Local Public Libraries in Franklin and Roanoke Counties, Virginia

For bookworms, best days begin with books. For Franklin County residents, the addition of Westlake Library to the community was a dream come true, ending the 30 minute drive to the main library in Rocky Mount, Virginia.

Westlake Library

Westlake Library is located in Westlake Towne Center in Hardy, Virginia, and is open on Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 8 pm. Saturday hours are 10 am to 4 pm. This is Franklin County's first branch library, and it has been a huge success.

The library has a collection of over 13,500 books, CDs, DVDs, and other items. Community volunteers have logged an impressive 2,000 hours of work helping with various tasks like covering, marking, and shelving books.

Westlake Library has a highly qualified children's librarian, Pamela Palmer. Formerly a teacher, Parker has priceless expertise. Kids are welcome on Thursday for Toddler or Story Hour. Toddler Time is at 10:30 am, Story Hour at 11:00am, and Family Time at 6 p.m. Parker, a kid-friendly librarian, uses a variety of methods to encourage early reading, build vocabularies, and make reading fun.

The library has 14 public computers, an impressive research database, and free Wi-Fi. The community room is open to local non-profit organizations; be sure to ask Branch Manager Marilyn Amerson about the high-tech Smart Board for presentations.

For more information about Westlake Library, please call 540-483-3098 or stop by 84 Westlake Road, Suite 109.

Blue Ridge Library

The Blue Ridge Public Library is located at 28 Avery Row, Roanoke, Virginia and the hours of operation are: Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.

This branch library offers free Wi-Fi for patrons to use with laptop computers, in addition to 10 on-site computer stations. Area residents can bring their children to story hour during the school year, and reading camps over the summer break. Information about the upcoming reading camps will be available mid June. To sign up for summer reading programs, call: 540-977-3433.

Vinton Library

Vinton Public Library is located at 800 E. Washington Avenue, in Vinton, Virginia. Sherry Pearson is the Branch Librarian, and she does an outstanding job of organizing fun family events like free movie nights on Wednesday, story hours, and reading camps.

Patrons can visit this branch location on Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. If you need a book that is not on the shelf, the friendly staff will be glad to look it up in the online card catalog and request it.

There is a dedicated computer lab for patrons, as well as free Wi-Fi service. This branch also provides access to the extensive research database and online catalog. For more information about the Vinton Public Library, call: 540-857-5048.

Wherever you live in Franklin or Roanoke County, Virginia, there is a branch or main library available. Visit a location today.