Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Alex Cabrero reportingBear River residents finally got something they've been waiting a long time for.
It took lots of volunteering to get it going, but today was the grand opening of its very first library.
For bigger cities, a library is certainly a nice touch. But for Bear River, a city of only 800 people, some there think it just might become the center of town; even though it's only one room big.
Terry Nelson, Bear River Resident: "Some of us have wanted it for 20 years or more."
The popular saying goes, if you build it, they will come.
Toni Christensen, Library Board: "Today is our first day, our grand opening."
Toni Christensen helped build it, and people certainly showed up.
Vicky Rasmussen: "I love to read, and I love libraries."
The Bear River library opened it's doors at the city civic center for the first time today. Even though it's only one room big, and maybe 1500 books full, it's something a lot of people thought would never happen.
Toni Christensen, Library Board: "We hoped and dreamed, but, it was a big job to undertake with just a handful of volunteers."
It has most of the classics: Moby Dick, Alice in Wonderland, Nancy Drew mysteries.
Toni Christensen, Library Board: "All the books we have, have been donated so far."
But the main question... why? In an age where anything can be looked up on a computer, why have a library, especially in a town with so few people?
Terry Nelson, Bear River Resident: "During the summer when the kids are out of school, they don't have a library they can attend, and so we thought this is something the community really needed."
Toni Christensen, Library Board: "Nothing beats a good book, and you can't curl up with your computer."
You can tell there's a lot of pride here in Bear River City. In fact, in one of the books at the library, you can read about it."
Terry Nelson, Bear River Resident: "We're very tenacious about getting what we want, and literacy is really important to us."
...even in a small town, where you could probably hold your breath, and drive right through.
Terry Nelson, Bear River Resident: "We're just a community that reads. Ha!"
The Salt Lake City library was recently named the country's best. Who knows, maybe a in a few years or so, Bear River will be there too. They certainly have the spirit.
