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?