One of Dick Glover’s top priorities was always investing in Henrico’s real future — its children. He understood that the best citizens are well-educated and informed. His commitment to quality public education over the years was unwavering. Great schools not only attract businesses and residents to the community, but they reduce teen pregnancy, crime and other social ailments. After all, a good education is essential to a full, happy and successful life.
Dick once said, “There is no better investment of local taxpayer dollars than education.” He was a major proponent of programs and capital improvements where county schools are concerned. He enabled County schools to hire the best and brightest teachers, and to retain them. “Schools are built of more that brick and mortar,” he said. “Without our teachers and education specialists, Henrico wouldn’t have one of the finest public school districts in Virginia.”
But public education does not end with high school. In addition to providing adult education classes through Recreation and Parks programs, Henrico also has vast storehouses of knowledge available to all its citizens in the form of public libraries. During his time in office, Dick pushed for the construction and improvement of libraries in his district. In 2015, Dick celebrated the opening of one of the largest public libraries in central Virginia, right in his own district.
The Libbie Mill Library, which sits on donated land in a brand new mixed-use neighborhood, is a state-of-the art repository of our cumulative knowledge. “Libraries allow us to continue our education and expand our understanding of all things,” Dick Glover said.
Amenities at the Libbie Mill Library include:
- Large areas for general interest, teens and children’s collections
- Heritage Wall
- Digital Media Lab
- More public-use computers and devices
- Children’s Reading Garden
- Group collaboration areas
- Drive-up book return and pickup window
- Internet café
- Larger meeting room with updated technology
- Quiet reading room
- Study rooms
- Updated collection
- Large north-facing windows overlooking a two-acre lake
- Internal & external automated book returns
Back in October of 2010, the Glen Allen Library was reopened after extensive renovations. At Dick’s urging, the library’s new upgrades included a “Founding Fathers” section, featuring more than 3,000 volumes about the lives and actions of the men and women who founded our country.
