Prickly Pear Library Name Approved After Strong Community Support

The Phoenix Mayor and City Council formally approved Prickly Pear Library as the new name for the library serving the Laveen community, marking the culmination of a city‑directed renaming process and an extensive public engagement effort.

Over a five-week period this past spring, Phoenix Public Library invited the public to participate in a community survey designed to help identify a new name and the response was substantial: more than 6,100 community members participated. Prickly Pear emerged as the clear top choice among the proposed Sonoran Desert plant names.

Following the survey, the renaming was reviewed and advanced through the Library Advisory Board and City of Phoenix Heritage Commission, and it received final approval by Mayor Gallego and Phoenix City Council during the June 17 formal Council meeting.

Phoenix Public Library looks forward to continuing its service to the Laveen community under its new name and will share additional updates as signage, materials, and digital platforms transition to reflect Prickly Pear Library.