J. Willard Marriott Library

J. Willard Marriott Library
Name	J. Willard Marriott Library
Established	1968
Location	University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Collection size	~3.5 million volumes
Director	Alberta Comer
Website	lib.utah.edu

J. Willard Marriott Library is the primary academic library of the University of Utah and the largest state-funded library in the Intermountain West. Serving the students and faculty of the University of Utah, it functions as a major research hub for the region, supporting academic programs across disciplines from the humanities to the STEM fields. The library is named for J. Willard Marriott, founder of the Marriott International hospitality empire and a prominent Utah philanthropist.

History

The library's origins trace to the early collections of the University of Utah, which was established in 1850. For over a century, library services were housed in various buildings, including the former George Thomas Library. The need for a consolidated, modern facility led to the construction of the current building, which opened in 1968. A major expansion and seismic renovation, known as the "Library Plaza" project, was completed in 2009 under the direction of architects MHTN Architects and GBD Architects, significantly updating its infrastructure and public spaces. Throughout its history, the library has been central to the academic mission of the University of Utah, evolving to meet the changing needs of scholarship in the digital age.

Architecture and facilities

The library is a prominent example of Brutalist architecture, characterized by its massive concrete forms. The 2009 renovation, led by architectural firms MHTN Architects and GBD Architects, added a striking glass atrium and transformed the building's plaza, creating the Gould Auditorium and a new entrance. Key facilities include the Faculty Center, the Knowledge Commons, and the University Campus Store. The building also houses the Tanner Dance Program and the Office of Undergraduate Studies, making it a multidisciplinary campus hub. Study spaces range from quiet carrels to collaborative workrooms, with technology support provided by the Center for High Performance Computing.

Collections and services

The library's general collections encompass approximately 3.5 million volumes, supporting the teaching and research missions of the University of Utah. It provides access to extensive electronic resources, including databases, e-journals, and e-books through systems like Ex Libris and Alma. Key services include research assistance from subject librarians, interlibrary loan through the OCLC network, and course reserves. The Knowledge Commons offers technology lending, multimedia production support, and data visualization services. The library is also a federal depository for United States Government publications.

Special collections and archives

The library's Special Collections department holds rare and unique materials of regional and national significance. These include the Book Arts Program, the Red Butte Press, and the Aileen H. Clyde 20th Century Women's Legacy Archive. Notable archival holdings feature the papers of Wallace Stegner, the Mormon Western Americana collections, and the M. L. Hidy Skiing Archive. The University of Utah Archives preserves the institutional history of the university, while the Middle East Library contains important materials on the Arab-Israeli conflict and Islamic studies.

Role in the university

As the intellectual heart of the University of Utah, the library is integral to student success and faculty research. It partners with academic units like the Honors College and the School of Computing to provide embedded instruction and resources. The library hosts numerous university events, lectures from visiting scholars like Rebecca Solnit, and exhibitions that engage the campus community. It also supports the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program and provides critical infrastructure for graduate studies and postdoctoral research across all colleges.

Digital initiatives

The library is a leader in digital scholarship and preservation. Its Digital Library services include the Mountain West Digital Library, a regional hub for the Digital Public Library of America. Major digitization projects focus on Utah history, environmental science data, and campus publications. The library develops open educational resources and supports digital humanities projects using platforms like Omeka and Scalar. It also manages the university's institutional repository, USpace, for preserving and disseminating scholarly output from the University of Utah community.

Category:University of Utah Category:Buildings and structures in Salt Lake City Category:Academic libraries in the United States