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Preparation Complete for the Salt Lake City Public Library’s New Ballpark Location

Preparation Complete for the Salt Lake City Public Library’s New Ballpark Location
  • Work will soon begin on The Salt Lake City Public Library’s new Ballpark Express Branch.
  • Located at 1406 S. West Temple, an existing structure in Salt Lake’s Ballpark neighborhood will be transformed into a 600 sq. ft. library.
  • Ballpark residents will be able to stop by the library to pick up holds, use public computers and Wi-Fi, and browse a small collection of borrowable materials.
  • Ballpark Express is expected to open in Summer 2024 and will stand as a temporary location (3–5 years) until a permanent library is built in this growing and under-served neighborhood.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — The Salt Lake City Public Library (The City Library) and GSBS Architects have finalized preparation for the upcoming Ballpark Express Branch. Expected to open in Summer 2024, this small library will offer Ballpark residents the chance to pick up holds, browse a small collection of materials, or use public computers and Wi-Fi.

The property sits at 1406 S. West Temple, across from the neighborhood’s namesake Smith’s Ballpark. Crews will work to renovate an existing residential duplex into a temporary library location. Current plans call for Ballpark Express to serve the neighborhood for 3–5 years. During that time, Library officials will gather data and community feedback in order to build a permanent location tailored to the unique needs of the growing Ballpark area.

The City Library system encompasses the downtown Main Library and seven branches located throughout Salt Lake City. While the Glendale Branch sits relatively close to Ballpark, Library usage – broken down by Census tracts – shows that Ballpark residents are unlikely to travel across I-15. The Ballpark Express branch will improve coverage of library services. Though the permanent collection will be small, patrons can order any book, CD, DVD/Blu-ray, or other item from The City Library’s vast collection and have it delivered to the Ballpark Express branch for convenient pickup.

On November 1, 2021, Mayor Mendenhall announced the new library as part of the Ballpark Station Area Plan. This is a neighborhood improvement plan intended to update infrastructure, services, and amenities to match the pace of residential growth. The Ballpark Neighborhood is defined as the area between State Street and I-15 and between 900 South and 1700 South.

For125years,TheCityLibraryhasproudlyservedtheSaltLakeCommunitywithitseightneighborhood locations. 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 returneditems,andisproudtonowoffertwohoursoffreeparkingatTheMainLibrary.Over86%ofSalt Lake residents hold Library Cards, and enjoy access to hundreds of thousands of ebooks and digitalaudiobooks. All year long, the Library welcomes patrons for in-person and virtual programs, events, and workshops. Learn more at yourcitylibrary.org.