This is one of the three sound domes in the Teen Center.  Kids can plug in their iPods or their laptops and listen to music while they study.  The sound remains  under the dome so  others  won’t be  bothered by the sound.  They are pretty cool.

This is one of the two party lights.  They shine on the wall above the Teen Center.  We had them on during one of the Emerging Artist concert and Art Shows.

January 23, 2008

New teen center in Roanoke now offers several high-tech toys Roanoke teens have several new reasons to run to the library downtown. Flat screen computers, flat screen TV’s, a Nintendo Wii and Xbox are just a few of the high-tech toys found in the new teen center.Librarians opened the center last month after seeing such a high teen turnout at the library.Attendance has more than tripled since 2003. The teen center is on the first floor in the back of the library.There are plans to open two other centers at the Gainsboro and Jackson Park libraries by next year.

http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?s=7763253

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January 16, 2008
Work on 2 Roanoke libraries set to branch outThe Jackson Park and Gainsboro sites will each get about $1 million in renovations and expansions.

“The Jackson Park library changes will increase the size of the 5,000-square-foot library by nearly 50 percent. The branch was chosen to be first in line for renovations because of its proximity to Jackson Middle School. The new room for teens will include a window with special tinted glass that will face the campus, Umberger said.”

“The Gainsboro branch’s improvements will double the size of the current meeting room and add a new puppet theater. “Gainsboro has a tradition of doing puppet shows that have drawn up to 90 children at a time. This seems like a new way to honor that,” Umberger said.”

Work on 2 Roanoke libraries set to branch out – Roanoke Times

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November 29, 2007

Editorial: Hanging at the library. Check it out. Libraries are no longer old school. Teens discover their world at the local hangout.Your teens say they’re hanging at the library. A typical cover story that you used back in the day. You’d tell the folks you were off to the library, then ditch the reference room for a cooler hangout a few blocks away.It’s not that you don’t trust your kid, but you might want to check out this library thing. You could discover what they have: These are the coolest hangouts in Salem and Roanoke.

Hanging at the library – Roanoke.com

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Tonight was the opening for Sarah Williams’ art show at the Roanoke Public Library Downtown Branch. Her artwork will be on display through the month of November.

The R & R String Trio played some nice classical music for the opening. It was their first public performance.

Williams, 20, is a local oil painter and student. Her work is a blending of realism and imagination. “I like to blend modern-day and old-world styles, from Byzantine-inspired portraiture to Victorian interiors, to contemporary fashion.”

R & R String Trio is Camellia Delk (of Juniors and Doug Cheatwood fame!), Beth Radovsky and Kayla Lisa. Their instruments include violin and cello.

Roanoke Main Library, 706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke VA 24016

Here is a sample of some the work on display.

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Another issue discussed by the council is the daily “migration” of homeless individuals from the Rescue Mission, a night shelter, through downtown to RAM House, a day shelter.”We know that in hot weather and cold weather, the main library and the market area and other areas essentially become de facto day shelters,” Harris said.

Roanoke examines stance on homeless – Roanoke.com

Unfortunately, the Mayor is correct about the situation at the Main Library. Hopefully, with the City Council looking into the large number of homeless people needing a place to stay during the day something will be done. Only time will tell.

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As promised, here are some pictures of our popular Hip Hop program that was at the Roanoke Public Libraries in October.

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Historical Society honors 6 persons for dedication to county’s history on OurValley.org

The recipients of the Garland Stevens Outstanding Service Award were Janice Thompson, a longtime member of the BCHS board and a member who devoted countless hours to the museum and organization; Susan Hayes, a librarian in the Roanoke City Library Virginia Room, who spent many hours on her own transcribing the Kyle House ledger for BCHS to use as a historical tool for research; and Alice Crowder, a longtime board member and county resident who “successfully completes any project handed to her from museum work to the Founders Day Dinner.

Congrats Susan for all of your hard work.
Two small corrections – It is Susan Hays not Hayes. Also, Susan is the Head of Technical Services and does not work in the Virginia Room.

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A Letter to the Editor about the Jackson Township Stark County branch library in Ohio. I wonder what this patron would have thought about our Hip Hop Program?!?

Concert in a public library? What’s next, wings and draft beer?
I just don’t get it. Is this the proper forum for a live concert? What is next, an in-house sports bar serving wings and draft beer? Or perhaps a children’s playground like those at McDonald’s restaurants?