Public Libraries – Page 2 – The UncommonWealth

Survival Skills for the Zombie Apocalypse: Not Your Average Survivalist Program

Last year, during the swarm of programming that is summer reading, the Pulaski County Library System held a series of programs in collaboration with Claytor…

Guest ContributorApril 8, 2024

Public Libraries

This Library’s Knitting Program is Killing It

On a bone-chilling Wednesday evening in February, the Century Room on the lower level of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s Gordon Avenue branch is set up…

Guest ContributorMarch 11, 2024

Public Libraries

The Friends and Advocates Network (FAN): A Collective Impact Model of Advocacy

In the way back yonder year of 2020, the Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) Board of Trustees accomplished something nearly unprecedented. In the County’s advertised…

Guest ContributorFebruary 12, 2024

Public Libraries Virginia Authors

Virginia Library Staff Best Reads of 2023

It can be a challenge to find new books, and so we often look to friends, colleagues, bestseller lists, and other sources for ideas when…

Barry TrottJanuary 31, 2024

Public Libraries

Go Traveling at Your Library

Public libraries offer many services to their communities. One of the more unique services available to some patrons via their library is U.S. passport application…

Guest ContributorJanuary 8, 2024

Public Libraries

Public Libraries Welcoming New Neighbors

At Massanutten Regional Library (MRL), one of the principal ways we serve refugees and immigrants is through accepting I-94 forms, and/or foreign driver’s licenses as…

Guest ContributorDecember 11, 2023

Public Libraries

The Human Library

"A Human Library?" I first became aware of this concept while preparing for an interview with Bina Venkataraman about her book, The Optimist's Telescope: Thinking…

Guest ContributorNovember 13, 2023

Newspapers Public Libraries The Stacks

The History of Book Censorship in Virginia

This is a condensed excerpt is from a longer article, "From Berkeley to Beloved: Race and Sexuality in the History of Book Censorship in Virginia”,…

Guest ContributorOctober 6, 2023

Public Libraries

Public Libraries Supporting Military Families

In an increasingly digital world, it can sometimes be a challenge to find a place in a new community to connect with people and find…

Barry TrottSeptember 11, 2023

Archives Digital Projects Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections Newspapers Public Libraries The Stacks

Transforming the Future of Libraries & Archives 2023

2023 marked the 200th anniversary of the Library of Virginia as well as the second year of the Transforming the Future of Libraries & Archives…

Ashley CraigAugust 16, 2023

Public Libraries

Books on Wheels: A Summer Library Program

Before I begin describing what exactly the Books on Wheels service is, I want to give you some context regarding the community Augusta County Library…

Guest ContributorAugust 14, 2023

Public Libraries

Don’t Throw It Out – Repair It at the Library

Imagine your favorite necklace clasp broke, but you don’t have small tools to repair it. While it may not be worth enough to take to…

Guest ContributorJuly 10, 2023

Public Libraries

The Great Gatsby Gala

On Saturday, April 22nd, Virginia Beach Public Library’s (VBPL) Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library transformed into Jay Gatsby’s West Egg mansion to host the Great…

Guest ContributorJune 12, 2023

Public Libraries

Bridging the Digital Divide: Local Libraries Receive Support to Boost Digital Skills in Their Communities

In 2022, the Public Library Association (PLA) awarded $1.1 million to 160 public libraries across the United States to conduct digital literacy workshops in their…

Guest ContributorMay 8, 2023

Public Libraries

Make It Reel

The mission of the Newport News Public Library is to "Connect, Inspire, Enrich, and Empower". We continually seek ways to engage with our community, in…

Guest ContributorApril 10, 2023