About the Library
- About the Appomattox Regional Library System
- Policies
- Library Board of Trustees
- 2005-2010 Action Plan
- ARLS Organizational Chart 2010
- Closing Schedule
- Meeting Rooms
- Outreach
- Youth Services
- Nonprofit Resources
- Job Openings
- Library Value Calculator
Using the Library
- Library Card
- Borrow Library Materials
- Renew Library Materials
- Wireless Internet Access
- Equipment and Software for Visually Impaired
Things to Do at the Library
About the Library
Library Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees holds a meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 6pm. All meetings are open to the public. The next scheduled meeting is July 20, 2010 at the Maude Langhorne Nelson Library in Hopewell, VA.
The Board of Trustees may be contacted by mail at:
209 E. Cawson St
Hopewell, VA 23860
Current Board of Trustees:
- Elsie Atkins, Hopewell
- Ora Bailey, Prince George
- Roy Crittendon, Dinwiddie
- Pat Hale, Prince George
- Jacqueline Shepperson, Hopewell
- Pamela Tuggle, Prince George
- Isabel Vartanian, Hopewell
- Joyce Wells, Dinwiddie
- Sharon Bonner Yates, Dinwiddie
Closing Schedule
Library Closing Schedule
The following holidays are observed by the library system:
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Library Closed |
| Lee-Jackson Day | Friday before 3rd Monday in January | Library Open |
| M.L. King Day | 3rd Monday in January | Library Closed |
| Presidents’ Day | Third Monday in February | Library Closed |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | Library Closed |
| Independence Day | July 4th | Library Closed |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | Library Closed |
| Columbus Day | 2nd Monday in October | Library Closed |
| Veterans’ Day | November 11th | Library Closed |
| Thanksgiving Day | 4th Thursday & Friday in November | Library Closed |
| Christmas Eve | December 24th | Library Closed |
| Christmas Day | December 25th | Library Closed |
| New Year’s Eve | December 31st | Close at 6:00 PM |
Meeting Rooms
Reserving Meeting Space
The Hopewell Library has one large meeting room space, two medium sized spaces, and one small study room. The meeting rooms are available for groups meeting our criteria when not in use for library programming.
- Hopewell Manufacturing Association Meeting Room: The HMA room can accommodate up to 75 people seated theater-style or 30 people seated at tables. It is ideal for larger meetings, presentations, and lectures. Countertops, a sink, and a small refrigerator are available for serving refreshments.
- Nelson Worley Board Room: A more formal meeting space, the Board Room can seat up to 18 people around a large center table with additional seating on the room’s periphery. A small counter and sink is available for serving refreshments.
- John Randolph Medical Center and the John Randolph Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary Quiet Reading Room: The Quiet Room is an octagonal room on our first floor that is ideal for more informal meetings. It can accommodate up to 30 people. This room usually serves as a quiet spot for library users to read or study, but it can be booked for meetings as needed. Food and drink are not allowed in this area.
- G. Melvin and Elsie Atkins Study Room: The Study Room is best suited for small study groups or meetings of four to six people. Food and drink are not allowed in this area.
The library can provide LCD projectors for meeting room use only. There is also a small podium with microphone available for meetings. When equipment is to be used, the request should be made with the reservation.
Requirements for reserving our meeting rooms as outlined in our policy are as follows:
- Meeting rooms are free of charge.
- All meetings must be open to the public.
- You may not charge an attendance fee or solicit funds.
- Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Only 3 meetings per group may be scheduled at any time.
- Meeting rooms are available only during the open hours of the library.
- Uses of a purely social nature such as a baby shower or birthday party are prohibited.
- The time booked is total occupancy time, and should include setup, meeting and cleanup time.
For more detailed guidelines, please refer to Public Services Policies, Section Twelve.
Top
Outreach
Homebound / Handicapped
The Appomattox Regional Library System supports and fully cooperates with community programs to deliver library materials to shut-ins. The Library System will do everything possible to insure that shut-ins have equal access to library materials.
