A Little Library Love
Thu, Jun 18, 2009
I’ve always loved going to libraries, ever since I was a little girl. There is something so beautiful about the rows and rows of books just waiting to be read. Whether you spend hours there or merely minutes, it is always the same: warm, inviting, and quiet.
I realize that I may be a little biased. After all, I once worked in a library during my early days of college. But I believe, no I know, that libraries are truly special places. This is why, when we visited Salt Lake City last weekend, the one place that I insisted we go was the Salt Lake library, which is located downtown at Library Square.
I know it may sound odd, especially since we couldn’t actually check out any books, but I had to show my husband this place, the grandaddy of all libraries. It is what a public library should actually be.
The view of the building from this side of the street is a little deceptive. It looks almost like any other building found in a downtown area. But don’t let that fool you.
If you walk around to the other side of the building, you’ll begin to see what I mean.
The architecture alone makes it something to behold.
But then you enter the doors, and you begin to realize that this is unlike any library you’ve ever seen.
First, there are the shops and cafes.
How many libraries have you been in that offer art shops, flower shops, or places to actually buy books?
The library has five floors plus a basement.
You can either use the many staircases or you can take the glass elevators.
Each floor has a set of fireplaces,
places to sit and read,
and of course books, thousands and thousands of glorious books.
If that’s not enough to entice you, there’s always the art.
A small art gallery on the fourth floor offers exhibits of various artists.
Then there’s the various pieces found all throughout the library, such as this hanging head. (I’m sure it has an official name, I’m just not sure what it is.)
It hangs in the center of the atrium.
If you look at it from various angles, you will see the shape of a head, the ears, the nose, the neck.
Bu if you look at it closely, you’ll see that it is made up of tiny books. Books suspended in air by butterflies. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?
And speaking of amazing, when you visit, you have to go up to the roof. Simply go to the fifth floor where you’ll find a set of double doors leading to the rooftop terrace.
There you be able to look over the entire valley and see the beauty of the city.
You can even bring a picnic lunch and sit at one of the tables provided. (Just be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen. The Utah sun can be pretty unforgiving.)
If you want to be outside but heights aren’t your thing, you can go to the first floor outside the children’s section.
The doors open to a little patio area that is made especially for the kids, complete with a cool waterfall
and a “cave”.
And speaking of outside, when you leave the library, you’ll see a courtyard area full of fountains and flowers.
It’s just one more thing that makes the library an amazing place with something to offer for everyone. Even the bike racks are cool!
Can you tell what is spells?
Let me help you out: “Read Books”. How clever is that?
It’s almost as clever as the stack of “books” indicating the Trax stop in front of the library. Beautiful and it has public transportation! Doesn’t get much better than that!
So yes, maybe my love of books and the fact that I once lived in Salt Lake City has me a little biased, but I truly think this is one of the most incredible libraries I’ve ever seen.
I miss it already.
Do you think that having a fancy library like this would make people more likely to visit and read books?
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Tags: library, salt lake city library
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June 18th, 2009 at 5:40 am
It certainly would make the librarians happier
I love downtown libraries in big cities. It’s not really fair to the branches as they get much, much less money, but the central branch is usually the coolest.
And like any good tourist area knows, if you make it a “destination” people will visit. Which is what this library has done.
Now, hopefully everyone who visits will be as respectful as you were. (Wishful thinking there!)
Can you get crushes on buildings? Because I might be a tiny bit in love with this one.
June 18th, 2009 at 6:05 am
That is a beautiful library. I’m spending my summer working in a university library, and OLD building that needs new carpet, fresh paint, and a mold overhaul! From the outside it’s a beautiful building….but inside it’s just old…I do love the rows/shelves/stacks of books though…and I don’t really even like to read but I like looking at them!
June 18th, 2009 at 6:12 am
What a spectacular library! I was just telling a friend of mine that I would love to travel across the country and stop at libraries along the way…from the big city ones such at this to those in historic buildings in small towns. I guess it’s a little dorky but I don’t care! Thank you for this post. You made my day. : )
June 18th, 2009 at 6:12 am
I think I’d definitely make an extra trip to go to this building! It is beautiful! Makes my library look pretty…non-snazzy! I loved the library when I went to school at UK…it was so big, nice, pretty, but it sure doesn’t compare with this one!
