Mrs Clement-The Librarian Who Brought Chimpanzees to the Library

Yvonne D. Clement – Granger Library Leader

Among the dedicated staff who helped shape the early years of the Granger Branch Library was Yvonne D. Clement, a librarian known for her love of reading and her commitment to community programs.

Clement had a background in library science and spent many years working in public libraries. After moving to Utah, she became involved with the Salt Lake County Library System, where she served at the Granger Branch Library during its early years of operation.

By around 1970, Clement was serving as head librarian at the Granger branch and helped organize a number of creative programs designed to bring families and young readers into the library. One memorable event during a Granger Library Book Fair featured books focused on important social topics for teens, along with a performance by a folk music group called Tomorrow’s Dawn for youth from the Granger and Kearns communities.

Younger children were also included in the celebration. One of the most talked-about events brought chimpanzees from Hogle Zoo to the library for special performances. The lively program drew excited crowds of children and families, and many longtime residents still remember “the chimpanzee visit” as one of the library’s most unusual and entertaining events.

Clement later continued her career with the county library system, eventually serving in a leadership role as assistant director during the 1970s and early 1980s.

Through her work, Yvonne Clement helped the Granger Library become more than just a place to borrow books—it became a gathering place where the community could learn, explore ideas, and enjoy programs together. Her efforts helped build a tradition of library service that continues today in West Valley City.