Northside Library

Northside LibraryHours:
Monday - Tuesday: 12 - 9pm
Wed: 10am-9pm | Thurs: 10am-6pm
Friday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 5pm
(Closed Sundays Memorial Day to Labor Day)

Phone: 434. 973.7893
Fax: 434.973.5876
email: contact Northside Library

Jump to: Adult Programs | Teen Programs | Kids Programs | Volunteer!

Programs for Adults

Connecting @ Your Library

Learn how to use computers and navigate the Internet. Library staff will give FREE tutorials. more info

@ Your Library: Basic Bookmaking

December 01, 2010
6:30 pm

Registration begins Nov 10. Class size is limited.
Gordon Avenue Branch Manager Meredith Dickens will introduce you to techniques to start making your own books and pamphlets. You will make several book structures that you can use for gifts, journals, or art projects. No experience necessary.

@ Your Library: Inedible Jewelry

November 29, 2010
6:00 pm

Registration begins on Nov 15. Class size is limited.
Jessica Partain returns to show us how to make tiny pie charms during this multi-generational workshop. To see Jessica's work visit www.inediblejewelry.com

@ Your Library: Look What I Did With A Leaf

November 03, 2010
6:30 pm

Registration begins Oct 13. Class size is limited.
Using dried leaves, crafter Nancy Campbell will teach you how to combine them to make pictures of creatures, large and small, or whatever your imagination can dream up.

Books Made into Movies

Movies are based on the following books:

  • Invictus - Sept 25
  • Julie and Julia - Oct 16
  • The Other Boleyn Girl - Nov 6

Books Sandwiched In

Third Fridays (lunchtime 12-1 pm) Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, this is a series of presentations of books reviewed by noted local people. Why not bring a sandwich and join us? All programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the books and their reviewers, call 973-7893.

Meets January-May and September-November.

Want to see what we've already read? Try Searching the calendar.

Books Sandwiched In

TOO BIG TO FAILTOO BIG TO FAIL: the inside story of how Wall Street and Washington fought to save the financial system from crisis--and themselves by Andrew Ross Sorkin

September 17, 2010
12:00 pm

An award-winning New York Times reporter presents a moment-by-moment account of the recent financial collapse that documents state efforts to prevent an economic disaster, offering insight into the pivotal consequences of decisions made throughout the past decade. Reviewed by Laurence G. Taff, systems technologist in the finance industry for 12 years. Check the Catalog arrow

Books Sandwiched In

LAST FOUNDING FATHERTHE LAST FOUNDING FATHER: James Monroe and a nation's call to greatness by Harlow Giles Unger.

October 15, 2010
12:00 pm

Recounts the life of the fifth president from his fierce participation in critical Revolutionary War battles through his political contributions, documenting his efforts toward securing the nation's durability and his mentorship under the first four presidents. Reviewed by Daniel Preston, Editor of The Papers of James Monroe, Univ of Mary Washington. Check the Catalog arrow

Books Sandwiched In

THE MONUMENTS MENTHE MONUMENTS MEN: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel

November 19, 2010
12:00 pm

The previously untold story of a little-known WWII Allied division whose mission was to track down European art and treasures that had been looted by the Nazis at Hitler's command. Reviewed by Lawrence O. Goedde, Professor of Art History, McIntire Department of Art, UVA. Check the Catalog arrow

Books Sandwiched In

WOMAN BEHIND THE NEW DEALTHE WOMAN BEHIND THE NEW DEAL: The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR's Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience by Kirstin Downey

January 21, 2011
12:00 pm

Presents a portrait of the first female cabinet member and one of the most influential women of the twentieth century, whose efforts to improve the lives of America's working people resulted in such initiatives as unemployment insurance and Social Security. Reviewed by Laura Kolar, PhD Candidate, UVA Dept of History. Check the Catalog arrow

Family Night at the Movies

Bring a blanket and pillows and join us for family friendly movies based on books. Popcorn and drinks provided. For all ages. 6:30pm

  • Disney movie based on the French folktale "Beauty and the Beast": Sept 1
  • Disney movie based on Margery Sharp's novel "The Rescuers": Oct 6
  • Movie based on Chris Van Allsburg's story about a train ride to the North Pole: Dec 29

Wednesday Night Book Group

This group meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Please stop in and join us.

Want to see what we've already read? Try Searching the calendar.

