Galax Public Library is my hometown public library. It is located in Galax, Virginia and is one of the two libraries associated with the Galax-Carroll Regional Library system. It is located just outside of downtown Galax, and it is easily accessible to the city’s residents. When approaching the entrance, you will see solar powered benches, a book depository, a flag depository, and a Veteran’s Memorial. It has push button entrances, as well as a bike rack and adequate parking. The building is very traditional and small, but fitting for the community it serves.
Upon entering the library, the lobby contains a spacious meeting room and two handicap accessible restrooms. Just through the doors, you are met by a beautifully painted mural that leads to the children’s section of the library. This section contains a vast amount of flexible seating, children’s books and media, and computers with child appropriate software. If you continue past the children’s section, the circulation desk is to your left, young adult and adult fiction is straight ahead, and non-fiction/reference is located to your right. Nested in between these are leisure chairs and tables, for comfortable and recreational reading, and a small area of large print selections. It has a very open floor plan, with the exception of the internet and computer access room, which houses 12 individual computer desks, with dividers. The space is inviting, but also gives off the stereotypical feeling of a quiet building. While the library has well-spaced their shelves and tables to allow ease for wheelchair access, many of the books and media are located on high shelves, which may require help from staff, for some patrons.
The library catalog is accessed by four computers, set in the middle of the library. It is easily visible from the circulation desk, and the staff was very responsive and ready to help. The non-fiction section is organized by the Dewey Decimal system, and the fiction and children’s books are arranged alphabetically by author. The signs are clearly posted on each shelf end, and the library has done a wonderful job separating the main genres. There are bulletin boards posted throughout, to advertise many community services and activities, as well as a table to help members with their tax preparation. The computer and internet services room contains access to a copier and a printer, and the patron is able to sign in and pay for copies by the page.
Our area has a rich and specific local history. Seated deep in the Appalachians, we have a strong bluegrass musical heritage and many genealogical groups and societies, that trace their roots back to moonshining and tales of mountain survival. The Galax Public Library has a small section, devoted specifically to the history of Galax and the community members. Many of the books in this collection are written by local authors. These books are available only for reference purposes and may not be checked out.
During my visit, there were two staff members at the circulation desk, and I was the only patron, outside of the children’s section. I believe it is clear this library fosters children’s literature, as it is the most lively and well-kept section in the library. I did not see any signs of access for assistive technology, but the staff was extremely helpful. When I prompted the question, I got the feeling they were the “assistive technology” available in this library. I did not see any special equipment or resources that circulate. I was impressed to see a growing graphic novel section.
The website for the library is located at https://galaxcarroll.lib.va.us/. It is extremely easy to use and very informative. The website lists many services, such as curb-side, interlibrary loans, test proctoring, and notary services. It also contains their searchable catalog and their access to e-books through Overdrive. Along the tabs, you can easily find links to new materials, local history, and genealogy websites. For more information, I clicked on their social media links and visited their Facebook page, located at https://www.facebook.com/galaxcarrollregionallibrary/. Their Facebook account is frequently updated and contains staff members and their monthly book choices. It also lists COVID vaccine clinic times that are held at the library and a new program for teens called “To Go Bags”.
I was thoroughly impressed with their children’s section. It was colorful and very well stocked. I did find their young adult section to be lacking, as it did not completely fill up one shelf. I would still like to know more about assistive services this library offers. I did not get the feeling that the two staff members at the circulation desk were well-versed in any such services. I did very much enjoy this visit, and over the years, I have seen this same library grow. Visiting this library was very nostalgic for me, and I still had the butterflies in my stomach and excitement I felt when I was a young patron. I found myself falling into Ettarh’s (2018) exact definition of vocational awe. I realized this is something I will continuously face, as I enter into the library profession.
References
Ettarh, F.M. (10 January 2018). Vocational awe and librarianship: The lies we tell ourselves. In the LIbrary with the Lead Pipe https://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2018/vocational-awe/
Galax-Carroll Regional Library. (n.d.). Grow. Connect. Read. Learn. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from https://galaxcarroll.lib.va.us/
Galax-Carroll Regional Library. (n.d.). Home. [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/galaxcarrollregionallibrary/.
The Galax library sounds so quaint! I liked the picture of the local history section; the signage was huge and would be easy to find. I think it’s great that there are books written by local authors depicting the area’s interesting lineage. I find it interesting that the children’s section is well represented; however, the young area collection sounds lacking. If the library is successful with teaching children to utilize the library, where do they go once they outgrow the children collection? The “To Go Bags” program sounded promising though. I also think it’s great that the library hosts COVID vaccinations; that is a wonderful way to support the local population.
I sometimes forget just how quaint it is, until I look at other libraries. It is our largest library in the area! Isn’t it great that, even though it is small, it has a local area for authors and history? I always wanted to check these out, when I was younger. Yes! The young adult section is lacking. I believe some of the young adult books are actually shelved between the children’s section and adult fiction section. I was curious if this was due to interest? I would think young adult interest level would start at 12, but many books in the 12-15 range are within the children’s section! We do have a small population, but it is wonderful for our library to offer community outreach programs. Perhaps I should look at our library as “small, but mighty”.
The first thing that caught my attention was the solar-powered benches. I’ve never heard of that before and wonder how it works? The local history section sounds like a place I would spend most of my time visiting your local branch, especially since I’ve never explored Galax or Appalachia for that matter. I imagine other visitors would enjoy learning about the genealogy, and especially the bluegrass heritage. While I don’t care for country music, as a music lover, I do enjoy bluegrass, as they are extraordinary musicians. So far, reading other blogs it seems the children’s lit section is one of the most popular among patrons. I was disappointed to hear the YA section was only one shelf. As a teen, I would feel looked over. Perhaps their school librarians have a better selection for them or they prefer reading Adult, or children’s literature. I also enjoy the traditional architecture of the library.
I agree! The solar benches are very intriguing! To my knowledge, they are in place to power the lights that are used for the outside of the library and the lights connected to the benches. We had a grant sweep through, several years ago, and many of our local government buildings took advantage. I do think that our area really values its heritage and lineage. It has always been fun to stop in and see if anyone local has written a new novel, or if a local artist has any new media out. Upon further review, I do think there are more young adult options, but they are shelved between the children’s section and adult fiction. I’m now wondering if it is due to interest level. For instance, I noticed a copy of the Harry Potter series is shelved in both the children’s section and the adult fiction section; however, it is not offered in the young adult section.
How very neat that your local library has a local history section! What a great way to showcase the works of local authors. The large signage in your pictures makes me feel that it was probably very easy to find what you wanted in that library. I’m glad to hear that the children’s section was the most active section there and that you were able to see excited young patrons visiting it.
Since I was a child, the children’s section has always been the most active section. I think it is a bit of a “what came first, the chicken or the egg” scenario. They have spent so much time and resources to make it inviting, that it makes me wonder, did children frequent the library and gradually get an outstanding area? Did so many children visit the library, they decided to put their resources into their patron’s needs? I do love the detail and fostering of young literature, but I do think the rest of our library is a bit bland. It is almost like the children’s section doesn’t belong. The rest of the library seems more like a doctor’s office. It is a very interesting and wonderful area, for sure!