Public Library, Salt Lake City

The Salt Lake City Public Library is more than just a repository of books—it's an architectural landmark and vibrant community hub in the heart of Salt Lake City. Located on East, 400 South, across from the Salt Lake City and County Building, the library boasts a rich history and a stunning, modern design created by Moshe Safdie and VCBO Architecture. Officially opened on February 8, 2003, the library’s current five-story, wedge-shaped building has become iconic for its sweeping glass facade and expansive “Urban Room” foyer, which soars through all five levels under a 20,000-square-foot skylight.

Covering 240,000 square feet, the building features an array of community-focused spaces, including a rooftop garden with tended beehives, a ground-floor community garden, and a “seed library” where patrons can access seeds for personal gardening. The landscaped Library Square, designed at the request of former mayor Rocky Anderson, provides a serene public park area, complete with shops, a writing center, KUUB radio station studios, and The Leonardo Museum of Science and Technology, which now occupies the library’s former 1964 building.

Inside, the library offers over 500,000 books, digital resources, and 163 internet-equipped computers. Among the collection’s highlights is an 1850s edition of Birds of America by John James Audubon’s son, showcasing early chromolithography. The library's cultural significance was recognized in 2006 when it won Library Journal’s "Library of the Year" award, a testament to its innovative design and community impact.