Headquarters Library
About This Branch
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters is located in historic
downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia, and serves as the Headquarters library as
well as the administrative offices for the library system. It is a 37,000 square
foot building originally constructed in 1907 and renovated in 1990-91 with
funds from the Friends of the Library, a Library Services and Construction
Act (LSCA) grant, and the City of Fredericksburg.
Located on the lower level of Headquarters, you'll find the Law Library and the Virginiana Room which houses the Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s special non-circulating collection of books, magazines, maps and other materials dealing with local and state history, and genealogy.
Directions & Map
From I-95:
- Exit I-95 at Exit 130A (to Route 3 east, downtown Fredericksburg)
- Follow Route 3 east 1.6 miles until you see a sign for Route 3 east business at the intersection of Route 3 and William Street.
- Turn left onto William Street.
- Follow William Street about 1.3 miles. You will pass the University of Mary Washington and a cemetery (both on your left) as you head towards downtown.
- Once downtown, turn left onto Caroline Street (1-way street).
- Follow Caroline about 2 blocks and you will see the Central Rappahannock Regional Library on your right. You can turn right on Lewis just before the library to reach the parking lot in the back.
More About This Branch
Headquarters is a 37,000 square foot building originally constructed in 1907 and renovated in 1990-91 with funds from the Friends of the Library, a Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) grant, and the City of Fredericksburg.
The Headquarters houses a collection of 212,223 items and provides regularly scheduled programs for all ages. The building includes public-access computers throughout the building, a quiet study area, public law library, a local history and genealogy collection, three meeting rooms, and a 165-seat theater. Each month, local artists display their work in the Atrium. The building is accessible with power doors at the ground level entrance, two accessible parking spaces in our lot with an accessible drop-off space on Caroline Street. Parking is on-street or in our lot behind the building.
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library manages the Fredericksburg Area Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, part of the National Library Service of the Library of Congress. The collection, housed at the CRRL headquarters, contains about 6,000 cassette and digital audio books for eligible patrons. Find out more at here.
Fredericksburg's first public library came at the bequest of Captain C. Wistar Wallace (1834-1907) whose will directed that $15,000 be allocated to establish the Wallace Library, originally opening in a small building at 817 Princess Anne Street. The Wallace library and collections provided the basis for the establishment of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library in 1969. Moving to its present location at 1201 Caroline Street, a former school building, the CRRL began as a demonstration library sponsored by the Library of Virginia from 1969-1971.
For more information on the history of CRRL Headquarters, read our HistoryPoint article, A Tale of Two Libraries.
Location & Hours
1201 Caroline Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: 540-372-1144
Fax: 540-899-9867 (public fax)
Programs & Events Calendar
Branch Manager:
Margaret Beattie, 540-372-1144, mbeattie@crrl.org
Hours:
Mo |
Tu |
We |
Th |
Fr |
Sa |
Su |
9-9 |
9-9 |
9-9 |
9-5:30 |
9-5:30 |
9-5:30 |
Closed |
Branch Facilities
Computers: 31 public-access computers: 2 Spanish-language, 4 for children, 3 for young adult, 20 total for adults (12 in a lab), 2 15-minute express computers.
Wireless: All branches have wireless Internet access.
Meeting Rooms: 165-seat theater, computer lab, two 25-seat rooms. Make reservations in advance by contacting the Administrative Offices.
Book Groups: Headquarters Book Club, Classical Book Club, and Brown Bag Book Club meet monthly. See their selections in the Book Groups.
Collection Size: 212,223
Exhibits: Three display cases and picture rail in Atrium and theater; Atrium features monthly exhibits of local artists.
Notary Public: On duty during most branch hours, but call ahead to be certain authorized staff is available. See more here.
Parking: On-street and in 30-space lot behind building at corner of Sophia and Lewis Streets
Accessibility Features: 2 handicapped parking spaces in back parking lot, handicapped drop-off location at front and back of building, drive-up book drop, wheelchair accessible button to open doors at each atrium entrance, ground level entrance to theatre and two for atrium, elevator provides access to all floors, accessible restrooms, Telesensory Aladdin Classic magnifier available in Quiet Reading Room, Kurzweil Reading Edge machine available in Assistive Services
Transportation: The Fred Express and Orange Line buses stop on Caroline Street directly in front of the building. See maps and schedules at www.ridefred.com.
Architect: The Lukmire Partnership, Arlington, Virginia
Shrubs and Trees: Landscaping at the Library Headquarters, including the fountain and benches in the front courtyard, was a gift to the community from the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club in April 1991, following the Library's renovation.
The RVGC donated and planted the Lewis Street ninebark shrubs in the fall of 2007. See a descriptive list of the plantings here.
