Gum Spring Library (Public Library)

I chose to visit the Gum Spring Library on the recommendation of a few mothers who have children on the same swim team as my son.  I was lamenting that our local, Fairfax County public library didn’t have any kids storytime events which is something that I would love to do with my four and one year old.  They highly recommended Gum Spring Library which is about the same distance from our home as our local library but in the neighboring county.  I visited with my children for storytime on a weekday and then I returned again by myself to finish this assignment on a weekend. 

The Space and Physical Access

The Gum Spring Library is a public library branch of Loudoun County Public Libraries (LCPL) serving Aldie, VA.  It is located on Millstream Drive in a commercial building, sharing space with multiple medical and professional offices.  There is only one entrance into the parking lot and first time visitors may miss the turn as I did and have to circle the block to get back to the entrance.  Upon entering the parking lot, the patrons need to turn left and navigate a traffic circle in order to park adjacent to the front of the library.  There is no signage to direct patrons in this direction.  With the exception of a nondescript sign, there is nothing on the exterior of the building that promotes or designates the space as a library. 

Upon entering the library, you are greeted by bright, clean, open spaces.  The first floor features several seating areas with chairs and couches, the checkout desk and multiple computer workstations. Stone accents and an intricate, original art piece featuring the “cornucopia of wildlife found in Loudoun County” (Deal-Blackwell, 2013) lend to the natural and peaceful feel throughout the architecture of the library.  The library has several private meeting spaces, a “hang out” room for teens, a library “cafe” space where snacks are permitted and even a lactation pod in the children’s section for nursing mothers.  

The children’s section is divided into two sections by the help desk; to the right is a section specifically for older children and teens and to the right is a section for younger children with boards books and an activity table.  This presents a problem in terms of supervision for parents with multiple children.  Additionally, the rows between shelves are very narrow and cannot comfortably accommodate parents with strollers.  In fact, upon entering the children’s section there is a sign asking you to park the stroller for “safety” reasons.  As a parent visiting the library with two small children, this is very inconvenient.  It makes it a lot harder to have an enjoyable experience with my older child because now my newly mobile toddler is running the stacks.  And if we had visited at a time when my daughter was in the infant carrier or asleep in her stroller this structure probably would have led to us leaving the library. 

Services and Intellectual Access

I visited the Gum Spring Library during the summer months and one of the first things I noticed was the table dedicated to their Summer Reading Program called “Tales and Trails.”   They had different levels to accommodate all readers: Pre-Readers, Elementary, Teens and Adults. Readers were to complete different challenges, attend a library event or read for 30 minutes.  After 16 challenges were completed, readers could submit their challenge card, receive 2 free tickets to a Washington Nationals game and be entered into a drawing for $200.  

“Children’s and youth services is a vital, dynamic, and continuously evolving part of public libraries” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p.139).  Gum Spring Library features storytimes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and families provided in-person, outside and inside, as well as virtually. The library does not have a nice outdoor space in the immediate vicinity of the building and parking lot but just a short walk is an outdoor amphitheater belonging to the neighboring apartment complex.  This is a very nice setup for storytime.  It provides lots of space for movement and children can see the presenter no matter where they are sitting.  On the day we attended, the books were all themed for the 4th of July which had been that Monday.  The presenter read a book, sang some songs, did dances or poems requiring interaction from the children and then read another book followed by more songs and dances.  “There is strong evidence that exposure to reading even in the very early years of a child’s life has a substantial effect on the subsequent cognitive development of a child” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 140). This program demonstrates a strong commitment to early literacy on the part of the Gum Spring Library staff.  It was very well put together and age appropriate.  My one and four year olds greatly enjoyed themselves and I enjoyed seeing them have so much fun.    

