Digital Access
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/centreville-regional
The website of this library was very easy to navigate. It had basic library branch information listing the number, email, and address of the library.
The Space & Physical Access
The Centreville Regional Library is located in Centreville, VA. This public library can be used by anyone in the community. The building is quite large horizontally and only has 1 floor. There are 215 parking spaces available and 4 are accessible. This library has one computer with ZoomText software, a magnifier, and a podium with a microphone in a meeting room. It also has meeting areas that could be used only by reservations. The meeting room has a capacity of 56 people and the conference room has a capacity of 15 people. There is also a quiet study room on the left backside of the library where it is strictly monitored for people that need a quiet space to look over their book or study. Internet is accessible in the building with 18 internet stations with Microsoft Office. However, you do need a library card to log in to the computer, so one would need to make a library card. Close by to the quiet study room is a selection of children’s books. The bookshelves are made lower for children to have access to each shelf and choose out books. Also, there are desks and chairs for children to sit on. The middle and right sides of the library had collections on all genres. Young adults and adults were free to look through the aisles for different genres of books. The back middle side has desks where people can bring their own laptops to do their own work and who don’t mind the library-level talking noise. Also, there were more desks and chairs on the corners of the libraries all around. There wasn’t any area where it had limited access except for the meeting rooms. All collections of books were open to everyone without staff assistance. Even though this library only has 1 floor, it was quite spacious. The ceilings were high which made the space bigger.
Services & Intellectual Access
There are many different events this library hosts. I will list a few of them that I found interesting.
A service that was available online that I have found interesting is a service called “Library To Go” book selection service. There is a link to a form you have to fill out to tell them about your reading preferences. Then, the staff will hand-select your materials and let you know when they are ready. Then you can simply come to pick them up. The form requires a library card number and an email address to be completed. You would just list the age range and genre and based on that the staff members will make a selection of books ready to be picked up. I thought that this was a great service that would greatly help community members to quickly get books that they prefer.
There was also an event called “Outdoor Family Storytime” where families were welcomed to bring their children to read their favorite books outside. They were allowed to bring a blanket and some snacks to go over books, songs, and rhymes. It was great to see that there were different opportunities for all ages to participate in some kind of event in this library.
Another event I found interested was an event called “Korean for Intermediate: Learning Korean Online” and “ELL One-on-One Conversation”. The first event was where anyone can sign up to improve their Korean language skills and learn about Korean culture for 12 weeks. It does mention that students should know the Korean alphabet and registration is required. This is done completely online and they will be sent a Zoom link after they register. This was interesting because Centreville has a lot of Korean people and I wondered if that inspired it to host this kind of event. The other event (ELL) gives an opportunity for people to practice their English in person with a library volunteer. I also thought that this was a great opportunity for people who have immigrated to the United States and are learning English but want to practice in having conversations with an English speaker. I thought that these language-related events that were held in this library made it feel like this community appreciates diversity in language and culture and is doing everything they can to help everyone in the community and have new experiences. According to Rubin and Rubin (2020), “The ethics of service places a heavy burden on libraries and the profession to ensure open access and to create libraries that are inviting and welcoming to all”. I thought that the Centreville Regional Library did a great job in hosting diverse events to let not a specific community be left out.
This website https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/ has three different services that could be done online. The first is to find a book and have access to library catalogs for books, ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. Second, is the register for a free library card. The third is to log into your account and manage your holds, checks, due dates, and create lists. The library also offers homework help online such as access to books, magazines, and specialty databases. There are also books available for Test prepping such as for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
People – Patrons & Staff
This library served the general public. It consisted of children’s books, young adult books, and adult books. The library had a collection of different books available for all ages. There was also a decent collection of Korean books. One bookshelf was filled with solely Korean books and I did see some Korean people picking out books. My mom and I would sometimes borrow some Korean-written books when we went there.
When entering the library, in the middle section close by the reception desk were a lot of students that came in for tutoring. This library is quite close to middle and high schools which meant that the majority of the patrons were students. Some study alone in the quiet study room and some study with their friends on the outside tables. Not a lot of people were using the library computers as most of the patrons had their own laptops. Also, as mentioned Centreville is an area where there are a lot of Asians and Hispanics. So when observing the diversity within patrons, the majority were Asians and Hispanics. The languages that are spoken by staff at the branch include Arabic, American Sign Language, Farsi, Korean, and Spanish. It is also included in the website to call and ask for the needed language so they can assign an appropriate staff member to help. The website also consists of three contact information the public can contact. The branch manager (Helen Ignatenko), the board trustee member (Liz Walker), and the volunteer coordinator (Jyoti Shirke). The patrons and staff were quite diverse and I thought that there wasn’t a specific population that would feel uncomfortable being in this space.
Collections
Some online resources this website covers are ‘BrainFuse HelpNow (Homework Help)’, ‘Coronavirus Research Database’, ‘Mango Language Learning’, ‘Online Newspapers’, and ‘A-Z Online Resources’. These resources are all available for patrons that have a library card.
