Norfolk to unveil new high-tech regional library

NORFOLK

It's definitely not your grandparents' quiet, stuffy library.

Flat screen televisions. Nearly 100 public computers. Two play areas filled with educational toys. High-tech meeting rooms. And, of course, 40,000 books.

The Mary D. Pretlow regional library in Ocean View - the first new library in the city in more than 20 years - is more like a community activity center.

The $11 million regional branch officially opens March 13 with a ribbon cutting and reception, but it could be ready sooner. It is the first of four anchor branches that city leaders have said will be modern libraries.

"We need to make this library work as people use it today," said director Norman Maas. "Public libraries are becoming digital hubs with computers and early literacy centers that get kids ready to read and ready to learn."

Maas' goal is to make it an inviting place where individuals and families choose to spend their time. Located less than a block from Chesapeake Bay at the end of Granby Street, the interior is airy with tall windows and ceilings, and beachy with jellyfish chandeliers and ceiling art resembling waves.

Front and central is a large computer room with about 50 public computers that Maas hopes eventually will be open later at night. It is separated from the rest of the library by glass walls and doors.

Computer time is at a premium at all of the city's branches, often with a waiting list during peak hours after school and on weekends, he said.

The largest area is the children's library and learning center, which at 10,000 square feet occupies the entire second floor of the 35,000-square-foot building.

It has two play areas, one designed for toddlers with playscapes and toys and one for pre schoolers ages 3 to 5 with activity tables and creative play stations. There are also two dozen computers and cozy corners where parents can read to their children and a large meeting room for group programs.

Older children also have their own spot, called the Teen Zone. It has lounge space, a big screen television, 20 computers and lockers for backpacks.

"If we didn't create a room for them, they'd end up packing into the computer room," Maas said. "We've been trying to get teens into libraries for 30 years. N ow with the Internet, they pour in in droves."

Pretlow's other features include wireless access, small group study rooms, a large community meeting room, a vending area with tables and chairs, a reading garden and extended night and Sunday hours. The Ocean View Station Museum has a separate space on the first floor.

About $400,000 was spent on new materials to outfit the new building.

That's about 20,000 new books, books on tape, DVDs and CDs, said Sean Bilby, collection development manager. They will supplement the 20,000 titles moved in from the old Pretlow branch.

Among the new titles are 930 black fiction books. Bilby said the new titles, combined with the current black books, will allow the library to have one of the best collections in the state. Another addition is a Spanish language collection.

The new materials arrived in two truck loads two weeks ago, and librarians have been working to get them catalogued and shelved.

"It was like Christmas and Chinese New Year all in one," Bilby said.

Mary Ann Vandivort, a reference librarian for nine years, said she's had to resist the temptation to borrow them herself.

"We need to let these go out on the shelf for our customers first," she said.

While the Pretlow anchor was designed to serve the northern portion of the city, Maas expects residents from all over the city will use it at least until the other anchors are built.

It was built on the same spot as the original Pretlow branch. During construction, the branch was moved to a temporary location two blocks away.

Plans are being made now for a second anchor branch at Broad Creek to serve the south side of the city. No details or timeline is available yet.

"Frankly, we're going to be real busy all the time here at Pretlow," Maas said.

Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com