Utah Library Association

The Utah Library Association was formed in 1912 at the instigation of Esther Nelson, librarian of the University of Utah; Joanna Sprague and Julie T. Lynch of the Salt Lake Public Library; and Howard R. Driggs, library secretary of the State Board of Public Instruction. Librarians from throughout the state gathered at the City and County Building in Salt Lake City on June 12 to create the organization, approve the constitution, and elect officers. The purpose of the association was to promote the library interests of the State of Utah, E. G. Gowans was elected president, Christian Larsen as first vice president, Esther Nelson as second vice president, and Alfred M. Nelson as secretary and treasurer. Joanna Sprague, Fred W. Taylor, and Howard R. Driggs constituted the first Executive Board.

In the early years, dues to ULA included an associate membership in the National Education Association. Though this close tie with education was severed in 1915 when ULA became separate and distinct from the Utah Education Association, the annual meetings of the two organizations were held at the same general time so that librarians could attend both.

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