Provo City Library at
Academy Square
Library and Building History
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Printable self-guided tour brochure
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| Circa 1896 |
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September
8, 2001 Dedicated |
Early Library History in
Provo
The Provo City Library was founded in 1905.
Prior to 1905 there were efforts to establish library service
in Provo. In 1854 there was a collection of 120 volumes for
community use. By 1870 the Provo City Library and Reading Room
Association was founded only to dissolve about two years later.
In 1875 the small collection became available on the library
shelves of the Brigham Young Academy. Karl G. Maeser, the Academy's
principal stated that "the library has received an encouraging
start by having the privilege of placing the books of the Provo
City Library upon its shelves."
Carnegie Library
In 1905 the
"Book Club" was founded with the purpose of acquiring
a Carnegie Library Building for Provo. In 1905 the City Council
appointed a board of Trustees for the Provo Free Public Library
and Reading Room. The trustees began corresponding with Andrew
Carnegie, a noted philanthropist who funded the construction
of hundreds of libraries across the nation. Carnegie funding
had several requirements which the Board began working to meet.
In October 1905 the library was given approval to occupy the
basement of the Courthouse. On 2 January 1906 the library opened
with a collection of 1,425 books donated by individuals in the
community. The collection doubled in the next two years, having
3000 volumes by April of 1908. Andrew Carnegie granted $17,500
for the construction of a new building. Provo City also contributed
to the project and land was acquired by the City from Jesse
Knight at 15 North 100 East. On December 1, 1908 the library
By 1924 it was noted that "the institution is greatly in
need of more room". With $59,000 from the WPA the remodeled
and expanded facility opened on July 28, 1939. The collection
then had 27,827 volumes and 90 magazine subscriptions. An Art
Center was located in the basement of the library which provided
art instruction and exhibits. By 1975 the library had grown
to 65,000 volumes and 125 periodical subscriptions. The expanded
and remodeled Carnegie building served the citizens of Provo
until 1989.
The City Center Building
The library
moved to a new facility next to the city offices at 425 West
Center Street in 1989. Although this facility provided 29,000
square feet of space, the library grew rapidly and soon provided
inadequate space for either materials or programs.
Provo City Library at Academy Square
In February 1997 a $16 million library bond passed with 58%
of the vote. The bond preserved the historic Brigham Young Academy
building at 550 North University Avenue owned by the Provo City
from demolition. The Brigham Young Academy Foundation raises
an additional $5.8 million in donations by June 30, 1997 for
renovation. Ground is broken on July 9, 1999 and the dedication
occurs on September 8, 2001.
Academy Building History
The Brigham Young Academy building opened its
doors in 1892. The architect was Don Carlos Young (son of Brigham
Young) who based the plans on the designs made by Karl G. Maeser,
the Principal of the Academy. One of the largest school buildings
in the Rocky Mountain region at the time, the Academy could
accommodate 1,000 students. The Brigham Young Academy later
became Brigham Young University.
Located at the northern edge of the city, the large building
was constructed of locally manufactured brick trimmed with sandstone
and wood. The roof was composed of metal shingles. The large
Room D, now known as the Ballroom, was a large room used as
a study hall and library as well for assemblies and occasionally
for dancing. A portion of room D housed the library until 1925
when the Heber J Grant Library opened on the upper campus of
Electricity generated from A.O. Smoot's sawmill two blocks to
the west provided for electric lights in the building. Heating
for a portion of the building was accomplished by forced air
over steam radiators; the remaining rooms were heated by coal
The bell tower had no bell until 1912. Up until then a triangle
hanging in the main hall was struck to signal classes. Unfortunately,
the bell install in 1912 was of poor manufacture and had a very
dull sound. In 1919 the old Provo Tabernacle was razed and the
nickel bell cast by the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore in
The name of the building has changed several times. Already
in 1898 it was renamed the High School building. In 1922 the
name changed again to the "education Building", the
After Brigham Young High School was closed down the buildings
on academy square stood vacant for over 20 years. The buildings
suffered considerable deterioration during this time. The buildings
were slated for demolition when a last attempt was made to preserve
the buildings. The Brigham Young Academy Foundation spearheaded
the effort. The Foundation funded a feasibility study to determine
the possibility of using the Academy building to house the Provo
City Library. The Foundation also waged a successful campaign
in the February elections of 1997, wherein a $16.8 million library
bond was passed by the community of Provo.
The City required
that the Brigham Young Academy Foundation raise $5.8 million
to cover the costs of renovating and bringing the building up
to code. These funds had to be raised by June 30, 1997. The
deadline was met and the project went forward.
Printable Library floor map (all floors)
For more information about the history of the Academy Building, Brigham Young Academy and Brigham Young High School, please see www.byhigh.org.
