First Arizona Savings

Library chief closes book on career

Harry Courtright, the man who oversaw Sun City’s transition to the Maricopa County Library District, announced this week he will be retiring from his position as director effective Aug. 5.

Courtright, who took over the library district after moving to Arizona from Michigan, has served as the district’s director and county librarian since 1999.

In 2009, when financial concerns forced the Sun City Library to look for ways to keep afloat, joining the county system was seen as the best measure.

By April 2009, the Sun City Library at Bell Recreation Center had undergone a complete makeover and was reopened to the public as one of 17 county libraries. In December 2009, it was announced that upon completion of the new Fairway Recreation Center Phase I, Fairway Library, too, would join the county system. Denny Nichols, then president of the Recreation Centers of Sun City Board of Directors, praised Courtright’s efforts.

“Like everyone, they are dealing with a budget crisis, but thanks to great efforts on the part of the RCSC, the Friends of the Sun City Library and county library staff, we were able to get the job done,” he said.

In 2007, Courtright led the charge to convert the county’s libraries from the Dewey Decimal System to a hybrid bookstore model more friendly to casual browsing. Eight of the county’s 17 libraries are now “Deweyless,” three more are slated to make the change this year and eventually each location will be converted. “Under Harry Courtright’s leadership, the library district has received many prestigious awards for its innovative programs and technology,” said Maricopa County Manager David Smith. “His leadership has thrust Maricopa County in the national spotlight and brought esteem and recognition to county government. Harry’s retirement will be felt by everyone in the Maricopa County family.”

Since 1999, Courtright has opened or rededicated 15 libraries in the district, the newest being the White Tank Branch Library and Nature Center. This year, White Tank became the first Arizona library to receive a LEED Platinum designation for its sustainable attributes. Courtright’s vision of using “green” technology and forging a partnership with Maricopa County Parks and Recreation has paved the way for savings and innovation. 

Courtright said he has worked hard to move the county library district forward, even in the face of serious budget constraints.

“Fortunately, I’ve been surrounded and supported by colleagues, co-workers and creative employees who continue to honor our commitment to graciously serve the district’s growing base of customers,” he said. “If there is a Courtright legacy, it’s manifested by how well we’ve tuned in to our customers’ needs and what we’ve done to develop a quality, excited staff.

First Arizona Savings of Arizona Fails – FDIC Finds No Buyer and ...

October 22, 2010- There are likely to be some shell shocked depositors tonight at First Arizona Savings, A FSB, Scottsdale, Arizona, who stand to lose $5.8 million in uninsured deposits.   After the Office of Thrift Supervision closed First Arizona and appointed the FDIC as receiver, the FDIC was unable to find a buyer for failed First Arizona.

Typically, when a bank fails and the FDIC finds a buyer for the failed bank, the acquiring bank will assume all deposits, regardless of whether or not they exceed FDIC insurance limits.   When the FDIC cannot find a buyer, however, uninsured depositors are subject to the insurance limits allowed by law and uninsured deposits will not be reimbursed by the FDIC. (See Should I Keep Money In A Problem Bank and Are My Savings FDIC Insured? )

Depositors of First Arizona can verify the insurance status of their accounts by clicking on the following link - Is My Account Fully Insured? or by calling the FDIC at 1-800-830-4698.  Uninsured depositors at First Arizona will receive a Receiver Certificate from the FDIC which allows uninsured depositors to share proportionately in any funds recovered through the disposal of First Arizona’s assets.  There is no way of knowing when or if an uninsured depositor will ever recover any part of uninsured deposits.

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