Petersburg Public Library
🏢 Petersburg Public Library System · Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg Public Library
Petersburg Public Library occupies the state-of-the-art building at 201 W. Washington Street — completed in phases from 2020 to 2026 — and carries the legacy of the historic William R. McKenney Branch, site of a pivotal 1960 civil rights sit-in led by Reverend Wyatt Tee Walker that desegregated the city's libraries.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 201 W. Washington St., Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone: (804) 733-2387
Website: ppls.org
Plus Code: 87946HGV+V3 (Petersburg, VA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Petersburg Public Library
The Petersburg Public Library System traces its origins to 1924, when Clara Pickrell McKenney bequeathed the 1859 mansion at 137 S. Sycamore Street — built for John Dodson, Petersburg's first mayor — to the city for use as a library in honor of her husband, politician William R. McKenney. The building opened as a segregated library with a separate basement entrance for Black patrons; in May 1960, the Reverend Wyatt Tee Walker, a Petersburg pastor who would soon become a key strategist for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., led a sit-in at the library that temporarily closed the institution and ultimately resulted in full integration — an event now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1976, the A. P. Hill Branch and the Rodof Sholom Branch expanded service across the city, and a $12.7 million capital campaign funded by the Petersburg Library Foundation culminated in the current main building at 201 W. Washington Street, whose Conference and Event Center (Phase Two) was completed in 2026. Today the system holds roughly 122,800 volumes and offers research rooms, a state-of-the-art 300-seat Event Center, computer access, and robust digital resources through Find It Virginia and the Library of Virginia's statewide collections.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Historic Civil Rights landmark: site of the May 1960 sit-in led by Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker that desegregated Petersburg's public libraries — listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Built for John Dodson (Petersburg's first mayor) in 1859 and bequeathed to the city in 1924 as the McKenney Branch — the first public library in Petersburg
- State-of-the-art main building at 201 W. Washington St., with a 300-seat Conference and Event Center (Phase Two completed 2026) funded by the Petersburg Library Foundation
- Collection of roughly 122,800 volumes plus eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, films & music accessible free with a Petersburg library card
- Full suite of services: public computers, free Wi-Fi, microfilm, fax, meeting rooms, research room, notary, and interlibrary loan
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Petersburg cardholders can stream, download, and research free through Virginia's statewide digital collections:
📚 Services
- Free library card open to all Petersburg residents
- Public computers, free Wi-Fi, printing, copying, scanning & fax
- Microfilm reader for historical newspaper research
- Meeting rooms and the 300-seat Conference & Event Center
- Research room for genealogy and local history
- Notary service
- Interlibrary loan
- Homebound delivery for qualifying patrons
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes, crafts & early literacy programs
- Teen programming and activities
- Summer reading program
- Adult workshops: gardening, financial literacy, resume building
- Art classes and cultural exhibits
- Book clubs and author events
- Community events in the Conference & Event Center
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Petersburg Area
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Petersburg · Browse all Virginia libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the civil rights significance of the Petersburg Public Library?
In May 1960, the Reverend Wyatt Tee Walker — a Petersburg pastor who would become Executive Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and a chief strategist for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — led a sit-in at what was then the McKenney Branch at 137 S. Sycamore Street. The library had operated on a segregated basis since opening in 1924, with Black patrons restricted to the basement. Walker's protest temporarily closed the library and ultimately forced integration — an act of courage now recognized with listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the history of the McKenney building at 137 S. Sycamore Street?
The 1859 mansion was built for John Dodson, Petersburg's first mayor. Its final private owner, politician William R. McKenney, purchased it in 1911; upon his death in 1924, his widow Clara Pickrell McKenney donated the property to the city on condition it remain a library and museum. It opened that year as Petersburg's first public library. The building is now on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural and civil rights significance.
How do I get a free library card at Petersburg Public Library?
Any Petersburg resident can get a free library card at the main library at 201 W. Washington Street. Bring a photo ID and proof of current address. Your card unlocks physical borrowing plus free digital access to eBooks and audiobooks through Find It Virginia and hoopla.
Does the Petersburg library have space for large events or meetings?
Yes. The main building includes a Conference and Event Center (Phase Two, completed 2026) that seats up to 300 people auditorium-style or 200 banquet-style, and is fully handicap-accessible. The library also has smaller meeting rooms available for community groups.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
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