About Us

PCPL Mission

The mission of the Pittsylvania County Public Library is to enlighten, educate, empower, and expand the well-being of county residents and patrons by connecting them with the information, experiences, and resources they need to make their lives better.

About the Library

Pittsylvania County is the largest county in Virginia at 968.94 square miles. Located in the south-central part of the state on the border with North Carolina, the county surrounds the city of Danville on three sides. The library provides cards and services to the people of the county as well as the counties and cities surrounding it. In 2018, almost 36,000 people possessed a Pittsylvania County Public Library card.

The county library system was established as the Chatham Library Association in 1939. The system now consists of five libraries: the main library in Chatham and branches in the communities of Gretna, Brosville/Cascade, and Mt. Hermon, as well as a History Research Center & Library, also in Chatham. Our Bookmobile makes approximately 60 stops each month throughout the county.

The county library system is a department of Pittsylvania County government, governed by an unpaid, volunteer, 10-member Library Board of Trustees. Library board members are appointed by the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and represent each voting district and the towns of Chatham, Gretna, and Hurt. Board members serve 4-year terms and may be reappointed.

The library receives its funding from the county, state aid for libraries, and federal e-rate funding for internet support. Most of the funding for the programs offered to the public is supplied through the fundraising efforts of the volunteer Friends of the Library groups and grants. The Pittsylvania Public Library (PPL) Foundation raises funds to support capital projects such the furnishings and exterior landscaping at the new Mt. Hermon library.

Library Reports and Documents

Library Board of Trustees

  • Chatham/Blairs District
    • Karen Eades Shelby
  • Town of Gretna
    • Jean Buffington
  • Banister District
    • Portia Fitzgerald
  • Callands/Gretna District
    • York Pilson
  • Town of Chatham
    • Alice Shelton
  • Dan River District
    • Janice Fitts
  • Town of Hurt
    • Phyllis Roach
  • Staunton River District
    • David Law
  • Tunstall District
    • Debra Turner
  • Westover District
    • Sandy Mitchell
  • Library Director
    • Rhonda Griffin
[Board appointments are for a four-year term]