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Show South State Street Salt Lake Public Library (Hansen Planetarium) ARCHITECTURE (continued): millv/ork in 190*u The open trusses and tongue-and-groove ceiling are visible above the nev; mezzanine. Architect for the additions was -Yesley Budd. The following description of the building v:as published by the Salt .I^ake Eeralj; at the time of its dedication: "The library stands on State street, just south of the Alta Club, on high ground with lawns sloping from the building in all directions, . . "The building is of white oolite from Sanpetevalley, the stone lending itself admirable to the form and dignity of the structure. The main entrance is in three parts opening on the hallway. from which rise the two broad ample stairways to the lecture hall above. Entrance to the east from this hallway leads to the main floor of the reading room, a commodious, sunny room, furnished with all modern conveniences. In the central part of this stands the librarian 1 s desk or counter, which is of solid steel with a. top of golden oak to match the finidlng of the interior. In the southeast corner of the room is a. small apartment shut off with glass for the chief librarian, so arranged that all parts of the reading room are under supervision. "Behind this is the stack room, or place for the books. The room is fitted with rows and rows of steel shelving of the latest design, so arranged in units that each small shelf may be readily detached and, if ned, be removed .... 11 The main auditorium on the upper floor has seats to accommodate 350 persons* It is finished like the remainder of the building, and is built for a. gallery to extend around three sides. This gallery is not yet completed, but the building is so planned that the 'heavy steel bolts which hold it;"together will support this addition when the time comes to provide it. A good-sized platform extends outward from the east wall into the auditorium, making an ideal place for small lectures or recitals." ( SalatL ake Her al d , October 27, 1905.) 5. HISTORY (continued): library, purchasing first the library holdings of the Pioneer Library owned- by the Grand Lodgeof Utah. For $l,ZfOO the city acquired a library worth S2if,000. The facility was installed in the City and County Building (a National Register site) and attention was immediately turned to acquiring some more permanent location. Again the Ladies Literary Society came to the rescue by persuading the eccentric and. retiring mining millionaire, John Q. Packard, to donate both land and capital for the construction of a public library building. The combination of a. crusading group of progressive upper-class women and a millionaire eager to fulfill his obligations within theGospel of V/ealth was not unique to Salt Lake City, it was a scenario common to that era of the nation's history. But while many cities have numerous examples of such public manificence, it was comparatively rare in Salt LakeCity . . and the present building is certainly the only one of its nature left in the city. Fittingly, when the public use of the library demanded: a larger facility, the old library v/as rescued, by a generous donation in the spirit 01 John 0. Packard, The nev/ donors gave the city :;>i}.00,000 to renovate the as a planetarium.! |
