Henrico County has earned many accolades or its commitment to education. Some of the best schools in the state are located here, and learning is a top priority. Last October, the county proved again its dedication to education with the opening of the new Tuckahoe Library on Starling Drive.
More than 3,500 attended the opening ceremony further demonstrating the importance of a public library to the community. “My first reaction was ‘it’s so beautiful,’” branch manager Janet Woody says of Henrico County’s busiest branch. “I thought I was in a five-star hotel.”
In 2001, Henrico County hired national architect firm PSA-Dewberry, which specializes in designing libraries. Construction began in fall 2003 under the direction of Ashland-based Southwood Builders, Inc.
The difference between 1700 Parham Road and 1901 Starling Drive is remarkable. The old library covered 32,000 square feet. The new one is more than 53,000 square feet.
“It wasn’t a hard sell,” says Jerry McKenna, Henrico County director of public libraries. “People from Tuckahoe to Varina were very excited about the prospects of the new libraries.” McKenna adds the old Tuckahoe Library will be used for the county’s library headquarters.
The new facility is considered high-tech with more than 110 Hewlett-Packard computers that allow young and old to browse the Web, work on research papers or do other tasks. Some visitors bring their laptops and easily connect to the Internet through the library’s wireless network. There’s also a computer lab that seats 15, where people can improve their technology skills.
“Many of us have never worked in a library this fancy,” Woody says. “I would say our library is the most modern in the state.”
Books remain the staple of the library, which has increased its collection by 40,000-50,000 items. The new Tuckahoe now owns about 185,000 books. Harry Potter fans won’t have to fight over copies. There are around 30.
Parking was a big issue with the old library that had 92 spaces. The new library features more than 300 spaces. “We have never run out of parking,” Woody says.
McKenna adds that the current Tuckahoe Library includes many amenities that residents asked for in a preconstruction survey. Some special features include an elevator, a drive-through book drop and pick-up window and a café.
“The café has been a real hit with our visitors,” Woody says.
Visitors will first notice the spacious foyer as they enter the library. The area is airy and bright. The smell of coffee mixes with the “new car smell” of the building.
Perhaps the most popular section of the first floor is the children’s area. Visitors pass through the midsection of a rocket ship and if they look up, they can see the stars. An aisle devoted to children’s CDs and DVDs is to the right. There are diverse titles ranging from “Piggy Banks to Money Markets” to “Broadway Hits.” The children’s area has shelves just the right height for an average 8 year old to reach every book. There’s a coat rack and fun seating for a reading of Dr. Seuss in one corner.
The Planet Teen area features modern furniture, and a long row of computers dominate as teens do research for homework or catch up on the latest music hits. There are many shelves of age-appropriate books.
The first floor has plenty of space for gatherings or town meetings. There’s a meeting area that has a capacity of 100.
Downstairs is just as impressive. The library has five study rooms with TVs mounted on the wall, a quiet room that is spacious and lit well for those who desire silence to read or study and a conference room that seats 15. Rows and rows of books occupy the center area with large tables near the back.
One visitor, Ellen Brown, says she was amazed and impressed the first time she visited. “In this day and age, public libraries are not the focus of people’s attention,” says Brown, who uses the Tuckahoe Library to check out books for her two young children. “I’m so impressed that Henrico County was able to get the commitment and funding to do something so spectacular centered around books.”
Books, DVDs and CDs are free to check out with the proper card. The late fee for books is 10 cents per day.
One person who was instrumental in the vision, construction and realization of the new Tuckahoe Library was Patricia O’Bannon, Tuckahoe District representative on the Henrico County Board of Supervisors.
“I think the new Tuckahoe Library reflects the citizens in the area, their desire for learning,” O’Bannon says. “I’m proud that this is what they wanted. For that, I am very pleased that the county was able to deliver.”
The Tuckahoe Library is located at 1901 Starling Drive. It is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to
9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Contact Janet Woody at 270–9578 for more information. Or visit www.co.henrico.va.us/library/Branches/tu.htm.
