We’re proud to support a project that will help the Hollins Library serve its community for decades to come. Working with Lionberger Construction, HBM Architects, and Gemini, this multi-million-dollar project will modernize one of the county’s busiest library branches, creating updated spaces for learning, collaboration, and community connection.

By Leila Mitchell
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – A multi-million-dollar effort is coming to Roanoke County. For the first time since the ’90s, the Hollins library is getting a makeover.

The county has already finished renovations on the other 11 branches, so this will be the last one to get a major upgrade.

This is one of the busiest libraries in the county. There are more than 5,000 visitors here each month. And while the renovations will take around a year to complete, the library workers say the wait will be worth it.

“We can’t wait, we’re looking forward to 2027,” said Jim Blanton, the Director of the Hollins branch.

It’s a big vision, years in the making. Roanoke County’s Hollins Library has served this community for more than five decades.

But those who work there say the building hasn’t kept up with how people use it today.

“There’s less emphasis on physical materials, although of course we still have those, more emphasis on digital,” said Sarah Vacere, a librarian.

In 2023, the county began asking residents what they wanted from their library. The answer: more space to gather, more technology and more flexibility.

“It’s a community anchor, it’s a place where people come for a number of things, like checking out a book which we are all familiar with to applying for a job,” said Blanton.

The new design reflects that. Plans include a drive-thru, reservable meeting rooms, dedicated children’s and teen spaces, 3D printing, updated technology, a fireplace, and better use of outdoor space.

Leaders say one major focus is expanding meeting space, something this older building wasn’t designed for.

“Because people need that kind of community space for things, coming and meet together, and we have limitations here because the building is older, and we didn’t really build it with that in mind. And so, that’s something we’ll have additional capacity for when the new Hollins opens,” said Blanton.

It follows renovations at Mount Pleasant in 2023 and Bent Mountain soon after, three libraries upgraded in just a few years.

“It’s nice for people who move here to have a state-of-the-art library, which they will find here in their community,” said Vacere.

The county has an $11 million budget to complete the renovations.

Construction is set to wrap sometime in 2027 and a temporary Hollins branch location will open right down the street at the Green Ridge Recreation Center. It will have a limited number of books, supplies, and computers available.