Readers’ Friends Organization
The Readers’ Friends provide regular selection and delivery services to homebound individuals within the service area of the Maude Langhorne Nelson Branch (Hopewell) of the Appomattox Regional Library System. Homebound readers have designated “Friends” who select materials based on the Reader’s interest. Materials are delivered and picked up on a regular basis by a Volunteer Driver. This service is provided by dedicated volunteers. There is NO charge for this service. For additional information, or to sign up for this service, please call the library system at 804-458-6329 or 804-861-0322
Youth Services
Reading is fundamental and promoting library usage among children and young adults is one of the most important things we do. Weekly story times, a spectacular summer reading program, and special events are just a few of the things we offer.
Materials
Youth Services is comprised of both the Children’s Department and the Teen, or Young Adult, section. The Appomattox Regional Library System provides materials for children of all ages, including not only books, but also magazines, CD’s, DVD’s, videos and discovery packs. ARLS has both print and electronic resources to help students with homework assignments, as well as information for parents and homeschoolers. Kid-friendly computers are available for research or for games.
Programs
Besides materials, ARLS’s youth services offers a multitude of programming at all library locations. Our traditional summer reading program is generously funded by the local businesses and civic organizations. Programs are varied, but include movies matinees, craft workshops, puppet shows and of course, story time! We also coordinate with other groups to provide additional programming and feature many guest performers, such as magicians, clowns, actors, storytellers and musicians. A Teen Board helps plan programming for young adults.
Books and Other Materials
Youth Services Collections include books and other materials for every age level.
The Children’s Collection includes:
- Board books for toddlers
- Easy picture books for pre-schoolers
- “I Can Read” books for beginning readers
- Juvenile fiction – including novels, mysteries and science fiction
- Series collection – such as American Girl, Dear America, and Wishbone, etc.
- Caldecott and Newbery Award winning books
- Biographies and non-fiction
- Reference materials
- DVD’s, CD’s, CD-ROM’s, videos, books on tape, games and toys and kits
The Young Adult Collection features:
- YA fiction books (and some non-fiction)
- Graphic novels
- Magazines and newspapers designed for teens
Other services include class visits, tours or programs and visits to area schools.
Nonprofit Resources
NONPROFIT RESOURCE CENTER
Located in the Appomattox Regional Library (ARLS) main Hopewell branch, the Nonprofit Resource Center, a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center, is an information clearinghouse and support center for nonprofit organizations. All Resource Center services are FREE and available during regular library hours.
With a circulating collection of over 500 titles, as well as a large reference collection that includes books and fundraising magazine titles, Southside Community Partners’ resources also include BoardSource® special section for building and supporting effective nonprofit boards, Independent Sector reports and data, and access to both Foundation Directory Online and Directory of Virginia Foundations. Two computer work stations are available for use.
SERVICES
Funding and Management Research
- The Foundation Directory Online & Grants Connection Directory of Virginia Foundations Online
- Foundation Center directory & publications
- Reference assistance for databases & directories
- Orientation sessions on the collection
- Research assistance on grant-seeking
- Support on other nonprofit topics
Technical Assistance
The Resource Center has a Directory of Nonprofit Management Consultants providing technical assistance, consultation and training in all areas of nonprofit management. Patrons can search the database by areas of:
- Board Development
- Marketing
- Evaluation
- Financial Management
- Fundraising
- Human Resources
- Volunteer Management
Want to schedule a meeting? Make an appointment online at www.ConnectSouthside.org.
Support for the Appomattox Regional Library System Southside Community Partners is provided by The Cameron Foundation and the John Randolph Foundation. Southside Community Partners is powered by ConnectSouthside.org, a partner affiliate of the ConnectNetwork.
