2018 was an exciting year for the Roosevelt branch of the Duchesne County Library System with Librarian Stephen Moon being named Utah’s Librarian of the Year and with plans moving forward on a new Roosevelt library. In recent years, the Roosevelt branch library has exceeded state benchmarks with their stats growing in circulation, frequency of events, attendance, and visits to the library. “Our event attendance went way up and in essence outgrew our library,” shares Duchesne County Library System Director Daniel Mauchley. “Our library board recognized the growth and so did our County Commission who recognized that we are serious about what we are doing and offering the community.” The time had come to seriously talk about the prospect of building a new library in Roosevelt. A feasibility study was conducted and an architect created a basic design with the main ideas included. The public was invited to view and offer feedback during public meetings in the fall and the response was overwhelmingly positive. “The direction we were headed was welcomed,” says Mauchley. “We took that, knowing that our major ideas are on track, and now we are trying to figure out land.” Once location options are known, public meetings will be scheduled to gather input. The funds for the project will primarily come from the Library System itself that has been saving up for many years for a large project such as this. If things go according to plan, explains Mauchley, they hope to break ground on the new library in 2020.
