Salt Lake City Public Library Tours and Activities

Salt Lake City is understandably proud of its shiny new public library. This impressive landmark opened in 2003 and boasts 22,300 square metres of space to house its comprehensive collection of over half a million books.Moshe Safdie provided the architectural vision for this inspiring building, set against the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains. Glass corridors convey a feeling of space and light as you pass through the lending and reference floors. The Urban Room is a comfortable space to browse through your book choices, with panoramic views of the city and the distant mountains. The upper floors contain study sections on a variety of specialist subjects, including literacy and language, as well as newspapers, magazines and periodicals.The building incorporates many stunning and unusual features, such as the innovative spiral design of its fireplaces, which come together in a central fiery column running through four floors. The rooftop garden, the waterfall feature of Crystal Cave and the quirky nooks and crannies of Grandmother’s Attic are a far cry from the stuffy libraries of the past.The Children’s Library on the lower floor is packed with books and games specially selected to stimulate the little ones’ interest in literature from an early age. Not surprisingly, it’s a favourite haunt of families, especially in inclement weather. Canteena is a dedicated section for teenagers, and there are special Teen Summer Reading events designed to capture the imagination of older children.Take a relaxing break in the first floor café, situated conveniently next to the Browsing Library, where you can catch up with the latest novels and flip through popular magazines. Check the website for details of the varied programme of author talks, workshops, exhibitions and lectures to enhance your reading experience.The library is open every day and some week nights. Entry is free although some of the special events carry a charge. Underground parking is free for the first half-hour, after which a charge applies.