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Richmond Library System

on November 20, 2009

The City of Richmond operates its own library system independent from the county, and has since 1907. The system consists of a main library, two branches and a traveling bookmobile for children.

The staff move around regularly between the branches, the Main library and the Bookmobile, so they have a good sense of how the entire system works. While specific books might be hard to find at the Bayview and Westside branches, the librarians will bring books over from the Main library or another branch so residents don’t necessarily have to venture beyond their quiet neighborhood reading room. Patrons can also request books from outside the Richmond system, and easily make suggestions on the library’s website for books they’d like acquired.

Patrons who wish to use the Internet or word processing programs must have a library card. All you need to sign up for a card is California identification with your current address or an ID and piece of mail in your name. You don’t have to live in Richmond, or even Contra Costa County.

The Bayview and Westside branches of the Richmond Public Library combined could fit into the children’s room at the Main library. But what they lack in space, they make up for in comfort and usability. The branches are the only two satellites in the library system; the other components are the Main location at Richmond’s Civic Center and the traveling Bookmobile. The branches closed in 2004 for budget reasons but reopened in March of 2008. Serious researchers will want to go to the Main library, but browsers and casual Internet users are likely to find that the branches have all they need.

|Richmond Library Locations

1 Comment

  1. odette batis on February 14, 2010 at 7:34 pm

    Hi, the bookmobile re-do has been finished. How about a new picture of the outside. I will send you one if you wish.



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