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Posted: 1:36 PM- Salt Lake City's library soon will begin a new chapter with a new boss.

Elizabeth Elder, planning director at the Denver Public Library, has been selected to replace retired Director Nancy Tessman.

"I just feel so honored to have a chance to bring my experience and knowledge to share with others," Elder said Tuesday. "And I see this as a great learning opportunity for me."

She beat out two other finalists: Britton Lund, acting library co-director at the Salt Lake City library, and Kathlin Ray, librarian at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

Elder said she has been an admirer of the Salt Lake City library system for years and lauded residents for seeing it as a "cornerstone" in the community.

During a public job interview last week, she and the other finalists were asked about intellectual freedom and First Amendment rights in a library, especially if patrons lobbied to get books or other materials yanked from the shelves.

"We have a fundamental responsibility to our communities in presenting all points of view," Elder said.

She added that when community members want a book removed, the library could offer another selection that presents a different point of view.

Elder stressed the importance of building bridges between all members of the community.

Helen Rollins, president of Salt Lake City Library Board, said she is confident that the new director "will always model positive and effective librarian behavior."

"She's a teacher," Rollins said. "She's inspirational about knowledge. She's an advocate of intellectual freedom."

Elder will lead a system that includes Salt Lake City's showcase downtown library - which opened to much praise in 2003 - and was named the Library Journal's Library of the Year in 2006.

Tessman stepped down in June. Elder takes over April 28.

"I can't wait to get started," Elder said.