Special Collections

These collections include "high/low" (high interest/low reading level) stories at various levels, bilingual dictionaries, grammar and language instruction books, audiobooks, DVDs, and other materials of interest to adults increasing their reading skills, English as a Second Language learners, and to adult literacy/ESL tutors.

The Albemarle - Charlottesville Historical Collection in the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society building at 200 Second St., NE, contains over 2,000 books and bound periodicals, as well as photographs, manuscripts, maps, pamphlets, newspapers, and vertical files relating to the history of our community.

When you just HAVE to read the latest best-seller, it’s worth a visit to take advantage of the Bestsellers collection.

Here’s how it works:

Select a book from the special Bestsellers Book Shelf - this contains "High-Demand" titles

7-day loan period

No renewals

Bestsellers can be returned to any branch

A $.50 per day late fee will apply

NO HOLDS are allowed on Bestsellers books.

In partnership with the Rockfish Valley Foundation, Nelson County Life and Blue Ridge Life back issues are available for review and download.

Use the indexes to find the issue you are looking for in each collection:

Nelson County Life Index
Blue Ridge Life Index 
 

Community Journals are a way to create community through journaling, as library users read what others have to say about a topic, and then add their own perspective. These journals are dedicated to housing the thoughts, feelings, ideas, and creativity of the entire JMRL community. Join the conversation! 

Back issues of historical periodicals from Virginia and the United States. Includes newspapers such as the Daily Progress (1893-2018), the New York Times (1940-1984), Washington Post (1973-1987), Central Virginian (1928-1975), and Greene County Record (1903-2014), as well as magazines such as Ebony (1969-1991), Life (1955-1999), Virginian Cavalcade (1951-2002), and Virginia Magazine of History and Biography (1893-2006). The collection is primarily available on microfilm and microfiche.

The Gordon Avenue Library has almost 300 compact discs devoted to jazz music, tracing the history of this art form from its inception to the present day. The collection was initially seeded by a gift from the Carter Beauford Family and enhanced by a grant from the Bama Works Fund of the Dave Matthews Band.

The Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional library items that complement the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s mission to foster personal growth and life-long learning for all by connecting people with ideas, information, and each other. Collection of equipment and experiences.

The Local Voices Collection supports and showcases the creativity of the JMRL community and contains donated material from local writers, musicians, and filmmakers.

In partnership with the Nelson Historical Society, the archives are available at the Nelson Memorial Library. For best service, a request submitted in advance to info@nelsonhistorical.org with the Accession Number, Title, and Location and planned date of visit will facilitate the archivist in having items readily available in advance of your arrival.

A collection of over 400 scripts from Dramatists Play Service and Samuel French, Inc., as well as plays in collections. Everything from Abie’s Irish Rose to The Zulu and the Zayda.

The Roland E. Beauford Sr. African American Collection offers the community a selection of materials for adults and young adults that reflect, honor, and explore the African American experience, including works highlighting Virginia’s African American figures and communities.

This collection includes:

• A selection of fiction by African American authors in editions that incorporate cultural and critical context to supplement the original work.

• Memoirs and biographies of notable African American figures.

• Nonfiction books covering topics such as African American history, political thought, music, art, and culture.