I visited the Major Hillard branch of the Chesapeake Public Library system on February 23.  A green library sign at the traffic light on the main road directs you to turn for the library, however the building sign itself is very low and dark, and easily missed.  There are numerous handicap parking spaces close to the entrance, as well as a small bike rack.  Wifi can be accessed from the parking lot, and there is an outdoor book drop for returning items after hours.  The current building was dedicated in 2000 (Watson, 2008), and is very unimaginative, but there have been recent updates to the interior which make it appear quite inviting.   

The entry space is light and open, contains exhibits for special holidays (Black History Month during my visit), and a greenhouse STEM project was on display.  Areas are marked with overhead signs (in English only), and depict that restrooms and a meeting room can be found by turning left and the main section of the library is on the right.  Enter the general library area and you notice hanging plants advertising a seed library, although you do have to seek assistance from staff if you want to “check out” any seeds.  The circulation desk is on the right, with two self checkout stations and a friendly staff member.  Windows and natural light are pervasive throughout the building.

The Adult Services desk is on the left with the Youth and Family Services room directly across.  There are public computers, a fax machine, a printer (with the option of wireless printing), and online catalog iPads at various points around the Adult Services desk, which is designated by a sign and staffed by two employees.  Walking through the space, you see four small study rooms, a conference room, and bar-style work spaces along two back window walls.  There are various comfortable chairs and a few large tables with plastic chairs to accommodate group work.  The main collection is divided into fiction (shelved alphabetically by author) and nonfiction (organized using the Dewey decimal system), with additional sections for graphic novels, teen items, and audiovisual content.   

The YFS room is a colorful and welcoming space with lots of points of interest, separated from the main section by a wall of windows.  The collection is arranged by genre and well signed.  This area has a handicap accessible bathroom and a separate activity room for storytimes.  There are tables with iPods to access educational apps, a few computers, and wall-mounted interactive toys.  There is a low self checkout station at one end of the service desk, which can easily be reached by children old enough to follow the instructions.  I found the YFS space to be the most successful aspect of Major Hillard library, and I would infer from the building’s design and location that this branch serves mostly low to mid-income level families with young children.      

During my visit, the majority of the patrons using the library were Black, while all the staff members were female and white.  I am aware the branch manager is a Black female, and there are other Black staff members at this branch, as well as a few males.  I did notice one differently abled staff member, who moved with the assistance of a walker, so I assume the building can accommodate those with special needs.  This space would be difficult to navigate as a non-English speaker, since all the signage is in English (without international symbols) and the bilingual or foreign language items available are limited.  However, the self checkout machines do ask users to choose between English or Spanish in the first step.

Although this library building appears utilitarian from the outside, the ambiance inside is welcoming and the layout well organized.  As a small neighborhood branch, it is very easy to find what you are looking for or locate a staff member for assistance.  There did not appear to be any special collections (other than the seed library) or extensive technology due to the branch size.  I observed seven customer interactions during my visit, split between the three service desks, and mainly involving requests for assistance with technology.  The self checkout stations cut down on the need for customer interactions with staff, but help was prompt and professional.

The website for the Chesapeake Public Library system (https://chesapeakelibrary.org/) is fairly easy to navigate, and teeming with content and information.  The online resources are free for library card holders, and they extend well beyond the usual e-book/audiobook collection.  These resources are so varied that they are arranged into categories based on user types, such as children, students, and adults, and then further broken down into user needs.  Some examples of the multitude of offerings include: online tutoring, learning a new language, virtual classes for continuing education, developing new life skills and hobbies, access to movies and music, and special information for Virginia residents.  The online catalog is a little more challenging to navigate, although items can be searched by subcategories if filters are applied.  The only language featured on the website is English, and visually impaired individuals might also have trouble navigating the space.  There are tutorial videos for the online resources, which offer instructions for the technologically challenged.  The system’s calendar of events (mainly classes for families or adults, as well as some larger themed events) is on the website, as well as the ability to reserve a meeting space or study room.  There is a link to a virtual program called Reading Represents, which is aimed at young children and highlights books with themes such as diversity, inclusion, and kindness.  The kids’ page also has themed worksheets for preschoolers which parents can use to conduct mini storytimes at home.  The locations and contact information for the seven branches can be found on the website, as well as a general questions form which can be submitted directly from the “contact our team” page.  The website features stock photographs representing a wide variety of ages and races, and there is a clear theme of diversity and inclusion.  This is also highlighted in the system’s strategic plan section, which lists inclusivity, community, and empowerment as values (Chesapeake Public Library, n.d.).  As stated in our textbook, “public libraries support social justice…an equitable and fair distribution of resources, respect for individuals and their autonomy, and resistance to the oppression of marginalized groups” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 115).  The objectives of the CPL strategic plan clearly embrace this vision, and list actionable steps to help achieve this ideal within the system (Chesapeake Public Library, n.d.).  

I was not impressed with the exterior of the Major Hillard library branch, but once inside I found the building to be very inviting, well organized, light, and colorful.  It is very clearly a small neighborhood branch, and thus limited in its services, but the Chesapeake Public Library’s website did offer a lot beyond what could be found by visiting one branch.  Overall I feel that Major Hillard, which is the branch closest to my house, can serve my basic needs and provides a welcoming environment.  Anything beyond that can be located on the website and accessed with a library card.

Full disclosure: I work for the Chesapeake Public Library (although not the branch I visited) and I am responsible for the content of the virtual program Reading Represents.  

References:

Chesapeake Public Library.  (n.d.).  Our strategic plan.  Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://chesapeakelibrary.org/about-us/our-places-plans/our-strategic-plan

Rubin, R. E. & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.

Watson, D. (2008, December 12).  What’s in a name? Major Hillard library, Chesapeake.  The Virginian-Pilot. https://www.pilotonline.com/history/article_752780dd-6e47-5a30-bf6e-778ce5e7b8ba.html