Why I Will Miss the Provo Library

You guys, I have to tell you -- one of the things I am most sad about in moving from my six-year home of Provo, Utah is leaving the Provo City Library. I've always had good libraries to go to, but the Provo library is a cut above the rest. I want to make a list of why I will miss it in tribute to the fantastic place where I spent so many hours over the last few years.

1. It is absolutely gorgeous. I remember the first time I ever saw the Provo City Library. I had been living in Provo for a year but had just gotten a car, so I was driving in a part of Provo I'd never been to before, having been forced to basically restrict my life to the area immediately around BYU before having a car. I noticed this stunning building on the side of the road and realized it was a library. I immediately knew I wanted to go there as soon as possible. I couldn't believe there was a building that beautiful in Provo and that it housed my favorite thing.

2. Author events. The Provo library is notorious for having fantastic author events. I met Markus Zusak, Leif Enger, Marissa Meyer, Leigh Bardugo, Jennifer Bosworth, Anna Banks, and Emmy Laybourne here. I also missed multiple other author events that I really wanted to attend but couldn't due to school obligations, etc.

3. Book request system. There were several occasions when I looked in the catalog and saw that the book I wanted wasn't available. Every time, I requested the book, and every time, the library purchased the book and put it on hold for me. That, my friends, is service. I've also noticed that if the holds list on a book is 2093 patrons long, the library is very good about purchasing additional copies to meet the demands.

4. Used book sales. The library has quarterly used book sales, and every time I have gone I've found great, inexpensive books.

5. Excellent study areas. As a student at BYU, I usually used the Harold B. Lee library to study. However, once I had graduated and was attending the University of Utah, I realized that the Provo Library is a much better study area. It has comfortable lighted desks with plenty of power outlets. It also has fewer giggling freshman and muttered cell phone conversations.

6. Sheer nostalgia. Part of the appeal is just a je-ne-sais-quoi that cannot be explained. The Provo Library is a magical place. And while I am excited for the huge collection of the Los Angeles Public Library, I know it isn't going to quite live up to its predecessor.