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Important Update

Due to a parking lot construction project, the Arizona Talking Book Library building will be closed to walk-in visitors from July 20 – August 14, 2026. We will continue to provide talking books, braille, and library equipment by mail.

During this time, staff may be unavailable to answer calls immediately. Please leave a voicemail message with your full name, phone number with area code, and message and we will return your call within one business day. You may also contact us by email at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

State Metal

Name of State Symbol
Copper

photograph of the State Metal, Copper, as seen at Arizona Capitol Museum

Copper officially became the new state metal on July 3, 2015. Senate Bill 1441 was signed into law March 27 by Gov. Doug Ducey. The bill was sponsored by State Senator Steve Smith who was approached with the idea by fourth-grade teacher Jennifer Royer. As part of an exercise in her civics class at Copper Creek Elementary School in Tucson, Royer's students proposed that Arizona should have a state metal and that metal should be copper.

The copper specimen was presented to the Arizona Capitol Museum by Freeport-McMoRan representatives Vice President African Exploration William H. Wilkinson, Ph.D. and Richard Bark, Director of Government Relations and Environmental Counsel.