This, the main branch of the United States Post Office in the city of Roanoke, Virginia is my…read morefavorite of them all. For it's a clear example of the efficiency and excellent customer service, that throughout the years have distinguished our postal service and its dedicated employees. Even though they have had to confront competition along the way, it has only served to make it even better. For competition is the American way, where everyone benefits from it along the way. On the year 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) celebrated its 250th anniversary. This postal system was officially established by the Second Continental Congress on July 26, 1775, with Benjamin Franklin appointed as its first Postmaster General. It was founded to bind the nation together and facilitate secure and accessible communication among all communities. Its original intent was to ensure the inexpensive distribution of printed material to educate a democratic electorate. After the arrival of the computer, the internet, and the email, and with all the competition of private companies such as UPS and FedEx, the USPS went through some hardships. But they have remained in the hearts of every single person in our communities. We admire and look forward to the daily arrival of our mailcarier. To going to the Post Office to mail a letter or pick up a package. We enjoy buying and collecting stamps. We appreciate and respect the service that the U.S. Postal Service employees do for us. I invite you to visit their 250 Anniversary website USPS.com/250 and read the two books that they put out last year to celebrate the occasion: "Delivering for America: How the United States Postal Service Built a Nation," and the special 250th anniversary edition of "The United States Postal Service: An American History." And also, I invite you to watch my favorite movie that I watch every year around this Holiday Season: "Miracle on 34th Street." Today, I visited this post office to purchase some Forever stamps. I enjoy walking into their building and always finding it clean and filled with posters and flyers containing useful information. I enjoy taking a peak at their small little museum as you enter the building. As a contrast to this they have right in front of it, a Self-Service station with the latest electronic computer. Then there is a long, wide hallway filled with P.O. Boxes on the left, and the post office counter on the right after entering through another glass doors. They even have a branch of the Blue Eagle Credit Union inside the same building, for the convenience of their customers. In this U.S. Post Office you can not only buy stamps, send letters, mail and pick-up packages, but even purchase shipping supplies and greeting cards, among other things. The line always moves fast due to the very efficient postal clerks, who even though they move fast, give you their total attention and take their time to make you feel at home and not rushed, explaining what needs to be explained about the system to provide you with useful information. When my turn arrived, a walked over to the counter and received a warm and friendly greeting from the postal clerk. When I inquired about the latest editions of their commemorate Forever Stamps, he pulled out a box with all of them. I had time to look over them and picked a book of the one I like the most, and then proceeded to pay with my credit card. I was in and out in no time at all, after receiving not only my stamps and receipt, but a heartfelt Thank you. I walked out of this Post Office feeling proud that I was an American citizen and that I lived in this great country of ours.

We had an 8am appointment for a passport. No one showed ups waited for 50 minutes with many others…read morewho had appointments. Eventually learned the person called out sick, but no one bothered to tell any of the waiting customers, many of whom had little

I had to take care of details for a family member. Tuesdays & Thursdays are suggested days for walk…read moreins. I spoke to the information employee at window one. I was in and out in 40 minutes without an appointment. l arrived at 12noon. The person who assisted me was helpful and informative. She explained the areas that could be resolved by phone. She handed me forms for other details that had to be done in person. When I return I will make an appointment.

The worst damn dmv ive ever been to. They had us in line, then told us to get out, then told us to…read morecome back in, and then get out

Amazing statue and such a fun little treat while driving around the downtown Roanoke area. Parking…read morenearby since it's an a strip mall/ shopping area.

While in the Roanoke, VA area visiting family, Kayla Beth Fields Deacon and I turned it in to a…read moreRoad Trip. We left the hotel and drove about 10 miles over to the downtown area to see the Transformer Mega Giant Optimus Prime He was so excited!!

The Roanoke Public Library is a wonderful resource for the community. Located in the Downtown…read moreRoanoke area, in a building that went through renovation from the original, it maintains the classical relaxed look, yet at the same time, it has those modern touches that has kept it up with the times. It now has a Virginia Room where people can do research on the history of Roanoke, among other things. And around this area it has meeting rooms where one can reserve to do research or to meet. Besides the traditional bookcases with books, the library has an extensive computer area located in the Darryl G. & Young-Ja Howery Mezzanine, as well as a cellphone charging station. I tried charging my cellphone there with the cords provided and a notice came up on my phone that this cord was too slow to charge my phone and to try to use another one because with this one it would take 8 hours to do so. This is one of the reasons I only gave this library a 4 star rating. The intention to provide modern services was there but not the execution. I brought it to the attention of the librarian to see if it could be corrected for the future with better charger cords, or even better, with devices where you can rest the cellphone on them and they would automatically charge the phone. I'm sure that after the Library Director reads this review he will follow-up because he is a very knowledgeable individual and wonderful human being. The librarians here are all very friendly and helpful. In the basement of the library the Blue Ridge Literacy is located. This is a place where among other this they teach English for free to immigrants new to the area. A reality that I can not leave behind is that many of the homeless of our community frequent the library during the day as a refuge to keep cool in the Summer and Warm in the Winter. Something that the library could do is have a station with booklets and information to help these write a resume, and look for and apply for a job using the computers. It could also offer workshops in one of the meeting rooms to teach and develop the skills needed for them to overcome the adversities that lead them to be homeless. Throughout the years the library has played very important roles in the community, and through creative thinking and innovation, it can find new ways in the future to meet the community's need head on.

Great little library with really helpful librarians. The book selection isn't huge but you can…read moreorder from any of the libraries and get it sent to this one

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.