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June 18th, 2009 at 6:13 am
How have I missed this when in SLC? I can’t wait to get back and visit this place.It’s totally awesome and beautiful. My love of books sometimes is unreal, I’m always reading at least 2-3 books at a time. The only place I don’t read is while I’m driving. I’ve tried when reading some really amazing book while at stop lights but found it way to frustrating because when the light turned green I didn’t want to put the book down….
I think a library like this would definitely bring folks in and help them discover that their imagination would be limitlessness with reading. They wouldn’t have to go this library once they’re hooked by books, their home library would then be just as grand because it really comes down to the BOOKS….rows and rows of glories books from which to choose.
Lovely pictures and I LOVED “the suspended head”. Had no idea it was small books with butterfies – amazing.
Good reading….
June 18th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Ok, I HAVE to go there the next time I’m in town. I had no clue that place even existed. It looks so amazing! Thanks for sharing.
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June 18th, 2009 at 7:02 am
In all my years of being in SLC, I had no idea the library was that awesome!
June 18th, 2009 at 9:51 am
The city library is awesome! It’s so unique!
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June 18th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Now that is an incredible library. It’s a place to explore all on it’s own… let alone the books! What a wonderful place to visit.
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June 18th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
WHAT a LIBRARY!! Great photos and tour.
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June 18th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Now that’s my kind of library!!!
I go once a week, but if mine were like that, I’d live there. Thanks for sharing it with us.
-FringeGirl
June 18th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I have always loved book stores like that. There is just something about a brand new book smell that I love. This library is beautiful though.
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June 18th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Oh my gosh…I just died and went to nirvana. That library is fantastic. Thank you so much for posting this. This made my day. Now…is there any way imaginable that I can get you to email me those pictures of the bike racks? I would love a high enough resolution to be able to have them printed and hung in my own library in my house. Yes..I really want to do that. How fantastic.
June 18th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I think I want to visit SLC again just to see that library. That is the grand daddy of all libraries. I would never be able to pry my husband and son out of there – we might need to take up residence between the stacks. Thanks for posting!
June 19th, 2009 at 3:46 am
What a cool library! In all my trips to SLC, I have never been there, although I heard a lot about it when it was first built. You have a great knack of making the reader of your posts feel as if he or she were actually there. Beautiful job! Thanks.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:00 am
Wow. That is an amazing place. I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical when you started out here but you’re right – that is a wonderful library. I especially like the head!
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June 19th, 2009 at 6:29 am
–>What an impressive library! I love how they put so much attention into the details as seen in the bike rack that spells books. Thanks for sharing.
http://thaxtonfam.blogspot.com/
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June 19th, 2009 at 7:10 am
The butterfly/book mobile is so whimsical and dreamy. I love Dawn’s idea – traveling across the country, visiting libraries along the way. Dawn: DO IT.
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June 19th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
WOW. What an awesome library! And here I thought libraries were just fabulous repositories for books!
Btw, if you ever get there, the library at Trinity College in Dublin (Ireland) is amazing. The books are so old, it is unbelieveable, and they have this cool collection of busts. And of course the Book of Kells, this beautiful illustrated manuscript.
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June 20th, 2009 at 2:51 am
I LOVE libraries. I believe this is by far the coolest one I’ve ever seen. I just convinced my husband to take us through Salt Lake City on our return coast-to-coast road trip just so I can see the library. And we’re leaving tomorrow.
Thanks for posting this for this book-loving English major. Awesome.
Jules
June 20th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Gorgeous! I’ve always been a huge library fan, taking out as many books as I could carry when I was a kid
Now my local library is the first one in the country–Boston Public Library!
June 28th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Whoa, what a stunning library! I am a huge bookworm and since I cannot afford to buy all the books I read, I usually spend half the winter inside my local library scouring for good reads. This library though, does not compare to anything I’ve seen before!
July 9th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
This library is amazing! I love library’s as well. Little E and I go usually twice a week. The library’s around here leave much to be wanted though. If I lived in SLC we would probably be there almost every day!
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November 25th, 2009 at 9:47 am
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