out and fits right into the desert surroundings. When you enter the actual library your eyes are immediately drawn to the floor to ceiling windows that line the west wall. you feel like you are in the middle of the desert surrounded by wildflowers and cacti. The facility itself is well laid out with plenty of computers, seating, and study rooms. The major bonus is that since it is a new branch– all the books are new! You still get to hear the binding crack open for the first time and the whole place has a new book smell about it. Special care has been taken to compliment the natural beauty surrounding it and is partially powered by solar panels. It may be a further drive for us (I could walk to the Northwest Branch) but honestly it is worth it.