New Lynchburg Public Library Downtown Location Grand Opening
Written by Lucy White, 2024 E.C. Glass High School Summer Intern
A new chapter is beginning at what some have called “the busiest corner in Lynchburg.” The Lynchburg Public Library, with locations on Memorial Avenue, and previously at City Hall, is welcoming a new location at the corner between Twelfth and Church Street, the former Visitor Center.
The new downtown location is a gorgeous space, with an abundance of natural lighting, and is easily adaptable for other community events such as story times, and even small live performances from local performers like the Hill City Sliders, who will be performing at the grand opening.
The new downtown branch will host a grand opening this Saturday, June 8th. The doors will open at 9am with coffee and donuts to start the day and a story time from city manager Wynter Benda. Capitalizing on the flexibility of the space, the Hill City Sliders are performing at 11am, followed by face painting by Sundog Art Studios at 11:30am.
This summer is going to be packed full of activities that people of all ages can participate in. With the theme being, “Adventure begins at Your Library,” there are many opportunities to explore the world of books. The summer reading program has been made more accessible via the Beanstack app, and the Lynchburg Public Library also offers the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program, which is an early childhood initiative that encourages caregivers and families to read with their young children. The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation was a founding funding partner for this program.
Having more spaces for people to come and check out books is incredibly important for the community, and Tobi Laukaitis, the Public Engagement Coordinator for the Lynchburg Public Library said it best, “Physical media is going to live on forever.” The Lynchburg Library Team is doing an amazing job of ensuring that books and reading remain relevant.
After the grand opening, the downtown branch of the library will be open Monday through Saturday. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the hours will be 10am to 6pm, on Tuesdays and Thursdays 12pm to 8pm, and Saturdays 9am to 2pm. “We look forward to this vibrant library space bringing new energy, fun programs, and more open hours for the downtown community. From storytime at the market, to book clubs and special events, the downtown branch library has something for everyone,” said Library Director Beverly Blair regarding how the new location is going to have an impact on the community.
To learn more about how you can help the Lynchburg Public Library, please visit the Friends of the Lynchburg Public Library Share Greater Lynchburg profile. To see our interview with Beverly Blair and Tobi Laukaitis on The Mike Show, click here.