Using the Library
Library Card
All residents of the City of Hopewell, Prince George County, and Dinwiddie County of all ages are granted full use of all services of The Appomattox Regional Library System. Everyone is welcome to use the services of the Appomattox Regional Library on library property. The Appomattox Regional Library System has several reciprocal borrowing agreements with other library systems and many non-residents are eligible for library cards. However, the Administration reserves the right to determine if nonresidents may be granted extended privileges. The Administration also reserves the right to grant institutions library privileges, including borrowing privileges with the assurance that the Institution follows all regulations that pertain to individuals. The Appomattox Regional Library System serves as an informational agency to the local governments of Hopewell, Prince George County, and Dinwiddie County. All possible cooperation and service will be rendered to agencies of these governments. The Appomattox Regional Library System does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or employment in, its programs and activities. Library borrowing privileges shall be granted to any individual who qualifies under the guidelines listed above and makes proper application for such privileges. In order to apply for a library card the person applying must be willing to provide the following:
- Necessary Personal Information
- Agreement to comply with all libary rules
- Agreement to pay promptly all fines and damages incurred
- Agreement to give immediate notice of any change of address
- Proper indentification with current name and address
Any child under age 14 may be granted library privileges provided the child or the parent or legal custodian of the child makes a proper application and such application is endorsed by the child’s parent or legal custodian.
Borrow Library Materials
| Loan Periods – By Material Classification |
|
| Format: Books, Books On Tape / Books on CD, Magazines (Except current issues) Checkout Limit: Unlimited Renewal Limit: 5 Fines: $.05 per day Max Fines: $2.00 |
14 Days |
| Format: DVD – Digital Video Discs Fiction and Non Fiction Checkout Limit: 3 Renewal Limit:; 0 Fines: $1.00 per day Max Fine: $20.00 or the price of the item whichever is less |
7 days/ 7 Nights |
| Format: Music CD’s Checkout Limit: 5 Renewal Limit: 1 Fines: $.50 per day Max Fine:$2.00 |
14 Days |
Materials
Items not returned or renewed by their due date are subject to fines.
Lost Materials
After notification by a patron, or after a final notice that materials are overdue and maximum fines are owed, the library may declare the item lost. The patron who loses an item is liable for the replacement cost of the item as determined by the Library System.
Damaged Materials
If an item is returned in damaged form by a patron and the Library System determines that the patron is responsible for the damage and that the item must be replaced, the patron who had the item on loan when it was damaged is liable for the replacement cost of the item as determined by the Library System.
Revocation of Borrowing Priveleges
It shall be within the authority of the Library System to revoke library-borrowing privileges of library patrons in the following instances:
- Patrons who have overdue library material, for which final overdue notices have been sent
- Patrons who are negligent in making payment for damaged or lost materials
- Patrons whose accumulated fines and penalties are in excess of $2.00
- Minors whose library privileges are to be revoked at the written request of the parent or legal custodian
- Any patron whose library borrowing privileges are revoked shall have the right to appeal such action to the Board of Trustees
Reinstatement of Borrowing Priveleges
The Library System shall reinstate library-borrowing privileges as follows:
- For patrons who have library materials, which have been overdue, library-borrowing privileges shall be reinstated upon return of the materials
- For patrons whose accumulated fines or penalties are in excess of $2.00, privileges shall be reinstated upon payment of these fines or penalties
- For minors whose privileges have been revoked at the request of a parent or legal custodian, privileges shall be reinstated with the written approval of the parent or legal custodian.
Renew Library Materials
You can also renew items online with your card number and PIN or in person at any Appomattox Regional Library location.
PLEASE NOTE:
DVDs and items on hold for other patrons may NOT be renewed. Patrons with fines exceeding $2.00 may not renew items.
Wireless Internet Access
Wireless internet access uses radio frequency signals to exchange data between your computer and the existing network without the need for cables. Users are requires to bring their own portable computer to the library with either built-it or installed adapter card.
SSID or network name to look for:
- ARLS1
- ARLS2
- ARLS3
- ARLS.ORG (for branch locations)
The Appomattox Regional Library System has not implemented wireless encryption, therefore no password is needed to access our wireless networks.
Equipment and Software for Visually Impaired
The Hopewell Library now provides access to several items of equipment or software for visually impaired library users. For greater convenience, these are all located in the microfilm room.
The Kurzweil Reader is a device which resembles a scanner in appearance. It is able to “read” printed material, process it, and then recite it out loud in one of several voices.
