Orem Library

The Storytelling Festival holds a special place in the hearts of patrons of the Orem Public Library, who every day feel its success.

Until August 26, 1995, the Library had only one wing to house its expanding collection, including children’s books, which were in the Library’s basement. In 1988, a group of patrons,The Friends of the Orem Library, set their minds to raise funds for a new wing, a wing in which children could explore and enjoy and learn.

Led by Karen Ashton, the Friends organized the first Festival in 1990. Through business sponsorship and an eager community response, The Friends were able to garner enough support for the City of Orem to begin construction on a children's wing in 1992. The new wing's grand opening was held in conjunction with the Festival in August 1994.

The Festival continues to partner with the Library in hosting storytelling workshops and performances and in making available to the public the largest collection of recorded storytelling performances and storytelling resources in the world.