Welcome to your library, we are delighted to see you!

As we continue to respond to the ongoing pandemic, we have some guidelines in place for our users:

  • Face masks are currently strongly encouraged inside the library for all individuals ages 2+, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are available at all library service desks. Individuals who cannot medically tolerate wearing a mask or face covering may call the library at 757.741.3300, option 2 before visiting so that reasonable accommodations for service can be made.

  • Masks are required in the Kiwanis Kids Idea Studio at the James City County Library for all users ages 5 and older. This change aligns with current K-12 school requirements in our area.

  • Effective Tuesday, August 17, the interactive elements and toys in the children’s areas in both library buildings will not be available. Additionally, as of that date all in-person, indoor children’s programming is being cancelled, delayed, or moved outside. This page will be updated whenever WRL is able to resume normal operations on these fronts.

Here are some of the changes we have made for user and staff safety:

Hours

  • Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Entrances and Capacity

To enable easier monitoring of occupancy at the Williamsburg Library, the Scotland St. and Theatre entrances will be closed and users are asked to use the main entrance on City Square.

WRL To-Go

Our touchless curbside pickup service, WRL To-Go, will continue to be offered even after library buildings reopen. Simply place the items you want on hold and once they are available we will contact you about making an appointment to retrieve them from the library building of your choice. For more information about how this system works, head to www.wrl.org/wrl-to-go.

Introducing A New Way to Check Out

Our new self-check out system is easy and convenient — simply scan your library card then place your stack of items on the pad and you’re ready to go! No need to scan each item individually, as this new system can register many items at once. Self-check out saves you time, and minimizes WRL staff contact with your items, making our library more efficient and hygienic. Be sure to bring your library card or use the WRL app to store your card number. You can also pay fines and fees right in the app.

Grab Your Holds and Go

Now that our buildings are open, you can pickup your hold items inside. Due to the continued need to minimize WRL staff contact with library materials, we are introducing self-pickup of materials placed on hold. Come to the library location you selected for your hold and head to the designated hold pickup area and locate your items, then check them out through our new self-check out system.

Programs

For the foreseeable future we will be continuing to offer a robust line-up of virtual programs in addition to in-library events, a full schedule of which can be found at www.wrl.org/events.

Sanitation Efforts

Hand sanitizer will be available at library entrances and users are encouraged to use that and to wash hands frequently. The library has intensified cleaning of the library buildings.

Donating Materials

The Friends of WRL are accepting donations. There are some new guidelines for donations in response to the pandemic situation:
  • At the James City County Library, Book Nook donations will be accepted only during library open hours.
  • Starting 6/14/21, at the Williamsburg Library, Book Donations will be accepted from 12-4 p.m. to allow our volunteers to handle the large number of generous donations we receive.
  • Book Nook donations must be dropped off at a specified location at each building.
    • At the Williamsburg Library, donations will be accepted at a cart outside the Theatre entrance
    • At the James City County Library, donations will be accepted on a cart near the book drops by the entrance.
  • Book Nook donations should be boxed or bagged and placed on or next to the cart.
  • If you have a donation larger than 5 boxes, please need to come inside and arrange for a staff member to accept the donation.
  • Book Nook donations should be in good condition so they can be sold to benefit the library.