Visually impaired persons who wish to use the internet have access to the “JAWS” software. JAWS enables an internet user to hear an audio feed of the words on the computer screen. A handbook to JAWS including Braille text is also located in the microfilm room to assist in learning to use JAWS effectively.
Those with mild visual impairment who wish to use the computer terminal in the microfilm room can use the keyboard there which features large type. If you would prefer to work in one of the computer labs, just ask at the information desk to plug in a large type keyboard at your terminal.
Things to Do at the Library
Book Groups
Appomattox Regional Library offers four free book groups which meet at libraries on a monthly basis, excluding the month of December. At each meeting, members discuss a given book, then check out a library copy of the book for the next meeting. The book groups are:
- The Carson book group, meeting the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Carson Depot Library.
- Hopewell Evening book group, meeting the final Tuesday evening of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Hopewell Library.
- Hopewell Afternoon book group, meeting the third Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m. in the Hopewell Library.
- The Dinwiddie book group, meeting the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Dinwiddie Library.
These book groups are informal and friendly events. We generally expect everyone to read the book, but there is no pressure. Our philosophy is that a cooperative book group has the benefit of encouraging members to read things that they might not read on their own. The titles that were selected for the 2010 year of meetings by the members of each group are:
| Carson, 2nd Tues each month 6pm | ||
| Jan | The Help | Kathryn Stockett |
| Feb | The Shack | William Young |
| Mar | See you in a hundred years | Logan Ward |
| Apr | A year on ladybug farm | Donna Ball |
| May | Dewey: a small town library cat who touched the world | Vicki Myron |
| Jun | The Girl who played with fire | Stieg Larsson |
| Jul | The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society | Mary Ann Shaffer |
| Aug | Dog on it | Spencer Quinn |
| Sep | Shanghai Girls | Lisa See |
| Oct | Going to Bend | Diane Hammond |
| Nov | Jane Eyre | Charlotte Bronte |
| Hopewell Evening, last Tuesday each month, 6:30pm | ||
| Jan | Outliers | Malcolm Gladwell |
| Feb | Into the Beautiful North | Luis Urrea |
| Mar | Mudbound | Hillary Jordan |
| Apr | The Shack | William P. Young |
| May | To Kill a Mockingbird | Harper Lee |
| Jun | The Help | Kathryn Stockett |
| Jul | Dewey a small town library cat | Vicki Myron |
| Aug | The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins |
| Sep | Breakfast of Champions | Kurt Vonnegut |
| Oct | Shanghai Girls | Lisa See |
| Nov | Dog on it | Spencer Quinn |
| Hopewell Afternoon, 3rd Thursday each month, 1pm | ||
| Jan | Into the Beautiful North | Luis Urrea |
| Feb | Snow flower and the secret fan | Lisa See |
| Mar | Breakfast of Champions | Kurt Vonnegut |
| Apr | The Help | Kathryn Stockett |
| May | In the Beauty of the Lilies | John Updike |
| Jun | Outliers | Malcolm Gladwell |
| Jul | A Reliable Wife | Robert Goolrick |
| Aug | See you in a hundred years | Logan Ward |
| Sep | Dog on it | Spencer Quinn |
| Oct | The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins |
| Nov | The Shack | William Young |
| Dinwiddie, 3rd Thursday each month, 7pm | ||
| Jan | A Reliable Wife | Robert Goolrick |
| Feb | The Geography of Bliss | Eric Weiner |
| Mar | A Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens |
| Apr | Into the Beautiful North | Luis Urrea |
| May | Olive Kitteridge | Elizabeth Strout |
| Jun | Dewey: a small town library cat who changed the world | Vicki Myron |
| Jul | The Help | Kathryn Stockett |
| Aug | The Given Day | Dennis Lehane |
| Sep | Outliers | Malcolm Gladwell |
| Oct | Snow Flower and the Secret Fan | Lisa See |
| Nov | The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins |
Computer Classes
The Hopewell Library of ARLS provides free computer classes each month that cover topics including basic computing and Microsoft Office products. These free classes are open to all adults including complete beginners. If you are interested in attending a class or for more information, call 804-458-6329 extension 1005.
.jpg)
