Utah cultural chief highlights libraries, bookmobiles, Museum of Utah and America250 plans

Donna Lai, executive director of the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, visited the "Utah Libraries Have You Covered" program to outline the department—s work connecting libraries, museums and community programs across the state. She described services for people who are blind, preservation efforts, statewide volunteer initiatives and the department—s role coordinating America250 Utah.

Lai said she took the position after a long career that included aviation and leadership roles with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University, and that the governor invited her to assume the role shortly before the legislative session. "I've come to this position as the executive director of the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, having spent my career basically preparing for this role," she said.

Why it matters: The department manages a mix of cultural and community programs that reach rural and urban Utahns alike, from bookmobiles serving Iron County to a statewide braille and audiobook service for people with vision impairment. Lai said…