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The Slover

4.5 (61 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

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Clean, quiet space to work
Myra E.

I spent several hours at Slover on a Saturday and had a wonderful experience visiting. This was my first time at Slover. It's a huge, beautiful library with 7 floors. One floor, I believe the 6th floor, is currently closed due to recarpeting. Even with a floor closed, there are still plenty of spaces available to read and study. The basement level has large rectangular tables that are great for group study sessions or just spreading out books and reading solo. I was studying at a long table on the basement level for a while until a Dungeons and Dragons group sat across from me and it became harder to focus. Fortunately, there's no shortage of quiet spots in Slover and I moved to the 5th floor which provided another great study space. The upper level's have large windows that let in a lot of natural light and provide a lovely view of downtown Norfolk. In addition to the great study spaces and book selections, I also appreciated the clean restrooms and helpful staff who shared the advantages of each floor in the library. If you get hungry while at the library, there's a waffle shop (Granby Street Waffles) that shares an entrance with the library. There's also Selden Market right next door. Looking forward to visiting Slover again soon!

Outside
Rebecca C.

Downtown in the city of Norfolk is the Slover Library. It's the kind of library that was inspired by books. The architecture is magical, and can bring nostalgia of reading Harry Potter books. I was specifically in the children's section which is located on the second floor. Which is the perfect place to take your children on any day. The library is accommodating for all ages. There's an area for everyone. I was surprised by the changing tables in the restrooms. Along with the desk that has a baby playpen built in so that parents can study of so work while their children are safely at their side. Overall the view was breathtaking and is a must see for anyone who's visiting Norfolk, and even locals who need a new outlook on life. The view of downtown from the second floor makes you see the world differently

Hali E.

Library is always clean, organized and staff is very helpful! There is a kids section with books, toys and an infant play area that is surrounded with soft blocks. Play kitchens and small chairs for kids to sit in while reading/being read to. Our son had a great time and we will be back again!

Movie section
Pooja N.

This quaint library is inside the Selden Market. Pleasant surprise inside. The library is a small area with areas for books (obviously!) audiobooks, and movies from what I saw. Did not interact with any staff but they seemed friendly. There was a copy center inside as well and studying tables. Very quiet atmosphere, clean, and organized.

MTS Beat Clinic
Sha M.

This is a beautiful library. This the best library I have ever seen. I wish they had this type of library in New York City. I have been in real nice libraries before but nothing like this. This place have about 6 floors that are set up for different purposes. They have a green screen room, audio production room, photography, offices, and other spaces for curating events. I attended the MTS Beat Clinic there and it was on the top floor. There is an outside patio that has a nice view of Norfolk. Overall, I would like to revisit it on my own time and really check out all it has to offer.

Alexa S.

This library is GORGEOUS! I came here for a meeting and the room was full of windows and bright, natural light could come in. You had a great view of the waterside district as well from the meeting room. The library itself is just gorgeous. Books are laid out neatly and organized extremely well. They have a welcome desk as soon as you walk in and the woman was smiling and happy to assist. It is wheelchair friendly and very spacious. Definitely recommend!

Toddlers room
J David H.

