All libraries will be closed Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.

All libraries will be closed Tuesday, November 4th for Election Day. Main Library will be open for voting only (no staff).

Main Library

Modernization and renovation of the Main Library began in 1967 and was completed in 1972, including a facade that wrapped around the original building and a 2-story addition. This tripled the size of the original building.

804-646-4867

101 East Franklin Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219


Branch Manager - Ben Himmelfarb
Open
closing at 6:00pm

Hours

Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm:
Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm:
Sunday 1:00pm - 5:00pm:
Monday 9:00am - 8:00pm:
Tuesday closed: Election Day
Wednesday 9:00am - 8:00pm:
Thursday 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

    Halloween Fun Day

    Fri

    31

    Oct
     12:00 am - 11:59 pm

     Children's Storytime Area - Main Library

    Stop by all day for some fun crafts, treats, or maybe even some tricks! Come in costume and get a prize!

    Family International Day (Read Up Richmond)

    Sat

    01

    Nov
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm

     Gellman Room - Main Library

    Join Richmond Public Library and VCU’s Global Education office for a special event featuring students from around the world. International students from VCU will host tables showcasing information about their home countries. Enjoy...

    Slow Sundays with Hard Light Cinema

    Sun

    02

    Nov
     2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

     Auditorium - Main Library

    One of the most oft-cited names in slow cinema, Costa weaves a mad, nonlinear, decolonial, surreal maze of his friend Ventura's memories of Portugal's Carnation Revolution, and life afterwards. Time and place are strange, elasti...

    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.