Some collections that are evident in the library are adult fiction, mysteries, science fiction, nonfiction, and biographies. There were also collections of children’s fiction, graphic novels, picture books, and audiobooks. The library also offers free access to eBooks. Of course, a Fairfax County Public Library card is needed to access eBook services. Patrons may borrow eBooks ten items at a time and there are no late fees. The item can be returned early, but they are returned automatically when the checkout period expires.
Other
I have been using this public library since middle school and have great memories. After graduating high school, I haven’t been to this library for a while and it was great to visit again and see it in a “library visit” aspect. The patrons and staff were still diverse and the space did not change as much as I thought it would. This library is a very nostalgic place for me so I think as I made my visit, I expected things to stay similar to the way I thought they would be. I actually did not know that this library hosted so many different workshops. I think that I would love to experience some of the workshops held here. I also haven’t borrowed out books for a while, so I’ll have to get a replacement library card to start going!
References
Rubin, R. E. and Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
March 15, 2022 at 9:34 pm
Joyce, I loved reading about Centreville Regional Library. One thing I thought that was fascinating was all the different languages that the librarians know and use with patrons. This, to me, demonstrates a diverse staff and a diverse wealth of knowledge they have to be able to serve their community better. Amazing!
March 15, 2022 at 11:40 pm
Hi Lisa. That’s what I love about being in this area! There definitely is much more diversity and opportunities, especially for the Spanish and Korean speakers that are living in this neighborhood. I do think the county libraries have done a good job on demonstrating diversity by having diverse patrons and staff members.
March 16, 2022 at 11:28 am
Hi Joyce, I loved reading your post! Like Lisa, I was especially impressed by the efforts CRL makes towards inclusion of a variety of populations and language speakers, from their services to the diversity of their staff. I really felt the warmth and affection of this space; it was unsurprising to come to learn at the end of your report that this library occupies such a happy place in your own memories. I’m so glad you had an opportunity to get reacquainted with CRL for this report!
March 19, 2022 at 3:43 pm
Diversity was what I liked about going to this library during my middle and high school years! Having someone that looked like me made me welcome and comfortable to be in this library. This was in fact a hybrid visit; however, I would love to go in-person again someday if I had the chance.
March 17, 2022 at 2:54 am
This library sounds fascinating from your description, Joyce. The fact that they are meeting the community needs is awesome. The Korean language course offerings and the books that are written in Korean are two ways that the library is focused on diversity and inclusion. That is also evident by the number of languages spoken by staff members. The Coronavirus research database is also relevant and that resource was probably invaluable during the pandemic. It was very interesting reading your observation because I do not live in a very diverse area in SW Virginia. It is refreshing to see an area that is diverse and the library is meeting those needs.
March 19, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Hello, Shawnne! Thanks for your comment. I remember being amused by the number of Korean books they had in this library and felt welcomed. Having my mom that could only speak and read Korean have a chance to read Korean books definitely filled the community’s need. I was also surprised by the different languages spoken by staff members in this library. I really hope a lot of libraries have diverse staff and patrons to make the community library a welcomed place for everyone.
March 21, 2022 at 9:04 pm
Hi Joyce! Centerville is not that far away from where I live and after reading your blog post I may have to take a visit to see it in person! It is great that they have a program where people can fill out a form with their reading preferences and interests and have the library staff pick out books for them. That is a great way for patrons to expand their interests and possibly read a book they may not have initially picked up in person. I am also impressed by the number of languages spoken by the staff at the library. Having staff who can speak multiple languages helps with communicating with the diverse people of the community. The fact that there are staff members who speak Korean and Spanish must be incredibly helpful for the patrons who speak those languages and whose first language isn’t English.
March 31, 2022 at 12:58 am
Hello! I also found out they had a book picking program like that available even though I live quite close to this library. I thought it was a great way for people to utilize their time and have the opportunity to read the books right away rather than looking around to pick and choose. I’m sure this library does a great job to have much diversity language-wise as possible. I really appreciate for being able to bring my parents (who’s first language are Korean) to this library for them to pick and choose Korean books.
April 2, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Joyce, Thank you for sharing all of this information! This library sounds like a neat place, with some nice amenities, and a lot of parking! I also loved reading about your personal connection to this library, finding Korean books, and knowing that aspect hasn’t changed. It must have been nice stepping back into that space and feeling that sense of comfort. You’ve definitely got to go back!
April 4, 2022 at 12:14 am
This place definitely has tons of parking available for the community! I actually have never seen the parking lot full. I haven’t been able to visit libraries for a while, but I would love to visit this place once again if I do get a chance.
April 4, 2022 at 2:52 am
What a great library! The diversity of patrons and staff, multiple languages spoken, and a librarian who will curate books for you based on your interests is like a dream come true. I understand why you have nostalgia for this wonderful place.