Maricopa County Library District & Maricopa County Department of Public Health Launch BinaxNOW Pilot Program

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Oct. 20 – Maricopa County Library District (MCLD) and Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) have launched a pilot program to offer free BinaxNOW kits at all 18 MCLD libraries. BinaxNOW is a self-administered COVID-19 Antigen Test. The nasal swab test will detect an active COVID-19 infection, with results in 15 minutes.

The two Maricopa County departments have collaborated to launch this program as a part of Public Health’s continued efforts to create accessible opportunities for COVID-19 testing. MCLD is the only library system in Maricopa County in the first phase of this program. The partnership will serve as a pilot, allowing MCDPH time to determine viability of expanding this program to other library systems in the County.

“We started distributing at-home COVID-19 tests through our school partners, and this is our next step to getting these tests out to the community more broadly,” said Marcy Flanagan, Executive Director of MCDPH. “These kinds of partnerships help us make testing available when and where people need it, and it helps connect residents to community resources they may not otherwise be familiar with.”

Starting today, October 20, 2021, Maricopa County residents can visit one of the County’s 18 libraries to pick up a BinaxNOW kit. Each customer is limited to two kits (4 tests) per interaction. Customers do not need a library card, but will need to provide a ZIP code.

“We know there are many people in our community that may face challenges in purchasing an at-home test kit, or do not have easy access to testing facilities,” said MCLD Director and County Librarian Jeremy Reeder. “We recognized this partnership as an opportunity to do what libraries do best—remove barriers to access, and to help our residents experience an improved quality of life.”

BinaxNOW kits are available through Curbside Pickup only from one of the County’s 18 libraries. When you arrive, please park in a designated parking spot and call the number listed on the sign. Based on demand, customers may be limited to one test kit (2 tests) per interaction. You do not need a library card to pick up a kit, but you will need to provide your ZIP code.

The safety of staff, customers and the community remain MCLD’s top priority. All staff members are required to wear a face mask and will practice recommended social distancing from other staff members and members of the public.

Full details about the program can be found at https://mcldaz.org/subject/covid-self-test.

About Maricopa County Library District

The Maricopa County Library District (MCLD) is a special taxing district that runs 18 libraries countywide. MCLD’s mission is to provide access and services so residents experience an improved quality of life. Each year, the Library District welcomes up to three million visitors, holds thousands of free events and programs for all ages, and hosts Maricopa County Reads, the award-winning Summer Reading Program. In 2020, the Library District held nearly 6,000 events, including 700 online events, and circulated 7.5 million physical and digital checkouts. For Maricopa County and Town of Queen Creek residents and property owners, a library card is free. For more information, visit https://mcldaz.org.

About Maricopa County Department of Public Health

Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is the 3rd largest health jurisdiction in the U.S. serving almost 4 million residents. The Department works to protect and promote the health and well-being of Maricopa County residents and visitors through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services as well as by utilizing policy, systems and environmental change approaches. To learn more about Public Health, please visit www.WeArePublicHealth.org or like us at facebook.com/MCDPH or follow us on Twitter @MaricopaHealth.