Borrow a Board from Virginia Beach Public Library and Book it to the Beach

The next time you head to Virginia Beach Public Library's (VBPL's) Princess Anne branch to borrow a beach read, you can borrow a surfboard to bring along, too.

With the launch of the "Explore Outdoors" collection today, VBPL is the first public library in the United States to lend surfboards. Pickleball sets, gardening tools, bug-catching kits, picnic baskets, kites and other items are also in the collection, which is funded by a $4,000 grant from the Virginia Beach Library Foundation (VBLF).

The Explore Outdoors collection is only offered at VBPL's Princess Anne branch, which is located at 1444 Nimmo Parkway. Items are available to check out, first-come, first-served, for up to three weeks with a valid Virginia Beach library account, which is free for Virginia Beach residents.

With Virginia Beach Public Library's new Explore Outdoors collection at the Princess Anne branch, you can embark on exciting literary journeys, epic wave-riding and other outdoor adventures all in one place.

"Libraries provide access to resources and support lifelong learning and experiences. We're excited to offer residents an opportunity to borrow items to help them explore and enjoy the beaches and parks in our community as well as their own backyards," said Princess Anne Area Library Manager Ashley Barrineau, who proposed the Explore Outdoors collection and received the funding from VBLF.

VBPL has long provided innovative services and collections to meet the varied needs and interests of Virginia Beach residents, including lending technology, such as telescopes, coding robots and GoPro kits, and offering diverse programs for all ages.

For more about Virginia Beach Public Library services, visit https://libraries.virginiabeach.gov/.

With Virginia Beach Public Library's new Explore Outdoors collection at the Princess Anne branch, you can embark on exciting literary journeys, epic wave-riding and other outdoor adventures all in one place.

About the Virginia Beach Library Foundation

The Virginia Beach Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 certified public nonprofit whose mission is to secure, manage and invest privately raised funds, gifts and bequests in support of Virginia Beach Public Library. Recent funding initiatives include VBPL's Cardboard Carnival, Summer Reading Challenge and Middle School Career Exploration.

About Virginia Beach Public Library

Virginia Beach Public Library includes a central library, a joint-use library in partnership with Tidewater Community College, seven area libraries and a public law library. Services include workforce development and job-search support, small business resources, computer and technology classes, early literacy classes and outreach, and local history archives and programs. In addition to books, music, magazines and movies in tangible and digital formats, the library provides online research tools accessible from home or work, and a variety of specialty collections. Visit https://libraries.virginiabeach.gov/ for more information.