Excerpt from the Hill Studio Report, available at the Library
Craig County, Virginia, a vibrant community of just over 5,000 residents, is nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains in Southwest Virginia. Craig County generally lies just West and northwest of Roanoke and adjoins the West Virginia border. Craig County covers 331 square miles (54 percent of which is National Forest land) and offers residents and visitors alike a rural lifestyle with breathtaking mountain views and historic appeal.
The Town of New Castle lies within the heart of Craig County and serves as the county seat. New Castle is the only incorporated town in Craig County and is home to 166 residents, according to the 2016American Community Survey estimates. The New Castle Historic District (as defined by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources) includes the entirety of the commercial area along Main Street and the surrounding residential neighborhoods. The Craig County Courthouse, built in 1850, is the focal point of the Historic District. The Town hosts many local and regional events such as the Craig County Fall Festival and the Prepper Festival within its downtown, centered mainly on Main Street and its surroundings.
The existing Craig County Library opened in 2004. It is located at the intersection of Main Street and Salem Avenue (VA Route 311), the main east/west route through Craig County. Route 311 is the County’s lifeline to the Roanoke/Salem metro area and serves as a commuter route for County residents working in that metro area. Route 42 also serves as a commuter route to the Blacksburg area, particularly for residents living in the southern portion of the County.
One of the realities that Craig County residents live with every day is distance. Because the County is mainly rural, heavily forested, mountainous, and sparsely populated, the distance to retail services, community services, and employment opportunities creates a significant challenge for community residents. At the same time, Craig County residents are known for enjoying their isolation, so they are willing to live with this challenge.
While small, the existing Craig County Community Library serves a significant purpose in the County as not only a library but also as a central gathering place for the community. In FY 15/16 there were 11,773 visits to the library or 2.24 visits per capita (a number that compares very well to other small community libraries per data collected by the library). Total circulation was 26,430 volumes, again a number that compares well to other small libraries. The cost per capita reflected the size of the library, the lack of paid staff to any significant degree, and the strength of its volunteers. It is $4.10 per capita as compared to figures that run from $17.26 to $58.93 per capita for other small libraries.
Coming next week: The planned Community Center!
Library News:
Thank you to our volunteers for their hard work in keeping the library open!
Thanks to our Board members for generous time commitments and we wish the best to the new Board which has their first meeting in July!
There are always new titles at the library and new materials in the book barns for sale. Check it out!
Stay tuned for more news about the Community Center plans and let us know what you want to see! Let us know what you like and don’t like about the Hill Studio report, available at the library. This is an excellent investment in the future of your community, and we welcome your input and your expertise if you want to join the team!
– Marge Lewter
