The health and safety of our patrons and staff is the Salt Lake City Public Library’s number one priority. We are monitoring the Coronavirus situation very closely, particularly as it relates to the impact on public spaces, public gatherings, and best practices.
UPDATE 4/4/22: NEW EXPANDED HOURS
We've expanded our hours at all City Library locations:
New Hours:
Mon–Thu · 10am–8pm
Fri–Sat · 10am–6pm
Sun · 11am–5pm (Main Library only)
UPDATE 2/18/22: MAIN LIBRARY REOPENING ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
The Main Library will reopen with the reduced hours currently in effect across the library system, but will also be open Sundays from Noon to 4pm. These hours will remain in effect until adequate staffing can be assured for expanding services. We will continue to evaluate the situation based on COVID-19 data in Salt Lake County.
UPDATE 1/19/22: MAIN LIBRARY MOVING TO CURBSIDE SERVICES ONLY
Effective immediately, the Main Library will be closed to in-person visits. Curbside services will remain open.
Main Library Curbside Services Hours:
Mon–Sat · 10am–6pm
Sun · Noon–4pm
Curbside services include holds pickup, Browsing To-Go, and print services. You can pick up your items by parking in one of the designated parking spaces on 200 East, and calling 801-594-8618. You can also grab a Take-and-Make family craft kit!
At this point, we expect this closure to last a minimum of two weeks. This change is necessary because of staffing issues brought on by the sudden and dramatic increase in the spread of COVID-19 throughout the entire state. The City Library feels this is the best course of action to keep our staff and patrons safe, while still offering an adapted version of our primary services. This move also allows us to temporarily reposition staff to our branches, which serve neighborhoods throughout the city.
The City Library's neighborhood branch locations will remain open. Click here for a list of locations and hours.
Virtual Events will continue as scheduled.
UPDATE 1/8/22: NEW HOURS
The new year has seen a dramatic increase in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases throughout the state of Utah. As of now, City Library services will continue as usual, however we are updating our hours in order to protect staff and the community and address potential staffing shortages.
New Hours for all locations:
Mon–Sat · 10am–6pm
Sun · Noon–4pm (Main Library only)
With the Salt Lake County public health order effective through February 7, patrons and staff at all City Library locations will be required to wear a mask. If you don't have a mask, we are happy to provide one. Please be aware that the CDC recommends KN95 masks as the most effective for preventing sharing of the highly-contagious Omicron Variant.
UPDATE 7/28/21: CITY ORDER – MASK WEARING REQUIRED IN CITY BUILDINGS
An executive order signed by Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall on July 28 requires all unvaccinated and vaccinated persons to wear a mask in City buildings. Our staff will continue to wear masks while serving you.
UPDATE 6/11/21: STARTING JUNE 14, ALL CITY LIBRARY LOCATIONS MOVED TO EXPANDED SERVICES AND HOURS!
This marks a return closer to pre-pandemic levels of service. Most areas of each Library will be fully open, more public computers will be available, and study rooms will be available for individual use. New hours will be:
Expanded Service Hours:
Mon–Thu • 10am–9pm
Fri–Sat • 10am–6pm
Sun • 11am–5pm (Main Library only)
UPDATE 5/14/21: CITY ORDER – MASK WEARING IN CITY BUILDINGS
By order of the City, unvaccinated persons are required to wear a mask in City buildings. Our staff will continue to wear masks while serving you. All patrons are encouraged to wear masks while in the Library.
UPDATE 3/8/21: STARTING MARCH 15, ALL CITY LIBRARY LOCATIONS REOPENED FOR EXPRESS SERVICES!
The Library moved to the Yellow Stage of our Phased Reopening plan on Monday, March 15. Stop by for 60-minute computer sessions, holds pickup, access to fax/copy machines, and reference assistance. Every location has designated browsing areas. At the Main Library, Passport Services are also available.
Express Services Hours:
Mon–Thu • 11am–7pm
Fri–Sat • 11am–6pm
Sun • Noon–6pm (Main Library only)
We're still doing our part to keep everyone safe, so masks are required and social distancing is enforced. If you're not ready to return to the buildings, curbside pickup is still available with Holds To-Go, available at all locations except Sprague Branch.
UPDATE 11/9/20: THE CITY LIBRARY CLOSED TO IN-PERSON SERVICES
As a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, The City Library has paused in-person Express Services and closed all locations to the public. Holds To-Go and Print Services are still available, along with website chat and phone services801-524-8200
Mon–Sat · 10am–6pm.
The City Library will begin to consider reopening for Express Services when Utah achieves two weeks of rolling 7-day average positivity testing below 15%.
