Library Visits Public Library
Public Library Henrico County Public Library Libbie Mill
https://henricolibrary.org/libbie-mill
Digital Access
The website for the Libbie Mill Library, which is part of the Henrico Public library system, is very easy to navigate and contains a lot of information. The library manager is listed on the website, but no other library staff is listed. There are numerous services offered through the website such as the catalog which includes eBooks, audio books, music, movies, and Emagazines. There are also links to Academic support, Job and Career resources, and Online research. There is a law library but not at this branch of the Henrico County Public Library System. The library’s website can be translated into numerous languages and one resource I noted was Rosetta Stone which is a program available to patrons to learn new languages. There is also a Wi-Fi Hotspot lending program that began in 2021. Though there were many resources designed to promote diversity and inclusion it seems that these were directed toward racial minority groups and not the disabled, hearing or vision impaired patrons.
The Space and Physical Access
The Libbie Mill Library is one of the newest libraries in the Henrico County Public Library System. It is in the community and is surrounded by new upscale apartments, restaurants, and shops. The Libbie Mill library is very convenient to public transportation. The building is large but a beautiful design. The library is located on three acres with ample parking and outdoor areas to sit, bike racks, and sculptures. It also overlooks a large pond on one side. The building is also environmentally friendly though no specifics are given. There are many types of indoor spaces available that include public-use computers and devices, printing and copying areas, a digital media lab, a children’s reading garden, conference and study rooms, a heritage wall, and quiet reading rooms.
Services and Intellectual Access
The Libbie Mill Library offers many programs and services. These are easy to find on the main page of the library’s website. There are programs available for people of all ages and interests from creating crafts, film discussion groups, shadow puppet theater, and computer basics classes. Overall, I was impressed by all the services available at the Libbie Mill Library and Henrico County Public Libraries. They even have access to books, magazines, music, and more that patrons can download to their phones or tablets!
People (Patrons and Staff)
This library serves the public, and it seems there are a lot of services to help people who do not speak English. I was not able to visit this library in person, so I am not able to comment on the interactions between the staff and the public. When I did visit this library in the past there were many families with young children however most of these families were white despite all the services to non-English speakers. I couldn’t tell from the website how many employees the library has or what their ethnicities were. I suspect that most of the staff are white women from our readings and from what I know about Henrico County. There is a lot of evidence of an effort to preserve equity and inclusiveness in the library system. There is a page on the website that includes all the equity and inclusion initiatives at the Henrico County Public Library. Though the library seems to strive to provide inclusiveness there was an extensive list of customer behavior guidelines. Many of these guidelines seem like they actively discourage the homeless population from using the library. Some of the customer behavior guidelines I felt that sought to exclude the homeless were no sleeping, no oversized bags, no offensive odors, no panhandling, no inappropriate attire, misuse of restrooms (bathing and laundry specifically pointed out), being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and no loitering or trespassing. Though not explicitly said one can see how the homeless population are discouraged from coming to the library based on these behavior guidelines.
Collections
Some of the resources that are evident in the Libbie Mill Library include genealogy research, Spanish language books, children and teen reading initiatives, and programs for older adults. The collections at this library are very diverse and clearly represent a public library. There seems to be something for everyone no matter how obscure the interest.
Other
Overall, this library has extensive services, programs, and initiatives that include almost everyone. “Public libraries today recognize that their plans must be flexible and adaptable to meet rapidly changing conditions. Most public libraries today state their mission simply as striving to meet the educational, informational, recreational, and cultural needs of their communities” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 106). This is evident by looking at the website for the Libbie Mill Library as part of the Henrico County Library System. There was some mention of people with disabilities, but this was the area that seemed to need the most improvement. There may be some additional resources for the disabled when visiting the library in person but from the website one would not know about them. One example I notice was the absence of movies for the blind and services for the hearing impaired. Henrico County libraries seem to incorporate more inclusion as the years progress, and I am certain that they are creating additional programs and services to help the disabled. Especially if I work there!
https://henrico.us/locations/libbie-mill-library/
References
[Photograph Picture of the Libbie Mill Public Library at night]. Henrico County Virginia Website. https://henrico.us/locations/libbie-mill-library/
Rubin, R. E., and Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
What a beautiful library! It’s incredible that the system offers Rosetta Stone for its patrons—to me, that seems like a great use of library resources, especially as language programs are increasingly being cut from public schools or as Virginia welcomes more and more refugees.
I’d be curious to learn more about how the building itself is environmentally friendly—it looks relatively new and I wonder if it was designed with sustainability in mind or retrofitted recently to take this issue into account.
It’s a little disheartening to read about all of the rules that exclude the homeless, especially given how difficult it is to be outside in the summer in Virginia…for anyone! Our social safety net is so full of holes. It’s possible that a public library is the only reasonable place for someone to seek shelter and resources. While that’s not the library’s “fault,” it might be their temporary responsibility until society catches up. Hopefully, the library is working on solutions and services that it feels it can reasonably provide—maybe they can replace that list of guidelines and restrictions someday.
Hi Casey,
I’ve actually randomly been to this library! It is very bright with its many windows and in a nice neighborhood. It’s great to hear that there are services for people who speak different languages. I believe that teen and children’s sections are upstairs. When I was there, a middle school group arrived and went upstairs for about an hour. I love the idea of public libraries teaming with public schools. This is a great way to reach more young patrons! I’m sure the wifi hotspot lending program was very useful during the pandemic. I wonder if the Henrico County Library system had 24/7 access spots available in different spots throughout the community as well.
It’s very interesting to me to hear about a law library within a public library! I don’t think I knew those existed. It’s so great that they lend out Wi-Fi hotspots – those can be crucial for some people. It’s also great that they have Rosetta Stone, which I know can be expensive. Three acres is a lot of ground for a public library! They seem to have a good variety of programs. I saw a couple of rules that would be difficult for unhoused people at my public library, although not nearly as many as at yours. I’m surprised they didn’t have any services for the hearing impaired. It definitely looks beautiful from the outside – they’re putting their acres to good use!
That building is absolutely beautiful. I am so surprised that they don’t offer more resource services for the disabled, hearing and vison impaired.
I like your blog on this Public library. The picture is a beautiful building picture. I like that they have Rosetta Stone to help patrons learn a new language. The Lynchburg Library has a law library which a lot of patrons use. That would be helpful at the Henrico County Public Library. The library is in a new development with new apartments and homes that would discourage the homeless from using the library probably from fear of people turning their nose up at them. The blog was very well written.
Thank you all for reading my blog!
I love the picture of the Libbie Mill library! It’s beautiful! Just the outside of the library would draw me to it. I like how the library website can be translated into many different languages. This is helpful for those of different ethnicities or immigrants. I also like how the library has different kinds of programs for everyone. This can help bring more patrons to the library, to learn and have fun. I’m glad that the Henrico County Library is incorporating more diversity, even though it’s still lacking in some areas, just as other libraries are. I can understand the library’s guidelines referring to the homeless population and the possible behaviors they may have. However, I do hope that there will be some leniency in regard to the homeless population so they will have the opportunity to access the library’s resources.