Libbie Mill Library opens this week

The doors open on Henrico County’s newest (and state-of-the-artiest) library this Friday, October 30th.

October 26, 2015; 11:45 AM • by Valerie Catrow

All images/renderings courtesy of Henrico County Public Libraries.

“Have you heard about the new library?”

I can’t count how many times that question has come up in conversation within my circle of friends over the last couple months.

That’s right, we talk about libraries. I happen to be friends with lots of voracious readers, many of whom are raising voracious readers and/or readers-to-be of their own. Quit your eye rolling; we are awesome and also know many synonyms for “awesome!”

But anyway, yes! A new library! And why all the hubbub? Well, for starters, the thing is huge.

Built on three acres couched between Broad Street, Staples Mill Road, and Bethlehem Road¹, Libbie Mill Library offers almost 40,000 square feet of space spread out over two floors, with an additional 20,000 square feet up on the third floor that’s being kept available for further expansion². And allllll of that space is going to be put to good use. Take a look at what Libbie Mill Library has in store for us:

Digital media library with 3D printers
Large areas for updated general interest, teen, and children’s collections
Group collaboration spaces
Drive-up book return and pick-up window
Large meeting room with up-to-date technology
Study rooms
Quiet reading room
Large collection of public use computers and devices
Dedicated children’s story time and programming room
Children’s reading garden

Libbie Mill Library replaces Dumbarton Library, which permanently closed its doors on October 17th. All are welcome to join an opening celebration for Libbie Mill Library on Thursday, October 29th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The library will be open for business beginning at 9:00 AM on Friday, October 30th.

Libbie Mill Library is located at 2100 Libbie Lake East Street in Henrico County. And remember: residents of the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County are eligible for Henrico County Library cards!³

For more information on Libbie Mill Library and its offerings, head on over to the Henrico County Public Libraries website.

To put it in Richmond terms, it’s in the area across Broad Street from Willow Lawn, sort of near West End Antiques Mall. If you get to the McDonald’s across from Target, you’ve gone too far. ↩
When you get a couple minutes, watch this cool time-lapse video of Libbie Mill Library’s construction process. ↩
Pro tip: When one county/city’s library system doesn’t have a book you want, ANOTHER MIGHT! ↩