The TCC/City of VB Joint-Use Library is located on the Virginia Beach campus of Tidewater Community College. It is a large, imposing, horseshoe-shaped structure with several wall composed of glass windows. The building is emblematic of the development goals of the city and the of the college and was designed to represent a modern style to compliment current and future construction on campus as expansion continues to accommodate the large student population. As the name reflects, it was established as a shared public and academic library space that provides numerous services to both communities. There is a large looping drive along the front wall for easy public transportation accessibility. The parking lot is regrettably distant, and much of the lot requires a trek from vehicle to front door. When available, it is a shorter walk parking in the campus lot directly across the street. Handicap parking is locating at the end of the loop as well as bike racks. Wi-Fi is available outside but can be a bit spotty in the parking lot.
The lower level of the library is designated as the public library space. It includes large, open areas with comfortable lounge seating, booths, and study carrels. Thirty-nine computers are available for patrons. There are collections of fiction and non-fiction works and an impressive children’s area with additional space for preteens. The collections are moderately-sized but are enhanced by the library’s growing digital collections. Multiple desktop workstations are located throughout to provide catalog access. The downstairs is also home to conference/classroom spaces, a central reference help desk in the main lobby, and a spacious coffee shop. There are thirty-five study rooms with computer desktops available throughout the building which are available for reservation through the website. Six study rooms on the lower level are ADA accessible and nine study rooms are equipped with webcams. Signage on the lower-level leaves something to be desired for patrons and for staff. There is adequate signage outside of the building but the original inadequacies in the entranceway have led staff to improvise additional, movable signage to help patrons navigate the space and to display program information. Displays throughout the common areas provide focal points for selections centered around culture, diversity, and seasonal interest. The central common area also hosts a selection of board games for patron’s use.
The upper level is the designated as the academic library and is accessible by a large staircase in the lobby and by elevator, located just behind the staircase. Here again are large, open study spaces with an increasing number of large workspaces and computer access. This level contains 138 computers for student use. Staff is available both up and downstairs to assist students and patrons in-person as well as via phone, email, and virtual chat. They were friendly and personable with students and patrons. The upper level hosts several cycling exercise machines for students who wish to multi-task during their busy schedules. Walking the interior curve of the building can feel a bit like an endless track but does allow for a nice amount of space for students to spread out and work away from others if that is their preference. Most of the shelves on both floors top out at six feet. The middle section of the interior curved wall holds the fictional collections. Classic library step stools were placed throughout the stacks. The library houses work in multiple genres to meet the needs of students including history, psychology, and technical manuals. There is not an extensive collection of works in other languages.
There are two main websites, one specifically for the Virginia Beach Joint-Use location and one a TCC Library homepage. Both webpages are pared-down and easy to use of students at various levels of technological ability. The Joint-Use Library’s website allows catalog searches, with full access granted through an active TCC student’s login. An alphabetized listing of available databases is available. Catalog availability of e-books, articles, intercampus loans, and interlibrary loans are easily accessed and navigated. The webpage hosts step by step directions with images for accessing resources online off campus. It serves as a portal to the most common services anticipated by library patrons. The TCC Libraries page provides more detailed information on new guides, resources, and collections such as the LGBTQ+ Subject Guide and the Anti-Racism Subject Guide. Top faculty resources are also listed on the home page and easily navigable. The page hosts a link to a Faculty and Staff Directory but unfortunately that page appears to have been removed.
This library gives off a feeling of show, it is interesting to look at but has areas of inconvenience. Its main purpose seems to be the creation of open workspace that have been limited previously. Unfortunately, the library does not have regular extended hours which makes it less helpful for many of the non-traditional students attending the college. The location is popular with students and with locals, creating a busy atmosphere of patrons coming and going for events, classes, and study time. The layout could be intimidating to newer students and may cause a pigeon-holing of students in the first open workspace on the first floor rather than inviting them to branch out and explore into the far corners of the building. The growth of guides and collections featuring LGBTQIA+ and marginalized communities is a step in the right direction to creating a more encompassing community as the college continues to grow and become more diverse. The Joint-Use Library is open Monday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Further information can be found on their website: Home – Joint-Use Library – Research Guides at Tidewater Community College (tcc.edu)
I’ll be visiting CNU early tomorrow because I was told over the phone that they close at 5pm in summer. I wonder if the hours are temporarily shortened at TCC for similar reasons. It’s awesome that despite some of the flaws in design, the library seems to be popular. Maybe the friendliness of the staff is what helps patrons overcome any overwhelming feelings of intimidation. Thanks for sharing!
It is a beautiful and modern space. As for the hours, I don’t know if the summer impacts that. I think it’s a negative reflection on the school if it does because students taking summer classes need full access too. They wouldn’t likely be taking summer classes if they weren’t fitting school into a tight schedule already.
I love this library! I remember being really excited about it when it opened up in 2014. I’ve worked a few programs in this building and one time, we hosted a local author book fair, which was a lot of fun. One of the big struggles here is the balancing of VBPL policy and TCC policy. VBPL employees cannot work on days that TCC is closed, so they have to work at their alternate locations or use their leave. I love the open work areas here and the students love using the study rooms. Great work!
I have spoken with many locals over the years that struggle with the TCC calendar that the library is on as well. It would be great to see extended hours there for students and locals, many of whom are one in the same. Employee hours must be a frustrating issue for staff.
I’ve never encountered a joint use library before, so this was really fun to read. It’s interesting that they are ADA compliant for things like study rooms but the parking is so far away. That is definitely a theme with academic libraries, but I’m surprised there isn’t more parking for a joint use library.
Thanks for sharing! I’ll be on the lookout for more of this type of library situation.
It is definitely not the most convenient parking. That may also be my personal bias speaking as all of the other library locations in the city are much more convenient. I have much sympathy for the mothers of young children making the trek from parking lot to front door and then all the way to the children’s area with multiple children and books in tow.
The outside view is lovely. The Academic Library I visited, the Simpson Library on the UMW campus, was also a joint library. Like this library, the first floor contained many materials for community patrons, whereas the upper two floors were more dedicated to the students and staff at UMW. The Tidewater Community College library has a lot of computers available for patrons, which is great. There were not nearly as many at the Simpson Library on the UMW campus.
It sounds like Mary Wash needs to step up its game. I didn’t know their library was joint-use but I’m glad to as the Spotsylvania library system was painfully small when I lived there.
What an interesting-looking building! Very modern. This is the first joint-use library I have read about.
This is the second of your library visits that mentions booth seating. I’ve never seen booths in a library before, but I like the idea very much.
I interview the Support Services Librarian there and she told me that the booths have been incredibly popular since they were installed just before Covid with people of all ages. They look very fun and relaxing to work in.
That is cool that they combined a public library space with an academic library. I like that they have a children’s area. It sounds like there are plenty of computers and spaces for people to work. I like that they offer webcams, that has become so important recently since we do so much over video conferencing.
The space is very geared toward providing ample space for academic uses. This is very helpful as the original library and campus buildings were much smaller.