Jefferson‑Madison Regional Library director outlines services, usage and renovation timetable
David Plunkett, director of the Jefferson‑Madison Regional Library (JMRL), briefed City Council on Aug. 18, 2025, summarizing system services, usage statistics and an upcoming Central Library renovation that the library is asking the city and Albemarle County to program in the capital improvement plan.
The nut graph: JMRL operates eight branches and regional services including a bookmobile, digital resources and maker spaces; the system reports heavy usage and ongoing needs for facility modernization and updated infrastructure at the Central Library, a building last fully renovated in 1981.
Plunkett said JMRL’s footprint serves five jurisdictions (Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties) and that Charlottesville shares the cost of urban branches and staff based on usage. He reported about 93,000 cardholders across the system, roughly 1.9 million total circulations in the most recent fiscal year, about 600,000 digital checkouts, and nearly 750,000 in‑person visits across the system. He noted the Central Library had more than 150,000 visits last fiscal year.
On services, Plunkett listed public computer sessions, Wi‑Fi, digital‑media labs, makerspace access, holds‑locker and drive‑up pickup, bookmobile stops in neighborhoods and outreach events. JMRL also provides a range of non‑book items for checkout — from STEM kits to Virginia state‑park passes — and digital services including ebook and audiobook lending via Libby and online databases the state supports.
Funding and budget: Plunkett said Charlottesville’s tax dollars fund branch operations and staff (split with Albemarle by usage) and that state aid — roughly $1.1 million for the library system this year — primarily pays for books and materials. He presented a systemwide draft budget of about $11.3 million for fiscal 2026 with salaries and benefits as the largest cost. Plunkett warned that some federal and state funding streams can change — the Institute of Museum and Library Services federal funding had been curtailed — and that some databases supported by state aid could be at risk if state funding changes.
Central Library renovation: Plunkett reviewed a long‑standing plan to modernize the Central Library (the former federal building and post office). He said a Friends‑commissioned design study in 2015 had informed conversations and that a working group in 2023 helped align city and county leaders. Jamerrill seeks architecture and engineering work in fiscal 2027 and then full construction in fiscal 2029, pending design, fundraising and intergovernmental agreements. Plunkett asked council for continued alignment with Albemarle County on the project and said the Friends of the Library are prepared to support fundraising.
Plunkett also described the library’s historical and civic role, including a Sept. 5 commemoration in the Central Library courtroom for the 75th anniversary of the Gregory Swanson case that challenged segregation at the University of Virginia.
No vote was required. Plunkett told council that monthly librarian reports required by city code are available at jmrl.org/boardoftrustees and invited councilors to upcoming author events and community programs.