The following questions are frequently asked by patrons who visit, call,or email the library. If you have additional questions or comments, please return to Ask a JMRL Librarian.
Check our online catalog. Use the drop-down menu to search by author, title, subject, or keyword. You can also search the whole library system or by a specific branch.
If an item is unavailable, you can place a hold on it. Once a copy is returned, JMRL will notify you by email or phone. You can also reserve titles by clicking "Request Hold" while viewing an item in the catalog. Just enter your name, library card, and preferred pickup location. You can also call the reference desk 434.979.7151 ext 4 and we will put items on hold for you.
JMRL provides an Interlibrary Loan service to borrow books from libraries outside of the library system. This service is available at all library branches. Check the Interlibrary Loan page to request a book or learn more. If the book you want is new, you may suggest that we order it by filling out our Suggest a Purchase form. You can also request to place a hold on the item if JMRL adds it to the collection. You will be notified by email if the book is ordered and when it is available for checkout.
The Borrowing Policies explain the requirements for getting a free library card. You can also view or print a library card application.
All of our periodicals are now cataloged in our online catalog. See #1 above. You can search by title and by subject. You can also search by keyword using the periodical's title followed by the phrase "and periodical" for quick results.
We have many online databases that are accessible from in the library and also from home. Use the Online Databases section to locate the database you want to search. All databases allow you to search for articles by subject and keyword, and often will also give you the full text of the article. For access from home, you will need to verify that you have a library card by inputting your last name and your library card number.
Under Online Resources, Internet Links By Subject, the library provides patrons with reliable websites to find the information they need. Click on the link to Phone, Email and Postal Information.
Directions to all the branches are included on the each individual branch page on our site. Click on your branch from the main navigational area, above.
The Internet Links by Subject webpage has links to helpful website information in many subject areas. Click on the link for Genealogy. Also, the library subscribes to two online databases: HeritageQuest, which can be used at home with access using your library card and Ancestry.com, which can be used at any of the JMRL branches. The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society has some local genealogy information in its library. The books in the historical society are accessible through the JMRL online catalog. To acquire obituaries from Charlottesville’s "Daily Progress" email JMRL's Adult and Reference Services at reference@jmrl.org.
Yes. This is the URL: http://jmrl.org/catalog
Yes. All libraries in the JMRL system have computers that will allow you to access the internet. There is also a computer lab (Monticello Avenue) at the Central Branch that has public internet terminals. See the Internet Access Policy for full info.
Yes. Wireless is available at all libraries in the JMRL system. You can also print from your laptop at some branch libraries. Check with the staff. more info
The Central Library does not have a parking lot. Parking is available on the street but only for 2 hours. If you park longer than 2 hours you may get a ticket. Parking is also available in the city parking garages on Market Street and Water Street. The circulation desk will stamp the parking ticket so that you will get two free hours of parking. The Friends of the Library provides this free parking for patrons.
For books that you would like to see added to the library's collection, please call collection development with your donation request: 979.7151 ext. 203. The Friends of the Library also collects used books and sells them at their popular annual book sales in the fall and spring. Donations can be dropped off at the Gordon Avenue Library on the basement level. The money generated from this sale helps fund the library's programming. For more information or to find out what other items can be donated contact the Friends of the Library at 977.8467 or info@jmrlfriends.org
Yes. You need to have a library card to request the library purchase a book. Use the online Suggest a Purchase form. Or you can call the reference desk at the Central Library: 979.7151 ext.4
Yes, there are copy machines in all the branch libraries. Black and white copies are $.10 per page and color copies are $.50 per page. The libraries that have a color copier are: Central, Crozet, Louisa, and Scottsville.
All branches have computers with word processing for patrons to use. There are no typewriters available for patrons. However there are printers connected to the computers with word processing. Black and white printing is $.10 per page and color printing is $.50 per page. The Central Library has 2 two-hour computers for employment and education-related purposes.
Each branch homepage on this website has a list of services, equipment and meeting room facilities. These homepages also have a meeting room schedule link to check the availability of meeting rooms. See also: Meeting Room Policy.
Each branch webpage clearly lists its hours, directions and contact info.
Yes. There is a notary public at all branches of the library system. Call your local branch to be sure when the notary is available.
Jefferson-Madison Regional Library utilizes the City of Charlottesville Human Resources when posting or advertising all library positions that are available to the public. Please see the City’s JOBS BOARD for information about available library positions. The City also advertises in The Daily Progress and includes library positions that are available. Please note that in addition to the City advertisements, JMRL may also decide to advertise any available library positions for the outlying counties for Greene County in the Greene County Record, for Louisa County in The Central Virginian, and for Nelson County in the Nelson County Times.
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law requiring public libraries to filter or block Internet materials that may be harmful to minors. A library that has more than 1 computer with Internet access intended for use by the public (including minors) shall certify that it has installed and uses a technology to filter or block material deemed to be harmful to minors. All adults (17 years old and older) seeking unfiltered Internet access for their own use, must show proper identification (picture ID with date of birth) when requesting that staff disable or turn off the filtering.
Under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT ACT (Public Law 107-56) records of books and other materials borrowed from this library, as well as Internet activity in this library, may be obtained by Federal agents. This federal law prohibits library staff from informing you if records about you have been obtained by Federal agents.
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| Last updated:
October 15 2012
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