Augusta County Public Library

Space & Physical Access

The Augusta County Public Library is located in the heart of the rapidly growing Fishersville, Virginia. It is located in a small town that is surrounded by ball fields and a public playground. A great location for the children in the community to notice this wonderful place. There were kids playing outside as I was leaving. There is also an exterior book drop for easy returns outside. There are steps into the library and a large ramp to the right for wheelchair patrons.

While the town is small it is in close proximity for its members to notice. It is located on the main highway in Fishersville. Close by is the local post office, a dollar general, a coffee shop, a vet clinic and a lunch cafe. You couldn’t get much more ease in access for its members.

As you enter through the glass double doors you can go straight through to the desk or slide to the right to their awesome childrens center. Each of the spaces are seperated. Most all of the access needed all happens on the same main floor which would be a blessing for anyone needing wheelchair access. The children’s center is to the right, the main desk, audio and video resources are straight ahead and then to the left is the adult section. From the adult section there is a quiet space full of tables and a see through balcony upstairs. While the main floor was flooded with patrons I got to escape upstairs where there was no one and just observe quietly at my own station. Also located upstairs is the genealogical society that I was not permitted access. Still attached to the adult center was a basement downstairs that had meeting rooms, classrooms, and even an entire space for book donations.

The children’s section was amazing! There was a room for story times, a space for teens, and then the separate book genre’s within the children’s book section. There was a circular computer center located in the middle of the teen center. There were lots of activities for kids. There was a scavenger hunt table, there was a place where they could bring in objects found in nature. There was a creation table for young kids with yarn, glue, scissors and extra paper.

The adult section had lots of accessible computers. There were separate tables for patrons to use. There was a quiet room located to the side. There was pictures of horses on the walls which truly appealed to our community with lots of horse stables in our area.

Services and Intellectual Access

The programs calendar shows just how diverse the population is. Some of the activities that sparked my interest were: storytime, needles and hooks, outdoor cooking, garden produce swap, backyard bats, and craft terrariums. As you can see they draw so much the interest in our rural community. There are summer reading programs and prizes attached. There are many virtual resources for kids and adults.

They also offer 4 free covid tests for curbside pickup.

Patrons and Staff

This library truly serves all patrons from the wee age of story time to the elderly accessing dvd’s to watch on a nursing home visit. I noticed that most all of the computers were being used by adults for my entire visit. There were several people leisurely reading and working at tables. I also got to view an elementary student being tutored in the summer time! They were taking turns reading and comprehending. The crowd was also diverse in the race aspects. The programs calendar shows just how diverse the population is. Some of the activities that sparked my interest were: storytime, needles and hooks, outdoor cooking, garden produce swap, backyard bats, and craft terrariums. As you can see they draw so much interest to our rural community.

The staff was also diverse from younger teenagers in the children’s section to retirement age. I got to ask them a few questions of my own and they were very thorough and knowledgeable.

Collections

This library had the typical plethora of book selections. It was well stocked on audiobooks, dvd’s, magazines, and newspapers. My favorite part of the Augusta County Public Library is the children’s section. It is very clear that this section plays an important role in circulation of materials.  In our text Rubin says “Young people represent a key constituency for library service.  In most public libraries, children’s materials represent more than 35% of total circulation” (2020, p. 110).   I was also amazed at the appeal to the community with their gardening, diy, and seed sections. They truly do listen and survey the needs and wants of the community. There was a section of large print books to serve the visually impaired and elderly. Due to the wants in our society they also have a whole cookbook, craft, and music section.

There was free photo copiers and printers for the public. There were lots of special collections for children such as museum passes, puppet checkouts, science kits, nature kits and Berenstain bears kits. They have puzzles and legomania tournaments.

Digital Access

Here is a direct link to the Augusta County Public Library: https://www.augustacountylibrary.org/ . The Library uses many social media connections such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube. My favorite part about this library is the organization of its website. I truly did not need to walk into the library almost everything I needed was on the website. My favorite part was sitting down to open my computer and the wifi connected automatically. That showed me just how easily accessible their library is digitally.

The opening home page allows automatic use of their catalog and also displays a link to automatic email their library with questions. The main headers include: about, locations, adult services, youth services, program calendar, and how to get involved. There is also an automatic quick link to sign up for a library card. There are also databases, and ebooks available for checkout. Some of the virtual resources offered on the opening page are: Brainfuse, EBSCO, Gale, and Junior Library Guild.

This particular branch shows that they have 17 staff members that serve the location. Some of the adult services that they offer are: book a librarian, cake pan library, curbside pickup, genealogy, meeting rooms, mobile hot spots, notary and a seed library. I was intrigued by the cake pan library and the seed library. Our community is very diy centered so these are great additions for members of this type of population. The youth services include: homework help, subject bundles, and homeschooling help.

They also offered a self checkout station which I thought was wonderful due to the covid pandemic.

Other/Final Thoughts

My biggest take away after visiting this library was just how community centered it was. You could tell that the focus was on the needs and wants of its patrons. The other focus whole-heartedly was on the youth and keeping them engaged while in the library. My favorite part about this library was how organized it was not only from the inside but also the website ease.

I loved this visit so much that I took my kids back again the next week. I loved watching the library through their eyes. I have always had a school focus as an educator and it was really nice to see the ease and interaction of this library as a parent.

As I have visited 4 different libraries this week, I have been surprised by the masks. Most places you walk into throughout our community are completely maskless and almost everyone in the entire building had on a mask out of respect for all patrons. There was a sign on the door that suggested wearing one while it was not required.

References:  

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