Interesting facts

1. "Libraries" is not an incorporated city or town in Virginia; rather, public libraries are vital community hubs found in every county and independent city in the state. 2. The Library of Virginia, located in Richmond, is the state's oldest institution of agencies. 3. Established in 1823 by the Virginia General Assembly, the Library of Virginia was originally created to organize the growing collection of books and official papers of the state. 4. Virginia is home to over 90 distinct public library systems. 5. There are more than 370 individual public library branches operating across the Commonwealth. 6. The Library of Virginia holds an astonishing collection of more than 130 million items, including historical manuscripts, maps, and photographs. 7. Thomas Jefferson's personal library, which was eventually sold to the Library of Congress, profoundly influenced the development of libraries in Virginia and the nation. 8. The Handley Regional Library in Winchester is famous for its stunning Beaux-Arts architecture and is often cited as one of the most beautiful libraries in the state. 9. Fairfax County Public Library is the largest library system in Virginia by circulation and population served. 10. Virginia's public libraries collectively serve over 8 million residents. 11. The "Find It Virginia" initiative provides free access to premium digital databases for all registered library cardholders in the state. 12. In addition to books, Virginia libraries offer free access to Wi-Fi, public computers, and digital literacy training. 13. The Library of Virginia houses one of the most comprehensive collections of materials on the American Civil War and the colonial period. 14. Many public libraries in Virginia serve as cooling and warming centers during extreme weather events. 15. Virginia's academic libraries, such as the University of Virginia's Alderman Library, are recognized globally for their research collections. 16. Summer reading programs hosted by Virginia public libraries engage hundreds of thousands of children annually, helping to prevent the "summer slide" in reading skills. 17. The Virginia Center for the Book is an affiliate of the Library of Congress and promotes reading and literacy across the state. 18. Archival collections in Virginia libraries include the personal papers of several U.S. Presidents born in the state. 19. Interlibrary loan programs allow Virginia residents to borrow materials from almost any library in the state, regardless of their home jurisdiction. 20. The state actively utilizes bookmobiles and outreach vehicles to bring library services to rural and underserved communities in regions like Appalachia and the Eastern Shore.