Research Center
Begin Your Research Here
The Reading Room is open to resesarchers by appointment. Appointments are available between 8:30 am - Noon and 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. We are closed on all State holidays.
Click here to view our Research Guide for more details about scheduling your visit and conducting research in our Reading Room, or click here to request an appointment.
Researchers are able to access the following collections and resources:
Government Documents and Publications
- The Arizona Government Documents and Publications contains publications produced by Arizona state agencies collected by the State Library since territorial times
- In addition, the State Library hosts a regional Federal Documents Depository and the Federal Agency Publications and Information Collection.
- Are you an inventor? Visit our Patent and Trademark Resource Center for information and events on applying for patents or trademarks.
- The Law Library contains current Arizona Statutes as well as other Legal Resources for your research.
Archives Collections
- Visit the History and Archives Building for Research at the Archives.
- Looking for a photograph? Our Photograph Collections contain over 180,000 photos.
- For something uniquiely Arizona we have our Arizona Collection.
- State, County and Local Government Records
- Legislators' Papers
- Private Manuscript Collections
- Historic and Current Maps
- Oral Histories
- For State Agencies and Local Governments we also provide Records Retention Training and Schedules.
Arizona Newspapers
- The Arizona Newspapers Collection contains Microfilm and digital copies of historic newspapers.
- You can also access print copies and electronic links to current statewide newspapers.
Research Online
Starting your research online? Be sure to check out our online catalogs and databases.
- Online Catalog for the Research Library collections.
- The Arizona Memory Project contains thousands of digitized documents, photographs and recordings from a variety of partners.
- Arizona Biographical Database for persons of interest to Arizona history.
- Arizona Legislators: Then & Now contains biographical information about everyone who has been elected or appointed to the Arizona State Legislature since Statehood in 1912.
- The Digital Arizona Library has access to our subscription databases for Arizona residents.
- Online Resources for State Employees has materials suited to your particular needs.
- The Website Collection (hyperlink) includes historical versions of websites for Arizona’s state agencies, departments and elected officials, starting in 2007.
Genealogy and Family History
Visit the Polly Rosenbaum State History and Archives building for unique Arizona materials including, but not limited to, historic newspapers, assessment rolls, brand indexes, marriage licenses and court records.
Have Questions? We Have Answers
Check out the FAQ page for information from the librarians at the State of Arizona Research Library, or check out the library blog The Shining S.T.A.R.L
Planning Your Research Trip
Parking is available in front of the Polly Rosenbaum Archives and History Building.
Polly Rosenbaum Archives and History Building
1901 W Madison St
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday (By appointment only)
Archives phone: 602-926-3720
Library phone: 602-926-3870
Collections Include
- Arizona Archival Collections
- Arizona Books and Publications
- Genealogy and Family History
- Photographs
- Maps
- Newspapers
- Government Information
- Law resources