The Space and Physical Access:
The Library of Virginia is a government library, used to preserve the history of Virginia, is in Downtown Richmond down the street from the Virginia State Capitol. It is in a large building that is a little intimidating, but the staff was very friendly. Once I entered the building, I was told to go up to the second floor to go through metal detectors. There is not parking lot for the library but there is a parking garage close by or you can park on the street. Public transportation is also available. Outside there were a few spots to sit but most of the materials cannot be taken out of the library.
The entire library is on the second floor of the building. There are multiple reading rooms that you can sign up to use, you can also sign up to get help from a librarian with research. Throughout the floor there are tables to work out, I liked the tables because each seat had an outlet. There are many artifacts in the library that you must ask for assistance to pull out. Overall, the library has a historical feel, but it does not feel outdated. It is a great place to work quietly, there are multiple signs reminding you not to talk on your cell phone.
Services and Intellectual Access:
There are multiple places to get help in the library, in each room there is an information desk. many of the signs throughout the library ask that you sign up for help from a librarian ahead of time. I did not notice information about programs going on at the library but there is a museum exhibit on the first floor of the building. When I walked around the library, I saw that there were multiple signs that tell you which room you are in and directions to the different sections.
When I walked into the library, I would have liked an explanation of where everything is and how the library works. There were screens throughout the different rooms that have information about how to sign up for research help and the hours of the library. There was a catalog available on the computers in the library, and it is available on their website. The library appeared to be organized by type of artifact and topic. They also manage a state records center off site. If you want to access any of the records there, you can request them with the library, and they will bring them to the downtown location for you to use.
Digital Access:
The Library of Virginia website had a lot of information on the home page but there was an option at the top to search the website or catalog. They had sections on the main page that were labeled by the audience they were for: for researchers, for the public, for libraries and educators, and for localities and state agencies. There was a lot of information about visiting the library online, and they even had a map of the library. The staff was not listed on the website but there was a form that could be filled out for any questions you might have. Depending on the topic you had questions about, they had a phone number you could call. There are online databases and research guides that can be used by the public. In the events tab they had information about in person and online events that they were offering. The website is organized well and is user friendly but does not seem to have any accommodations.
People:
The library is open to the public, and you do not have to have a library card to use the library space. I noticed that most people in the library looked to be in their 40’s or 50’s. It was not a space for children since there are so many primary sources and fragile artifacts. I saw a lot of people using the microfilm and looking at different document on the computer. There were also multiple people in one of the reading rooms working on a project with a couple of the librarians. I saw six different staff members in the library. Most of them were behind the different information desks. The patrons and staff were not very diverse. There was a mix of genders, but everyone was white.
Collections and Other:
The rooms in the library each have a specific purpose. Once of the first rooms I came across was dedicated to genealogy research. There were multiple computers, and one section was dedicated to looking at the microfilm. I also noticed printers and scanners that could be used by patrons. In the library you could find government documents, maps, and records. The technology in the library would be hard to use unless you have help from a librarian. Almost all the materials in the library would be difficult to read for most people.
It is evident through throughout the library that it is used to preserve the history of Virginia. There were many artifacts and primary source documents. I would have liked more information when I walked in about what everything was, and what was open to the public. I felt a little nervous and intimidated walking around. I would like to learn more about the collections and programs that they run. I want to learn more about the other special libraries that are in my community.
References:
Library of Virginia. (2019). Library of Virginia. https://www.lva.virginia.gov/
So as I was reading your description I thought “This feels like a place where older people might go to research genelogy.” It made me giggle when you said they had a room dedicated to just that. What an interesting special library. I didn’t know a library of Virginia existed. Thanks for sharing!
I love the pictures you took of the space and that’s neat that they have several different reading rooms you can reserve. The special library I visited only had one, so it just goes to show the scale involved. Since you observed mostly patrons in their 40s and 50s, I wonder if the library is making any effort to reach younger demographics. Great post!
The Library of Virginia is an incredible resource. I have not had the opportunity to go there in person yet but am planning a visit for later this summer. Their digital finding aids and archival organization is very helpful for research. Many of the items have detailed biographical data to help you decide if the information is worth a deeper look. They offer loans through Interlibrary Loan though the process is a little tricky for microfilm requests and I have had to have the ODU staff email the staff their directly to make it happen (at the LoV staffs request). For some access, you do need to have a library card there, but they are free and easy to obtain digitally on their website.
It’s good that each area of this library has an information desk. It seems like patrons, especially those who aren’t as familiar with research, would require a lot of assistance.
This Special Library looks nicely organized and the signage sounds like it will help patrons easily find their way within the library. I like that there is a room dedicated to genealogy research. Since this is a library dedicated to preserve Virginia history, do you think the genealogy room has information focused on Virginians or is it for genealogy research in general?
I feel like a bad Virginian – I got my BA at VCU, and I have never been to the Library of Virginia. Now I want to go visit! Just going off the images, it does seem a little drab – but then again, it’s not serving children. I do love that they have signs reminding you not to talk on your cell phone.