- Home
- Use the Library
Use the Library
Explore the Library Collection
Checking Out Materials
Renewals
Eligible items may be renewed up to three times, unless the items have been requested by another customer. You may renew materials:
- In person at any open location
- By phone at 804-751-CCPL
- Online by logging into your CCPL account
- To renew overdue library materials, please call during regular hours of operation
- Items are due by close of business on the day they are due
Holds
You can request items from any CCPL location for pickup at your nearest library. You may reserve items online or by phone at 804-751-2275. We will notify you by email when your item is available for pickup. You will have 5 business days from the day you receive the notice to pick up your hold.
Curbside Services
All locations offer curbside service for picking up your holds during all open hours (See Locations and Hours page for details)
How to pick up your holds from a CCPL Location
- Place your hold in our online catalog.
- Receive an email confirming your hold is ready for pick up
- Arrive at the library - please follow the instructions on any signage in the parking lot
- Call the phone number listed on the sign at the library
- Have your library card number ready when you call
- Please wait in your vehicle while we check out your items
- Staff will place your items on the table in the designated area
- To respect CCPL’s social distancing policy and a zero contact pickup, please wait until staff leave the table to approach.
If you have any questions about the process, please call the library: (804)751-2275
Book Lockers - 24/7 Access to Pick Up Your Holds
Book Lockers are available at Central Library and Ettrick-Matoaca Library. Pick up your holds at your convenience!
Book lockers are paid for by The Cameron Foundation and Library of Virginia
How To Access CCPL's Book Lockers
- Place your hold in the online catalog. Select "Central Locker" or "Ettrick-Matoaca Locker" as your pick up location.
- Receive an email confirming your hold is ready for pick up.
- Visit the locker and start by scanning your library card. (Physical or digital cards are accepted, or you can type in your card number)
- Confirm the item(s) you wish to collect.
- Wait for your locker door to open automatically.
- Collect all the items inside, then close the door until it latches shut.
- If you have more than one locker assigned, rescan your library card and repeat steps 4-6.
- Select Print Receipt and Finish. All items are now checked out to your card.
- If you do not want to borrow any items at this time, return the item(s) to the book drop or item return area inside the library. Please do not leave any materials in the locker.
cloudLibrary APP
In the cloudLibrary app, you can check out library materials from your smartphone, anywhere in the building. To get started, follow these easy steps on your smartphone before your next library visit.
- Visit your Android or Apple smartphone’s app store*.
- Search for the “cloudLibrary” app and install it to your device.
- Select Virginia from the list of states, then choose Chesterfield County Public Library.
- In the app, enter your library card number and your library PIN (If you don’t know your PIN, call 804-751-CCPL (2275) for assistance.)
- If other members of your family have library cards, you can add them to your app as well.
*cloudLibrary for mobile checkout is available on phones supporting Android 5.0 and higher or iOS 9 and higher.
It’s that easy! You are ready to go!
Checking out with the cloudLibrary App
Open the cloudLibrary app on your smartphone, allow the app to use your camera, and start scanning the library barcode stickers on the items. It’s that simple.
cloudLibrary will send you notifications for items that are about to come due too.
Notice: Please note that the notifications will only be for items checked out through the app. The app is not able to send reminder notifications for items that were checked out over the desk or through curbside pickup. You can see all the items you have checked out through your account online and will still receive email notifications from CCPL.
Services at CCPL
Our librarians are here for you! Ask for help anytime, or set up a specific time for an extended one-on-one learning session by booking a Your Personal Librarian session.
CCPL has resources to help you prepare for college and career placement tests, including AP tests, the SAT, ASVAB, GED, NCLEX, US Citizenship and more.
Practice Tests
CCPL subscribes to Learning Express Library – use your library card to get access to practice tests.
Brainfuse HelpNow
HelpNow from Brainfuse provides on-demand e-learning anytime, anywhere for all ages and levels. Features include Homework Help with live tutors, a 24-Hour Writing Lab, an Adult Learning Center, and a Foreign Language Lab and Spanish-speaking support.
Driver Testing
Driving Tests provides driver manuals online and in downloadable format. The practice tests cover every section of the driver manuals and the exam simulator is designed to feel just like the official exam. State-specific tests help users improve chances of passing the DMV exams.
Teacher Certification and Licensure Pathways | Teacher Certification Degrees
Teacher Certification Degrees is a comprehensive certification guide for individuals who want to learn how to become a teacher or further their teaching career by earning an advanced degree.
As a service to library card holders, the Chesterfield County Public Library allows library staff to proctor exams at no charge, when the student obtains agreement from the academic institution or licensing body to accept our guidelines, including acknowledgment that staff do not monitor the student throughout the entire test. Proctoring is done by appointment and is considered a YPL (Your Personal Librarian). Like all YPLs, availability is dictated by workload, at the management team’s discretion, and therefore CCPL does not guarantee the availability of this service at all times or in all locations. To schedule an appointment, complete this online form or call any library.
CCPL knows that completing homework assignments can be difficult. In addition to the many materials available for loan in our libraries, we also have a number of online resources which may help solve this problem. These resources are just a place to get started with online homework help. These databases are available for use both inside and outside of CCPL. And remember, finding an article in our databases is not the same as finding it on the Internet!
Homework Help at the Library
Our librarians are here for you! Ask for help anytime, or set up a specific time for an extended one-on-one learning session by booking a Your Personal Librarian session.
Online Homework Help
Brainfuse HelpNow
HelpNow from Brainfuse provides on-demand e-learning anytime, anywhere for all ages and levels. Features include Homework Help with live tutors, a 24-Hour Writing Lab, an Adult Learning Center, and a Foreign Language Lab and Spanish-speaking support.
Gale in Context: Elementary (formerly Kids InfoBits (K-5))
Gale’s Elementary research tool is a stimulating, colorful resource for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. Young learners can explore the visual topic tree to enjoy age-appropriate book, magazine, and newspaper articles, as well as charts, graphs, pictures, and videos.
Explora Secondary Schools
EBSCO Explora’s easy interface provides one portal for middle and high school students to explore thousands of articles, e-books and multimedia. Sources include encyclopedias, journals, magazines, newspapers, books, e-books, primary source documents and videos.
Explora Public Libraries
EBSCO Explora’s easy interface provides one portal to explore thousands of articles, e-book, and multimedia. Sources include encyclopedias, journals, magazines, newspapers, books, e-books, primary source documents and Associated Press videos.