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SALT LAKE CITY — There's a new place to pick up a library book in town, and it's in a place a lot of people maybe gave up on.
Getting a library card is a big deal to kids. But it just might be a bigger deal for moms.
"That's so awesome," said Susan Fleck of Salt Lake City, as she looked at her son's new library card. "Turn it around so it's the picture. How cute is he?"
Fleck is excited because now her boys have the latest cards in the Salt Lake City library system. They got it at the city's newest library, the Marmalade Library at 280 West 500 North, which opened on Saturday in their neighborhood.
It's been a long time coming. The Marmalade neighborhood on the north side of Salt Lake City has been through a lot in the past decade. Broken promises, failed developments, and the economic collapse caused many plans to fade away.
But with the new library open, there's hope.
"I love this neighborhood," said Salt Lake City Councilman Stan Penfold. "It is resilient. It has survived ups and downs and threats and neglect."
It's not just a library being put in this spot. City Council members said there are plans for restaurants, shops, homes and even two acres of green space.
"This will catalyze the rest of the development on the block, for sure," said Salt Lake City Councilman Derek Kitchen.
More importantly for Susan Fleck, though, is the development of her children.
"You go to Google or you go to your phone, (but) you're not going to be surrounded by thousands of book and DVDs and everything else. You can't put a price on that."
Fleck thinks the library will be more than just a new building.
"Look all around. There's art here. Why not expose them to the art? There's people to talk with, a real live librarian. Social interactions for these guys are invaluable."
The new library could be the start of something big for residents and the entire Marmalade neighborhood.
