Smithfield Branch

Smithfield Library
255 James Street
Smithfield, VA 23430
phone (757) 357-2264
fax (757) 357-0883

Contact Manager
Karen Zukosky
kzukosky@blackwaterlib.org

Branch History:
The Smithfield Branch had its origin in 1924 when members of the Shakespeare Class and the Women's Club of Smithfield approached the Smithfield Town Council to request their assistance in establishing a community library. Council allowed one room of the Community Building to be converted and gave $2.50 a month in support. With donations of books and money from state and local citizens, the Smithfield Public Library opened its doors on January 26, 1925. In 1942 the library moved to the Main Street Courthouse, and, in 1945, Miss Cora Leigh Chapman left her home on Church Street to house the library 'as long as it was suitable.' Our name became the Benjamin P. Chapman Memorial Library. The library joined the Walter Cecil Rawls Regional Library System (now known as Blackwater Regional Library) in 1974 and remained on Church Street until our move in 1989 to its current location on James Street.

Smithfield Book Club - next meeting February 16th.

News:

02/01/2012 - We are excited to announce that nationally recognized storyteller, Dylan Pritchett, will be featured at this year's Community Black History Celebration! The program will be held February 26, from 3-4:30pm, at the Smithfield Center. 

01/26/2012 - Orisirisi African Folklore is performing "Moonlight Stories" (Thursday, February 9th, 10-11am), an anthology incorporating the African tradition of audience participation, including fun-filled call-and-response type songs, mesmerizing African drumming and dance, childrens' games and much more! Registration is required. 

01/23/2012 - Story Time for 4-5 year olds (On My Own) has moved from Fridays at 9:30am to Mondays at 10:00am.