Burton Barr Central Library

About

Burton Barr Central Library is the main branch of the Phoenix Public Library, designed by architect Will Bruder with DWL Architects. In 2021 the building received a Twenty-Five Year Award from the American Institute of Architects. Walking in and looking around is free, and the fifth-floor Great Reading Room is the reason to go. The 43,000-square-foot room sits under a 32-foot-high floating ceiling hung on cables, with slot skylights letting in daylight. On the summer solstice, light through those skylights hits the steel tips of the columns around noon, and the library holds a viewing event. Any other day, the upper floor gives you wide views out over the city.