Northside Library

Northside LibraryNorthside Library is now in Tier 1 of the COVID-19 Response Plan.

Inside Library Hours
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 9pm
Friday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: Closed

Drive Up Window Hours
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 8:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am - 4:30pm

Phone: 434-973-7893
Fax: 434-973-5876x
Email Us



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 Northside Library

Tier 1 Service at Northside Library

Patrons should be aware of the following:

  • Masks are recommended for all patrons ages 2 and up. Masks must cover the nose and mouth snugly. Bandana masks are not allowed.
  • Branches are back to pre-pandemic schedules
  • Meeting rooms are available
  • Notaries and a host of other services are available
  • Late fines return
  • Capacity limits will be removed along with any restrictions on public computer usage

Drive Up Pickup at Northside

Northside's Drive Up window will be open for patrons to pick up holds Monday - Saturday during the hours listed above. No appointment necessary.


On the Lobby Display Wall: Art by Ali Sullivan

Northside Art.
Come, Katie, Come

In the Quiet Room: Sara Gondwe - Melted Crayons & Acrylics

Contact info: 434-454-8288 or sarajayn@live.com

Northside Art.
The Beat Goes On - melted crayons and acrylics
 Northside Art.
Mystical garden - melted crayons and acrylics
 Northside Art.
Inside the rainbow - melted crayons and acrylics

CONNECTING @ YOUR LIBRARY

Virtual Tech Tutorials

Need help with your device or downloading ebooks and audiobooks to your phone or tablet? Looking for assistance organizing photos, or just have general questions about using your device? Contact Chris at csmith@jmrl.org to arrange a Zoom tutorial with a JMRL Librarian (up to 45 minutes).


In-Person Tech Tutorials

Schedule a 30-60 minute 1-on-1 tutorial to answer your computer use questions. Tutorials can cover downloading eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, basic computer tasks, and setting up email accounts. Call 434.973.7893 x4 to register.


Activities at Northside

Month long puzzles, games, take away crafts

Come in any time throughout the month to enjoy any the ongoing activities designed for every age group. Win prizes and awards from the new challenges each month.

Programs at Northside

Looking for more programs? Check the Programs Calendar to see everything available to you.

Find previous programs and virtual storytimes on the JMRL YouTube Channel.

History of Northside Library

Northside Library
Original Northside Library
(circa 1991)

Albemarle County's first branch library to serve residents living north of Charlottesville opened in a rented 15,500-square-foot space at Albemarle Square Shopping Center in 1991. The building once housed a Drug Fair discount pharmacy. As a library, the building was an immediate success, becoming Jefferson-Madison Regional Library's busiest branch. By 1998 it was clear the library required more space, so the Library Board of Trustees made a larger Northside Library one of its top goals.

Phillips Building
Phillips Building Supply

Realizing the need for a larger library, and after pursuing several options, in 2012 Albemarle County entered into a contingent contract to purchase property owned by Martha Jefferson Hospital at 705 West Rio Road, formerly known as the Phillips Supply Building. In 2013 the contract was finalized, several community planning meetings were held, and HBM Architects was hired to design the new library. One of the reasons for the selection of HBM Architects was the firm's experience with re-purposing buildings to provide public library services.

Northside Library
Northside Library

Renovation of the Phillips Supply Building began in March 2014 and was completed in February 2015. The new library opened March 16, 2015. Highlights of the new building include a maker space with a 3-D printer, a drive-up service window, dozens of Internet computers, and multiple public meeting rooms.

The library is open 56 hours a week and offers a collection of about 100,000 items.