News Flash

Reserve a meeting space at your favorite RCPL location. Spaces include meeting rooms, conference rooms, and study rooms. Study Rooms are available for free. All bookings can be done via the website or by calling your favorite RCPL location. Visit our website to learn about fee structure, terms and conditions, or to make your reservation.

Launching on July 1! Library Concierge is a monthly subscription service open to all patrons with library cards in good standing. Each month, subscribers will automatically receive curated content or a list of digital titles available on our digital platforms based upon their preferences at the beginning of each month.

It’s easy to get a library card. If you’re a resident of Virginia, you can receive your free library card. Your card gives you access to all Roanoke Valley Libraries: Botetourt County, City of Roanoke, City of Salem, and Roanoke County.

With Your Library Card You Can

• Check out library materials like items from our Library of Things collections, books, movies, video games, audiobooks, and more.
• Take the library with you on the go and check out eBooks, eMagazines, and eAudiobooks.
• Use computers (desktops and laptops at the library) and printing services, including mobile printing at our four large locations.
• Place Items on hold through our catalog at rvl.info.
• Access online resources like Transparent Languages, US Major Dailies, The Roanoke Times, Universal Class, and more.

Applying for a Card

Come to the library and complete an application during operating hours. Please bring your photo ID that includes your current address (or a photo ID with a non-current address with a check, bank statement, utility bill, etc. that lists your current address).

Find out more here.

Brainfuse HelpNow features real-time eLearning for all ages and levels. HelpNow offers a personalized homework help in core subjects, including SAT preparation. HelpNow also features an Adult Learning Center for GED prep, US citizenship test prep, resume assistance, MS Office, and more. Get started with your library card, today!

April 9th is National Library Outreach Day, so we’re celebrating by visiting Little Free Libraries around the county with outreach librarian Kelsey Frey and the WoW! Bookmobile.

Little Free Libraries took over the nation in the 2010s, popping up in neighborhoods and community gathering places. Roanoke County Parks and Recreation along with the Public Library installed nine in parks around the county in 2009. The libraries were built as part of an Eagle Scout project and painted by local schools.

One of the things I was most excited about for our outing was getting into the parks! I had actually never been to ANY of the parks we visited. These were my favorite things about each park, in case you haven’t been either:

• Starkey Park: There’s a short trail that connects the park to South County Library and loops around the wetlands.
• Garst Mill: The stream that runs through it is a perfect babbling brook!
• Vinyard Park: Underway is a greenway extension connecting to the Glade Creek Greenway. (Shameless plug, we talked about it on the last Out of the Office podcast episode.)

All of the Little Free Libraries were easy to find in the parks, too. It was fun to peak in and see what people have donated. There was a good mix of classics, contemporary and children’s books in the ones we visited. And as Kelsey points out, they’re a great way to engage with materials 24/7.

If you’re looking for a new book, or have a few to share, check out our Little Free Libraries. You can also find where the Bookmobile will be next here!

Watch the full Little Free Library video on YouTube.

Em Poertner is Roanoke County's Public Information Specialist. She hosts the Out of the Office podcast and Roam RoCo video series. If you have ideas for something to explore around Roanoke County, email her at epoertner@roanokecountyva.gov.