Libraries are so much more than books. Sometimes, libraries are homes to guinea pigs and stray cats, but sorry, you can’t check them out. Meet Cosmo, Moab’s famous library cat When a stray cat sauntered into Grand County Public Library’s Moab branch nobody knew he was applying for a job. He was a cat on a mission, slipping inside the …
How do you bring a graphic novel to life for blind and visually impaired library patrons? It’s easy when you have great partners, talented staff members, and a state-of-the-art recording studio. “Thunderous,” a graphic novel for grades 3-6, is about Aiyana, who is more interested in her social media presence than her Lakota heritage. Pursued by the trickster Raven in …
Did you know the Utah State Library Division has its own awards event? Every year, we host a three-day event for library directors to network, learn, and collaborate. One of the highlights of the Directors Summit is presenting the Quality Library awards. There’s no red carpet or paparazzi, but receiving the Quality Library Award speaks volumes for the recipients. The Quality …
In rural Utah, where the distances between towns can be vast and the population sparse, the bookmobile is not just a vehicle; it’s a symbol of access to knowledge. The Utah State Library Bookmobile Program offers rural Utahns access to books, computers, and a plethora of online learning resources. Not only do the bookmobiles serve rural citizens, they also visit …
Over the past few years, new libraries and library extensions have popped up all over Utah. These modern and vibrant spaces are not only a sanctuary for book enthusiasts but also a hub for community engagement and learning. A new Children’s Activity Room in American Fork Storytime, family movie night, and classes got much more fun at American Fork City …
As we approach the end of the fiscal year and look forward to a new beginning, we wanted to take some time to talk about one of the major sources of funding we receive and administer at the Utah State Library. The Library Services Act was signed into law in 1956 by Dwight D. Eisenhower in an effort to provide …
by Faye D. Fischer At the heart of the library’s ever evolving role as community centric hubs of technology and information is the directive to promote literacy. The ability to read still remains one of the most important skills needed to assure successful participation in society. In addition to the hard skills needed to complete a job application, and secure …
According to the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, the word mascot comes from the French word ‘mascotte’ which refers to a lucky charm. In the 19th century the word was most closely associated with a good luck animal. Sports teams adopted animals to represent them and would often bring live predatory animals to their games to strike fear …
by Faye D. Fischer “One who believes that he has mastered the art of horsemanship has not yet begun to understand the horse.” Author Unknown Horses. A strange but accurate place to start a history of the Utah State Library. The library’s beginnings can be traced back to a renovated livery/coach house behind the Kearns Mansion. Early histories of the …
April 23-29 is National Library Week – a time set apart to celebrate and promote everything libraries mean to our communities. Here are some of the reasons our staff at the Utah State Library think that libraries are worth celebrating. “I grew up in Murray, and when I was a kid, I used to ride my bike to the old library on …
“Poetry and beauty are always making peace. When you read something beautiful and find coexistence; it breaks walls down.” Mahmoud Darwish April is National Poetry month. We think this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the poetry collection at the Utah State Library! Our collection includes many distinct and classic poets from Emily Dickenson and Sylvia Plath, to Robert Frost …
by Faye D. Fischer In celebration of Women’s History Month we wanted to take a look at some of the women who shaped the library profession. It may seem that librarianship has always been a female dominated profession, but access to the profession had to be earned. According to a census taken by the Oxford University Press “Today, 83 percent …