Phil Geddes, QC Library volunteer
Alphie Smith, Co-chair, QC Library
In 2006 when the Quail Creek Library still operated out of a small office in the former Art & Technology building, a sign was posted saying that no more donations would be accepted. Phil Geddes took the sign down and told Ginny Post, library chair at the time, that he would store the overflow of surplus books in his garage. He continued to be the QC Library “Donation Volunteer” for the next 20 years.
Phil Geddes’ last day in this position was Dec. 18, 2025. He and his wife Shelby moved to La Posada in January. On Jan. 5 the QC Library Management Team had a farewell luncheon for him at the Grill. They thanked him for his dedication and service to the QC Library, which serves all QC residents.
Service and commitment to a worthy cause was not new to Phil. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army for 11 years, including time in Vietnam. He had various jobs in customer service over the years, which took him to 72 countries.
His only library career was here in Quail Creek, and it was his “longest career,” as he lived here for 25 years. Phil was part of the Library Management Team, which was formed to create long-term plans and daily guidelines for the QC Library. He kept statistics of how many donations were received from residents and how many the library was able to keep.
Phil was the impetus for accepting all donations, even if the library did not have room for older books. He found homes for these books in Green Valley, e.g., the Friends of the Library, or in Tucson, e.g., the Veterans Hospital.
Phil created a full-time job for himself, visiting the clubhouse twice a day to process books and to gather those that were too old to be on the shelves. His garage became a second library for books that were in limbo. He enjoyed his library volunteer job, and he enjoyed all the people he met.
With Phil Geddes no longer a volunteer, the QC Library has had to change its donation policy. It now only accepts books from the last 10 years.
Phil was truly extraordinary in what he was willing to do as a library volunteer. The Quail Creek Library sees the end of an era with the departure of Phil Geddes. Thank you, Phil.