About Us

Our Mission:

The Richmond County Public Library (RCPL) is a joint-use college/public library located within the main building at the Rappahannock Community College Warsaw Campus. All members of the general public are welcome. The Richmond County Public Library (RCPL) is a partnership between Rappahannock Community College and Richmond County (VA) to provide resources to serve the informational, educational, and cultural interests of community residents of all ages in order to promote lifelong learning. The Richmond County Public Library is supported by Richmond County, the Town of Warsaw, Rappahannock Community College, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the RCC Friends of the Library.

Library Policies

The following policies govern how we use our library:

• In-house rules:
  • We are a community college, therefore we ask patrons to be respectful of others (including other patrons and community college students and staff).
  • Please continue to be respectful and place all waste items in appropriate receptacles and clean up your work station when you leave.
  • Silence all cell phones and electronic devices.
  • Please take all above normal conversation level conversations outside (this includes phone conversations).
  • Do not change the computer settings.
  • Use the Internet responsibly.
  • Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance if needed.
• RCPL Library Cards:
  • Requirements for getting a library card:
    • Must be 16 years or older and in good standing with the library
    • Children under 16 years must have a parent or guardian who qualifies present who will be responsible for the child in order to get a library card. Parents or guardians are responsible for all materials checked out on cards of children under the age of 16.
    • Must be a resident of Richmond County or the Town of Warsaw, own property in Richmond County or the Town of Warsaw, or be a member of the RCC community (student, faculty, staff).
    • Proof of mailing address must be provided at the time of registration, which may be a state-issued photo ID, or any two documents with the applicant’s name and address, including a utility bill, check stub, etc.
  • Options for obtaining a library card:
    • In-person: All visitors who meet the above requirements may receive a library card by coming to the Richmond County Public Library and asking for assistance from the service desk staff.
    • Residents of Richmond County and the Town of Warsaw may request a temporary library card for accessing e-resources by sending an email to library@rappahannock.edu. We encourage patrons to visit the library to pick up their physical card within 30 days of receiving their temporary card.
  • Non-resident cards are available for any applicant who is visiting the area, lives in temporary housing, or does not have a mailing address
    • Non-resident cards expire after one year and allow for the use of online resources, e-books, and checkout of 5 physical items from the library.
    • Email registration is not available for non-resident cards.
• Privacy:
  • The Richmond County Public Library and Rappahannock Community College staff respect all patron data. No information is released to anyone except when presented with proper identification (photo ID) and permissions are given. Patrons are responsible for making sure address and telephone information are up-to-date.
• Children in the library (includes children in the Children’s Room):
  • Patrons under the age of 12 may not be left in the library (this includes the Children’s Room) unsupervised by a parent or guardian. The guardian must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid picture ID showing birth date.
• Loan periods and renewals:
  • Circulating Books: 4 week loan, limit 2 renewals
  • New Fiction Books: 2 week loan, limit 1 renewal if there are no holds on the item
  • DVDs: 1 week loan, limit 1 renewal if there are no holds on the item
  • Audiobooks (books on CD): 4 week loan, limit 2 renewals
  • Juvenile Materials: 4 week loan, limit 2 renewals
  • Interlibrary Loan Materials limits and lending periods are determined by the lending library.
• Holds/Renewals:
  • Renewals may be requested in-person at both libraries (Warsaw and Glenns) or by phone. Patrons should provide their library card number and/or current mailing address in order to renew material by phone. Providing only a person’s name is considered insufficient identification via telephone to renew materials. Please phone Warsaw (804) 333-6710 or Glenns (804) 758-6710.
  • Renewals cannot be granted on materials with holds. Patrons are expected to return materials that have holds in a prompt manner. Upon returning such materials, patrons may request that their name be added to the hold list for future checkout.
• Fees and Fines:
  • No daily fines are collected for overdue materials. All patrons are responsible for returning materials by their due date. Items are considered LOST, and therefore are subject to a replacement fee, at 4 weeks overdue. All patrons are responsible for maintaining the physical condition of each library item. Damaged items are subject to a replacement fee.
    • Library Card replacement fee: $3.00
    • Photocopies:  No charge, limit 5 pages per day
    • Faxing: No charge, limit 5 pages per day (excluding cover sheet)
    • Lost/Damaged Book: $50.00
    • Lost/Damaged Children’s or Young Adult Book: $25.00
    • Lost/Damaged DVD: $50.00
    • Lost/Damaged Audiobook (Book on CD): $75.00
    • Lost/Damaged Interlibrary loan (ILL) replacement fees and fines are determined by the lending library, but will be no less than our posted replacement fees.
• Material Returns:
  • Library Materials may be deposited in the book drops at either campus (Warsaw: under the flag poles in the front of the building or Glenns: at the front of the building). The outside book drops are available 24/7. Materials may also be returned via mail to the following addresses:

• Overdue and Lost Material:
  • Patrons will receive one overdue letter as a courtesy. If the patron fails to return the material within 4 weeks after the due date, the material will be declared LOST and the patron forfeits all library privileges. When an item has been declared lost, the patron must return the item or pay the replacement fee for the item (see Fees and Fines). Failure to return the item or pay the replacement fee will result in the submission of patron’s debt to the RCC Business Office for collection using the Virginia Debt Set-Off program. Patron may also forfeit library privileges permanently.
  • If material with multiple pieces is returned with items missing, the patron will be notified via phone. If not returned promptly, the entire material will be considered lost and the borrower will be held responsible for the appropriate replacement fees.