SERVICES

Community Rooms

The Community Room Reservation Form is provided online for convenience. Please complete the information online, print and bring to the library for reservation confirmation.

Forms & Policy

Computer Access

Computers are available for public use for up to 3 hours per day with valid Library Card in good standing. Scanners are available for public use. All computers have internet access and word processing capabilities.

Fees

Printout fees:

  • $0.15 per page for black and white

  • $0.50 per page for color

Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi)

Network Name: Public Library Internet
Password: hellopatron

Gloucester County Public Library locations offer free wireless Internet access at times the libraries are open.

Connecting to the Library's Wireless Network

  • Computers or other devices must be equipped with an 802.11b-compatible wireless card.

  • The "Public Library Internet" wireless network password is: hellopatron

  • Using your computer's network utilities, look for the wireless network named "Public Library Internet."

Limitations and Disclaimers Regarding Wireless Access

  • Library staff is not able to provide technical assistance. Everyone's computer is different and you are responsible for knowing how to configure your own equipment. Please consult your user's manual or contact your hardware or software provider for additional assistance.

  • The library's wireless network is not secure. Information sent from or to your laptop or device can be captured by anyone else with a wireless device and the appropriate software, within 300 feet.

  • No guarantee can be provided that you will be able to make a wireless connection. Although wireless internet service is usually available, it is not guaranteed and during times of high use or technical problems the wireless service may not be available.

  • Use a web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari. Update to the latest version of these browsers to ensure optimum compatibility.

Liability

The library assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment or for laptop configurations, security or data files resulting from connection to the library's network.

Copy Machines

Both Libraries have copy machines available for public use.

Photocopy Fees

  • (8.5x11, 8.5x14, or 11x17): $0.15 per page

  • Two-sided: $0.20 per page

Fax Machines

Both libraries offer fax services for patrons. A free cover page is provided by the library.

Fax Fees

  • $3 for (up to) 20 sheets
    $0.50 each additional sheet

  • Incoming Faxes: $0.20 per page

Reference

The Gloucester County Public Library offers a wealth of information in print and online to help in your research. Library staff provides reference and information services including:

  • Answer brief questions by phone

  • Assist with on-site computing

  • Basic information questions

  • Help locate resources for assignments and research projects

  • Provide assistance in using online and print indexes and resources

  • Questions about the library and its services

  • Suggest approaches for defining research topics

Reference Resources Available

Genealogy

General Records & Resources

Ancestry.com

Discover your family history with the world's largest genealogy website. Start a family tree, search census, SSDI, Civil War records and more!

Gloucester Genealogical Society

Search Gloucester census, death records, marriages, cemeteries, tax records and more. The Gloucester Genealogical Society provides a wealth of resources for Gloucester County.

Rootsweb

Finding our roots together. Rootsweb combines resources from Ancestry.com with contributions from a growing community of researchers.

Heritage Quest

Heritage Quest Online is a comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources, rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, and finding aids. It delivers an essential collection of genealogical and historical sources with coverage dating back to the 1700s that can help people find their ancestors and discover a place's past.

Digital Library on American Slavery

The Digital Library on American Slavery offers data on race and slavery extracted from 18th and 19th century documents and processed over a period of 18 years. The Digital Library contains detailed information on about 150,000 individuals, including slaves, free people of color, and whites.

African American Resources

Virginia Memory

Virginia Memory is part of the online presence of the Library of Virginia, the state archives and reference library at the seat of government for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Established in 1823, the Library maintains vast and varied collections of:

  • Archival records

  • Fine arts that tell the history of the Commonwealth and its people

  • Manuscripts

  • Maps and atlases

  • Newspapers

  • Photographs and ephemera

  • Print materials

  • Rare books

Cyndi's List

What is Cyndi's List? A categorized and cross-referenced index to genealogical resources on the internet. A list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online. A free jumping-off point for you to use in your online research. A "card catalog" to the genealogical materials in the immense library that is the internet. Your genealogical research portal onto the internet.

