Link to the main library page:
https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/libraries/locations/Pages/Locations-and-Hours.aspx
Link for digital access:
https://vbpl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default
The website for the Virginia Beach Public libraries serves 10 different locations around Virginia Beach. Customers can interact with staff through, email, phone or they can comment on social media posts and the Marketing department makes sure the question is answered. The library that I visited is the Kempsville Library which serves a very diverse and loyal local community. The public can access the library catalog from the website where they can browse titles, put items on hold and choose which location they would like to retrieve their item from. The only staff listed on the website are the branch managers for each location. On the main catalog page, there are reading lists for children, teens and adults with diverse titles, authors, and book characters. The website is very easy to navigate with search tools for new items, on order items as well as Suggesting a Purchase and a link for the online and live programs and classes. The library offers virtual programming as well as in-person programming that serves birth to adult at each location. Each customers has access to 2 different digital streaming services: Libby and Hoopla. There is over 50 resources on the website including access to Career Online High school, databases for research and Rocket Languages which is an online platform for learning a new language. I observed 10 to 15 employees working at different service points and a few shelving books. There is a table set up by the children room with teen volunteers helping with the Summer Reading Challenge.
Diversity focus: The library has an option to search the talking books collection. According to the website, Bayside & Special Services Library, in cooperation with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, provides library service to Virginia Beach residents with visual, physical and reading disabilities. The library offers talking books and magazines, talking book players, large print books, descriptive movies, and braille materials. All are mailed to customers’ homes at no cost. Talking books and recorded magazines are also available for customers to download directly to their device (VBPL, 2016).
The Space
Kempsville Library is a stand-alone building that is situated next to the 4th Precinct building of the Virginia Beach Police Department. The library is a stop on the Hampton Roads transit line and there is ample parking for patrons including handicap spots and bike racks for public use. There is a Pollinator Garden in the front of the building that is cared for by the Master Gardner’s of Hampton Roads. The building is spacious but is cozy and welcoming. There are designated spaces for teen, children, and quiet study areas. There is a meeting room that is available for rent and 3 study rooms that can be reserved by patrons in 2-hour blocks. There is a public computer lab that houses 20 computers for public use. There are several open seating areas with tables and comfortable chairs including an electric fireplace for “cozying up by the fire”. The library is organized with the Dewey Decimal system as well as by fiction, non-fiction (by author’s last name), audiobooks, DVD, and games for gaming systems.
Diversity Focus: The space is accessible for patron with special needs. The stacks are accessible for patrons in wheelchairs and there is also a mobility scooter available for use. The children’s room has low shelves for accessibility and there are youth iPads loaded with educational games.
Service & Intellectual Access
There are 6 catalog computers available throughout the library where patrons can access their accounts, register for programs, and place items on hold. There is a Community Forum board with information about upcoming programs, services provided by the city and other local agencies. Services include assistance for homelessness, tax information and flyers from patrons who are offering services. There was a Make and Take craft programs going on during my visit. Families come to the library and make a themed craft to take home with them. I observed over 50 people participating in the program.
People
This library serves a very diverse community. There were patrons in the library from birth up to the elderly receiving services like book checkout, readers’ advisory, children’s programming, assistance with technology and general questions. There was a teacher tutoring a student and a mother reading to her children in the children’s area. Several teens were playing the Nintendo Switch in the teen area and adults were relaxing in chairs or browsing the collection. The staff I met had job titles ranging from library assistant, library services specialist and library programming specialist.
Collection
There are several special collections available for the customers. They have “Take-Home” tech kits including, Wifi hotspots, telescopes, and dot coding robots, Go-Pro cameras, and digital software scanners. There is a large selection of games for Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation gaming systems.
Other
Kempsville Library is a community library where friends run into each other, and staff and patrons know each other by name. This is the library where I am employed, and we work hard to ensure that we are welcoming to all cultures and backgrounds through diverse books, titles, and characters. There were several displays throughout the library. Some of the themes were boredom busters, travel, summer BBQ cooking ideas and a Self-help section.
References:
Virginia Beach Public Library. (2016) Bayside SSL – Home. (n.d.). Retrieved July 18, 2022, from https://vbpltb.klas.com/
Thank you for sharing details about your visit. One thing that I found interesting was the teen section. While on the one hand, I love the concept because it brings teens into the library, I wonder how much of a distraction it can be to other library patrons. You mentioned it is a designated area, which I am sure helps with this some. However, as a middle school teacher I know that unless it is sound proof teens can be loud.
This brings me to the next question of why? I assume they set things up like this to get more teen engagement, but are the teens engaging with more than just the video games? In other words, are they using other parts of the library?
These are just questions, I am not saying that it is a good or bad thing. Just my own train of thought.
Thank you for your comment. No, it is not a distraction at all. Our library is not the quiet place that we visited growing up. The teen area was created as a safe place for teens to gather and yes, play games but also to have a place where there are no adults, a place to be themselves. We actually do not allow adults in that space unless they are grabbing a book or are accompanied by an adult. Our teen books do not circulate as much as youth but we do have dedicated teens that come in for programming and to complete homework.
Your community public library sounds like an amazing community space. I love that no adults are allowed in the teen area! Teens need spaces that are just for them, and there are not a lot of spaces for them to chill together.
I am also intrigued by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled service your library has. I want to look into that service more!
As a beach town, do you find you have “snow bird” patrons?
Thank you for sharing.