Speaking on Business: Salt Lake City Public Library

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. On February 14, 1898, one of our community’s most important institutions opened its doors – the City Library. Since then, the Library has only expanded its reach in the community. Salt Lake City Public Library Interim Executive Director Deborah Ehrman joins us with more. Deborah Ehrman: At The City Library, we know that a robust library system makes a city stronger and even more connected. In celebration of our 125th anniversary, and the 20th anniversary of the landmark Main Library, we are looking back at our history in 2023. The original City Library location had two rooms, with a collection of 10,000 books. We now circulate over 2.6 million items in eight locations throughout Salt Lake City’s neighborhoods. Besides books, movies, music, graphic novels, and magazines, we also have digital eBooks and audiobooks that our patrons can borrow without even stepping inside the library. We eliminated late fees back in 2017, and continue to break down equity barriers in Salt Lake City in order to make the library available to all. It’s humbling to be part of an institution that has affected so many lives and made such a positive impact for more than a century. Derek Miller: Connecting people to information, resources, experiences and each other is what they do. Help celebrate their continuing legacy as a citywide institution. For more information, visit the Salt Lake City Public Library website. I’m Derek Miller with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: April 4, 2023