The Main Library (Salt Lake City Public Library System)

Salt Lake City's Main Library, designed by internationally-acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie, embodies the idea that a library is more than a repository of books and computers; it reflects and engages the city's imagination and aspirations. The building, which opened in February 2003, is double the previous space with 240,000 square feet for more than 500,000 books and other materials, and room for the collection to grow. The six-story curving, walkable wall embraces the public plaza, with shops and services at ground level, reading galleries above, and a 300-seat auditorium. A multi-level reading area along the glass lens at the southern facade of the building looks out onto the plaza with stunning views of the city and Wasatch Mountains beyond. A roof-top garden, accessible by walking the crescent wall or the elevators, offers a 360 degree view of the Salt Lake Valley. Spiraling fireplaces on four floors resemble a column of flame from the vantage of 200 East and 400 South. The Urban Room between the library and the crescent wall is a space for all seasons, generously endowed with daylight and open to magnificent views.

Natural light is introduced into all of the spaces where people sit and work. Infused with light from all sides, the library has paid careful attention to ensure that library materials and technology are not affected by direct sunlight. The clear glass on the lens of the triangle has the highest UV rating available for energy efficiency. Indirect lighting fixtures reflect off the painted, arched ceilings to cast even light, reducing glare on computer screens, desk surfaces, and book pages.

As you move up in the building from floor to floor, you may notice that it gets quieter. This effect is by design, with the more active and noisier areas of the library on the lower levels giving way to the reference and study-oriented areas on the upper levels.

On each level of the library, as you exit the elevator or come up the stairs, you will find a building directory and signage designed to help you orient yourself. The layout and design of the book stacks helps direct you to various service areas as well as to the restrooms, copy machines, public telephones, and drinking fountains on the west side of Levels 2, 3, and 4.

Children's Library: Lower Level:  The Children's Library is a light-filled, five-story atrium which may be observed from all of the floors above. Cloth "clouds" or "sails" may be pulled across the space to provide shade when necessary. Along the outer edge you will find space for coats, backpacks, and strollers; a small room in which parents may attend to the needs of their babies; and an alcove filled with multimedia equipment loaded with educational games and learning programs. Large Craft and Story Rooms house many of the children's programs.

Two special spaces are tucked under the reflecting pool of the plaza. Designed to free a child's imagination, these rooms are places for dreaming, playing, reading, and inventing. Grandmother's Attic recreates the coziness of an attic with wood beams, stuffed animals, and plenty of places to curl up with a book. For something a little more fantastic, the Crystal Cave is sure to spark a child's imagination. During the summer months, children can enjoy the adjacent terrace where gently flowing waterfalls cascade down the walls, a feature designed to cool the area and provide a calming but visually interesting background. The area also offers a space for outdoor storytimes during the warmer Utah months.

Audiovisual Collection: Level 1:  The City Library's audiovisual collection, including CDs, DVDs, and more, houses the most popular items in the library, according to circulation statistics. Three small rooms in the audiovisual area allow patrons to preview these materials before checking them out.

The Technology Center: Level 1:  The Technology Center offers 42 computer stations with Internet access (an additional 121 public computers are located throughout the building). The computers in the Technology Center have been partially provided through a grant from the Gates Foundation, and staff is available to assist users as they write papers, work on resumes, and develop computer skills. Select computers in the Technology Center are connected to scanners for public use. City Library staff also teach computer classes in the Technology Center, ranging from very beginner courses (like how to use a mouse) to more advanced computer use (such as Microsoft PowerPoint mastery).

Browsing Library and Cafe: Level 1:  The Browsing Library on the first floor makes it easy for patrons to find popular, current, and high demand items. The librarians in this area take great pleasure in discussing your reading interests, helping you find more books like the ones you've recently enjoyed, and introducing you to new authors and subjects.

A place to relax with a cup of coffee was one of the most requested services by the public. The City Library is pleased to be able to provide this space next to the Browsing Library where you can enjoy a drink or snack from The Salt Lake Roasting Company.

The Canteena: Level 2:  The City Library has made a strong commitment to reaching out to and serving young adults. Designed to appeal to teens, the Canteena contains materials of high interest for that age group as well as literature published especially for them. The media and technology in this area encourage group study as well as individual exploration. A cantilevered stair takes teens directly from the Canteena to the cafe on Level 1.

