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Utah cultural chief highlights libraries, bookmobiles, Museum of Utah and America250 plans
Summary
Donna Lai, executive director of Utah epartment of Cultural and Community Engagement, described statewide library services (including the large braille/audiobook collection and bookmobile outreach), the Museum of Utah opening in 2026, volunteer programs and the America250 campaign.
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 the State Library—s services extend beyond Utah to serve blind patrons across the Western United States, and that the work supports literacy, civic engagement and local celebration projects.
Key points and details
- Museum of Utah: Lai said the Utah Historical Society is creating the Museum of Utah and that the collection currently held in multiple storage sites will be moved to a public gallery in the North Capitol Building. "The Museum of Utah, which will open in 2026," Lai said, adding roughly 970 items will be available as galleries open to the public.
- Services for people who are blind and those with reading disabilities: The program highlighted the State Library's braille and audiobook collection. Host Geri Olpantra said the library has "the world's largest braille and audiobook library," and the hosts discussed thermoform tactile children—s books and loaned audio players for eligible children, including those with dyslexia.
- Bookmobile outreach and rural service: Lai described the popularity of the bookmobile in Iron County, saying community members often bring wagons and baskets to load loans when it stops. The hosts shared anecdotes such as a child who rode eight miles to reach a bookmobile stop and a rural rider who arrives on horseback.
- Statewide programs and staff expertise: Lai outlined the department—s nine-division structure, about 50 employees at the State Library, and specialized staff across programs including historians, preservation architects and a forensic anthropologist who assist with cultural-site protection and identification of ancient remains for repatriation.
- Volunteerism and YouServe Utah: Lai said Utah ranks high in volunteer hours and described YouServe Utah, the Commission on Service and Volunteerism, which helps match volunteers with community projects, including cleanup and "field of flags" events in Vernal.
- STEM Action Center and arts support: Lai noted the STEM Action Center (established about ten years ago) and Arts and Museums grants and training, framing them as workforce and community-engagement supports.
- America250 Utah: Lai described America250 Utah, a commission appointed in 2023 to plan programs for the U.S. bicentennial, including civics training for teachers, statewide service projects and public events. She said a public-engagement kickoff was held July 1 with Marie Osmond as host and highlighted partnerships with Zions Bank, Intermountain Health and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation.
Quotes from the program reflect personal and programmatic perspectives: Lai said the department's mission "is to celebrate who we are as Utahns," and emphasized the everyday role libraries play as community hubs. The host noted the library—s reach: "We have children's books that are so precious" and that thermoform books allow sighted and blind family members to share reading time.
What did not happen: The episode was an informational interview; no motions, votes, appointments or formal policy changes were recorded during the program.
Next steps: Lai said the department will continue coordinating public programs, outreach and the Museum of Utah preparations; she thanked hosts and noted she looks forward to the department—s ongoing work and community partnerships.
