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  • Closed Wednesday, November 11 for Veterans Day All YCFLD branches will be closed in observance of Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Regular hours will resume Thursday, November 12, 2026.

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Serving Yavapai County since 1987

USA 250

Celebrate 250 Years of Freedom!

Join us as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with exciting activities and experiences happening all year long at your local YCFLD library!

Explore What’s Happening!

Choose a program or event below to learn more.

Foundational American Books, 1776–2026

The USA 250 book collection features influential works, authors, and documents that shaped U.S. history and reflect the diversity of the American experience.

This collection is intended to offer a curated sampling, featuring books like:

The Federalist Papers book cover

The Federalist Papers

Authors: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, & John Jay

The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay under the pseudonym "Publius." The essays were written October 1787-August 1788, and were intended to build public and political support for the newly constructed Constitution which was sent to the States for ratification in September 1787, following the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The Federalist Papers represented only one facet in an on-going debate about what the newly forming government in America should look like and how it would govern. Although it is uncertain precisely how much The Federalist Papers affected the ratification of the Constitution, they were considered by many at the time—and continue to be considered—one of the greatest works of American political philosophy. Information on this book was pulled from the Library of Congress.

Check availability and place a hold: The Federalist Papers

The Modern Navajo Kitchen book cover

The Modern Navajo Kitchen

Author: Alana Yazzie

Nourish yourself with these recipes celebrating Navajo culinary traditions. This cookbook ties together traditional Navajo recipes and global recipes with a Navajo spin, creating a truly unique culinary experience! Incorporating traditional and modern ingredients, some of the deliciously nourishing and comforting recipes include: Navajo Boba Milk Tea (Abe' Boba De'e'hk'azi') Fry Bread (Dah Díníilghaazh) and Navajo Burgers (Atsį' Yik'ą' Na'neeskadi' Bił Ałch'į' A't'e'hi'). It also includes instructions for how to make such things as juniper ash, roasted cornmeal, and roasted chiles that will bring your Navajo cooking skills to the next level. A short history of Navajo culinary traditions provides cultural context. Information on this book was pulled from ONIX Annotations.

Check availability and place a hold: The Modern Navajo Kitchen

Bee-bim Bop! book cover

Bee-bim Bop!

Author: Linda Sue Park

Bee-bim Bop! refers to a dish of rice, egg strips, vegetables and meat that's a staple of Korean family life and it's a lot of fun to eat, too, because diners get to mix the parts together themselves right at the table. (The words in Korean mean, loosely, 'mix-mix rice.') The title also inspires some bouncy rhymes. Loving depictions of the joys of being mom's sous-chef are created by South Korean artist Ho Baek Lee. First, the necessary supplies are laid in. A flurry of rice-making, chopping and frying follows. The entire family, including a grandmother in traditional dress, gathers to say grace and dig in. Information on this book was pulled from BroDart.

Check availability and place a hold: Bee-bim Bop!

Books from the collection are traveling around the county, so check back at your YCFLD library often to see what’s new!

Browse the entire collection

Yavapai County Time Capsule

Buried July 2, 2026, to be opened in 2076.

The time capsule will remain buried and sealed for 50 years and is scheduled to be opened in 2076 as a part of the United States Tercentennial celebration. Please mark your calendars and join us to celebrate this bridge between Yavapai County’s present and its future.

Time capsule

Time Capsule Stats

  • 48" tall x 40" wide x 16" depth
  • Stainless steel

What's Included?

  • A 2026 World's Oldest Rodeo poster.
  • Pop culture items including contemporary men's & women's clothing, & common children's toys.
  • Souvenirs from the Route 66 100th anniversary celebration.
  • Contributions from historical societies across the county.
  • And so much more!
Five library cards with hand drawn designs. Card one, red white and blue roadrunner bird running through a desert scene, drawn by Marissa Apodaca, winner of the ages 13-17 category. Card two, mountains made of books, with Arizona flag as a sunset and silhouette of a cowboy on a bucking horse, drawn by Ashley McNew, winner of the adult category. Card three, hand drawn bald eagle with American flag and the number 250, drawn by Livvie Garrett, winner of the ages 5-8 category. Card four, bald eagle with red white and blue shield with the text books, drawn by Easton Horne, winner of the ages 9-12 category. Card five is a digital entry with no hand drawn elements, includes image of military dog tags resting on an American Flag with the text 250 years of freedom 1776-2026, designed by Nora Muse, winner of the digital category.

Congratulations to our Library Card Design Winners!

During a library card design competition held in 2025, county residents submitted designs for USA 250 library cards. The winning designs are printed on limited-edition library cards that are available while supplies last.

Yavapai County residents can now...

  • Swap an old library card for a fresh new design
  • Pick your favorite design when you sign up for a new library card

Winning Designs

  • Hand drawn bald eagle with American flag and the number 250
    Artist: Livvie Garrett
    Winner: Ages 5-8 Category
  • Bald eagle with red white and blue shield with the text books
    Artist: Easton Horne
    Winner: Ages 9-12 Category
  • Red white and blue roadrunner bird running through a desert scene
    Artist: Marissa Apodaca
    Winner: Ages 13-17 Category
  • Mountains made of books, with Arizona flag as a sunset and silhouette of a cowboy on a bucking horse
    Artist: Ashley McNew
    Winner: Adult Category
  • Military dog tags resting on an American flag with the text 250 years of freedom 1776-2026
    Artist: Nora Muse
    Winner: Digital Category

Pick up your new card at one of the following locations:

Thank you to everyone who participated in the competition!

Inventions & Literature that Built America

Dive into two dynamic, interactive maps on our digital kiosk to experience our nation’s story in a whole new way!

Our interactive kiosk is touring locations all across Yavapai County throughout 2026, catch it at your local YCFLD branch and dive into the inventions and literature that built America. Can’t wait for the kiosk to visit your library? Jump into the maps now.

Digital kiosk schedule
DateLocation
Oct 21 - Nov 12, 2026Yarnell Public Library
Nov 13 - Dec 2, 2026Phippen Museum
Dec 3 - Dec 31, 2026YCFLD District Office

Map of Foundational American Inventions

  • Discover groundbreaking American inventions that have transformed everyday life in big and small ways.
  • Explore how innovations from the United States have shaped everything from serious technology to fun, daily conveniences.

Map of Foundational Books

  • Discover iconic U.S. books, authors, and historic documents that have shaped the nation's story.
  • Explore diverse literary works reflecting the full range of the American experience.
Local & National Timeline Murals 1776-2026

Explore the Past at Your Library!

Beginning in June, you can experience 250 years of history by visiting your local library to explore Timeline Murals, which will be on display for the remainder of the year.

Discover 250 years of American history alongside the rich story of your local community.

  • Uncover fascinating local facts—each library features unique highlights from its own corner of Yavapai County.
  • See how Arizona & America has grown—follow the journey of local and national milestones that shaped the past 250 years.
  • Come see how your hometown’s story connects to America’s timeline—right at your library!

Find your local branch