Blackwater Regional Library — Smithfield Branch
🏢 Blackwater Regional Library · Smithfield, Virginia
Blackwater Regional Library — Smithfield Branch
Serving Isle of Wight County as the Smithfield Branch of Blackwater Regional Library, this Isle of Wight County Library at 255 James Street connects the peanut-and-pig-farming heartland of southeastern Virginia to books, digital resources, and community programs — staying open Monday evenings until 8pm for working families.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–7pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 255 James Street, Smithfield, VA 23430
Phone: (757) 357-2264
Website: blackwaterlib.org
Plus Code: 8785X9M6+7M (Smithfield, VA)
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📖 About Blackwater Regional Library — Smithfield Branch
The Smithfield Branch of Blackwater Regional Library — formally styled the Isle of Wight County Library — is one of nine branches in the Blackwater Regional Library system, which serves the counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex and the independent city of Franklin across more than 1,600 square miles of southeastern Virginia. The branch at 255 James Street is managed by Branch Manager April Watkins and offers a full roster of programs including Little Explorers Storytime, Full STEAM Ahead, Mahjong, Musical Movie Mondays, BRL Threads crafting, and a Homesteading DIY series. Cardholders access the LS2 PAC shared catalog and a digital suite that includes Libby/OverDrive through the SOVALUe consortium, hoopla, Kanopy, and Find It Virginia's statewide databases — Explora, Gale Legal Forms, Transparent Language, and Universal Class.
⭐ What makes this library special
- One of nine branches in the Blackwater Regional Library system serving over 1,600 square miles of southeastern Virginia across four counties and the city of Franklin
- Extended Monday evening hours until 8pm — the only evening of the week with late access, convenient for working residents
- Active community program calendar: Little Explorers Storytime, Full STEAM Ahead, Mahjong, Musical Movie Mondays, and BRL Threads crafting
- Homesteading DIY series and Pokemon Club round out a diverse lineup for all ages
- Access to Find It Virginia — the Library of Virginia's statewide digital resource collection — free with a library card
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Blackwater Regional Library cardholders can borrow, stream, and research free through these digital platforms:
📚 Services
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Print, copy, and scan services
- Meeting and community space
- Library of Things & Memory Kits lending program
- Outreach services to homebound residents and care facilities
- Interlibrary loan through the Blackwater Regional catalog
- Genealogy research resources
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
🎸 Programs
- Little Explorers Storytime (Tuesdays)
- Signing Safari sign-language sessions
- Full STEAM Ahead STEM activities
- Craftsy creative workshops
- BRL Threads fiber arts & crafting club
- Homesteading DIY series
- Pokemon Club (monthly)
- Mahjong open play (Mondays)
- Musical Movie Mondays
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southeastern Virginia
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Smithfield · Browse all Virginia libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What counties does Blackwater Regional Library serve?
Blackwater Regional Library serves Isle of Wight County, Southampton County, Surry County, and Sussex County, as well as the independent city of Franklin — covering more than 1,600 square miles of southeastern Virginia through nine branch locations.
What is the Isle of Wight County Library and how does it relate to Blackwater Regional Library?
The Isle of Wight County Library is the official name of the Smithfield branch of Blackwater Regional Library. Blackwater Regional Library is the regional library system that provides public library services to Isle of Wight County residents, with the Smithfield branch at 255 James Street as the primary location serving the county seat.
What digital resources can I access with a Blackwater Regional Library card?
Your card unlocks Libby/OverDrive eBooks and audiobooks through the SOVALUe consortium, hoopla (movies, music, comics with no waitlists), Kanopy streaming films, and Find It Virginia — the Library of Virginia's statewide collection of databases including Explora (MasterFILE Complete), Gale Legal Forms, Transparent Language Online, Universal Class, and Magzter digital magazines.
When is the Smithfield Branch open late?
The branch stays open until 8pm on Mondays — the one evening with extended hours. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday close at 5pm; Wednesday closes at 7pm; Saturday hours are 10am–1pm; the branch is closed Sunday.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
👶 This library runs story times for kids. See how library story times work — ages, what happens and that they are free — and find other libraries with story-time programs library story times by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.