Tidewater Community College Library is spread throughout the Hampton Roads area, and is available in various locations in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. I chose to focus on the Virginia Beach library because it is the closest to me. 

The Space and Physical Access

The Joint Use Library is located on the corner of S. Rosemont Road and Faculty Boulevard. There is a lot of parking available. The library is a very large, unique building with two stories. This library reflects that academic libraries have changed in the twenty-first century. Rubin and Rubin (2020) state, library’s new architectural designs promote more open spaces (p. 136). The library is beautiful, clean, and has an open floor plan. There are tons of windows which allows you to see outside almost anywhere you are in the library. On the bottom floor, it is meant for the public. It has meeting rooms, a computer lab, study rooms, and the children’s room. The second floor is where the academic library is located. It has computer rooms, study rooms, and classrooms. There are some shelves that are high and may be more of a challenge to access, but most are a reasonable height. The furniture varies in height and size depending on the location in the library. There is an elevator available for access to the second floor, and automatic doors which allow easier access as well.

Services and Intellectual Access

Students, faculty, and staff, as well as the general public, are welcome and encouraged to use the TCC libraries. However, areas, tables, study carrels, materials, equipment, or services may be reserved for use only by the College Community (Tidewater Community College Libraries, 2022). Academic libraries offer many programs that help students conduct research, and provide physical spaces for students to collaborate on projects (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 138). This library has tutoring services and various support services for students. In addition, when look further on the website, you can find programs available at the Joint Use Library on the Virginia Beach Public Library website. They have a teen night at the aquarium and escape room, book clubs, story times, science activities, and many more programs available.

People (Patrons and Staff)

As the name implies, the library has joint use which means it is a public and academic library. It serves the public, families with young children, students, and faculty for Tidewater Community College. With it having more than one use, there is a lot of diversity at this library. Patrons visiting the library were very diverse in race, ethnicity, and age. There were young children, teenagers, young and older adults. I observed many of these things as patrons in the library were utilizing computers, and various spaces throughout the library. One thing I noticed is there were more study rooms being used than at other libraries. The staff at this library were also diverse, friendly, and had positive interactions with patrons. The staff were checking out books and working the front desk, walking around and putting books back on the shelf, and helping patrons.

Collections

The TCC library collection is available for use by eligible college students, faculty, staff and community patrons while also ensuring accountability. This means that TCC students, faculty, and staff must have a TCC identification card. However, residents of Virginia Beach are allowed community patron borrowing privileges at all TCC Libraries, and must use their VBPL library card to borrow materials and access services (Tidewater Community College Libraries, 2022).

There is a wide variety of resources available at this library: books, DVDS, CDS, references collection, textbooks, and class materials, periodicals, books and other materials related to careers, and books and other study materials related to testing. There are 39 public computers available on the first floor. There are 138 public computers available on the second floor and 1 computer with accessibility programs in the second floor computer lab. Patrons may also use the printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine.

Digital Access

The Joint Use library website is https://libguides.tcc.edu/JUL. The tabs on the left include hours, joint-use catalog, study rooms, library policies, and a map. However, the TCC Libraries website has more available and it is easy to get onto this website as these tabs remain on the top anytime you navigate to other pages.

The TCC Libraries main page is https://libguides.tcc.edu/LibraryPage. On the home page, it has alerts and news, featured guides, student resources, and faculty resources. The main tabs include library home, campus libraries, library hours, research guides, books, articles, citing sources, and a help tab. One of the first things that caught my eye was that under the feature guides they had resources for LGBTQ+ and Anti-racism.

There are 12 staff members at the Joint Use Library. All staff are able to be reached by phone or email. There are various job titles including Interim Director/Coordinator of Library Academic Services, Librarian Specialist – Reference, Circulation Supervisor, and Librarian. 

Additional Thoughts

I was unaware that there are libraries that are both public and academic libraries. This means the library is able to serve a wider population of patrons and their needs. I liked that the academic library was upstairs as it allows for a more quiet area and less distractions from the main entrance and public library. The children’s section downstairs was great too. This is something that I look for in a library as a mom of two young children. I enjoyed this library and will use it again in the future.

References 

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

Tidewater Community College. (2022). Joint Use library. https://libguides.tcc.edu/JUL

Tidewater Community College. (2022). Joint Use library. [photograph]. https://libguides.tcc.edu/JUL

Tidewater Community College. (2022). Welcome to TCC libraries. https://libguides.tcc.edu/LibraryPage