If your goal is to use a public computer, you might feel cramped since they've all been arranged in one long row without any privacy or division. Said row of computers is also crammed into the one section of non-children/YA books.
If your goal is to have a quick visit, you'll likely be disappointed about 50% of the time. Self-scanning and check-in/out machines often fail to work as they should. On several occasions, I've had the working librarian or staff member on duty tell me I was doing it "wrong" only for them to have the exact same reported issue and then be rude about it as if I had inconvenienced them. I can appreciate that it's annoying to deal with technical complaints (I'm an IT pro; I'm very familiar) but when patrons report problems, the very least you can do is to say "We'll look into it," not to spit out "You're doing it wrong!"
I visited here with my sister, daughter, and niece. I liked the fact there were tons of children's books. However, I was saddened by the fact that every single child was either on a computer playing a game or playing with toys. My niece was trying to play with toys in the play kitchen and two other children were taking all of the toys. My sister takes her out of the kitchen, and like any normal two year old, began to throw a fit. The worker must not have children because she told us that my niece was too loud for a library. So, we left. I won't be coming back. It's a waste of time.
If your goal in visiting the library is to enjoy a meeting in a reserved space, you'll probably feel right at home at Libbie Mill. That seems to be the sole purpose of its design; tons of rooms, many of which actually feel dark, isolated, and outdated. But they are there and open to the community. (If you reserve them.)
Where you looking for endless stacks of books? Bah we have computers instead. Want to do some paper machete? We have 3d printers printing all the crazy things your heart can think of. Need to rent out a room for a meeting? No problem we have a $10000 projector overlooking an artificial lake behind you as you speak at the podium all for free of course.
There have been improvements in the library since they updated their barcoding system, and I appreciate that. I am still less than impressed. Many seem to find this place so great simply based on how it looks, but I care far more about how it *functions* than how it *looks.* Earlier review contained below (I have bumped up the star count for the improvements made to the tracking systems.)
Thoroughly modern facility, accessible from Staples Mill Rd. or Libbie Ave., in the center of the Libbie Mill development. Not as many physical books and magazines, as it's designed for the tech age/digital era. Includes: street-curb parking spots in addition to parking lot areas; outdoor benches; entrances on opposite sides of the building (facing N/S); multiple floors w/stairs & escalator; lots of seating areas with outlets to recharge devices; computers for public use; free wifi. Advice: It's quieter away from young childrens' area. Stop and admire the views from the tall glass windows!
If your goal is to get books, you may find the journey more painful than it should be. I cannot understand the point of having the books set up as they are. The space seems so devoid of actual tomes since the shelf space is much, much larger than the housed library collection. This collection is also on the second floor so there's very little hope of a quick run-in and exit. Though if you want children's books, you'll be able to enjoy a first-floor section entirely devoted to such, so that's a positive at least. There is also a separate YA section but without knowing ahead of time that it's there, you might never find it.
This library is not what it should have been and that makes me sad.
Once you get over the cost of the whole thing and the lack of excessive books you'd be used to in the 20th century it's pretty awesome to behold. Check it out for yourself, the luxury and splendor of a big city library nestled in a random section of West Henrico. God Bless America
Very nice library. Always a place to get work done quietly with up to date aesthetics. The newly renovated grounds look very nice as well. The only downside is the continued construction can sometimes be a little noisy but this area is definitely heading in the right direction.
Imagine this: you drive off the highway Route 95 and drive by a smallish city skirting Virginia's Capitol of Richmond. All of a sudden on the horizon you see a glassy futuristic publicly funded building shining in the distance. Driving past the fountains and the 1000+ manicured shrubberies you park and enter what you realize is a library from the future. You enter the 30 million dollars building, yes that's correct this library cost 30 MILLION DOLLARS!!! Tax payer money spent by the legislature which has endless pockets.
if your goal is to print 3D objects, you'd be better off going somewhere else where you can do it more cheaply. Such places exist in the Richmond area.
Henrico County Public Library Libbie Mill is a US Library based in Richmond, Virginia. Henrico County Public Library Libbie Mill is located at 2100 Libbie Lake East St, Richmond, VA 23230, USA.
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