SHAWSVILLE – The Meadowbrook Public Library is hostING the Library of Virginia (LVA) for an “engaging event for all ages” Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Library of Virginia is celebrating 200 years this year. They are celebrating with LVA on the Go and visiting each region of Virginia with a series of events and programs. The Library of Virginia will bring expert help, genealogy assistance, children’s storytime, and presentations to help community members engage with local history, family history, and more.
The Library of Virginia launched its first statewide tour this month in a new custom-built vehicle to bring some of its vast resources, staff expertise and programming to every corner of the commonwealth. Debuting as part of the Library’s yearlong 200th anniversary celebration, LVA On the Go is a state-of-the-art vehicle designed to enhance awareness of the Library’s collections and resources, strengthen ties to local organizations, capture stories and histories from community members, and provide a memorable and fun experience.
“As we approach our third century, it’s important that we offer additional ways for individuals of all ages who may not ever have the opportunity to visit us in Richmond to learn about our rich and diverse collections and programs and share their stories,” said Librarian of Virginia Sandra Treadway. “Our custom-built vehicle presents opportunities to connect to a wider audience across the state.”
The Meadowbrook Library event will feature an array of special guests for all ages, including Precious Valley Farms Petting Zoo, author Daniel Thorp, tours of the Meadowbrook Museum, and MFRL’s Mobile Library, along with information from Christiansburg Institute. With genealogy help, reference tutorials, library card registration, oral history recordings, and children’s activities, there will be something available for everyone.
During the event, visitors can view and engage with valuable resources like Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative database and VirginiaChronicle.com, which provides access to over a million newspaper pages.
At noon, Virginia Tech Associate Professor Daniel Thorp will discuss the history of Black communities in Eastern Montgomery County. Daniel Thorp is Associate Professor of History at Virginia Tech and author of Facing Freedom: An African American Community in Virginia from Reconstruction to Jim Crow, and In the True Blue’s Wake: Slavery and Freedom among the Families of Smithfield Plantation. After his talk, Daniel Thorp will have books available for purchase and signing.
Scheduled events include:
10:30- 11 a.m.: Genealogy 101
10:30- 11 a.m.: Children’s Story Time
11 – 11:30 a.m.: Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Precious Valley Farms Petting Zoo
11:30 a.m. – noon: LVA Digital Resources
Noon – 1 p.m.: Guest Speaker, Author Daniel Thorp
Noon – 12:30 p.m.: Newspaper Research
12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m.: Children’s Story Time
12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m.: Genealogy 101
1 – 1:30 p.m.: Find it VA resources
Drop in to the Meadowbrook Museum, the Mobile Library, and stop by the Christiansburg Institute booth anytime between 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. There will be drawings for door prizes happening every hour, including autographed books by Cece Bell.
The Library of Virginia was founded by the General Assembly on Jan. 24, 1823, to organize, care for and manage the state’s growing collection of books and official records. Since then, the collection has grown to 2 million books, newspapers, maps, prints and photographs, as well as 130 million manuscript items, making the Library the most comprehensive resource in the world for the study of Virginia history, culture and government.
The Meadowbrook Library is located at 267 Alleghany Spring Rd., Shawsville. For more information about the program, please call Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library at (540) 382-6969 ext. 215 or email kcopus@mfrl.org.
Submitted by the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library