The Board of Directors of the Lancaster Community Library is made up of community members who are selected by the Members from a slate prepared by a nominating committee. Board members volunteer their time to provide governance for the library. The Board advises the Library Director on policy and provides assistance in raising funds and promoting the Library and its resources within the community. Directors normally serve a four-year term.

Current Board of Directors:

2025-2026 LCL Board of Directors

The Lancaster Community Library has been serving the citizens of Lancaster County for fifty years. The highlights of the Library’s development as a center for learning and activity are listed below.

1961    Community Library opens October 22 in the “little white house” on School Street
1962    Story Hour at the Library, conducted by the Lancaster Junior Women’s Club, begins
1964    Summer Reading Program begins
1968    Books and Coffee Program begins
1972    First Library book sale
1975    New Library Building opens on School Street next to original library structure
            Rappahannock Art League (RAL) begins exhibiting at Library
1979    Coast Guard Auxiliary begins meeting in Library
1981    Recorded books added to Library’s collection
1982    Children’s Room at the Library is enlarged
1985    Library qualifies for State support
1986    First certified librarian, Sally Rohlfing, is hired
1991    Library building is expanded
            Storymobile begins service
1992    Susanna Collins becomes Library Director
1994    Library Lottery begins
1995    Library catalog and circulation are computerized
1996    Library adds full-time Children’s Librarian
1997    First public Internet computer made available at the Library
2000    Library goes on-line
2001    Library opens booth at Irvington Market
2006    Wireless Internet becomes available at the Library
            Babygarten program initiated
2007    Lindsy Gardner becomes Library Director
            Original Library "little white house" becomes Storymobile office
2008    Digital books on Playaways introduced at the Library
2010    Downloadable eBooks & audiobooks made available to patrons
            Kilmarnock Entertainment Center Grand Opening (later to become the library)
            Library obtains a part-time Technology Specialist staff position
2011    Library's 50th birthday / Storymobile's 20th birthday / Launch of new website
2014    Capital Campaign begins to raise funds to purchase/renovate the "bowling alley"
            at 16 Town Centre Drive as the new location for the library
2016    Moved into new building at 16 Town Centre Drive, Kilmarnock
            Advanced Audio/Video system installation begins
2017    Alice Cooper becomes Library Director
2018    Library migrates to new ILS "Apollo" to manage circulation

Want to see more history in a fun and interesting way? Visit the Internet Archive Wayback Machine to view past events at the library as recorded on our webpages. When the link is clicked the current display will be August, 2011, but using options at the top of the page will position the display to different dates. Currently, the archive holds images of our front page from 2001 to 2018. 

The administration and staff of the Lancaster Community Library prides itself on being knowledgeable, accessible, and enthusiastic about serving the community. Patrons with questions or suggestions about specific activities or services are encouraged to contact the appropriate staff member.

Obtaining a card
Patrons wishing to obtain a library card can apply at the circulation desk. The card is free. Those under 14 must obtain the approval of a parent or guardian.

Borrowing Periods
• Books, periodicals, audio tapes, CDs, and DABs are due in 3 weeks and are renewable unless there is a hold request for them.
• DVDs and videos are due in 1 week and are renewable unless there is a hold request on them.
• Reference material, new periodicals and certain other periodicals may not be checked out.

Library Material Check-Out Limits

Fines
• Adult overdue books, books on tape, CDs, DABs, periodicals and items on interlibrary loan are assessed at 10 cents a day up to a maximum of $5.
• Children's overdue books, books on tape, CDs, DABs and periodicals are assessed at 5 cents a day up to a maximum of $5.
• Overdue videos and DVDs are assessed at $.50 per day or a maximum of $10.
• Lost items are assessed the price to replace the item.

Other Fees
• Copier: 10 cents per page black and white, 50 cents per page color
• Computer printer: 10 cents per page.
• Computer disk: $1.
• Fax: $1 per page to send or receive.
  Library Cards
   • The first card is free.
   • Replacement for a lost card is $1.
   • There is no charge for replacing a damaged or broken card.

Interlibrary Loans (ILL) & Book Requests
• Patrons may request that the library purchase specific books by filling out a request form at the circulation desk.
• Patrons who cannot find a book in our collection may request it from other libraries through ILL.
• Patrons are responsible for paying shipping charges to return books obtained through ILL. These charges average $2.50.
 
Postings & Information
• Racks in the lobby are available to the community to display information about non-profit programs and activities.
• A small bulletin board in the main reading room is available for posting notices about non-profit organizations' coming events. These notices should not be larger than 8 ½ x 14” and will be removed immediately following the event.
• One wall in the reading room is for the display of local art; the display rotates monthly. This program is  administered by the Rappahannock Art League. Questions about the art should be referred to the RAL Studio Gallery, 19 North Main Street, Kilmarnock, 804-436-9309.
• The display case in the lobby is available for use by the community. It is scheduled monthly by library staff.

Computer Policy
• Patrons wishing to use a computer should agree to the Acceptable Use Policy the first time and thereafter present a library card to be checked for approval.
• From time to time visitors to the area come to the library to use our computers. They are to be permitted  access, so long as they sign the policy statement and there is time available.

Privacy & Access
The Library subscribes to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. A copy of the ALA Bill of Rights can be found at
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill