By Abby Paras '24
Photo Courtesy of Williamsburg Regional Library
Almost every student at the College of William and Mary is familiar with Swem Library. The library tends to attract students who are studying, either in the numerous desk spaces or in the cafe, affectionately known as ‘Swemromas’. Swemromas is only one reason that Swem is so appealing to students. It is also in close proximity to many other buildings on campus and makes for an easy walk there and back. It has plenty of space on its three floors for students to find a place to work for the day as well as the Reeder Media Center in the basement. Swem is also one of the few places on campus where printers are available. However, there comes a time every semester when students enter the building and realize that there is simply nowhere to go. Around midterms and finals time, students flock to Swem only to find that every possible seat has been taken, let alone one next to an outlet so they can charge their laptops.
Enter the Williamsburg Regional Library. Tucked away across the street from the Bake Shop and the new campus Spirit Store, the WRL is less-known to students despite how close it is. Although the WRL is not built around student life the way that Swem is, it has so much to offer. It boasts a large collection of books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The WRL also hosts different events every week, ranging from movie showings to arts and crafts days. Like many public libraries, the WRL is also just a place to sit and relax, which, for many, is not something that can be said about Swem Library.
Photo Courtesy of Desiree Parker via the Williamsburg Regional Library
(A reception in the Stryker Center for a recent Youth art show- the Williamsburg Regional Library manages the space inside Stryker Center)
Public libraries are a cornerstone of many communities. Not only do they offer free educational resources to everyone, but they are also one of the only places where many unhoused people are allowed to easily go for free shelter. Through the events they plan, they help bring communities together. Furthermore, checking books out from local libraries is more sustainable, both financially and environmentally, than buying new books. Local libraries are usually strong supporters of arts and culture and are almost always free or low-cost ways to be exposed to new cultures. They provide free Internet access and a generally calming environment for people to be in.
There is no way to list all of the benefits of public libraries. As previously stated, they are cornerstones of their communities, which is why it comes as a shock that public library usage in the United States has been on a steady decline since 2009. Why would a place that offers so many wonderful free resources be ignored? Much of this comes from the rise of corporate booksellers like Amazon, which makes getting books as easy as a click on their website. There is no denying that sites like Amazon have the edge in terms of convenience. One need not even leave their house to get a new book. Instead, they can have it delivered directly to their phone or Kindle. Especially when the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is factored in, Amazon seems to be the clear winner.
Amazon is the largest online bookstore, specializing in e-books through Kindle and audiobooks through Audible. Many authors choose to publish through Amazon. However, these terms of service that come with publishing through Amazon mean they can refuse to sell e-books and audiobooks to libraries which means that libraries often don’t have the variety of books that Amazon has, nor do they have the newest books out as quickly as Amazon does. The American Library Association called this practice the “worst obstacle” for libraries everywhere. So, despite the convenience of large corporations and online booksellers, the ethics of buying from them are largely questionable.
Photo Courtesy of Desiree Parker via the Williamsburg Regional Library
(Children in the Kiwanis Kids Idea Studio in the James City County Library building)
Betsy Fowler is the director of the Williamsburg Regional Library, and though she never saw herself being a librarian when she was younger, she loves her role in the community. The Williamsburg Regional Library has been functioning for over a hundred years, and Betsy wants people to know that it still ranks very highly on a national scale in terms of usage. She says that the WRL is “an unusual library because it's not a big library but it has a lot of depth”. In fact, the library has to house most of its books in the James City County Library, which is much larger. That way, no matter where people’s reading tastes lie, they can find something to enjoy at the library.
Photo Courtesy of Desiree Parker via the Williamsburg Regional Library
(The new Makerspace at the Williamsburg Regional Library)
In addition to the vast number of books that the library holds, it boasts a number of events that happen, which add up to nearly 30 programs a week, according to Besty. They do arts and crafts, indie film showings every Tuesday, classic throwback films on Thursdays, sponsor a Makerspace, and hold concerts in the theater that is adjacent to the library. Additionally, there is an upcoming Spring Festival that is geared toward people of all ages. The festival will include plenty of children’s activities, a space for gardening, and a farm that will be brought to the library. Betsy emphasized the importance of variety in these activities, saying that the library’s “brand is still books and reading but it’s also recognizing that people learn in different ways.”
One of the most important things Betsy wants to emphasize is that “the library really has a strong mission of public service and serving everyone with respect”. No matter what someone’s beliefs may be, the library is there to serve everyone in the community. She says that the WRL also tries to “live the values of the community” by placing an emphasis on “equity” and “serving underserved communities”. She continued the explain the importance of having a place where all beliefs are tolerated. The library is like Switzerland” she joked. “We want to be a place where everyone feels welcome.”
In terms of serving underserved communities, Betsy explained the various services that the library provides for the public, free of charge. There is a bookmobile that goes out to different neighborhoods in Williamsburg and the surrounding areas six days a week. This helps to provide people who may not be able to travel to the library with material to read and consume. Accessibility has always been an important part of public libraries and many public services are often not as focused on this aspect of the community. She says that the WRL puts “more and more resources into taking a lot of the programming out into the neighborhoods because we know not everyone has the means to get to the building.” In addition to the bookmobile, the library is “starting to work with educators to do ESL programs” and putting out free hotspots in communities that need fast, accessible Wi-Fi. The WRL also sponsors reading and learning programs at juvenile detention centers.
Photo Courtesy of Desiree Parker via the Williamsburg Regional Library
(A guest author speaking at an event in February inside the Williamsburg Library Theatre)
As for William and Mary students, the library has plenty of resources in store. First and foremost, “the library is a real community nexus center” and is a great place for students who want to become more involved in the greater Williamsburg community. The library also has streaming services for movies and music. Much like Swem, the WRL uses Kanopy for streaming movies, though the selections are more current than Swem’s movies, which are more oriented towards film and media classes. For music, the WRL uses Freegal, which grants access to the vast music library. The WRL also houses a large library of digital books that can be accessed through either Libby or Overdrive or through the WRL app. Although digital books can be expensive to maintain and keep, since ebook sellers like the aforementioned Amazon often don’t lease the rights to the books at a fair price, the WRL likes to have books available in multiple formats, both physical and digital to accommodate everyone.
Without local libraries, so many of these important community programs wouldn’t happen, so it’s incredibly important to support them in any way possible. In addition to supporting a local institution, it’s completely free, so there’s no reason not to. One of the easiest and best ways to support the library, Betsy says, is to “get a library card”, which students can do either online or at the library front desk. Students can sign up for free with their ID card, and it only takes a minute to do. Students can also reach out to the WRL and volunteer for various programs as well as intern and work on special projects.
The library also contains a ‘Book Nook’, which is a project sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Members of the community can visit the Book Nook, which stands in the center of the WRL, and purchase secondhand books, CDs, or DVDs for a very low price, sometimes as low as 50 cents. Not only is buying books and other media secondhand more sustainable, but it is so much cheaper than buying things new. The Book Nook is a wonderful little place filled with hidden gems and a great selection of books and movies.
Ultimately, supporting the Williamsburg Regional Library benefits the entire community and makes a good name for libraries everywhere. Don’t hesitate to stop by the next chance you get and sign up to get your free library card because public libraries do so much more than provide books for the public; they act as a place that brings people from all walks of life together and unites them in the name of learning and enjoyment.