Newspapers and Magazines: Level 2:  On display are more than 600 newspaper and magazine titles to which the library subscribes. Current issues of these titles are on display; back issues are shelved in the periodical stack area of the library. Older magazines and newspapers are housed in the closed stack area to preserve materials that are often fragile and easily damaged. Even as more current material is available online, the demand for back issues and microfilm continues. This treasure trove of information is the only resource of its kind between Denver and San Francisco.

Languages and Literacy: Level 3:  As the population of Salt Lake City becomes more diverse, the need for materials in other languages has steadily increased. This area provides books, magazines, and newspapers in 25 languages, and language study materials for people learning English as well as those learning other languages.

Special Collections: Level 4:  The City Library has a small but very interesting collection of old and rare materials, plus examples of various types of publishing and items of special significance to our region. Our librarians are happy to help you use the materials in the Special Collections, but the fragile nature of these collections requires that they be used in this room.

The Gallery at Library Square: Level 4:  The City Library has a long history of supporting the arts through a program of changing exhibits. These exhibits expose thousands of Salt Lake City residents to a wide variety of art media, including paintings, watercolors, drawings, collage, photography, and sculpture.

Public Art in the Main Library:  More than one percent of the construction cost of the Main Library was dedicated to public art and has resulted in powerful, unique, whimsical, clever, and spectacular works integrated throughout the entire library complex.

Boston artists Ralph Helmick and Stu Schechter developed a large hanging sculpture titled "Psyche" for the Urban Room. The finished work consists of nearly 1500 small sculptures of books and fluttering butterflies which coalesce into a large, composite human head. The word "psyche" comes from the original Greek, meaning "mind" and "butterfly." Some of the butterflies sport wings covered with words in twenty different languages, taken from the universal declaration of human rights. Several of the butterflies flutter their wings due to mechanics and a small electric current.

Kinde Nebeker developed a series of whimsical, thoughtful, profound, and poignant quotes that appear in surprising places throughout the building. Nebeker's talents have been put to use as the building matures, identifying new locations and uses for quotes.

James Charles created a large painting built up in layers, with each new layer affecting our understanding of the previous one. The upper portion of the painting is formed by shaped stretcher bars and covered by a semi-transparent material, a reference to the new library structure. The lower section is a grid of small boxes containing sign and symbol figurative elements, referencing the painting's concept of the pursuit of knowledge. The painting is found in the Lower Urban Room at the end of the hall leading to the lower entrance of the Auditorium.

Bonnie Sucec and Day Christensen designed "Shards," large free-standing and hanging glass sculptures which appear as ribbons of color throughout the building.

Ed Dolinger's work consists of abstract metal panels and elements enlivening the access to the library from the parking garage.

German artist Karl Schlamminger designed the two play rooms in the Children's Library, the Crystal Cave and the Attic.

Library Square and Landscaping:  The architects sought to link the Main Library and City Hall as companion buildings in support of civic engagement. A granite water wall provides a cooling atmosphere and flows into a wedge-shaped garden. A reflecting pool at the base of the glass lens offers a respite from the warmth of Utah's summer sun. The public plaza (known as Library Square) was designed to create opportunities for community festivals, events, and celebrations. Funding provided through Olympic revenues helped complete the east side of the block as a peaceful urban green space.

The plazas, water features, and gardens of the Main Library are designed in the same spirit of other great public spaces - a place to meet friends, relax with a book, watch a concert, participate in a debate, or celebrate the city.

Parking at the Main Library:  An underground parking facility can be accessed from eastbound 400 South between 200 and 300 East. Parking in this city-operated facility is free for the first half-hour, then $1.50 per half-hour after that. Any vehicle displaying a disability special group license plate or disability windshield placard may park in the parking garage at Library Square for two hours with no charge. Additional time beyond the two hours is $1.50 per half-hour. Starting in 2011, this parking structure offers electric vehicle charging stations near the 400 South exit ramp.

Library Cards:  All Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County residents are entitled to a free library card. To receive a City Library card, you must visit a City Library location with the information listed here. Official photo ID with name, birth date, and current Salt Lake County address is required for either a Basic or an Expanded Library Card. An official and current piece of mail, such as a utility or credit card bill, may be used along with photo ID to provide the correct residential address. An Introductory Card, with a four-week expiration date, may be issued using photo ID that lacks a current address. A second form of ID with the correct residential address must be presented prior to the expiration date; a patron may then choose either the Basic or Expanded option. A library card is issued on the spot and can be used immediately. Patrons under the age of 18 must obtain a parent's or legal guardian's consent.

Hours:  Mon-Thu 9am-9pm; Fri & Sat 9am-6pm; Sun 1pm-5pm