All Richmond Public Library locations will close at 5pm on December 31st and will be closed January 1st for the New Year's holiday.

Main Library

The Main Library was constructed in 1929 and was originally called "The Dooley Library."

804-646-4867

101 East Franklin Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219


Branch Manager - Ben Himmelfarb
Open
closing at 5:00pm
New Year's Eve

Hours

Wednesday 9:00am - 5:00pm: New Year's Eve
Thursday closed: New Year's Day
Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm:
Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm:
Sunday 1:00pm - 5:00pm:
Monday 9:00am - 8:00pm:
Tuesday 9:00am - 8:00pm:

Available Services

  • public access
  • Features

    FAXING

    Local (including 800 numbers): free
    Long Distance: free

    PRINTING/COPYING

    Prints are $.15/page for B&W, $.50/color. Copies are $.15/page, B&W only.

    NOTARY

    Notary services are available. Please call ahead for availability.

    PARKING

    Parking is available on-street around the library. There is a surface lot at 1st and E. Grace Streets and a deck at 2nd and E. Franklin Streets. The parking spaces behind the library in the lot are permit-only. Bicycle lanes have been added to East Franklin Street and the library provides bike racks for your convenience.

    WI-FI

    Free

    Westlaw Patron Access

    Access the Database

    Upcoming Events at Main Library

    It's a Vibe

    Sun

    04

    Jan
     1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

     Teen Space - Main Library

    It's a Vibe is a relaxing young adult hangout where you can color, sketch, do puzzles/board games, or bring your own knitting/crochet projects to work on while listening to music or hanging with friends. Join us from 1-3 on Sun...

    Sunday Matinees with Hard Light Cinema: Frederick Wisem...

    Sun

    04

    Jan
     2:00 pm - 4:45 pm

     Auditorium - Main Library

    Join us for Frederick Wiseman's High School presented by Hard Light Cinema. Enjoy a movie handpicked by Richmond's favorite film buffs.

    Family Storytime

    Sun

    04

    Jan
     3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

     Children's Storytime Area - Main Library

    Join us for a fun-filled, interactive, family storytime! Enjoy songs, rhymes, books, and activities for ages birth-5 with an adult. Come get those Sunday sillies out!

    Study Rooms and Event Spaces

    Details

    Guests are expected to configure tables and chairs, and also return them to their original configuration.
    Rooms are booked a minimum of 2 weeks in advance, and maximum of 2 months in advance.

    Event Spaces

    Main Library offers several event spaces to the public.  The auditorium has a maximum capacity of 250 and includes a lectern, 10 tables, and 225 chairs.  The Annex has a maximum capacity of 44 and offers a lectern, 8 tables and 25 chairs.  Both rooms include a ceiling-mounted LCD projector and a screen.

    Study Rooms

    Main Library offers several study rooms to the public.  These include tables and chairs to seat 8-12 people.