Provo City Library at Academy Square
🏢 Provo City Library · Provo, Utah
Provo City Library at Academy Square
Provo City Library at Academy Square occupies a soaring 1892 Romanesque building originally built as the Brigham Young Academy — a National Register landmark transformed into one of Utah's most architecturally remarkable public libraries.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 550 NORTH UNIVERSITY AVENUE, PROVO, UT 84601
Phone: +1 801-852-6650
Website: provolibrary.gov
Plus Code: 85GC68RR+CG (PROVO, UT)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Provo City Library at Academy Square
The Brigham Young Academy building at 550 North University Avenue was dedicated in January 1892, designed by architect Don Carlos Young and described at the time as one of the largest school buildings in the Rocky Mountain region. When the Academy dissolved into Brigham Young University in 1903 and the building finally closed in 1968, the structure sat vacant for more than three decades. In February 1997, Provo voters approved a $16 million bond with 58 percent support to rescue and transform the historic edifice; the Brigham Young Academy Foundation raised an additional $5.8 million to complete the project. Renovation began in July 1999, and on September 8, 2001, the building was rededicated as the Provo City Library at Academy Square. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, making it one of the rare public libraries in the country housed in a federally recognized historic landmark. Today it serves Utah County residents with extensive programs, the Basement Creative Lab, study rooms, a grand ballroom event space, Project Read literacy initiatives, and bilingual Spanish-language programming.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1892 Brigham Young Academy building — listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976
- Rescued by a $16 million voter-approved bond in 1997 after three decades of vacancy
- Basement Creative Lab for hands-on making, recording, and creative projects
- Grand ballroom and Nelson Attic event spaces available for community gatherings
- Project Read adult literacy program serving Provo and Utah County residents
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Provo library card unlocks Utah's Online Library — the statewide digital resource network — plus the library's own digital collections.
📚 Services
- Free library card (Provo City / Utah County residents)
- Basement Creative Lab (recording, digital creation tools)
- Study rooms (reservable)
- Meeting rooms and ballroom event space
- Public computers & free Wi-Fi
- Print, copy, and scan
- Curbside pickup
- Interlibrary loan
- Notary services
- Project Read literacy program
- Bilingual Spanish-language services
🎸 Programs
- Preschool time, toddler time, and family storytime
- Teen programs and STEM competitions
- Escape room events and library tours
- Book clubs (multiple genres)
- Seasonal concerts and art exhibitions
- Project Read adult literacy classes
📍 Nearby Libraries in Utah County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Provo City Library called 'at Academy Square'?
The library is housed in the original 1892 Brigham Young Academy building, designed by Don Carlos Young. When the Academy's successor institution — Brigham Young University — vacated the building in 1968, it fell into disuse for over three decades. Provo voters approved a $16 million restoration bond in 1997, and the building reopened as the city library in September 2001. The 'Academy Square' name honors its historic identity.
Is the Provo City Library building on the National Register of Historic Places?
Yes. The Brigham Young Academy building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, making it one of the few public libraries in the country to operate inside a federally designated historic landmark.
What is the Basement Creative Lab at Provo City Library?
The Basement Creative Lab is an in-library makerspace where patrons can access recording equipment, digital creation tools, and other hands-on technology. It is open to all cardholders and located on the lower level of the Academy Square building.
Does Provo City Library offer services in Spanish?
Yes. The library provides bilingual Spanish-language programming and materials, reflecting Provo's growing Latino community in Utah County.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.