Salt Lake County residents can apply for library cards online. Due dates for checked-out materials will not change. Items may be returned to any City Library location at the outdoor book drops. As always, no late fees will be charged. For updates, follow us on social media:
or sign up for our newsletter.
UPDATE 10/8/20: THE CITY LIBRARY IS NOW OFFERING VIRTUAL MEETING SPACE
Zoom virtual meetings can accommodate a maximum of 300 people and are available to individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses. We will help you set up your virtual meetings and provide light tech support. Click here to request your virtual meeting space.
Virtual Meeting Room availabiliity:
Mon–Thu · 10am–8pm
Fri–Sat · 10am–6pm
If you have any questions, please review our Virtual Meeting Room FAQ page or contact Events Services at reservations@slcpl.org.
UPDATE 9/30/20: INTRODUCING BROWSING TO-GO, A NEW SERVICE FROM THE CITY LIBRARY!
With The City Library's new Browsing To-Go service, our Librarians can help you find your next book, DVD, or CD, even if you don't have a specific title in mind!
Write a sentence or two about what you're looking for, or include details like topic, genre, mood, or other titles you have enjoyed.
You can request up to 25 items at a time, and when your request is ready (please allow approximately three days) you can pick up your items curbside at your preferred City Library location via Holds-To-Go!
UPDATE 9/17/20: STARTING SEPTEMBER 21, ALL CITY LIBRARY LOCATIONS WILL REOPEN FOR EXPRESS SERVICES!
The Library will officially move to the Yellow Stage of our Phased Reopening plan on Monday, September 21. Express Services will include 60-minute computer sessions, access to fax/copy machines, holds pickup, and reference assistance. Holds To-Go are still available at all locations.
Express Services Hours:
Mon–Sat · Noon–6pm
Masks or face coverings will be required to enter the buildings, and we ask that you not use the Library if you are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19.
UPDATE 7/20/20: PATRONS CAN NOW SUBMIT DOCUMENTS FOR PRINTING BY LIBRARY STAFF
You can now send an email with an attached document for printing. Include your contact information and print preferences, and email it to the address corresponding to your desired pick-up location. Click here for details.
UPDATE 6/20/20: THE HOLDS TO-GO PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED AND IS NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL LIBRARY LOCATIONS
When you receive notification that your holds are ready for pickup, you can schedule an appointment at the branch indicated in your notice. Please ensure your requested appointment matches the branch where your items are being held.
Holds To-Go appointments are available at all Library locations. Click here to schedule a 15-minute appointment slot to pick up your holds.
UPDATE 5/26/20: The City Library has prepared a draft plan for a phased reopening return to library service. Please note that at this time we do not have any set date for fully reopening.
UPDATE 5/18/20: THE CITY LIBRARY IS NOW ACCEPTING RETURNS AT OUR OUTDOOR BOOK DROPS
The City Library is now accepting returns at our outdoor book drops at all locations. You may return books, DVDs, CDs, Wi-Fi hotspots, comics, and magazines.
Larger items and Kits (Discovery Kits, Book Club Kits, etc.) may be returned directly to Library Staff at any of our locations during Holds To-Go HoursMon–Sat · Noon–6pm. Once you arrive, call the posted Holds To-Go phone number for that location and let Library Staff know that you are returning a kit. You will be given instructions on how to return the item(s). In most cases, you will be placing the kit on the ground or a table.
| Holds To-Go phone numbers for each location are: |
|---|
| Main Library 801-594-8618 |
Glendale Branch 801-322-8171 |
| Anderson-Foothill Branch 801-594-8617 |
Marmalade Branch 801-322-8172 |
| Chapman Branch 801-322-8170 |
Sprague Firehouse Express 801-322-8173 |
| Day-Riverside Branch 801-594-8619 |
Sweet Branch 801-322-8174 |
UPDATE 5/11/20: LIBRARIANS ARE NOW AVAILABLE VIA PHONE
Call us to connect with a Librarian who can help you with just about anything! Our research experts are standing by to answer questions about Children and Teen Services, Small Business, Nonprofiits and Grants, Adult Collections, and Health. Ayuda también está disponible en español.
Librarians are available:
Mon–Sat · 10am–6pm
801-524-8200
UPDATE 5/2/20: AN UPDATE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As you can imagine, making the decision to close our buildings and transition temporarily to virtual services, programs, and outreach was not a simple or easy decision to make. Library staff have a deep commitment to public service and a strong desire to provide a full range of Library services to our community. It is painful for us to have any restrictions in place, and we are actively planning for phased building reopenings, and working to secure the necessary safety and cleaning supplies through a reliable, long-term supply chain.
