Central Rappahannock Regional Library grew out of the Wallace Library, now Fredericksburg Branch.
Here is how our wonderful library system has developed over the years, from the early 1800s to present day.
This timeline originated as a project by librarian Lee Criscuolo and is updated as CRRL grows. For more insights into CRRL's past, peruse our CRRL in the News scrapbooks of Free Lance-Star articles, covering the years 1969 to 2000.
But first, some fast facts about the library:
- The Mystery Cupola: A 1915 picture postcard (seen right) shows a photograph of the old Lafayette Elementary School - currently Fredericksburg Branch - with a cupola or clock tower on top of the building. What happened to it? It certainly is not there now!
- When was smoking banned inside the library buildings? 1986
- The top five books checked out in August 1992: Gone with the Wind, Roots, Resumes That Knock ‘em Dead, Green Eggs and Ham, and Where the Wild Things Are.
- What year did circulation first top one million items? 1991! (To be precise, 1,074,243 were checked out).
- The strangest item ever returned in a library book? A real fried egg.
Before the Central Rappahannock Regional Library: 1822
1822
Gray’s Circulating Library opens in what is known as today as downtown Fredericksburg. Subscribers pay $5 per year to use it. But watch out if your books are overdue - your name might get published in the newspaper.
1877
A number of leading men of Fredericksburg form the Library and Lyceum Association. Sadly, interest flags after a few years.
1887
The Ladies Auxiliary revives the Library and Lyceum into a flourishing place.
1894
Once again, the library falls on hard times when funding becomes scarce, and the only librarian leaves to get married. The books are packed up and stored in the courthouse.
1895
Eight intrepid ladies vow to run the library on a sound “economical yet progressive” basis. Locally born abolitionist Moncure Daniel Conway gives the library high marks and a contribution of 300 books. The library expands to 115 subscribers and 2,500 books.
1898
Fredericksburg: Past, Present, & Future - a lecture given by historian Robert R. Howison, requested by and for the benefit of the Fredericksburg Library & Lyceum. Howison begins with the formation of the Earth and works his way up to the founding of Fredericksburg and beyond.
Establishment of the Wallace Library: 1907
1907
Capt C. Wistar Wallace bequeaths $15,000 to the City of Fredericksburg for the purpose of establishing a permanent library to be called the “Wallace Library.” The City Council votes to accept the gift and create a city library.
See more details here on the founding of the Wallace Library.
1909
It takes two years, but the Wallace Library building is completed at 817 Princess Anne Street (click the address to see what's there now!)
1910
Wallace Library opens for business with Miss Sally Gravatt as the librarian. You can read its rules for borrowers here.
1959-1970
Marjorie M. Whidden, a graduate of the McGill University Library School and Director of the Wallace Library, becomes the first regional library director of the regional library system at its formation.
Regional Library Demonstration Period: 1969-1971
July 18, 1969
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library system is formed as a model to demonstrate the value of public library service to the region. The City of Fredericksburg donates the former Lafayette school building at 1201 Caroline Street to house the library.
1970
Dixie Lou Fisher serves as library director for one year.
The books belonging to the Wallace Library are merged with 29,000 additional volumes purchased by the state.
The library is funded by the State of Virginia for the 2-year demonstration period. Two bookmobiles are provided which travel to Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland Counties.
1971
The two-year demonstration period ends and the counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, Westmoreland, Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg decide to continue and fund the regional library system.
Deborah J. Spiller is named Library Director. She keeps the post until 1979.
Maturity & Growth: 1972-2000
1972
- Using a federal grant, the library purchases a small van equipped with books, audio-visual materials, and hires a storyteller named Monadell Robinson. The Story Van, as it was called, visits outlying areas of the region. These areas the larger bookmobile could not reach because it was too heavy to cross certain bridges.
- The regional group the Friends of the Library forms chapters in Spotsylvania, Stafford, Westmoreland, and Caroline counties, and the City of Fredericksburg.
- The Colonial Beach Branch is established in the Sunday school building of St. Mary’s Church on Denison Street (click the address to see what's there now!)
- Movies are available for check out. Super 8 and regular! Also 800 LP record albums.
- The Virginiana Room opens to showcase and preserve the history of Virginia.
1974
CRRL tries an experimental books-by-mail program to increase service to outlying areas.
1976
- The library system hires a cataloger, bringing the number of full-time employees to 14.
- The library considers adding a radio tower to the roof of the Fredericksburg building to keep in touch with roving bookmobiles.
- The Bowling Green Station branch opens.
1977
After outgrowing the Denison Street space, the Colonial Beach Branch moves into new digs on Hawthorne Street (click the address to see what's there now!) in the former Potomac River Fisheries office.
1978
The North Stafford Branch established.
1979
- The Westmoreland Junior Woman’s Club brings a proposal before the town council for a branch of the library to be placed in Montross. The council approves the proposal.
- Betty G. Kohler becomes director of the library system.
- Caroline County decides to withdraw from the regional system.
1980
CRRL receives a $30,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for renovations to Fredericksburg Branch, including the addition of an elevator to make the library more accessible, reinforcing upper floors to provide more space, as well as landscaping and other improvements. The grant requires that $90,000 more be raised locally.
