A renovated and expanded Pima County library branch on Tucson's south side has reopened with a larger children's area, a dedicated teen space and a new seed library.

The Richard Elías-Mission Library reopened May 4 with a 5,000-square-foot expansion that modernizes the space while preserving the character of the original building.

The Mission Library branch originally opened in 1978 and closed in March 2024 for the renovation. Its name was changed to honor Richard Elías, a longtime Pima County supervisor who died unexpectedly in 2020 and was a lifelong advocate for literacy, affordable housing and the library system.

"It's exciting to see the architectural differences from old to new," said Branch Manager Hassael Cazesuz. "It's more contemporary and more grand, too."

The renovation was designed by Tucson firm Line and Space to reflect the surrounding Sonoran Desert landscape, with exposed masonry and a redesigned entryway intended to serve as a community gateway at Ajo Way and Mission Road.

"We've really enjoyed watching people's jaws drop when they walk in the main entrance," Cazesuz said. "The arch that used to be on the building's exterior is now inside. It's the main focal point of the entrance."

Library staff were involved from the early stages of the renovation, participating in conversations with architects and administrators and attending public information sessions before shifting focus to planning the reopening.

The expanded branch includes a large multipurpose room that community members can reserve to host classes or hold events.

"We've had people already asking about it and submitting applications," Cazesuz said.

The renovated library also boasts an expanded children's area with sound minimization and an enclosed outdoor play space, a dedicated teen and tween space with a maker/gamerspace and outdoor patio, an on-site seed library, a larger adult book and magazine collection and additional meeting space with an adaptable outdoor space.

"I love the patio area and the connection with the patio and the meeting room that leads between the teen and children's areas. If someone wants to feel a little connected to nature, they can bring their books or study materials outside," Cazesuz said.

The expanded children's area includes a dedicated room for story time and a door that can be closed if kids are singing or dancing and getting a little too excited.

"The design was very thoughtful with the glass walls really separating the different collections. We wanted children and teens to feel like it can be their own space," Cazesuz said. "You know when you're in the teen area, it's kind of encapsulated in the glass. Same thing with the children's area. We hope that kids, teens and tweens come in and enjoy the space."

The renovated branch includes three large study rooms with whiteboards and TVs that can fit up to six people. The library also expanded technology access, with computers available throughout the building, including dedicated terminals in the teen and children's areas, plus two copy machines. Seating throughout the building is equipped with outlets for charging.

Cazesuz says the branch's staff is especially excited about the seed library near the front desk, and have been introducing the program to patrons as they sign up for library cards.

The staff is also excited to begin planning the grand opening celebration and other events, with Cazesuz saying it's been a long time coming.

"Everything before was just getting ready to open," he said. "Now, we start working on the programming."

No date has been set for a grand opening, but Cazesuz said staff and patrons alike have been eager for the celebration.

In the meantime, plenty of other events are already in the works.

"Story times will be coming as early as next month, and in the makerspace, we're talking about having some STEM-related programming," Cazesuz said. "Most (branches,) if not all, partner with Literacy Connects to offer adult classes, including citizenship classes and English classes. Our adult services (librarians) are already working with the UA Master Gardeners on some programming, which will probably start in the fall."

But pulling it all together takes time, Cazesuz said, from lining up supplies and scheduling to figuring out what the community needs most. The clock is already ticking.

"We're getting ready for the summer. That's usually when we get a lot of our families in," Cazesuz said. "We're trying to get families ready with programming, summer learning and summer reading and getting all of that ready to go. We're also doing an adult summer reading this year."

For many in the surrounding neighborhood, the two-year closure meant traveling to other branches or not going at all.

"A lot of people have been going to other branches, but a lot of people also haven't been using their cards, so we've seen a lot of cards expire," Cazesuz said. "We did so many new library cards the first few days, re-signing up or signing up families. We've had lots of people asking how old their kids have to be to get their own cards. We tell them they can be any age, as long as they're with a parent or guardian."

Kids under 18 can get a library card on their own, though the library recommends they bring a parent or guardian, who will need to come in eventually to unlock full checkout privileges.

The sentiment from returning patrons has been hard to miss.

"People have said, 'We're just so happy you're open,'" Cazesuz said. "Two years is significant. We're happy to reopen and welcome the community back in."

Caitlin Schmidt is Editor and Publisher of Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at caitlin@tucsonspotlight.org.

Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.