The public library in Pembroke features many of the services folks expect: a librarian, book lending, video rental, and computer access. County residents can easily apply for and receive a library account (no card is issued), and can leisurely browse the collection.

The library is also housed in a building featuring about 10×30 feet worth of floor space:

As the sign in front reads, the historic Pembroke library was founded in June 1978 by the Pembroke Women’s Club. It is located in town on Cascade Dr (just off route 460), next to the fire department. Visitors traveling by automobile can park in the gravel area out front, or across the street in the rec center lot. Be sure to come by during operating hours, which are fairly limited:

Sometime when you are in the Giles area, librarian Claire Robertson will be glad to have you in her library. Even if you just want to come inside and look for a few minutes, it’s a little piece of area history that is worth experiencing at least once.

The Believer magazine did a story on the library in August 2006. To read an excerpt of it, click the link below:

http://www.believermag.com/issues/200608/?read=library_pembroke

John Hildreth lives in Pembroke and teaches at Radford University.
www.radford.edu/jhildret