People line up for the reopening of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Family History Library in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. The library reopened after being closed 16 months. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Five more buildings on Temple Square re-open Tuesday, including the Family History Library, which draws people from all over the world.
The other buildings re-opening Tuesday are the Assembly Hall, Tabernacle, Church History Library, and Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
This is the next stage in the re-opening phase after the Conference Center re-opened for tours in June.
The buildings all closed on March 13, 2020, due to the pandemic. But they have not been empty and idle for the past 16 months. The Family History Library says they used the closure to make safe and careful renovations.
Officials say patrons will find “newly organized research materials, upgraded technology, better lighting, new desktop book scanners, expanded room for interactive experiences, and more.”
They also are processing thousands of new books to offer, and have a new guest experience. And this week they will give a gift to the first 50 patrons who come in person each day and plan to give out treats in the afternoon as well.
For now, the hours of the Family History Library will be 9 am-5 pm Monday through Friday, but they plan to extend that soon.
The Assembly Hall and Tabernacle will have limited hours for now. It will be open from 11 am-5 pm Monday through Friday. The Church History Library will open by appointment from 10 am-3 pm Monday through Friday, and The Joseph Smith Memorial Building and Temple Square Hospitality Corporation will reopen for catering and event services.
The Nauvoo Cafe will operate from 11 am-4 pm Monday through Saturday. You can read more about all of those hours and plans through the information posted on the Church’s website.