In the heart of Parker, Arizona, a town of just over 3,400 residents spanning roughly one square mile, Parker Public Library plays a critical role in daily life. Under the leadership of Library Director Fenix Markel, the library has become far more than a place to check out books. It is a community hub, a safe space, and often the only accessible resource for families navigating poverty, transportation barriers, and low literacy rates.

A Community Hub in a Harsh Environment

With no public transportation and summer temperatures regularly climbing to 110–120 degrees, simply accessing services in Parker can be a challenge. Many children walk to the library after school or rely on pickups during the summer months. Once inside, they find far more than shelves of books.

The library offers a free food pantry supported by community donations, job-search assistance including free printing of applications and resumes, and access to tax information. These resources directly respond to what the community needs most. “Community” is the word Markel returns to again and again when describing the library’s role.

Mission-Driven Access for All

Parker Public Library’s mission centers on providing free and equal access to information, culture, and opportunity. The library intentionally brings educational experiences directly to Parker, hosting rotating exhibits on topics such as 9/11 and the Holocaust in partnership with other organizations. For many local children, this is their only exposure to these broader historical and cultural conversations.

A Clear Challenge: Reaching Teens

While demand for children’s services is high, engaging and retaining teens (particularly students in grades 6–12) has been an ongoing struggle. Literacy challenges in Arizona are well-documented, and many children in Parker do not have access to books at home. Compounding the issue, reading often becomes “uncool” as kids get older, making it harder to foster lifelong reading habits.

Before receiving funding, the library’s biggest gap was simply getting teens through the door and keeping them coming back. Shared spaces, busy schedules, and a lack of fresh, relevant materials made it difficult to build consistent relationships with this age group.

Timely Support, Strategic Impact

When Parker Public Library received an invitation to apply for funding from the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation, the timing could not have been better. The town was under a municipal spending freeze, limiting the library’s ability to invest in new programming or materials. The Foundation’s grant became a crucial financial buffer and a catalyst for growth.

Library leadership prioritized the funding around one clear goal: building a vibrant teen and tween community within the library. That meant revamping collections (including high-interest materials like manga) and investing in programming that actually excites teens.

Programs That Bring Teens Back

With the Foundation’s support, Parker Public Library has expanded and enhanced programs designed specifically to attract and retain young people, including:

• Murder Mystery Nights
• Silent Library and interactive game-based programming
• Arts and crafts workshops
• Video game days, featuring popular games like Mario Kart
  

These programs serve as entry points, helping teens feel comfortable in the space and more likely to return.

Literacy Starts at the Top

The library’s impact extends beyond children alone. Adult literacy is a major issue in the community, and Parker Public Library addresses this head-on through multiple adult book clubs. When adults read, children see it, and that modeling is often the first step toward building a culture of reading at home.

Improved circulation and sustained programming directly support youth literacy, school readiness, and confidence, particularly for families facing housing instability and financial stress.

A Safe Space That Changes Trajectories

For Fenix, the impact of the library is deeply personal. She recalls one young patron who struggled to make connections in the community. Over years of visits, starting when the child was just five, the library became a constant, safe presence. When that student later decided to attend boarding school, they and their parents returned to the library simply to say thank you.

“They told us the library was a safe space,” Markel said. “That’s why we do this.”

Looking Ahead

With continued support, Parker Public Library aims to further expand teen and tween engagement, explore long-term projects like a StoryWalk tied to a newly completed landscaping effort, and keep meeting young people where they are, both inside the library and out in local schools.

For other rural libraries considering applying for funding, Markel thinks there’s no reason not to. “The process is accessible, the partnership is supportive, and the impact—even if it reaches just one more kid—is worth it,” she said.

In Parker, the library isn’t just filling shelves. It’s filling gaps, building relationships, and proving that access, when done right, can change lives.