NPL’s Mission

NPL provides equal opportunity access to information, high quality book and multimedia materials, programs, exhibits, and online resources to meet the needs of our diverse community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and intellectual stimulation. To fulfill this mission, the Norfolk Public Library employs a knowledgeable, well-trained staff committed to excellent service.

A Rich History

NPL can trace its origins to a stock company organized by a group of prominent citizens on August 18, 1870. As the library grew, it moved from the second floor of the Norfolk Academy for Boys to the YMCA building on Main Street and later to the Newton House at the corner of Granby Street and College Place. In 1904, NPL moved into the new Freemason Street Library built with a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. As NPL continued to grow, several branches were opened throughout the city and in 1962, Kirn Memorial Library became the new central library in downtown Norfolk.

NPL Today

Today NPL consists of central downtown library (Kirn Memorial Library), ten branch libraries, a state-of-the-art bookmobile, the Barron F. Black Learning Homework Center and an outreach vehicle called the Treasure Truck. Special services include five public computers labs, full Internet access at each location, family resource centers, and programming for children and adults. The Sargeant Memorial Room, located in Kirn Memorial Library, assists patrons in researching local historical genealogical data.

Looking To The Future…

NPL is committed to providing superior service to all citizens. To meets this goal, a long-term strategic plan has been adopted to create “anchor branches” in the four quadrants of the city, provide specialized services at the remaining “community branches,” build a new central library in downtown Norfolk, and expand childhood literacy efforts as well as computerized information services for all residents. The first “anchor branch” is scheduled to open in 2007 in Ocean View. Leaders are currently working on the details for the second anchor branch planned to open in the Broad Creek area.