Surf’s up at one Virginia Beach library, where you can check out more than just books

VIRGINIA BEACH — If you go the Princess Anne Library on Nimmo Parkway this summer, you’ll likely notice something unusual next to the circulation desk.

A row of 7-foot-tall surfboards stand out among the racks of books and magazines.

The four boards are part of the branch’s new “Explore Outdoors” collection.

Manager Ashley Barrineau originally came up with the idea to “circulate outdoor, fun things,” she said.

Libraries across the country have been offering much more than just books in recent years — from tools to kitchenware to musical instruments. Norfolk’s Van Wyck branch even has American Girl Doll kits, and several other Norfolk libraries loan out metal detectors.

This isn’t the first time Virginia Beach libraries have offered other non-traditional materials. The Princess Anne branch has telescopes and coding equipment for loan in its “Library of Things” collection.

Barrineau brainstormed with the rest of the staff last year to expand the “things” collection and submitted a grant application to the Friends of the Virginia Beach Public Library. The nonprofit organization has supported the city’s libraries since 1976, and provided a $4,000 grant to the Princess Anne branch for the new outdoors collection.

There are 10 libraries in Virginia Beach, and it could be offered at other branches in the future.

“We’re testing it out to see what works,” Barrineau said. “We want to know how the items hold up.”

Patrons are expected to return equipment in the same condition as when they checked it out, but Barrineau knows there will be some wear and tear, just like with books.

A soft-top surfboard, croquet set, popsicle-making kit, tennis racquets and more can be borrowed for up to three weeks with a valid library account, which is free for Virginia Beach residents.

Considered “lucky day” items, the equipment can’t be placed on hold. Soon after the collection debuted last month, almost everything was checked out.

“If you walk in and it’s here, it’s your lucky day,” Barrineau said.

Christine Carver lives near the Princess Anne branch and recently checked out a surfboard and a picnic backpack.

She didn’t get a chance to try the surfboard though due to stormy weather before she and her family traveled out of town.

But she used the backpack, which includes dishes and utensils, on a hike in Hatteras Island, North Carolina.

“It was awesome,” Carver said. “We were able to pack drinks and food and carry it on our back at the wildlife refuge.”

She liked it so much, she bought one.

Carver offered some advice about checking out a surfboard. It almost didn’t fit in her car.

“You’ve got to plan ahead,” she said.

Barrineau hopes the collection will encourage people to try a new sport or activity, even if they’re not familiar with it.

“If worse comes to worse, we do have books to help people learn,” she said.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com