Library of Virginia
Every resident of Virginia has free access to a statewide library system run by Library of Virginia. With a local library card, students, parents, and teachers can use research databases, ebooks and audiobooks, and learning programs at no cost. Here is what is available and how to get it.
Virginia public libraries at a glance
Research databases: Find It Virginia (Gale-powered)
Find It Virginia (Gale-powered) is Virginia's free statewide research service.
Resources students can use inside Find It Virginia (Gale-powered) include:
- Gale In Context: Elementary
- Gale research databases
- Language learning
- Digital reading & audiobooks
Ebooks & audiobooks: Digital reading via Find It Virginia; local Libby/OverDrive & Hoopla, free with a library card.
Early literacy programs
The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Virginia is a statewide program (Code of Virginia ยง22.1-382) that mails a free book each month to registered children from birth to age 5.
Accessible reading & talking books
Students and family members who cannot read standard print (because of a visual, physical, or reading disability such as dyslexia) can get free audiobooks and braille through the state talking-book library, part of the national NLS network and its BARD download service. Virginia's talking-book service is the Virginia Library and Resource Center, run by the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) in Richmond under agreement with the Library of Virginia; this NLS network library provides free braille and audio books and players to Virginians who can't read standard print.
Find a library & get a card
Use the official locator to find your nearest Virginia public library, hours, and how to get a card. Find a library →