Library Adventures in Tidewater, VA

Over the past several weeks, I visited three very different libraries with the purpose of learning how each one serves its communities and find out which format matches the style of librarianship I am looking to pursue.

I started small (but mighty!) with visiting the Little Creek Branch in the Norfolk Public Library system. This neighborhood branch provides services to the Little Creek and Ocean View community, which backs up to the Fort Story Naval Base.

[Photograph of the Little Creek Public Library]. (n.d.) https://www.norfolk.gov/6084/Little-Creek-Branch

Parking was tough since the lot was very small and the wheelchair ramp was tight as well. And as with many small public libraries, you could actually see the entirety of the Little Creek branch from just standing in the main entryway. The computer lab seemed to be the main hub of activity, located directly in front of the visitor desk so that the staff could check out books for patrons while keeping an eye out for others who might need help. Next to the lab was the children's section which featured a small play area with lots of toys to choose from as well as a sizeable book collection. The other half of the library was the adult and YA section where visitors could read at a handful of tables. The staff was very busy helping patrons in every section of the library but still stopped to greet me and make sure I was content with browsing.

The next library I visited was the Perry Library located on the ODU campus. After navigating through a good amount of campus construction, the Perry Library was difficult to miss with its massive, gorgeous blue glass and orange brick facade standing in the middle of an open green space.

[Photograph of the Perry Library]. (n.d.) https://www.odu.edu/graduateschool/events/pop-up-at-perry-2

Jumping from a tiny neighborhood branch to a massive academic library was a bit jarring and I found myself a little lost when I first walked in. The entry way was huge as well, with not much signage and after glancing around unsuccessfully for a map, I started to wander on my own. Since it was later in the evening, most students had already set up to study in random corners of the library. There were reference desks that were staffed on every floor, but the way they were set so far back from the entrances of each floor made them feel unwelcoming.

Jordan, M. (2026) Torn Sexual Assault Awareness restroom flier. [Photograph] CC BY-NC.

There seemed to be a very passive attempt to help students with old sexual assault fliers pasted to the back of the bathroom stall doors. This still felt a bit depressing and I wish I could have seen a more active involvement and willing interaction between students and library staff.

For my final library visit, I chose the Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library, located in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia.

[Panorama mockup of the Freeman Library]. (n.d.) https://www.vmfa.museum/collection/margaret-r-and-robert-m-freeman-library

My friend Roxanne has been working here for over a year and I was excited to visit her and see how her work compared to my previous experience of working in another smaller art museum archive. The library entrance was located inside the main thoroughfare with large windows looking out into the museum, which made it inviting to inquisitive museum guests. I arrived right at opening and within a few minutes of chatting with staff, they already had 5 visitors (3 museum members and 2 VCU students). The students made themselves at home at the reading tables where a bunch of periodicals and art texts were displayed, and the members went straight to the reference librarian to find printed materials on an old exhibition. It was exciting to see visitors so at ease in the space! My friend then led me on an in-depth archival tour, showing me everything from curatorial notes, exhibition materials, artist sketches and even costume designs from the old theater that had been on the property.

Jordan, M. (2026). Roxanne flipping through costume material archives. [Photograph] CC BY-NC.

Even with such a fantastic collection, my host was open with divulging the problems of limited storage, mismanaged archiving systems from past employees, and the looming threat of the wet sprinkler system posted in every room! It was enlightening to experience and the Freeman Library is already in much better hands with its current staffing.

Jordan, M. (2026). The African History section of the Perry Library [Photograph] CC BY-NC.

After looking over my notes for my library field trips, I noticed myself going back again and again to how each library encouraged engagement (or not) with its visitors. The relationship between the librarian and the patron is essential as more people return to the libraries now that streaming prices are increasing and access to information becomes locked behind paywalls. Many library visitors have not been to a library in years and must relearn how to familiarize themselves with finding materials. In order to make that learning process as accessible as possible, "human intermediation is ... critical... and... the reference desk is still an important presence (Rubin and Rubin, p. 198)." The Little Creek and Freeman Libraries excelled at this, not just with their excellent customer service, but displays and interactive spaces. Little Creek had a number of personalized staff recommendations scattered across the permanent collection and an updated community board with important local information right next to the front entrance. The Freeman Library had a number of displays with items highlighting current exhibitions and a zine-crafting table with old curator slides and discarded art magazines. The Perry Library, despite its size, did not seem to offer much outside of its physical collection, leaving a hollow kind of feeling for visitors. It's difficult to be motivated to explore the collection when you don't feel welcome and supported! At the end of the day, I want to work in a library that is very involved with connecting its collection with its community. Public libraries seem to do this best, but every library can excel at this with creativity and willingness to connect with their community.

Rubin, R. E., & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science. American Library Association.