For my first library visit, I chose to spend a little time at the local library near my work. I arrived on a very gloomy, rainy, wind-filled day. However, the Chester Library in Chester, Virginia is a wonderful, warm, and welcome place. Immediately upon entering you could see many vibrant colors and multiple sections of books and wall art. There was ample parking for the building and multiple ADA-accessible routes. The library from the outer walls looks a little like a brick castle and seems like just another government building.
Chester Library is at the heart of one of the most historic areas of Chesterfield County. Situated beside the Chester Village Green, it’s brick turret and facade reflect the area’s colonial beginnings while its warm interior with a charming train motif evokes the role of railroads in Chester’s growth. The library features CCPL’s largest collection of the arts, and its music and creative arts and crafts programs are popular. Local artists exhibit paintings, prints, and photographs at Chester Library each month. The Chesterfield Center for the Arts is located adjacent to the library building, a multi-faceted venue for visual and performing arts, literature, and creativity within a walkable neighborhood of shops, restaurants, and local businesses. (Chester Library, 2022)
After speaking with the assistant at the welcome desk I learned that the Chester Library has seven full-time staff and 5 part-time associates. Peggy, the part-time associate I spoke with has been working there for over 20 years. I learned from Peggy their busiest day is Monday. She feels like this is because the Chester Library is the only library in Chesterfield County that has free black and white printing. The Library was broken down into a children’s section, Non-fiction, Fiction, business center with meeting rooms, and a central seating area for everyone to use for leisure reading. They were currently going under a reorganization phase and vamping some of the shelves. All of the children’s and Fiction books were sorted under the author’s last name and the nonfiction books by Dewey Decimal system.
My favorite part of the library was this long table with a whiteboard top where anyone could write and draw on the table. One of the other exciting parts of this library is the arts center located directly across from the Library. Both organizations partner to have many local events and art shows. The Library’s monthly catalog the Loud & Clear is full of local information, fact, and tidbits about the local economy and holidays coming up. Overall, I enjoyed my time at this public library and plan to be back for some of their upcoming events!
Outside the Library
Computers and Leisure Seating
“Express Yourself” Whiteboard high top table
Wall Arts & Crafts
Children’s Section
References
Chester Public Library. https://library.chesterfield.gov/153/Chester-Library
Hi Lyndsey!
I love your description of the space for Chester Library! You’re right, it does seem rather ordinary from the outside. But the interior is very up to date and welcoming! I really like the train motif as well – very appropriate for the area.
I wonder how much traffic they get with people coming to the shopping area? It seems like a great location!
I’m astounded by FREE black and white printing – I can’t get that at my school. On my trip to the public library I found copies were 10c – just like my library back in the day. 😀
I’m curious – did you leave any words of wisdom on the whiteboard table? If not, what will you leave next time?
Great work!
Karen
Hi!
Thanks for your comment. The librarian did say it is up for discussion on their next budget meeting to change from free printing to a cost per page or an initial charge just to use the printer. I did not write anything on the table but now I do wish that I had.
What a cool looking building! It looks newer than I was expecting for a historic area and seems massive inside. It’s nice that it is so close to the arts center and they partner for events. The Bayside Special Services Library I visited partners with some local schools and displays student artwork from time to time. It’s fun looking at the student work so I imagine it would be fun to attend an event with professional artists and artisans. I love the idea of a whiteboard table too and think that would be a great idea for student desks in elementary schools. It’s also nice that they allow people to print for free and that it is so close to where you work.
Thank you for commenting and plan to go back soon and actually check out the art next door!
Hello Lindsey,
The whiteboard table is a fun idea; I looked up a few to ask my director in our next meeting if we could get one for our library and they are not cheap:, so we will see
https://www.schoolsin.com/apc-CLS2436DE.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw_tWRBhAwEiwALxFPodE9x-U0kU5WKtQRsPTG1SR_dy1-PjP7ltpXDFZvXnaTFfR7M-GpsBoCJ58QAvD_BwE
https://www.displays2go.com/P-35830/Classroom-Activity-Table-Whiteboard-Surface?gclid=CjwKCAjw_tWRBhAwEiwALxFPoWPNk89qctkYoCLD4ClscR8xgG7L79yqZu5IoDne5Fzts1T4JsdqdxoC32gQAvD_BwE
Free black and white printing, that is amazing. My library charges $0.15 per page. Lastly, that is great the library was able to partner with an arts center to put on events; they must have some amazing activities they put on.
Wow thank you for taking the time to add in the links I really appreciate you posting them. They had a brochure that I picked up on my way out there is about 5 partnered events per month.
Hi Lindsey,
Thanks for sharing this with us. I think it’s great that the space offers free B&W printing, and if that’s what increases traffic, so be it! If I went in to print, I’d probably make the time to browse and would enjoy the little interactive areas like the white board. In DC, there was a poster that said, “What is your favorite dinosaur?” and I, fancying myself clever, drew a crude dino holding a book and labeled it THESAURUS. I’ll see myself out!
Thanks for sharing! What a nice space and opportunity for quiet discovery in the middle of what seems to be a busy street.
Rachael
Love your sense of humor! That sounds exactly like something I would want to do but I can not draw. Not even a little. The librarian did mention they may be changing to none free printing and she is worried about loosing potential patrons.