The interior of The Slover Library showcases a beautiful contrast of old and modern architecture. The beautiful designs of the ceilings, stairs and more offer an environment for creativity and imagination.
Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle
The Slover Library is so much more than just a library. A venue, recording studio, cafe and library all mixed together, The Slover has something for everyone.
With beautiful architecture, The Slover stands out even in the fast paced life of Norfolk. One side of the building is all old stone work that looks like something straight out of a history book. The other side is a beautiful modernist style with large glass windows taking up most of the walls.
“It is one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever seen, the structure itself is a work of art,” sophomore Camryn Owens said.
The contrast between new and old architecture continues inside the building as well. The building is designed in such a way that the old building does not meet seamlessly with the new, but not in a bad way. The intense juxtaposition between the two seems to highlight the beauty of each style and also deliberately showing that past and future do not need to be two separate things, but can be one cohesive narrative.
Sophomore Camryn Owens standing in the fiction section of The Slover Library filled with books of many different genres, one of the many amenities of The Slover Library.
Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle
The stone reminds visitors that libraries hold history and have stood the test of time. The modernist glass reminds visitors that libraries are not something purely of the past and can change and adapt to meet the demand of modern visitors as well as those with their minds in the past. A mix between old and new, the architecture of the library is a perfect metaphor for everything a library should be, and the Slover surely does not disappoint.
The Slover Library is part of a larger chain of libraries known as the Norfolk Public Libraries. This makes checking out and returning books, movies, etc. so much easier. As long as you are the proud holder of a Norfolk Public Library card you can check out books at any of the 13 local libraries that make up the Norfolk Public Library system. You can also then return what you check out at any of the locations; it does not have to be the same library.
The library consists of five floors, each housing a specific part of the library. From fiction to nonfiction to children’s literature, The Slover has it all. There are also many parts of the library that are slightly secluded and perfect for studying.
“Each floor of the library holds different forms of information, the higher you go up the quieter it is supposed to be, making it an ideal study spot,” Owens said.
The Slover holds so much more than only books. The library also has a large variety of media and creative studios open to Norfolk Public Library patrons. Whether you are just starting out or trying to refine your skills, there are staff to help you.
If visual arts are your thing, The Slover has a digital media lab and digital media studio. In the studio there are an array of cameras, backdrops, lights and other equipment available to patrons with valid library cards. The digital media lab has everything you need for projects like graphic designs, professional photography, animations and more.
The Maker Studio is another great place for visual artists. With a wide variety of equipment for various kinds of art, the studio could be a beneficial resource for many people. With 3-D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines and more, the opportunities are endless.
The beautiful stonework portion of the exterior of The Slover Library at 235 E Plume St.
Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle
If visual arts isn’t your thing, you might enjoy the newly added Sound Studio.According to The Slover’s website, “[t]he fourth installment in the Creative Studios, the Sound Studio joins the Design, Maker and Production Studios to inspire patrons to ‘Discover, Learn, Create, and Share.’”
The Sound Studio is also open to all patrons with a library card in good standings, but requires the completion of an orientation regarding the studio itself and some of the equipment. All studios do require a reservation and a library card. But do not worry, both are easy to obtain.
Reservations are simple. All you have to do is go to The Slover’s website and navigate to the Creative Studios page. Then you simply choose the studio you would like to reserve and a calendar with availability will be shown. You add your reservation directly to the calendar.
Getting a library card is equally simple. You simply need proof of Virginia residence and a valid, state-issued ID. For students from out of state, or even from other parts of Virginia, all you need is proof that you live on campus. It can be as simple as pulling up a tracking record of an Amazon purchase that was delivered to campus.
Whatever your interest, The Slover Library certainly has something for everyone. Located 235 E Plume St, The Slover is a great spot for a study session, a creative project or just to find your next read.
By Calee Lukowski
