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Western Towns Rebuild Library Jeffs Destroyed

Books disappeared under reign of jailed Utah polygamist

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 21, 2008 3:42 PM CST
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(Newser) – Two tiny towns on the Utah-Arizona border are pushing to restock the shelves of their library, reports the Deseret Morning News, in a first step toward healing rifts caused by imprisoned polygamist Warren Jeffs. With Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., firmly in the grip of the Mormon splinter group's leader, the library simply disappeared one day.

“Warren had them destroyed,” says a Hildale resident who plans to use part of her home as a makeshift library. “It’s just so sad," zays a local merchant. "It’s from the dark ages.” Now, community members are staging book drives to build up the town’s resources and, it's hoped, eventually mend some of the deep divisions Jeffs left.

There are a lot of people that are starting to step out of their comfort zone and associate and stuff, said one volunteer. Books are a common thing. Books can kind of bring people together.
"There are a lot of people that are starting to step out of their comfort zone and associate and stuff," said one volunteer. "Books are a common thing. Books can kind of bring people together."   (Shutterstock.com)
The libraries of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona are being rebuilt by community volunteers after all the books mysteriously disappeared.
The libraries of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona are being rebuilt by community volunteers after all the books mysteriously disappeared.   (Index Open)
In this photo released by the Utah Department of Corrections on Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, convicted polygamous-sect leader Warren Jeffs poses for his photo at the state prison Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in Draper, Utah. I remember coming and checking out books with my little brothers and sisters, said one...
In this photo released by the Utah Department of Corrections on Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, convicted polygamous-sect leader Warren Jeffs poses for his photo at the state prison Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in...   (Associated Press)
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Formerly polygamous towns start to rebuild public library
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polygamy • Utah • libraries • Mormon • Mormonism • Colorado • Warren Jeffs

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