Many a times I've driven by the very attractive building of the Salem Public Library, located in…read morethe heart of Downtown Salem, and often wondered how it would be inside. What books and resources would they have to enrich the community? How would its interior architectural design be? And most important of all, How friendly and hospitable would the staff be to someone who visited the library for the first time. After all, it is said that: "People don't care so much what you know as that you care." So today I decided to park my Lexus at the Farmer's Market lot and walk from there to the library. As I studied its architectural design I had a feeling that it was from the '70s and later I found out that it opened its doors on January 2, 1970, and that it received an expansion in 1991. I love its warm, red brick walls and large window design, with its interior cathedral ceiling and well lit areas. It is so well maintained that you would think it was built yesterday. Upon entering the library, I immediately went to the circulation desk to introduce myself. Thanks to her warm and welcoming demeanor, I believe I had the pleasure of meeting the Library Director Ann Tripp. We talked for a while and then she graciously gave me a tour of the library. Her years of experience were revealed through the kindness of her words. I learned that the Salem Public Library offered a wide range of resources and services. Among them, a large collection of books, audiobooks, and DVD, 13 public computers for free use with Microsoft Office and with high-speed internet access, use of black-and-white and color printing (for a per-page fee), and various programs for all ages, from storyline to book clubs. It also provides digital resources like eBooks and magazines through Libby and Hoopia, meeting and study rooms, and a seed library. Other services they provide are mobile printing, interlibrary loans, and access to legal forms. This library serves as a community hub for downtown activity, with free WiFi, a large meeting room that can be reserved by nonprofit entities, two study rooms that can be reserved for two hours per day, and is supported by the Friends of the Salem Library. I also found out that the Salem Public Library Card, which is free to anyone who lives in Virginia, belongs to the Roanoke Valley Library (RVL) consortium. A group of libraries in the Roanoke Valley Regional Library System (including Roanoke City, County, and Botetourt), giving you access to their physical collections and digital resources like eBooks and databases. With so many free resources and services available, I highly recommend getting a library card to take full advantage of them all. And afterwards visit the Salem Public Library frequently. Also, consider giving the library your support by joining the Friends of the Salem Library and/or providing them with a tax deductible donation.

I utilize the Salem library quite frequently and am always impressed at the new and innovative…read moreofferings. We have had free board meetings at night and participated in many games and fun activities that were thoughtfully planned. I can't say enough about the friendly staff who are always willing to assist me in making copies, using the computers and helping in every way.

Small library but the desk people are friendly and helpful! They have desktops you can use for a…read morecertain amount of time and if no one is waiting, they're fine if you keep working. I usually print documents and have occasionally checked out audio books on CD.

I love this library. So many activities for the kids, classes and groups for the adults. The new…read morebuilding is amazing. Lots of space, nice collection of books, wonderful kids reading room. In the summer, Fizz and Boom rock!! This place is a wonderful addition to the community.

The library is always so nice and clean , with a nice selection of books .The staff is so friendly…read moreand helpful . I enjoy going to the Madison Heights Public Library!

Love this quaint, little library. The librarians are pretty nice & helpful. Seems like the locals…read morerun into someone they know each time I visit & it gives it a welcoming feeling. There are plenty of good books to choose from in practically every topic/interest. The children's section is cute and overflowing with books. The only negative is that the computers are a little slow and outdated, but they have a nice, new colour printer.

This marker pays tribute to a terrible tragedy that struck Lynchburg…read more The marker reads, "The deadliest fire in Lynchburg history occurred here at a Federal Transient Bureau shelter on 24 March 1934. The Bureau, opened by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration as part of the New Deal, housed out-of-work men passing through town during the Great Depression. The two-story building was overcrowded when an early morning kitchen fire spread rapidly and claimed the lives of at least 19 inhabitants; about 70 others were injured. The federal government returned many bodies to their families, but seven were buried locally in the Old City Cemetery. National attention was focused on Lynchburg, and federal guidelines for homeless shelters were improved as a result of this disaster." Online, there is more information. "On March 24th 1934, twenty-two men (a different number than above) died due to a fire at the Federal Transient Bureau building in downtown Lynchburg. The Federal Transient Bureau opened its doors to the poor and homeless on December 18th, 1933 in a two story building on the corner of Twelfth and Church Streets. Its purpose was to feed and house occupants during the Great Depression and on the morning of the fire, one- hundred and ninety men were using the facility. A kitchen grease fire rapidly spread, eating through the dry wood supports and cardboard partitions of the building. To make matters worse, there were no fire escapes on the building since city code did not require them on two-story dwellings at that time." "All of the windows in the second story of the Bureau were covered with wooden planks to prevent people from breaking the glass and to stop people in nearby buildings from peering in. The men located on the ground floor were more fortunate and most were able to escape through the front doors." An army veteran who served during World War I commented that the scene at the Virginia Baptist Hospital was "like that of a field hospital in a combat zone." The youngest fatality from the fire was a fourteen year old boy who had come from North Carolina for work. He was on his way home when he decided to stay overnight in Lynchburg due to the snow. Panic and the sealed windows were labeled as major factors in the high death toll by officials and to this day, the Federal Transient Bureau fire is considered one of the worse fires to ever occur in Lynchburg due to the loss of life. [Review 15090 overall, 592 of 2021, number 1306 in Virginia.]

They have a nice meeting space for groups. My book club meets here, but you can reserve the room…read morefor lots of different things. Really nice they are serving their community in this way. Look fwd to using their book and research services!

I really enjoy taking my 2 y/o niece to this library. It's a small library, so they don't have as…read moremany books, of course, but I love the atmosphere. They have a great area for kids with several types of toys and a smaller table for them. We've never taken advantage of the service but they also have iPad's available for kids with educational programs! Lastly, the librarians are so helpful and kind!!! I never feel stupid when asking questions! Lately, I stopped in because our printer wasn't working and they helped explain how to print photos from the PC's they have available. I did that for a nominal fee and was VERY impressed by the quality! I just cannot say enough good things about this little library! HINT: Just be prepared for the kids wanting to check out the church playground, which is essentially in the library's backyard. :-)

I love our library! We typically go to the Staunton River Memorial Library and are always welcomed…read morethere! There's plenty to do for all ages. My children love it!

I just used the Library Usage Calculator on the Campbell County Public Library website and found…read morethat I save about $100 a year by borrowing items from the library! I love being able to borrow new books for my daughter every week instead of buying them all the time. I also really enjoy the kids program and the time they put into getting kids involved! Awesome Library!

Highly recommend. This is definitely the cream of the crop here folks. 5 star service all around…read more Whether you're looking for one of those cool police stickers, or even a quiet night in the slammer, they can hook you up with both here. I mean, you tell me where else you can find both of those items in the same place. Stop on by and say hello -- especially if you have outstanding warrants. I'm sure you'll be greeted with a smile.

A couple of nights ago the police came to my home. I had left $120 by the window they where helping…read moremy girlfriend load up her car with her things. So they arrested me so I walked home from the jail and I look every where for my $120 but couldn't find it anywhere. I'm not the type of person to lose anything so it was a shock to me how I could lose $120 in my own home and can't be found anywhere. So I came to the conclusion that the women who was helping me girlfriend with her thing took it cause she was the only one that went in my room I talked about it with some people and they said there not surprised at all. So if your able to watch her chest camera and found out what happened would be much appreciated. In return I will grant you with a two star review.