About Varina
Varina Area Library opened on June 1, 2016 on a 22.11 acre site bound by Pocahontas Parkway & New Market Road (State Route 5). As an Area Library with 43,885 square feet and two stories of space, Varina offers amenities similar to other Area Libraries throughout the county including a digital media lab, drive-up service window, and spaces for collaboration, study and relaxation.
The building was designed by BCWH Architects of Richmond and Tappé Architects of Boston. The library has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. The LEED program, operated by the U.S. Green Building Council, recognizes facilities that are environmentally friendly. In 2017 it received the prestigious AIA/ALA Library Building Award from the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association, the only award that recognizes whole library buildings for their design. Also in 2017, Varina Area Library was awarded the Golden Hammer Award for Best New Construction (Large) by Historic Richmond and The Storefront for Community Design. In 2019, Varina was named a New Landmark Library by Library Journal.
Visit Varina's LEED Energy Dashboard.
Varina Area Library replaces the original Varina Branch Library, which opened as a permanent facility in 1970 and served the residents of Varina for over 40 years.
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