Borrowing Guidelines

If you are a Virginia resident with a valid Library of Virginia card, you can borrow circulating books from our collections during your visit.

Loans

The loan period is 42 days for circulating books.
You may borrow up to 15 items at a time.
You must present a valid library card number or photo ID to borrow materials.
If you have overdue materials, you will not be allowed to borrow additional items.
Most books with locations of Closed Stacks Circulating or Virginia Authors are eligible for loan. However, it is at the Library's discretion to designate materials as non-circulating due to policy, age, condition, or special circumstances.
Magazines and journals, microfilm, microfiche, materials published prior to 1926, and materials with locations of Closed Stacks, Local History and Genealogy Collection, Main, or Reference are non-circulating.

Loans may be renewed one time for 28 days from the date of the renewal. You cannot renew a loan if another patron has it on reserve.
At the end of the renewal period, you must return loans to the Library of Virginia for two weeks before borrowing them again.

If another patron has a book checked out, you can place it on reserve. You will be contacted by telephone or e-mail when the item is available for pickup.
Books on reserve, with the exception of microfilm, will be held at the circulation desk for two weeks. Microfilm on reserve will be held at the circulation desk for two days.

To request an item, log into your account and follow our instructions for requesting items.

A replacement cost fee is charged for materials declared lost and not returned. A fee of $25.00 is charged for all returned checks.