1981
- The library system's budget includes start-up funds for the Montross Branch and the Spotsylvania Courthouse Branch.
- CRRL was awarded a $69,000 federal grant to install a computerized microfilm cataloging system to replace the traditional card catalog. The change-over is expected to take a year to complete. Twelve microfilm readers were available in the main library in Fredericksburg, as well as others at the North Stafford Branch and the Westmoreland branches. Two computer terminals at the main library in Fredericksburg will connect to a central computer in Richmond, which indexes collections from public and private libraries in Virginia.
- Donna Cote becomes Library Director.
1983
The Spotsylvania Courthouse Branch (now the Snow Branch) is established across the street from the Spotsylvania Courthouse (where the Civil War’s Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse took place).
1985
- Hague Branch is established in Westmoreland County.
- Library begins broadcasting on public access Channel 25.
- Alliance for Literacy program established to help adults gain reading skills.
1986
The Music on the Steps program begins at Fredericksburg Branch. It is Still going strong today!
1990
- Fredericksburg Branch is renovated. Floors are reinforced, parking is increased, and the main building is connected to the annex by means of a glass-ceiling atrium. The annex then becomes a theater with meeting rooms.
- VHS movie collection is started.
- LP record collection discarded in favor of CDs.
1991
CRRL installs an online computerized catalog, replacing the microfiche catalog. Each book and library card has its own barcode. Volunteers take two months to apply barcodes to all the books.
1992
- John Musante Porter Memorial Library opens in Stafford County. The new building is five times larger than the previous North Stafford Branch, with room for 100,000 volumes, meeting rooms, computers, CD players, VHS players, and overhead projectors for public use. Porter Branch is named for the late Chairman of the Stafford Board of Supervisors, John Musante Porter.
- The library gets equipment to lend to the deaf and hard of hearing from the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
1993
- C.F. Masonry, owned by Ms. Candis Flener, donates $2,500 worth of labor to pave the brick walkways in front of the Fredericksburg Branch.
- Community Link, a computer database of local organizations, is launched.
- Porter Branch has eight catalog computers and two general use computers for the public.
- The library system gets a new bookmobile.
1994
- Salem Church Branch opens Sept 19th. In its first week, 16,000 books, videos, and CDs were checked out!
- Montross Branch is established at Courthouse Square in Westmoreland County.
- The bookmobile circulates over 150,000 items to rural customers, daycare centers, and physically handicapped customers.
- Colonial Beach Branch, now known as Cooper Branch, opens.
1996
- Montross Branch moves from its Courthouse Square building into the Johnson Building because the former building was in danger of collapse.
- The system begins to offer internet access to customers and has sessions to introduce people to the internet. The library system plans to have computers in the reference area soon for people to access “selected research sites.” Director Donna Cote says, “The library’s goal is to provide equitable access to electronic information to all our patrons.”
- The regional system celebrates its 25th Anniversary.
1997
CRRL launches its first website, Planet CRRL!
1998
Former Spotsylvania Courthouse Branch is reborn as C. Melvin Snow Memorial Library in the Marshall Center building.
1999
The online "Ask a CRRL Librarian" service is up and running. Fairfax County Library is the only other public library in the area to offer a similar service.
2000
- Colonial Beach Branch moves to 18 Washington Avenue and is renamed Abraham and William Cooper Memorial Branch.
- The DVD collection is started.
The 21st Century Library: 2001-Present Day
2001
- Blake T. Newton Memorial Library opens in Hague. It will house 15,000 books, eight internet-access computers, data ports for laptops, and the first electronic books in the library system.
- CRRL receives a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to create a computer lab at the Fredericksburg Branch and provides computers at other branches for the public to access the internet, word processors, etc. Classes in computer use will be taught by library staff.
2002
- Montross Branch moves into a new building, nearly the twin of the Newton Branch.
- The library begins offering live, 24/7 online reference chat service through the QuestionPoint cooperative.
- eBooks become available for check out.
2003
- The regional library is named #1 Public Library for its size (serving 100,000 to 249,000) in Virginia and 7th for its size nationwide, ahead of 313 other libraries, according to Hennen's American Public Library Rankings.
- CRRL Presents (the library’s half-hour cable TV show) premieres. All the shows are available on DVD at the library.
2005
Downloadable audiobooks become available.
2009
Salem Church Branch expansion is completed! It now offers 52 public computers, new display shelving, quiet study rooms, and couches and tables with outlets for laptops. This branch is now 25,000 square feet. It also has a geocaching feature.
2010
- England Run Branch (now known as the William J. Howell Branch) opens to the public on October 4. The building's design incorporates many green building features.
- After 17 years, the bookmobile retires.
2011
Mobile MakerLabs begin to demonstrate the 3D Printer.
2012
- CRRL launches a brand new library catalog with the Canadian company BiblioCommons Digital Technology.
- The Youth Services department receives a large memorial donation from Ruther Carver to the teen Café Book Program.
