So what does that have to do with a smart phone?

Been to the library lately?

National Library Week - today through Saturday - is a reason to go. The city's libraries have geared up for it with an innovative approach for you and your smart phone.

No smart phone? No problem. You can still participate and register for the chance to win a Nook, an e-reader that can download more than 2 million books.

Staff at each of the city's branches this week will be wearing Quick Response codes, a matrix barcode readable by camera phones. Scan the QR code with your smart phone and you'll be able to read a personal review by that library staff member of his or her favorite book. One staff member at each library will be designated the "secret staff member," and scanning that QR code will qualify patrons to register for the Nook.

Don't have a free app on your phone that scans? Library staff will show you how to download one, and they'll accommodate those without smart phones, too, by guiding them to a computer in the library.

"Scanversations," as it's dubbed, encourages patrons to interact with as many library staff as possible, said libraries spokesperson Phyllis Schirle. "We're focusing on new technology, and one of the things that are more predominant is mobile devices."

In other library news:

-The city's libraries will offer "Food for Fines" this week, a program that allows those with outstanding fines to pay them by supplying nonperishable items. One food item is equivalent to $1, and there are no limits to how many you can bring in, although fees for lost books cannot be accounted for this way.

-Schirle said budget cuts have forced staff to divide monthly special programs among each of the seven branches.

"We've had to rethink what we do," said senior library manager Jim Blanton. "It used to be the staff at each branch was an island onto themselves."

The Greenbrier branch offered an anime festival in January; the Central Library in Great Bridge had a model-train program in March and host monthly Fantasmo Cult Cinema nights. The Cuffee branch in Campostella will have a job expo April 28. The Russell Memorial in Western Branch has a storytelling festival in May, and Major Hillard in Deep Creek kicks off the summer reading program in June.

Other upcoming events include an old-time arcade event, a monster fest and a gaming fest.

"I've really come to see this place as a community space now," Blanton said. "On these Friday nights, the library has become a fun place to go."

n?If you haven't visited the city's libraries in a while, you might be surprised at what you see. Each of the branches is being refurbished - on a very frugal budget, said libraries director Betsy Fowler.

Shelving and lighting have been purchased from out-of-business stores like Dillards and Borders, plus thrift stores.

Greenbrier is already complete with new carpeting, fresh paint and more faceout shelving.

"It looks like a bookstore in there," Schirle said.

The Central also has a cafe area. That library has plans to develop "inspiration rooms," each with its own theme. The first will be the Thomas Jefferson room, inspired by the donation of an ornate handcrafted desk.

South Norfolk will open its new branch, 10,000 square feet larger than the current one, in early 2012.

-While Central is the most visited library for reference material, Cuffee and South Norfolk boast the highest computer use. Library staff at all the branches is trained in helping patrons with job searches, resumes, cover letters and online applications. The Indian River staff offers Tuesday morning job-help sessions from 10 to noon.

"We're finding a number of people searching for jobs don't have basic computer skills," Schirle said.

-Downloadable music is an option for next year, Schirle said. Freegal Music Service, sold to libraries, is a free service to cardholders that would allow them to download hundreds of songs. It is a costly endeavor for libraries, but as Schirle noted, "We're trying to change with the changing times."

Vicki L. Friedman, (757) 222-5218, vicki.friedman@pilotonline.com