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Show December 30, 1921. Mayor James H. Gardner delivered the opening remarks, and Levi Edgar Young, Professor of History at the University of Utah, spoke on the historical and beneficial effects the library might bring. The lihrary hegan operation in January 1922, with Sylvia Bushman as librarian.? Until 1910, Lehi had no public library. In that year, the Lehi City r.ouncil established a public library and reading room in the old Senate Building on Main Street, next to the narling Hotel. In 1914, the city bought the Samuel J. Taylor House and moved the lihrary there. It soon hecame clear, however, that larger facilities were needed. In the spring of 1917, the r.ity r.ouncil named a Library Commission to investigate the financing of a new public library through a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. Between 1898 and 1920, more that 1400 free public libraries were established throughout the United States through grants from Andrew Carnegie, a multi-millionaire steel magnate who felt that the rich had an obligation to use their excess wealth for the betterment of mankind. Twenty three r.arnegie Libraries were established in Utah. Carnegie was particularly impressed with the value of public libraries, seeing them as a means of "moral elevation" and an agency for alleviating socials il1s . .3 In November 1917, the Carnegie Foundation granted $10,000 for the erection of a free public library in Lehi, with the stipulation that the city council agree to~resolution to maintain it at a cost of not less than $1000 per year. 4r Originally the Lehi Library r.ommission envisioned a separate building for the library, hut as plans for the Memorial Hall emerged, it seemed logical to house the library in it, and in August 19?O the r.arnegie Foundation approved that plan.S The building was completed in its entirety in May lq26 and a dedicatory service was held on Memorial Day, May 31, 19~6. Preceeded by a band concert and a 21 gun salute hy the Lehi National Guard, the service itself featured remarks by former mayor Joseph Brimhall, under whose administration construction of the building had begun, and Salt Lake City Mayor r.larence Neslen. The main speaker was Governor of Utah George Dern. The people of Lehi should be proud of their men who served during World War I , he said. Ii That pride should lead them to resolve that the cause for which they died |
