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Frequently Asked Questions |
Why are we building new libraries?
Over the past decade our service area population has grown 30% and library cardholders have
increased by 85%. Our visitation is more than 200% higher than just 10 years ago. In response
to increased customer demand, we have grown our holdings by 38%, circulation by 235% and
program attendance by 448%. In order to continue to provide the exceptional level of service
you have come to expect from us, we have strategically planned libraries to meet the valley's
growing population and our increasing use. Ultimately, we strive to provide the public with a
library system that is relevant, enriching, accessible, dynamic and sustainable.
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What are our goals?
As a nationally recognized leader in library services, we intend to build libraries
that are highly functional and respond to what the public has identified as high
priorities for us: stimulate imagination, satisfy curiosity and provide comfortable
places to visit. We invite everyone to come browse our stacks of books, use the Internet,
speak to a librarian or use the large community rooms. We intend for our new libraries to
have the maximum positive impact on public service while not having an adverse impact on
our environment and our non-renewable resources. Accordingly, our new buildings will be
constructed to a Leadership in Environment and Energy Design ("LEED") gold certified standard.
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What criteria were used to pick these locations?
All sites were carefully analyzed and selected to provide our citizens with libraries that are convenient
and accessible. Input from community groups and our municipality partners also helped us focus
our efforts. For Magna, we were particularly interested in revitalizing Main Street.
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What benefits will we see from the construction projects?
It is our intention in building these facilities that they become the anchor of the community, where adults and children
alike can come to utilize the resources available. Also, we hope the libraries, along with other Salt Lake County
facilities, will become a catalyst for further improvement and commerce for the community.
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How does the architectural design get chosen?
The county issues a "Request for Proposal" which results in architectural firms submitting
proposals for consideration. These proposals were reviewed and graded by a selection committee
made up of employees from the Salt Lake County Division of Facilities Management, the library,
a member of the volunteer library board, a county mayor appointee, Salt Lake County Division
of Contracts and Procurement and other community members. The Magna Library programming and
design was awarded to Cooper, Roberts, Simonson and Associates; the Herriman Library programming
and design was awarded to EDA Architects.
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Who pays for the new buildings?
Library taxes are a dedicated "revenue fund" and part of your property tax - those taxes can
only be used for library purposes. The county library provides service to all residents of Salt
Lake County and taxes the entire county except Salt Lake City and Murray, which have established
their own library systems and tax their residents separately. The construction of the Magna
Library will be paid for by savings in the library fund; the Herriman, East Millcreek and West
Jordan Libraries will be financed under a Municipal Building Authority Bond which will be repaid
from the existing Library Fund Tax. We should note that there has not been an increase or any
adjustments for inflation to the library tax in over eight years.
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