Category Archives: Library Visits

Denver Public Library: Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library

For this week’s assignment, I had the opportunity to explore the 2020 and 2021 issues in American Libraries to delve into articles on how libraries have responded to the pandemic. In my search, after finding the article, “Serving the Community at All Times,” by Nicanor Diaz, Virginia Vassar Aggrey, and Naghem Swade, I came across the Denver Public Library in Denver, Colorado, and was able to take a look at the library’s virtual presence. I was initially drawn to learning more about this particular library after reading about their Plaza program, a program whose mission is to “collaborate with Denver’s multicultural community to create equitable opportunities for learning, discovery, and connection,” and especially how this program was adapted to continue serving the community and helping its immigrant community during the COVID-19 pandemic (Diaz, 2021, 43).

At the library’s website, I was able to find a vast collection of resources available listed physically and provided online such as databases, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, as well as tabs for further help with research, finding events, recommendations, and a tab exclusively for the services they offer. In diving into their online catalog, they have a seemingly endless amount of options from their core collection of adult books, teenage books, and children books, and the books, DVDs, Blu-ray, music, graphic novels, and physical recommendations that are one-click away from their “on-order” option whether the patron choose to have the material for pick-up physically, or by download/pdf.

Perusing the services available on the Denver Public Library’s site, there is an option to phone the library, as well as an option to email, chat, and a 24/7 online reference available. (https://www.denverlibrary.org/ask)

The library also has a curbside hold pick-up available either for individual items, or a bundle of items, including books, movies, and music for library patrons. There is also further assistance with finding and borrowing materials in the Denver Public Library’s recommendation tab. In this tab, the library patron has the option to receive recommendations from the library’s core collections and specific staff picks, request a personalized reading list, and even join one of the DPL book clubs or browse the library’s event calendar for in-person and virtual opportunities they have available .

While reading Nicanor Diaz’s article, “Serving the Community at All Times,” I was thrilled to learn about the Plaza program in action at the Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales branch of the Denver Public library. The Plaza program is a weekly program designed to “build community and make immigrant refugee newcomers feel welcome at DPL” (Diaz, 2021, 43). Expanding on this program, which has been in place at the Denver Public library for ten years, and how it shifted to learning online amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, was a multicultural program initially aimed to help Spanish speakers find the resources they needed, and now has become a pivotal program to the community its cultivated representing more than 15 languages, and working on programming that includes “English conversation tables, naturalization support, immigration legal help,, job search assistance, and computer help” (Diaz, 2021, 43). On top of their cultural inclusivity programming, the Denver Public Library offers outdoor story time program, book clubs, and a slew of virtual events and learning opportunities geared towards the community.

As mentioned previously, as part of their online/digital catalog collection, media the Denver Public Library has available (but is not limited to) is the eBooks, DVDS, Blu-Ray, graphic novel, and music materials they have.  They also have virtual presentations, videos, and a link to events provided that elucidate more options in regards to community programs and learning opportunities available.

Overall, the layout of the Denver Public Library’s home page on the website I found to be a bit dull, especially in comparison to the vibrancy of the article that mentions the Denver Public Library, but I still considered the layout to be inviting and very easy to navigate to whatever the library browser might be trying to find. I also believe that the Denver Public Library has some fantastic programs they have implemented for their own community and the online community at-large after taking steps to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

Diaz, N., Aggrey, V. V., & Swade, N. (2021). SERVING THE COMMUNITY AT ALL TIMES: Cultural inclusivity programming during a pandemic. American Libraries, 52(5), 42–45. http://proxy.lib.odu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=150118900&scope=site

Graves, M. (1990). Denver Public Library [Photograph]. Michael Graves & Associates. United States. https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/denver-public-library-6741

Slover Library 35 E. Plume Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

The Slover Memorial Main Branch is a library that stands alongside several other city establishments in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. It’s exterior is uniquely designed; the left building presenting a classical structure composed of sections of stone, paneled windows and towering columns with three floors and one entrance through a grandiose, wooden double-door, while contemporary large glass windows displaying the interior of each of the six floors construct the right portion of the library. Overall, I would compare the Slover library building to that of a modern art gallery or high-fashion department store, fitting nicely to the metropolitan-like aesthetic of the rest of East Plume Street. While this is my own – interpretation of the Slover library’s exterior, it’s environment could be considered a prime example of the study from Mathew and Soistmann’s article, “Encoding Space: Shaping learning environments that unlock human potential” pointing out the influence our physical surroundings have on us (2020). Specifically when the article references makerspaces, a component that is recently was added to the Slover library, and how these spaces compliment each other and can contribute to “create opportunities for people to bond with and within our environments” (Mathews, Soistmann, 2020).

Outside the Slover library is an entrance space including a small area for seating, stairs, a ramp, and depending on the side of the library you’re on, either a large double-wooden door or an automatic glass sliding door. Echoing Traci Lesneski’s article, “Why Outdoor Spaces Are Essential for the 21st-Century Library” the previously mentioned adornment of the right wing of Slover library, ladened with glass windows to the outside city, significantly conveys to the idea of “having a relationship with the outdoors from inside the building” (2016). I can attest from my own experience studying at the Slover library and utilizing their materials that the visual connection to the outdoors and the cityscape around it, is one of my favorite things about the space (Lesneski, 2016). Beyond the outside space of Slover library’s entrance, you will find yourself in the center of downtown Norfolk. Home to local businesses such as those housed adjacent in the Selden Market, apartment complexes, the MacArthur mall, and a few blocks away from Waterside where you can find sailboats and small cruises coming into port.

From the outside signage, you can learn the Slover Library’s hours of operations, special events upcoming, and the covid-19 precautions in place. There is also an outside return service for physical books and for digital media items.

The Slover library is also at a great location for surrounding parking and public transportation. The Tide Light Rail takes commuters from Fort Norfolk Station, near the historic Ghent district, to the Newtown Road Park & Ride Station at the Norfolk/Virginia Beach city line, and a stop for the light rail is right across the street from the library. The Slover library is also near HRT bus stops, and has many surrounding opportunities for parking, whether it be on the street or in one of downtown Norfolk’s parking garages.

I find the Slover Library incredibly welcoming to all patrons visiting the Downtown Norfolk area.

References

Aaron, P. (2021). Norfolk Public Library Slover Memorial Main Branch [Photograph]. Newman Architects. United States. https://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artowrk/6565

Lesneski, T. (2016, Aug. 13). Why Outdoor Spaces Are Essential for the 21st-Century Library. Demco Interiors. https://www.demcointeriors.com/blog/why-outdoor-spaces-are-essential-for-the-21st-century-library/

Mathews, B. & Soistmann, L. A. (2020). Encoding Space: Shaping learning environments that unlock human potential. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2020/09/01/encoding-space-library-design/