Wednesday Night Book Group

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLSFOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS by Ernest Hemingway

September 15, 2010
7:00 pm

Drawing on his involvement in the Spanish Civil War, the Nobel prize-winning author's masterpiece of time and place tells the story of Robert Jordan, an American fighting in Spain, and his suicidal stand for his beliefs. Check the Catalogbullet

Wednesday Night Book Group

INFIDELINFIDEL by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

October 20, 2010
7:00 pm

The author recounts the story of her life, from her traditional Muslim childhood in Somalia and escape from a forced marriage to her efforts to promote women's rights while surviving numerous threats to her safety. Check the Catalogbullet

Future Readings:

History of Northside Library

A New Branch for Northern Albemarle

Northside Library
Northside Library

It cost a cool million to renovate and equip the 15,500-square-foot space that once housed a Drug Fair discount pharmacy in the heart of the Albemarle Square Shopping Center. The renovation itself came to a mere $210,000. It was the computer system, the subscriptions to 130 magazines and newspapers, the innovative yet comfortable chairs and furnishings and, oh yes, the books that made the difference. When Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s largest and busiest branch first opened its doors to the public on December 14, 1991, the opening day collection was half a million dollars worth of 24,722 volumes, 14,000 of them children’s books. Nearly all the books were new, in pristine condition. The Friends of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library had donated 1,400 items. An additional 6,000 volumes followed over the next six months. Despite these numbers, there was no escaping the obvious: the shelves looked bare. It would take a long time to reach Northside's capacity, intended to hold close to 100,000 volumes. Of course, of no small contribution to the bareness of the shelves was the curious phenomenon observed by the ever alert library staff. From day one, people kept coming in to check out books. A lot of books. 1,319 volumes in five hours went out the first day, with 57 new patrons registered. By the end of the month, 9,421 books had circulated and a record 400 new registrations had been added. The following month 21,299 volumes went on loan.

Northside had arrived

The plans had long been in the making for establishing a branch in northern Albemarle to meet the needs of the county’s fastest growing communities. The County Board of Supervisors awarded both capital and operating funds to open the new branch, but first someone would have to design and build it. In February 1991, the library board and Albemarle County secured local architect Peter L. Sheeran. He oversaw the development of the building program, from the renovations and modifications to the selections of interior furnishings. Working closely with the contractor, Aerowood Construction of Remington, Virginia, and with senior library staff, Mr. Sheeran created Northside’s open design, an arrangement that heightened public accessibility to the collection while allowing for easy supervision and maintenance. The design also allowed for flexibility, anticipating the many changes in Northside’s services that have occurred and will continue to occur in future years. Among many special features were Northside’s area for young adults (with chairs that rock back—chairs that are supposed to rock back), the sunny reading area for current periodicals and newspapers, and the large meeting room curved toward a dais, easily converted to a lecture hall.

Renovation costs eventually totaled $210,000. Albemarle Square, recognizing a good investment, contributed over $100,000. Grants from the Charlottesville/Albemarle Foundation and the Friends of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library augmented the furnishings’ budget of another $100,000. The strong economy and generous gifts from several donor organizations and individuals afforded the library’s dollars the ability to extend much further than anticipated at the onset of the project. In addition, the Northside Boosters formed that year to support the development of the branch in affiliation with the Friends of the Library. Many volunteers helped raise money, increased interest in the branch, and contributed time to open the library...time spent right up to midnight December 13, shelving books and arranging furniture.

Opening Day, No Hitch

Opening Day
Opening Day

Opening day went off without a hitch, beginning with a dedication ceremony starting at 11:00 a.m. and lasting about 25 minutes. Gary O’Connell, representing the library board, and Frederick R. Bowie, then Chairman of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, spoke before the ribbon was cut, but unfortunately, not before patrons were already lining up to have their books checked out!! Nevertheless, everything went smoothly—if you don’t count the plumbing in the Women’s Restroom that suddenly broke down two hours after the library opened. Ah, but the reception was elegant, and in the afternoon there were programs of music and dance. Folk musicians Pete and Ellen Vigour entertained children and adults alike, as did a local troupe, Chihamba of Dancescape, who performed West African drumming and dance. Then at 5:00 p.m., the door to the delivery dock in the back of the building refused to close, much to the entertainment of no one, least of all library staff who had to stay behind long after closing, waiting for a repairmen. Still you can’t have an Opening without breaking eggs, or something like that. Yes, it all came off without a hitch.

Today Northside Library remains a vital part of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Almost a third of the branch’s patrons are city residents, and the popularity of the branch has attracted many other businesses to Albemarle Square to serve a burgeoning population. As the library system as a whole gears up for more Internet-based services, Northside stands ready and able to meet the exciting challenges of the future.