Ruby B. Archie Public Library
🏢 City of Danville · Danville, Virginia
Ruby B. Archie Public Library
The Ruby B. Archie Public Library is Danville's public library, named in honor of the city's first African American librarian, offering free museum passes, eBooks via Libby, computer classes, and a Mobile Library Service that brings books and Wi-Fi directly to neighborhoods throughout the city.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 511 Patton Street, Danville, VA 24541
Phone: (434) 799-5195
Website: danvilleva.gov
Plus Code: 8782HJP4+CR (Danville, VA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Ruby B. Archie Public Library
The Ruby B. Archie Public Library serves the City of Danville, Virginia from its location at 511 Patton Street. Named for Ruby B. Archie, who broke racial barriers as Danville's first Black librarian, the library today embodies her legacy of equitable community access. Its mission is to empower and engage residents through free resources that enable creative thinking and lifelong learning. Services include a collection of books, audiobooks, and digital media; public computers and free internet; eBooks and audiobooks via Libby (OverDrive); museum passes for local Danville museums; computer classes for beginners and advanced users; and a Mobile Library Service vehicle that extends internet access, wireless printing, and book delivery into neighborhoods across the city. The library also partners with Universal Class for free online courses and offers Transparent Language for language learning — all free with a Danville card. Virginia residents may access Find It Virginia through the Library of Virginia for additional statewide digital resources.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Ruby B. Archie, Danville's first African American librarian — a legacy of equitable community access
- Free museum passes for local Danville cultural institutions, available at the circulation desk
- Mobile Library Service Vehicle bringing internet, printing, and books directly to Danville neighborhoods
- Free computer classes for beginners plus technology assistance programs for all skill levels
- Open six days a week including Saturday mornings at 511 Patton Street in downtown Danville
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Danville Library cardholders can read, learn, and research online for free through these digital services:
📚 Services
- Books, audiobooks, DVDs, and digital media lending
- Free museum passes for local Danville museums
- Public computers with internet access and printing
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- eBooks and eAudiobooks via Libby (OverDrive) and digital magazines
- Mobile Library Service Vehicle with internet, printing, and book delivery to neighborhoods
- Vision Impaired Resource Center — library services for print-disabled residents
- Fax and photocopier services
- Interlibrary loan for materials not in local collection
- Reference, reader's advisory, and research assistance
🎸 Programs
- Computer Classes for Beginners — free technology instruction
- LEGO Brick Engineers — monthly creative building challenge for youth
- Little Explorers Storytime — songs, stories, and activities for young children
- Teen Craft Night and Teen Takeover after-hours events
- Checkmate Danville — all-ages drop-in chess club
- The Write Stuff — community writer's group
- Summer reading program for all ages
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southern Virginia
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ruby B. Archie and why is the Danville library named after her?
Ruby B. Archie was Danville's first African American librarian, a trailblazer who broke racial barriers in a segregated city. The library was renamed in her honor to recognize her lasting contribution to equitable public access to information in Danville. Her legacy continues to guide the library's mission of community empowerment and lifelong learning.
Does the Ruby B. Archie Public Library offer museum passes?
Yes. The library offers free museum passes for local Danville cultural institutions. Passes are available to Danville library cardholders at the circulation desk during regular library hours. Call (434) 799-5195 to check current availability.
What is the Danville Mobile Library Service?
Beginning in 2021, the Ruby B. Archie Public Library launched a Mobile Library Service Vehicle that travels to neighborhoods throughout Danville to offer internet access, wireless printing, book delivery, and more. It is designed to reach residents who have difficulty visiting the main library at 511 Patton Street.
What are the library's hours and is it open on Saturdays?
The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed on Sundays.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
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