Welcome to the Richmond Room
The Richmond Room is the home of Richmond Public Library’s Business, Law, and Nonprofit resources. It also houses our Local History and Special Collections. The Richmond Room is accessible anytime the Main Library is open. To make the most of your visit, appointments are recommended.
Law Library
Legal research materials free and open to all.
Local History and Genealogy Resources
Local history and genealogy collections and resources.
Nonprofit Resources
Resources for nonprofit organizations, governance and fundraising.
Richmond Room FAQ
Common questions about the Richmond Room.
Small Business Resources
Services, programs, and resources to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Special Collections
Richmond’s historical treasures: newspapers, maps, authors and ephemera.
Where is the Richmond Room located?
The Richmond Room is located on the first floor of the Main Library at 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
When is the Richmond Room open?
The Richmond Room is open anytime the Main Library is open. Richmond Room staff are available during regular business hours and some evening and weekend hours.
Can I check out materials from the Richmond Room?
The materials in the Richmond Room are non-circulating reference materials, meaning they cannot be checked out. You are able to scan, copy, and take photographs of items.
What local history resources are available in the Richmond Room?
Print resources include books on Richmond and Virginia history, local periodicals, ephemera files, and city directories. Online resources offered by RPL include NewsBank, Ancestry, Heritage Hub, and African-American Heritage Quest.
Do you offer digitization services or equipment?
For self-service digitization and history projects, visit our Memory Lab on the second floor of the Main Library.
What are RPL’s Special Collections?
Special Collections at the Main Library include city records, rare children’s books, a zine collection, and musical scores. For more information on these collections and how to access them, visit https://rvalibrary.org/books-media/notable-collections/.
Who do I contact for more information about local history resources or Special Collections?
For questions about the Richmond Room and Special Collections, please contact Chloe McCormick, RPL’s Community Memory Fellow, at Chloe.McCormick@rva.gov or (804) 646-3425.
How can I get help with local history research questions and using the Richmond Room materials?
Chloe McCormick, RPL’s Community Memory Fellow, holds open hours on Mondays from 10am-12pm and Wednesdays from 5-7pm for walk-in inquiries. For assistance outside of those hours, please contact Chloe at Chloe.McCormick@rva.gov or (804) 646-3425 to make an appointment.