If you cannot get excited about this library than someone should shake you silly and check your pulse because you have just flatlined. I love libraries, heck I'm married to a librarian so I guess she has rubbed off in our 23 years of marriage. The Slover is magnificent, it's spectacular, it's incredible and the City of Norfolk is the proud owner of this architectural marvel. Make no mistake this is one of the best things to occur in downtown Norfolk since we began residing in the area ten years ago. Parking in the nearby city garage for up to three hours for $1 vs. an expensive meter that is 25 cents for 9 min. I made the mistake of not knowing and was tortured by having to rush through the building and not really take it in. The exterior of the Slover is attractive with all of it's glass. No debris in sight at the entry way. The library is positioned beautifully beside the Seaboard Building which has housed the main library since 2009. It is a looker too and the way it cozies up next to the Atrium and Slover it's one of the most unique combination old/new designs that you may see in Norfolk. The two buildings melt seamlessly together by the four story glass atrium. I spent little time in the Main library and browsed mainly in the new. My head was stuck up looking around the atrium with glass sculptures on the ceiling. I am unsure who designed it, but the ironwork is truly amazing and a work of art. At a cost of $65 million and opened in January 2015 it has been the buzz of downtown for good reason. It is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building and possibly one of the most technologically advanced libraries not in just Virginia, but the world. Are you getting excited about seeing this incredible monument to literary works, well I will continue on and tempt you more. Once you walk in you will see an info desk in front of you in the atrium. The main library is to the left with four gorgeous Gothic door openings on the ornate Neo-Palladian stone-and-brick structure that dates back to 1900. It was constructed by the federal government for the federal courts and the U.S. Post Office. It's most well known as Norfolk City Hall up until 1965. It is most recognized for it's killer reading room. I wish that I had spent a little more time in the old, but was on the clock with a meter running. The checkout is to your right. The new Slover is four stories. A beautiful modern wood stairway leads you to the second floor and the Youth area. There was a separate room for toddlers to play and and open area with tons and tons of toys for younger children. Other floors had stacks and meeting rooms as well. I did not browse these areas and have little info. I looked around the circulation area which had some stacks and surprisingly a gift store with some nice items. You just usually don't expect to see that in a library, but it support them in some way but do not know how. Everything is new, everything is shining and it's design a marvel that is jaw dropping. I talked with a few staff which were helpful in getting info about both structures. I did see a few men in front inside on a cold day that looked like they were more getting out of the cold than interested in checking out books, but they caused no harm. This is a place you need to see for yourself, bring your kids, bring a friend, but just get your butt over to see this sparkling new building in all of it's glory. Let's not forget to thank the generosity of so many that made the Slover Library a reality for residents of Norfolk that will live on for years to come.

Classic!
Keiko M.

One of the amazing libraries I've ever been to. A cool design, fun events, high teck, ... But super duper packed. To get face painting, balloons, for those special things, you gotta wait for ages. No parking lot tho. That's why I give 4 stars. I wanna come back when they don't have any special events;)

Coloring fun
Nicole K.

This library is gorgeous, state-of-the-art, spacious, so many levels and styles, beautiful architecture. Let's just say it has undergone a grand makeover since I was an elementary aged child frequenting Kirn Memorial Library, and it has grown as much as I have LOL. I parked at MacArthur mall since I had a few things to do there first. I also hadn't a clue of anywhere else to park to go to the library. I appreciated the front desk/help desk lady who was able to point me in exactly the right direction. I was with my friend and her little boy so I mostly saw the children's floor. Countless books. Uniquely designed candy colored furniture. There is a coloring station. Two play areas for kiddos of varying age groups. Ipads and computers outfitted with games for the young'ns. They also have activity rooms. Program room: Mrs.Wyn was most helpful. On her second day here she took the time to show me at least half a dozen toys. She took them off the shelf, opened them up, Explained how each of them could be used/modified for my friends 2.5 year old. Even the toys for the older bunch could be used in a creative way like organizing colors and shapes and forming patterns. Be sure to check out my photos!!!

Amanda S.

We love when we are able to make a trip out to Norfolk, VA. We always make an attempt to go to this library before heading back to VB. This library is not only beautiful but it is BIG and meant for everyone in your family. The kids floor, of course, is our favorite. The girls are able to roam freely with everything at their level and obtainable with ease. The floors have interactive areas for the kids along with a play area. They host a lot of events such as movie night which we plan to attend!

Kathryn M.

This is a beautiful building! Hubby and I entered the library through the entrance joined with Selden Market. Upon entering we saw a copy room with some copiers and a long shelf showcasing local talent and public announcements. There's a section on the left with the words cuisine on the wall showing the way to cookbooks and such. The entrance facing Plume Street is made of glass allowing the light and height to show. We didn't even get to visit all the levels but we will make sure to do so very soon!

Rows and rows of adventures.

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Ask the Community - The Slover

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Currently, it's a two-step process to access the WiFi. There are posters around the library with all the info needed.

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Review Highlights - The Slover

More than a library, the Slover Library brings the community together and offers something for everyone.

Mentioned in 12 reviews

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The Slover - venues - Updated May 2026

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