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ST. GEORGE — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints broke ground Saturday on a first-of-its kind St. George FamilySearch library.
Elder Allan F. Packer of the church's First Quorum of the Seventy presided over the groundbreaking of the library along with local civic and faith-based guests, according to a press release from the church. The project is being undertaken by the church's nonprofit subsidiary, FamilySearch International.
The library will offer free ancestry research services along with family-friendly experiences, the release stated. It is slated to open in the fall of 2016.
"Today family history research and telling, sharing and preserving family memories through stories, photos and technology are engaging a growing number of individuals of all ages like never before," said Dennis Brimhall, CEO of FamilySearch International. "Youth want to discover themselves and their family's history in fun, exciting ways, and adults want to strengthen family connections and leave enduring legacies. The discovery experiences provided by this facility will help do just that."
The state-of-the-art facility will be 13,500 square feet and contain interactive technologies and activities that can be continued in the home, according to the release. Patrons will have access to the most current research resources online, as well as 150 staff members.
The current St. George FamilySearch Library will remain open until the new facility has been completed.
