New library "lab" brings Salt Lake's Ballpark neighborhood together as it undergoes significant change.
Small Lake City
By Arica Roberts
The Ballpark neighborhood just opened a new library location. Known as the Ballpark Library Lab and located at 1406 S. West Temple, the repurposed 750-square-foot space will serve the community until a permanent branch location is built.
A volunteer grassroots organization called the Ballpark Action Team—made up of neighbors, business owners and people who care about the neighborhood—has collaborated with the Salt Lake City Public Library to facilitate the opening of the lab since it was first announced in 2021.
Co-founder Fraser Nelson said the Ballpark Action Team's role is to "make sure that people who live in the neighborhood have a voice when the decisions are being made about changes because of the Bees leaving, and to be supportive of each other as neighbors too."
For example, the 13.5-acre Smith's Ballpark site at the corner of West Temple and 1300 South will soon undergo redevelopment for use as a "cultural and civic landmark, blending art, performance and community-driven activities while preserving parts of the stadium," according to Salt Lake's Ballpark NEXT project. The library and Ballpark Action Team held meetings and conducted surveys to decide the future of both the physical stadium and surrounding area.
The community outreach and engagement resulted in the installation of WiFi, a 3D printer and a small collection of materials that patrons can borrow and, eventually, pick up holds and other reserved items.
Nelson praised the new library director, Noah Baskett, and noted the library's innovation and thoughtfulness to include a 24/7 book pickup service at the lab based on community needs.
"The average number of jobs in a household in the ballpark is four. People in this neighborhood work hard, and they work a lot at jobs," Nelson explained. "They're setting up a kiosk and you'll be able to put in your code and pick up your book 24 hours a day. So you're coming back from a night shift and you could pick up your book."
Board meetings at the new library lab will be held to develop a timeline for implementing computer access as well as final design elements for the permanent library facility.
In the meantime, check out the pop-up events and programs, such as Sunday yoga in the park and the Jefferson Jams concert series, as well as children's storytimes, test prep and even makers' space equipment workshops. Find more information about the library lab at services.slcpl.org/ballpark, or follow the @ballparkactionteam on Instagram.
"Ballpark is a very innovative neighborhood," Nelson said. "It's a lot of artists, a lot of creatives live here, and it's great that the library really embraces that feeling."
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