What We Do

The mission of the Pittsylvania County Public Library (PCPL) is to enlighten, educate, empower, and expand the well-being of county residents and patrons by connecting them with the information, experiences, and resources they need to make their lives better.

PCPL serves Pittsylvania County residents as well as those in the surrounding counties and cities. In 2021, more than 36,000 people possessed a Pittsylvania County Public Library card. Library patrons may access more than 1 million physical and digital books, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, and videos at the library and through Hoopla and Overdrive/Libby digital services. Other online services offered include homework help, language learning, veterans and employment assistance, general and genealogical reference databases, and much more.

The library conducts early literacy story times for children, summer reading programs for all ages, and a variety of book clubs, art, craft, digital, film and lecture programs to appeal to many ages and interests. Patrons and visitors are welcome to use more than 40 public access computers or the library’s free WiFi on their personal devices. Each library branch offers free meeting room space for community groups and some offer small-group or tutoring rooms. PCPL provides low-cost business-quality printing, scanning, and fax services. Patrons may also place holds and pick up reserved materials after hours at book lockers located at each branch library.

History and Operations

The County library system was established in 1939 thanks to a generous donation from Mr. and Mrs. David K. E. Bruce and the support of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, the Pittsylvania Public School Board, and local library supporters. The library has operated a Bookmobile since 1940 that makes approximately 60 stops throughout the county each month.

Library branches include the main library in Chatham, which has been at 24 Military Drive since 1989; the Brosville/Cascade branch library at 11948 Martinsville Highway since 1992; the Gretna branch library at 207 Coffey Street in Gretna since 1999; and the Mt. Hermon branch library, which moved into its new building at 4058 Franklin Turnpike in 2018. Thanks to the generosity of the Pittsylvania Historical Society which restored the building, since 2013 PCPL has operated the History Research Center & Library in the former 1918 Chatham rail depot at 340 Whitehead Street in Chatham.

The library system continues to grow and improve to serve county residents. In 2021, the Gretna branch library is being renovated and expanded. The library conducted a feasibility study between 2018 and 2019 to explore plans to add three additional library branches, one in each of the Banister, Dan River, and Staunton River Districts.

PCPL is a department of Pittsylvania County government, but is governed by an unpaid, volunteer, 10-member Library Board of Trustees. Library board members are appointed by the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and represent each voting district and the towns of Chatham, Gretna, and Hurt. Board members serve 4-year terms and may be reappointed.

The library is funded by Pittsylvania County, state aid for libraries, and federal e-rate funding for internet support. Most of the programs offered to the public are supported by the fundraising efforts of the volunteer Friends of the Library groups and grants. The Pittsylvania Public Library (PPL) Foundation raises funds to support capital projects such as the furniture and exterior landscaping for the renovations at the Mt. Hermon and Gretna libraries.