More books, more opportunities to read! Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary recently celebrated the opening of its 13th Little Lending Library, bringing free books closer to West Valley families. With another library already planned and approximately 1,700 children receiving books monthly through its Imagination Library program, this club is making literacy a community priority.
Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek: https://www.goodyearrotary.org
Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Opens Its 13th Little Lending Library
By Mary Kay Utecht | October 12, 2026
The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek celebrated another milestone in its literacy mission with the opening of its 13th Little Lending Library.
Financial support for the new library was provided by Rotarian and Goodyear Councilwoman Vicki Gillis. According to the club, Gillis has now sponsored three of its lending libraries and has committed to sponsoring a fourth location that will open soon. She has also been a consistent supporter of the club’s work with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Arizona State Representative Mariana Sandoval joined Rotarians and community members for the dedication. Sandoval previously served on the Agua Fria Union High School District Governing Board and has remained actively involved in supporting West Valley students and public education.
Also participating was Jim Frey, past president of the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek and coordinator of the club’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Frey has been a driving force behind the club’s early-literacy efforts. The club currently pays for approximately 1,700 West Valley children to receive a new, age-appropriate book in the mail every month through the Imagination Library.
Rotarians Milt Dennison and Alex Morales, a supporter of West Valley students and the arts, also attended the dedication.
Rotarian Bill Stipp, a former Goodyear City Council member, has volunteered to serve as the steward of the new library. He will make sure it remains filled with books and that its selections are regularly rotated.
The new lending library was made possible in part by local business owner Oscar Gomaz, who provided space in front of Havok Jewelers for its installation. His support gives nearby children and families a convenient place to find free books close to home.
The dedication brought together representatives from education, city government, local business, and community service, all united by the belief that access to books can change lives.
The Rotary Club places its lending libraries in areas where families may have limited access to books. By bringing free reading materials directly into neighborhoods, the club hopes to encourage children and adults alike to discover the enjoyment and lifelong benefits of reading.
With 13 libraries now open and another on the way, the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek continues working toward a simple but important goal: placing more books into the hands of West Valley readers.
Come Visit Our Club! https://www.goodyearrotary.org
We invite you to join us at our weekly meetings. We meet at 7 a.m. on Wednesday mornings in the Eagle's Nest Clubhouse in PebbleCreek. We welcome visitors and fellow Rotarians to join us.
For meeting information, visit the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek website or contact Julie Frentz at frentzjulie@yahoo.com.