Renovations

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To continue providing residents with the best possible services and accommodate how libraries are used today, VBPL is updating eight of our 10 buildings – all except the Wahab Public Law Library (updated in 2018) and the TCC/City Joint-Use Library (built in 2013). Renovations are underway at Central Library, and are complete or nearly complete at Princess Anne, Bayside and  Kempsville Libraries. Updates as of September 2019 include:

Bayside & Special Services LIbrary
The children's area has been reconfigured with a new, enclosed storytime room that is nearly double the size of the original storytime room. A new reception area in Special Services provides a more comfortable area to review reading preferences with customers. There is also new furniture and fresh paint. 
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Central Library
The new children's area, which will be located on the first floor rather than the second floor, is getting walls and plumbing for new children's bathrooms. Carpet and cabinets are being replaced in the meeting space and kitchen.

Kempsville Library​​
​Renovations include a newly enclosed children's area, updated bathrooms, new paint and carpeting. The spacious service desk now includes extra self-checkout stations, and a third study room was added​

​Princess Anne Area Library
Study rooms have been rebuilt at the front of the building to improve sound. New children's and teen areas have been expanded, and the children's room is enclosed. The building also has new carpeting and furniture. 

 Overview
​​The renovations are funded by a $5.8 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) awarded in 2016 to renovate eight of 10 VBPL branches, all except for the TCC/City Joint-Use Library, which opened in 2013, and the Wahab Public Law Library, where renovations were completed in January 2018. The remaining four libraries, Great Neck, Oceanfront, Pungo-Blackwater and Windsor Woods, are expected to begin renovations in 2019.

 Bayside & Special Services
The library is open during renovations; however, please pardon the dust, noise and occasional limited access to particular areas of the library while under construction.

What's being done?

  • New, dedicated storytime room
  • Dedicated space to assist Special Services customers with talking book machines and assistive devices. 
  • Improved lighting

Architect: Waller, Todd & Sadler Architects

Contractor: L4 Enterprises

Last construction date: Current building was constructed in 2005, though a Bayside branch has existed for more than 50 years. 

 Central Library
​Construction began in early 2019. The library is open during renovations; however, please pardon the dust, noise and occasional limited access to particular areas of the library while under construction.

What's being done?

  • New, dedicated storytime room
  • New carpet throughout the building
  • Updating meeting rooms and kitchen area
  • Adding new railing in the Auditorium
  • New, enclosed youth area on the first floor, new bathrooms
  • Enclosing teen area and adding new shelving
  • Moving computers to second floor
  • Moving reference materials to second floor
  • New tables, chairs and shelving in public areas 

Architect: Waller, Todd & Sadler Architects

Contractor: Homeland Contracting Company 

 Kempsville Library
​Construction began in early 2019 and was completed June 26, 2019. 

 What was done?

  • New public service desk featuring 3 full-service stations at the entrance of the building.
  • New public and staff restrooms.
  • New seating in the public areas.
  • New end panels on all shelving.
  • Enclosed children's room that contains the picture and beginner book collection; a staff-assisted service desk; educational, activity and technology focused workstations and child-sized tables and chairs. 
  • An increase from two public study rooms to one medium sized and two small study rooms.
  • New staff workroom with collaborative workspaces and updated workstations.

Architect: Waller, Todd & Sadler Architects

Contractor: Tidewater Development Services Corp.

Last renovation: 2009​​

 Princess Anne

What was done?

  • Children's area was enclosed
  • Study rooms were relocated to the front of the library
  • Expanded​​ youth area
  • New carpet​​

Architect: Waller, Todd & Sadler Architects

Contractor: L4 Enterprises

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