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 requested, not required for all patrons ages 2 and up. If worn, 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.


photo of exhibit

Monticello and the Legacies of Slavery

(Exhibition at Northside Library)

Monticello and the Legacies of Slavery examines the experience of slavery at Monticello and its painful legacies, among them the burdens of inequality still carried by many people of color in the United States. The exhibition draws heavily from material gathered through the Getting Word Oral History Project, amplifying the voices of descendants of Monticello's enslaved community. In addition to the enslaved families of Monticello, including Sally Hemings and her children, the exhibition introduces the Monticello plantation, Thomas Jefferson's attitudes on race and slavery, and stories from our ongoing oral history project - establishing a narrative arc from slavery to freedom and the continuing struggle for equity. Monticello and the Legacies of Slavery is presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Art @ Northside

On the Lobby Display Wall: Art by Novi Beerens

Novi Beerens

Born and raised in Indonesia, Novi moved to Charlottesville, VA after completing her degree in Hospitality Management. She moved to Charlottesville in 2008. Her passion for arts began after attending a workshop about color called "The color purple". Later on a traumatic events led her to use art as a therapy to cope with her PTSD. During this time Bold by Beerens collections was birthed. She exhibited her paintings at the local libraries and cafe. One of her painting was exhibited along with other local artist for Queen Charlotte Day celebration.

In 2020, Novi moved to Northern VA right when the pandemic started. Again arts have been her platform to express herself and her self journey. Inspired by Marie Louise von Franz series of dreams, fairy tale and self work, Novi's style shifted. From using bold colors into colors that represents self growth and earthy colors. Her latest collection called the Numinous series would tell the story of inner journey, growth and maturity.

For those who interested in more of her work, you can follow her instagram @boldbybeerens. Enjoy her story!!!!

Northside Art.
Novi Beerens
Northside Art.
Novi Beerens

In the Quiet Room: Kate Walter

Born in Chicago, she earned a degree in Art and Literature from Reed College and proceeded to a career in agriculture, education, journalism and the arts. She and her husband Michael Wright, with whom she publishes on the website livingtraditionalarts.com, have three children, three grandchildren, and enjoy playing string band music with friends

Northside Art. Northside Art. Northside Art.

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.


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.