Everything you want in a public library
….And all the rest too!
The History
The original Mary D. Pretlow Library was built in 1961 and is named after the pioneering libarian pictures below. Mary D. Pretlow said, “The idea of a public library is to put books in walking distance of every person.” (Norfolk Public Library 2022). You can read all about the history of Miss Pretlow and her work with the Norfolk Public Library here: https://www.norfolkpubliclibrary.org/about-npl/hours-locations/mary-d-pretlow-anchor-branch/mary-d-pretlow. In 2007, this version of the Mary D. Pretlow Library opened and it has been loved, revered, used, and (at times) abused ever since.
The Space
This is the most beautiful, welcoming library I’ve ever experienced. It is truly a place like no other and it’s a gift to the the Ocean View community and the families that have made it a destination library. There are 4 distinct spaces: The Ocean View Station Museum, The main (or grown up as I used to call it) floor, the KidZone, and the brand-new, not-yet-open-to-the-public Marstonn Maker Studio, housed in the former teen zone.
Norfolk Public Library is a certified Family Place Library, which means each library has a space dedicated to play, a Family Resource Center near that play space where parents can find books on pregnancy, parenting, and everything in between, and special programs to develop social, emotional, and early literacy skills in babies and toddlers.
The books here are cataloged using the Dewey decimal system. Pretlow is one of 4 anchor branches in the Norfolk Public Library system, which is currently comprised of 4 anchors and 8 smaller, neighborhood branches. Patrons can check-out, return, place holds and use equipment at any of the anchors or branches. They also have access to electronic books, movies, TV shows, and magazines via Overdrive, Hoopla, or Libby, all free with your library card. A card is free to any Virginia resident although you must live and/or work in the city of Norfolk to access E- resources for free, or pay a small fee yearly. Norfolk Public Library also offers free access to many online databases including Gale, Infotrac, and Ancestry. NPL is also home to a large collection of local historical documents and relics, housed in the Sargeant Memorial Collection of Local History and Genealogy.
When Pretlow first opened it was open 7 days a week and until 9 pm Monday-Thursday. Norfolk Public Libraries were completely shut down from March until June, 2020 and have slowly re-opened. This summer marks the return to in-person programming in the library. As a system, the library is now open 6 days per week, with plans to expand hours in the Fall of 2022.
More of the new Randi Marston Peterson Studio (not yet open)
Here’s the latest on the Maker Space:
Patrons that visit the Randi Marston
Peterson Studio @ Pretlow will have
access to a wide range of high-quality
resources designed to inspire creativity
and learning from childhood exploration
through professional quality production
assisted by a knowledgeable staff
The studio’s modular design will allow
the space to be reshaped to meet the
demands of the space’s many potential
user groups from individuals to classes
and clubs. -Melanie Greene, Manager Pretlow Library (2022)
References:
Rubin, R. E. and Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
Photos: Tennille Cyphers (2022)
www.norfolkpubliclibrary.org
Is fiction also dewey decimal? The children’s play area looks amazing! Are there childrens’ books in the space or are they housed elsewhere. Now that it is back to in-person programming, what types of programs is it offering this summer?
The makers space looks very awesome! I’m sure people are anxious for it to open so they can get in there and start creating! 🙂
So from what you have described this library needs to be on my list next time I’m in the Norfolk area. I love the children’s area, a must in my household, and their mission of putting books close to patrons certainly rings true.
YOu are so lucky to grow up in such a great library! It’s neat to think that our early library experiences might have brought up to this point of getting our MLIS!
This is so cool! The children’s floor looks amazing. Is the designation of a “family place” something specific to Norfolk, I assume? Do they do that with areas other than libraries?
I have to wonder how much the Makerspace will get used. From what I’ve seen, the trend is dying down–but so many places are just getting theirs up and running that its awkward timing.
Family Place is actually a specific designation that came out of the Family Place Library in Centereach, NY. I believe a library system buys into the concept and then there’s training and certification each year, but I don’t handle all of that so I can’t say for sure. I have been to the training this past April in NY and their space is AMAZING and I am 100% on board with supporting caregivers as well as children and making library spaces specifically for them. NO SHUSHING!
This is their website if you’d like to find out more: https://www.familyplacelibraries.org/
About the maker space…I think there have been and will be some bumps for sure. I can’t go into a lot of detail but, as with many great ideas and innovations, there have been hiccups. Like, just spent the day at a chili cook-off hiccups.
Thanks for teaching me about Family Place Libraries. I have never heard of that before, but I imagine the resources provided are popular and impactful.