Construction Begins on Granger’s First Public Library
The Granger Library was built in 1968
A Milestone for Granger: Groundbreaking Held for New All-Electric Library
A historic moment unfolded in the heart of Granger as ground was officially broken for the new Granger Library at 2850 West 3650 South, near the old Granger Shopping Center. This exciting event marked the beginning of construction on what would become the first all-electric public building in Salt Lake County—a forward-thinking facility designed to serve the growing needs of the westside community.
Presiding over the ceremony was Henry Beckstead, mayor of Midvale and president of the Salt Lake County Library Board. He was joined by other board officers: Marlon Bateman, vice president; Richard W. Winder, secretary; Dr. Franz Schick, board member; and Ruth Fee Tyler, Salt Lake County librarian.
Representing the vision and craftsmanship behind the project was J. Leonard Harman, the architect of the new building. Harman’s design featured modern materials and thoughtful community elements, including:
A 10,650-square-foot layout
Separate reading rooms for adults and children
A 100-seat meeting room for public and civic use
Stack room and work areas
Brick exterior with expansive glass
Carpeted reading rooms
Fully landscaped grounds
Parking for approximately 100 vehicles
A roof with an undulating surface for improved acoustics
Also attending the ceremony were:
M.L. Harris and O. Thane Acord of Acord-Harris Construction Company, the general contractor awarded the project
Rodney Brown, vice chairman of the Granger-Hunter Community Council
Reverend Joseph Luthro, chairman of education for the Granger-Hunter Chamber of Commerce
Board member David Lingard
Ross O. Van Orden, Rotary president-elect, and Gary Spencer, Rotary representative
A five-member delegation from Utah Power and Light also attended, recognizing the groundbreaking as a significant step in sustainable public architecture.
The community had much enthusiasm for the library’s modern design and community function. . The new Granger Library was not only a symbol of growth and progress but a reflection of the community’s commitment to education, accessibility, and innovation.
