Ballpark Library Lab: From Beginnings to a Bright Future!
The City Library is headed for home — in the Ballpark neighborhood! Plans for the new Ballpark library are in the final innings and exciting things are happening for this fast-growing SLC neighborhood. Read on for a timeline of this process and find out what you can look forward to in the months to come! We value your opinion, fill out this quick survey to let us know how YOU see the Ballpark Library Lab being used.
History
In November 2021, The City Library announced plans for a new branch in the Ballpark neighborhood. In October 2022, the Library went under contract on two neighboring properties in the Ballpark neighborhood. What next? Construction permits were drawn and plans were submitted for approval. Zoning changes paused progress until Spring 2024, but work continued behind the scenes to envision a new library model for Ballpark.
Who is The City Library?
For over 125 years, The City Library has proudly served the Salt Lake Community with its eight neighborhood locations (soon to be nine!). The Main Library is a jewel in the heart of Salt Lake City, attracting visitors from around the world to admire its bright spaces and stunning architecture. The City Library never charges late fees for returned items, and is proud to now offer two hours of free parking at The Main Library. Over 86% of Salt Lake residents hold Library Cards, and enjoy access to hundreds of thousands of ebooks and digital audiobooks. All year long, the Library welcomes patrons for in-person and virtual programs, events, and workshops.
Why does SLC need a Ballpark Library?
- We know, based on plentiful studies and data, that new public libraries help communities thrive and prosper. Libraries help neighborhoods come together in new ways. They also improve economic vibrancy and opportunities.
- The City Library is a real MVP of Salt Lake, regularly scoring at the top of Salt Lake City’s department favorability report. In 2021, SLC conducted a resident survey covering a wide variety of topics, and measured approval of various city services and departments. The City Library was tied for the most favorable rating, with the fire department/paramedics.
So what is a Library Lab?
The Ballpark Library Lab is like a blank canvas — allowing the Library to generate programming, resources, and other offerings in a temporary location. The Library Lab will allow the Library to extend services into the neighborhood and engage with the community while a permanent library branch is being prepared.
This innovative Ballpark Library Lab won’t have a traditional browsing collection, but will feature a flexible configuration that will be responsive to community needs and generate neighborhood collaboration. Some initial offerings you may find in the Ballpark Library Lab are meeting spaces, computer help, social services, test prep, and makerspace equipment and workshops.
This is a brand new expression of how The City Library can bring the best of the library: all of the resources, programming, services, strengths of the system to be of service to the ballpark neighborhood — before we have a full-service library. The Library Lab will be programmed, responsive, and adaptable/flexible.
When will the Ballpark Library Lab open?
Anticipated opening is Spring 2025.
When will the permanent Library branch open?
Construction could begin as early as 2027, with a potential opening date in 2028 or 2029.
