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Our Mission

Mission Statement

We promote reading and lifelong learning, connect people with the information they need, and enrich community life.

Vision

We believe public libraries are vital to the community. We strive to deliver excellent library service through equitable access to a variety of materials, innovative technologies, and attractive facilities. We anticipate and respond to the needs of a diverse community. We improve the quality of individual and community life.

We Believe In

  • Equitable access to information
  • Continuous learning
  • Exploring new ideas and fostering creativity
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Balanced, relevant, and responsive collections
  • Planning for the future
  • A dynamic staff that incorporates these values to accomplish our mission

Director's Message

Welcome to the Henrico County Public Library. Our mission is to promote reading and lifelong learning, connect people with the information they need, and enrich community life. We do this by serving the public at our nine library locations, through our Mobile Library Service for retirement facilities and day care centers, and online 24-7 via our web site and digital services.

We want to make your library experience the best it can be. We offer many diverse resources to the community. These range from a large and responsive collection of print books, e-books, magazines and DVDs to educational experiences like storytimes, book clubs, teen and adult programs, computer classes, STEAM and digital media creation, and 3D printing. We provide free wifi at all library locations, and hundreds of public computing stations across the county. We offer homework and tax help and job search assistance. We provide a variety of meeting spaces that can accommodate from two to one hundred people and can be conveniently reserved online. We answer questions in our libraries, over the phone, and online via email, text, and chat. Our staff works hard to accomplish our mission.

We believe libraries are vital to the community. At Henrico County Public Library, we strive to deliver excellent library service through equitable access to a variety of materials, innovative technologies, and attractive facilities. We aim to anticipate and respond to the needs of a diverse community and improve the quality of individual and community life for everyone. We value continuous learning for all, exploring new ideas and creativity, and outstanding customer service.

We encourage you to visit our libraries, sign up for a card, check out our books and enriching programs, and follow us on social media. Consider joining our Friends of HCPL or volunteering with us. We invite you to see what we at HCPL can do for you and your family. We welcome your feedback and ideas about our services.

Your support makes Henrico a great place to live and learn. Reading changes lives and libraries build community. We are happy you are here with us.

photo of HCPL Director, Barbara Weedman
Barbara Weedman
Library Director

Library Services Plan

In December 2010, Henrico County Public Library began a year-long initiative to gather input from all stakeholders in developing a plan for the future that was streamlined, achievable and updated regularly. The mission, vision, beliefs, and goals on this page reflect this input. Download to find out more about the history and to read comments received during the initiative.


Goal 1 - Collections

Books, eBooks, DVD, Materials

Our customers will be offered a responsive and relevant collection that is available in a timely manner.

Goal 2 - Community Outreach

Multicultural, Public Relations, Outreach, Bookmobile, ESL, Seniors

We will offer services and programs that reach out to Henrico County's changing population in ways that respond to their unique and diverse needs.

Goal 3 - Services

Customer Service, Classes, Programs, Processes (Circulation)

We will provide our customers with positive experiences that meet their needs and expectations and that enrich community life.

Goal 4 - Spaces

Buildings, Hours, Rooms, Cafes

All libraries will be welcoming and engaging places that provide maximum accessibility and an array of spaces to meet our community's growing needs.


Library Administrative Offices
Contact your Library

Our Locations pages have the phone numbers, addresses, and manager contact information for all our libraries.

Ask A Librarian

Our Ask A Librarian

information service allows you to ask brief, factual questions of HCPL staff and receive your response through text or email, or live chat when available.

Website Feedback

Have a comment, question, or correction? We welcome your feedback about our website.

Library Administrative Staff

Henrico County Public Library
1700 N. Parham Rd.
Henrico, VA 23229

  •  (804) 501-1900 phone
  •  (804) 270-2982 fax
Michele James
Administrative Assistant

  •   mjames@henricolibrary.org
  •   (804) 501-1907
Alicia Ahlvers
Public Services Administrator

  •   aahlvers@henricolibrary.org
  •   (804) 501-1905
Ha Hoang
Public Services Administrator

  •   hhoang@henricolibrary.org
  •   (804) 501-1904
Alexandra Hamby
Assistant Library Director for Collections and Systemwide Programs

  •   ahamby@henricolibrary.org
  •   (804) 501-1900
John Gentry
Assistant Department Director for Operations

  •   jgentry@henricolibrary.org
  •   (804) 501-1900
Angela Bennett
Assistant Library Director for Public Services and Branch Operations

  •   abennett@henricolibrary.org
  •   (804) 501-1900
Barbara Weedman
Director

  •   bweedman@henricolibrary.org
  •   (804) 501-1900

Library Advisory Board
TUCKAHOE DISTRICT

Sharon Cox

LAB-Tuckahoe@henricolibrary.org

VARINA DISTRICT

Gail A. Atkins

LAB-Varina@henricolibrary.org

BROOKLAND DISTRICT

Patricia Bahen

LAB-Brookland@henricolibrary.org

FAIRFIELD DISTRICT

Valorie McBee

LAB-Fairfield@henricolibrary.org

THREE CHOPT DISTRICT

Shuchi Jain

LAB-ThreeChopt@henricolibrary.org

Barbara Weedman

Library Director

 

Awards

2023 Innovation in Government Award

Awarded by the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government at VCU Excellence in Virginia Government Awards

Henrico County Public Library's Fairfield Area Library is selected for its innovative, first-of-its-kind “Work and Play Stations."

The Fairfield Area Library is Henrico County’s newest library. It opened with a unique, custom feature, the innovative “Work and Play Stations” which were developed by HCPL staff with the library's design team as a solution to a common problem parents and caregivers experience at the library. The solution was the installation of stations available at some computer areas to allow parents or caregivers to use the computer while their child is safe inside an adjoining playpen-like structure. This is especially helpful for people who use the public computers to search for jobs or who need to do homework or research and do not have access to childcare.

2022 ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Award

The new Fairfield Area Library was selected to be recognized by a panel of leading industry experts for its outstanding interior design. This award honors excellence in library interior design and promotes examples of extraordinary design reflected through innovative concepts.

2022 Library Journal 5-Star Library

HCPL was recognized as a 5-Star Library by Library Journal for 2022. The Library Journal Index rates U.S. public libraries based on selected per capita output measures. The 2022 Index derives from data recently released by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for FY20. This year, 5,359 U.S. public libraries qualified to be rated in the Index. In this edition, there are 258 Star Libraries, each receiving three-Star, four-Star, or five-Star designations.

2021 AIA Richmond Merit Award for Outstanding Design

Fairfield Area Library was recognized by the Richmond chapter of the American Institute of Architects. AIA Richmond’s design awards recognize outstanding design, both built and unbuilt. Consideration is given to aesthetics, social impact, innovation, context, performance, and stewardship of the natural environment.

2021 Library Journal Four Star Library

HCPL received Four Stars from Library Journal's annual national Star Libraries review. The system is one of only ten library systems nationwide in its expenditure range to receive a four star ranking.

LEED

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting renewable, clean energy.

Henrico County Public Library is proud of its five LEED libraries, the Fairfield Area Library, the Gayton Branch Library, Glen Allen Branch Library, Libbie Mill Area Library, and Varina Area Library. Learn more about the environmentally friendly features of these buildings on the pages listed below.