At every step, we are being mindful of how we can best support our community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as support individual residents in navigating this unprecedented public health crisis. The safety of our patrons, our staff, and the community at large guides all of our decisions and continues to be our highest priority.
Now that the Governor has moved the State to moderate/orange risk level, and Salt Lake County Mayor Wilson has followed suit, I wanted to provide an update on the Library's plans for phasing in access to library buildings and collections.
My commitment to the community and to our staff is that we will phase back in access to spaces and in-person services when we can do so safely, and in full compliance with the recommendations from the Governor's Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan, the related Phased Guidelines, and the County's Public Health Order. Given the potential limitations on cleaning/disinfectant supplies, limited staffing levels, combined with an increased need to clean and disinfect spaces more frequently during this health crisis, we do not anticipate having the capacity to open all Library locations any time soon.
WHAT WILL PHASED REOPENING LOOK LIKE?
Dr. Anthony Fauci recently commented, "you've got to understand that you don't make the timeline, the virus makes the timeline. It doesn't matter what you say — one week, two weeks, three weeks — you've got to go with what the situation on the ground is." With that in mind, I believe it is important to share that we have teams of staff working on the many details involved with phased reopening. We anticipate our first phase will get staff back into the building to accept returned materials. Once we are able to manage material returns, and have a safe procedure for quarantining and disinfecting in place, we hope to begin curbside pickup and additional access to Library materials and resources. Next we plan to begin opening locations for limited services, and with firm social distancing and health guidelines in place, As we move to a green / low-risk status the Library will be able to have a further relaxation of these restrictions. This draft framework for phased building reopening has the caveat that the timeframe is wholly dependent on a variety of factors that we don't control. We will continue to provide specific information on the phasing in of building openings and services as soon as it is available.
While our beloved buildings have been closed, the Library has been very much open. Library staff have been busy reinventing how we provide services, programs, and outreach virtually, while simultaneously working on designing our phased building reopening plans. Here are a number of ways in which the Library is offering support for the community:
While we are providing many Library services and programs online, we also recognize that this does not work for everyone, as there are many in our community who lack reliable Internet connectivity and/or access to computers. For that reason, we have been working over the past few weeks on a multi-partner project to get SLC residents connected. We are also working on partner projects to get physical books delivered to residents in care facilities, and in our homeless resource centers.
In deciding where to focus our time and resources, we have been guided, and will continue to be guided, by asking and answering the questions "What is needed?" and "How can we help?" Our outreach staff are currently reaching out to over 100 partners to determine how the Library can offer support. In deciding the timelines for any reopening of our spaces and expansion of services we will continue to develop and implement plans that allow us to serve you safely and effectively.
I speak for our entire staff when I say we miss seeing you in person, and we look forward to the time we can all be together again.
-Peter Bromberg, Executive Director
UPDATE 3/27/20: After reassessing the current situation involving COVID-19 (Coronavirus), all City Library locations will remain closed until further notice. This decision aligns with official health guidance from both the County and State that stresses the importance of social distancing and avoidance of mass gatherings.
All events, programs, art exhibits, receptions, and outreach have been cancelled, along with meeting room reservations, until further notice.
The Library continues to provide virtual services and access to our electronic collections, including eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, music, movies, research databases, learning platforms, and more. We have moved funds in order to buy more eBooks and eAudiobooks for our collection. We have also created an online registration process for new library cards, to make it as easy as possible to access our services.
At this time, we are not offering access to the Library's physical collections (books, DVDs, CDs, etc.), and ask that any materials that are already checked out not be returned until further notice. As always, no late fees will be charged. For updates, follow us on social media:
or sign up for our newsletter.
UPDATE 3/13/20: As a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), The City Library will close all locations from Sunday, March 15 through Sunday, March 29. On March 27, we will re-evaluate the situation to determine if we need to extend the closure beyond March 29.
At this time, the Library has no reason to believe our staff or patrons have come into contact with Coronavirus. Like many other organizations and institutions, we are striving to do our part to help prevent the spread of this virus.
The Digital Library is always available for cardholders, including our vast collection of eBooks, eMagazines, audiobooks, music-streaming, and learning resources.
UPDATE 3/12/20: Salt Lake City Public Library will be canceling all events from Friday, March 13 through Sunday, April 19. We will also cancel all meeting room reservations beginning on Friday, March 13 through Sunday, April 19.
We will be reevaluating this timeline for meeting room availability on Friday, March 27.