National Archives

Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1% to 3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept forever. Those valuable records are preserved in the National Archives and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family's history, need to prove a veteran's military service, or are researching a historical topic that interests you.

Digital Library on American Slavery

The Digital Library on American Slavery offers data on race and slavery extracted from 18th and 19th century documents and processed over a period of 18 years. The Digital Library contains detailed information on about 150,000 individuals, including slaves, free people of color, and whites.

Native American Resources

Access Genealogy

Access Genealogy is the largest free genealogy website not run by Ancestry. Although they are known best for their Native American data, they also provide data for the regular American researcher.

Cyndi's List

What is Cyndi's List? A categorized and cross-referenced index to genealogical resources on the internet. A list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online. A free jumping-off point for you to use in your online research. A "card catalog" to the genealogical materials in the immense library that is the internet. Your genealogical research portal onto the internet.

National Archives

Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1% to 3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept forever. Those valuable records are preserved in the National Archives and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family's history, need to prove a veteran's military service, or are researching a historical topic that interests you.

The Virginia Room

The Virginia Room, housed in the Gloucester Main Library, is a special collection of family histories, genealogical and reference materials, surname files and vertical files pertaining to Virginia history and more specifically to families of the Gloucester and Tidewater areas.

Virginia Gardens & Travel

Volumes on Virginia gardens and travel, fiction by Virginian writers, biographies and historical time periods and events are available for checkout.

Inventory on the Commonwealth of Virginia

We maintain a current and resourceful inventory of items that relate to the great Commonwealth of Virginia and continue our search for new publications to enhance the collection and to promote Virginia's history, people and events.

Visit

Please browse through the Virginia Room during your next library visit.

Equipment

Microfilm / Fiche

  • Reader-Printer-Scanner
    Copies are $0.15 each.

Computer 

Designated for genealogical research, patrons can access through library subscriptions:

Magazines

Back issues of the following:

  • Magazine of Virginia Genealogy

  • Tidewater Virginia Families

  • Virginia Genealogist

  • Virginia Magazine of History and Biography

  • Virginia Tidewater Genealogy

Ready Reference

Ready Reference is a collection of books kept behind the Circulation Desk in order to preserve and maintain research items. Books include:

  • Cemetery

  • Church records

  • Local census

  • Military records of Gloucester residents

 Inquire at the Circulation Desk for more information.

Vertical Files

The vertical files contain local histories of prominent residents and families, places of historic interest and other listings of historical value. The majority of the files pertain to Gloucester County, but the surrounding Tidewater area is also included.

Virginia Reference

The Virginia Reference section contains various books on Virginia families, places and events useful in genealogical and historical research. The Code of Virginia and its various supplements are also found in this section.

Virginia Room Holdings

Microfilm

  • Gloucester Gazette and Mathews Journal issues available prior to the merging of the two newspapers.

  • Gloucester Glo-Quips issues from August 1, 1960 to December 15, 2005.

  • Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal: Published weekly from 1937 to the present. Please inquire at the Circulation Desk for the most recent microfilm available.

Records Pertaining to Gloucester County

  • Federal Census Records

    • 1810 - 1920

  • Land Tax List

    • 1782 - 1813

    • 1814 - 1832

    • 1833 - 1844

    • 1845 - 1861

  • Personal Property Tax List

    • 1782 - 1799

    • 1800 - 1820

    • 1821 - 1827

    • 1835 - 1851

    • 1852 - 1856

    • 1857 - 1861

Volunteers

Interested in volunteering?  Download the Teen Volunteer Form (PDF) and send via email or drop off at the library front desk.

Notary Public

Notary Public services are available Monday through Friday by appointment.  Call 804-693-2998 (Main Library) or 804-642-9790 (Point Branch) to schedule.

Patrons must provide their own witnesses and these witnesses must be present at the notary appointment.  Library staff will not act as witnesses.