A lecture about the history of the Blue Ridge Regional Library (BRRL) was held on March 17 at the Martinsville Henry County Heritage Center & Museum. Margaret Caldwell, chairman of the BRRL Board of Trustees, hosted the meeting. The presentation lasted around an hour, as attendees walked through the history of the area’s library system.
When detailing the beginnings of the library system, Caldwell said the first area library was established by Dr. Clarence Kearfott, a pharmacist, who created a lending library in front of his pharmacy in Martinsville.
Over the years, five branches were established – in Patrick County, Bassett, Martinsville, Collinsville, and Ridgeway. A bookmobile also is available in Patrick County and currently has 312,794 cataloged collections valued at $6,840,074.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the libraries worked to deliver media to homes in the area and expanded their free internet access into library parking lots to ensure that community members had access during the pandemic.
Library staff “go above and beyond every single time” in their quest to meet the needs of the communities, Caldwell said.
The libraries also provide various services to the community, including book rentals, internet access, laptop rentals, art classes, and community events. Members can receive day passes to the local YMCA and the Virginia Museum of Natural History to give them a free day out.
Many events are held around the year to foster a love for reading in children, Caldwell said and cited Caturday, where children can read to an adoptable feline. Library cards can be obtained for free at all five locations, with a valid ID or piece of mail that verifies your address. Digital services are available to library members in the form of Libby for e-book rentals and Hoopla for digital media rentals such as movies and music.
The lecture also included information about the upcoming renovation and expansion of the Bassett Library – both of which are needed, as Caldwell explained, because the branch has outgrown itself and needs ample space to fit more people into the library programs and events.
Currently, the library must turn community members away from some programs or schedule multiple days to accommodate all participants.
The Bassett Library expansion will ensure enough room to fit the library’s growing collection of media and comfortably host events for the community to enjoy. Larger meeting spaces, three study spaces, a designated computer area, and a children’s department will also be added. The library will be handicap-accessible, with aisles and bathrooms to accommodate members using a wheelchair and an additional accessible exterior door for entrance. The staff will benefit from the expansion from 6,000 to 10,000 square feet, with additional offices, workspaces, and a break room. A drive-thru also will be added for convenience.
Caldwell explained the need for library support. In 2012, the three jurisdictions – Henry and Patrick counties and the City of Martinsville – started with level funding. However, finding and retaining library employees is a challenge due to the rising cost of living. The board, Caldwell said, must work against salary compression, with long-term branch managers making an equal paycheck to that of entry-level teachers, regardless of tenure.
The library received a 5 percent increase last year, and once again is asking for another five percent increase for the coming year.
“To avoid compression, we need to give that increase to our full-time and longer-term employees. We need your support,” said Caldwell. She asked the crowd to contact their district representative and ask them to support the library budget.
Caldwell said the board needs two part-time positions at Ridgeway and Bassett branches. Additional staff will ensure a safer environment and staff won’t have to work alone.
“The library is not an anachronism. It is a vitally essential service to the residents of Martinsville Henry County that is not being filled by any other organizations,” said Caldwell.