Gum Spring Library also has a Makerspace that is open during regular hours for self-guided discovery but the library also sponsors different “Make and Take” events for elementary through high school students or “Create and Connect” events for adults that are led by an instructor.  They also host adult book clubs and writing contests, ESOL conversation groups, arts and crafts events, family game night, and more! Rubin & Rubin (2020) stated that “Today, libraries in the United States fulfill education, recreational and social roles” (p. 28).  I would say that Gum Spring Library is doing an exceptional job fulfilling these roles for all of their patrons. 

Collections 

Gum Spring Library has a large physical collection of fiction and nonfiction books, blu-rays and DVDs, audio books on CD, magazines and newspapers.  They have separated their collection into a children’s section, a teen section and adults. Located throughout the library are several computer stations that are all set to the homepage of the library catalog for easy access.  Loan periods vary based on the item being checked out.  An item can be renewed up to three times.  There are no late fees. Borrowers are only financially responsible if an item is lost or damaged. 

The UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 1994 states that “Collections and services have to include all types of appropriate media and modern technologies as well as traditional materials” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, Appendix D, p. 746).  Beyond the physical collection, Gum Spring Library has several online providers that allow users to download or stream resources.  Some resources include eMagazines, hoopla, Freegal (music), Kanopy (movies) and Libby/Overdrive.  Another resource specifically for new readers is BookFLIX  that pairs video storybooks with related eBooks to build a love of reading. They also offer online learning resources such as Mango Languages and LinkedIn Learning.    

LCPL also has a reciprocal borrowing relationship with neighboring jurisdictions that allow patrons to borrow without being a Loudon County resident.  They also feature an Educator card that offers expanded access to library resources for educators living or working in Loudoun County.  Educator cardholders have the privilege of being able to borrow up to 50 items and a longer loan period. Educator cards are only valid for one year and must be renewed each year.  

Digital Access

https://library.loudoun.gov/GumSpring

While the website is easy to navigate, it does not convey the same inviting feeling of the Gum Spring Library.  It is a part of the larger website for Loudoun County Public Libraries and is very generic.  There is no mention of the staff on the website with the exception of the branch manager.  The catalog is easily accessible from the main page and a Calendar of Events is featured prominently.  So, patrons can easily find the information they need from the website but they do not get the personal connection and attention that they receive from the Gum Spring Library. 

People (Patrons and Staff)

It is clear that Gum Spring Library serves a diverse population and that they are making a lot of effort to accommodate everyone who enters their library and lives in their community.  They have a strong social media presence and advertise library events well.  Library events attempt to be comprehensive and are available for babies, children, teens, families, adults and seniors.  The library was abuzz with activity when I was there on both occasions.  The makerspace was in use, all of the study rooms were full and sitting areas and tables had people reading, working and someone was even napping! There was an incident where a patron was viewing a video on his cell phone at a particularly loud volume and a library staff member approached him and asked him to please use headphones.  It was a polite interaction and the patron responded quickly.  From the building to the people Gum Spring Library is a very welcoming, inclusive space.  

Conclusion 

Loudoun County Public Libraries (LCPL) was once again recognized as one of America’s best libraries, earning a four-star ranking by Library Journal, the industry’s leading publication.  LCPL Director, Chang Liu was quoted as saying “Loudoun residents are well aware that libraries offer so much more than books. And we will continue to be a haven for inspiration, information, innovation and inclusion.” (Loudoun County Public Library, 2022)  It is this patron’s humble opinion that this honor and other accolades are well deserved. 

References 

Deal-Blackwell, D. (2013, February 19). Original art tribute to nature revealed at patron reception at Loudoun County’s new Gum Spring Library. A Romance Renaissance. http://aromancerenaissance.com/2013/02/original-art-tribute-to-nature-revealed-at-patron-reception-at-loudoun-countys-new-gum-spring-library/  

Gum Spring Library Exterior. [Photograph]. Loudoun County Public Libraries. https://library.loudoun.gov/GumSpring

Loudoun County Public Library. (2022). Gum Spring. https://library.loudoun.gov/GumSpring# 

Riparian Zone Original Artwork. [Photograph]. Samaha Associates. https://www.samaha-arch.com/gum-spring-library

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