2013
- In October, our first MakerLab is established at the England Run Branch. It began as a partnership with the University of Mary Washington during the Discover Earth exhibit.
- The regional library is named a 4-star Library for the first time, by Library Journal.
2015
- Library Director Donna Cote retires.
- CRRL wins the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Award.
- The regional library is named a 4-Star Library for the second year in a row, by Library Journal.
2016
- Martha Hutzel becomes Library Director, the first new director in 34 years. Martha has worked for the library for over 30 years and has managed Snow, Porter, and Howell branches.
- The regional library is named a 4-Star Library for the third year in a row, by Library Journal.
- CRRL is awarded their first Great Stories Club Grant from the American Library Association.
2017
- In April, CRRL expands its Library on the Go locations to include the Belmont Community Center Satellite Library in rural Spotsylvania, continuing our commitment to reach out to our customers, and partnering with Spotsylvania County, the Belmont Ruritan Club, and the Belmont Club of Women.
- In May, library administrators and administrative staff move from the Fredericksburg Branch to the Library Administration Center at 125 Olde Greenwich Drive.
- On July 1, all children's and teens' materials become exempt from late fees to increase their accessibility.
- In December, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors passes a resolution renaming England Run Branch as William J. Howell Branch, in honor of the retiring House of Delegates Speaker.
- The regional library is named a 4-Star Libraryfor the fourth year in a row, by Library Journal.
- CRRL receives the Better Together Award from the Virginia Public Library Directors Association for our community food initiatives.
- The library is awarded the Great Stories Club Grant for At-Risk Youth from the American Library Association.
2018
- The website partners with the Canadian company BiblioCommons Digital Technology to transform the website's design into what you see today.
- In March, the Assistive Services Department changes its name to Access Services and moves to the more accessible Library Administrative Center.
- Spotsylvania Towne Centre Branch opens on August 8 with generous support from the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors and the Cafaro Company.
- The Joint Use Branch at the Fried Center opens on August 20, in partnership with Germanna Community College.
- iPac, the first online catalog CRRL established, retires.
- Inside NOVA lists Porter Branch in their "Best of Stafford 2018" article as Best Library.
- The library was awarded the American Library Association's Great Stories Club Grant for third year in a row.
- The Music on the Steps program receives the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority's JumpStart! Grant.
2019
- Express Checkout machines are established in the branches.
- Online payments become available to customers.
- Library on the Go expands to the Partlow Ruritan Club on 3229 Partlow Road, with the Partlow Satellite Location.
- CRRL receives the NEA Big Read grant for community read of Tim O'Brien's Vietnam War novel The Things They Carried.
- The regional library received a Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority grant to create a dedicated, library-staffed ideaspace for the intended Princess Anne Corridor Maker District.
- The Towne Centere Branch is recognized nationally for Design Excellence in American Libraries magazine is published by the American Library Association, opens a new window.
2020
- CRRL closed all branches on March 16 due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 public health crisis.
- On June 24, the library began a phased reopening with curbside pickup of existing holds, followed by turning on new holds on July 1, and accepting returns starting July 8.
- On October 12, branches reopened to the public via Library Express for visits by appointment.
- On December 11, IdeaSpace: Making+Media was opened at 1616 Princess Anne Street Suite B.
- CRRL received three grants totaling $15,000 from The Community Foundation's Community Relief Fund, opens a new window to provide safe, clean computer/internet access to library customers and provide free internet access for residents lacking a digital connection at home.
2021
- As part of a Virginia Department of Health pilot program, the regional library distributed 12,000 free, rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits from November 17 through December 28.
- CRRL was awarded an Institute of Museum and Library Services, opens a new window (IMLS) American Rescue Plan grant. This $50,000 grant was used to purchase a vehicle to expand CRRL's Library on the Go, opens a new window initiative into rural areas of Westmoreland County.
- On March 27, Tech on the Go collection launched, making high-tech equipment available for checkout at IdeaSpace.
- On April 14, Friends of the Library bookshops reopened at library branches and at the Friends Center & Bookshop.
- On December 7, the Virginia Deaf Culture Digital Library or VA DCDL, launched. This resource is the result of a two-year collaboration between CRRL Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin and the Library of Virginia.
2022
- In August, CRRL solicits public feedback in crafting a five-year strategic plan, opens a new window via a survey and focus groups.
- The regional library receives a grant from Rappahannock Area Regional Adult Education.
- The Library of Things collection is launched.
2023
- CRRL eliminates fines, opens a new window on overdue materials. On January 3, fines on customers' records were waived and future fines on overdue materials were eliminated.
- CRRL publishes the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, opens a new window, which involves feedback from the Library Board of Trustees, staff, and customers.
- Belmont, opens a new window and Partlow, opens a new window satellite locations reopen after being closed due to Covid in 2020.
- Friends of the Library, opens a new window celebrates their 50th anniversary.
2024
- The regional library received a $7,500 grant from the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund of The Community Foundation, opens a new window to expand the Library of Things, opens a new window collection.
- On September 30, Martha Hutzel retires from her role as library director, a position she has held since 2016.
- On October 1, Rebecca Purdy began her position as Executive Director.
