Family Resource Center

Family Resource Collections provide information on the stages of development and developmental needs of children.  Materials are available for 2-week check-out with a Richmond Public Library card. 
Family Resource Collections are located in each library of the Richmond Public Library system. 
For information on specific holdings, contact any Richmond Public Library location. For your convenience, you may request materials from any Richmond Public Library branch be sent to your local branch.

The Library, in partnership with Richmond's Early Childhood Development Initiative, is pleased to have the "Orange Dot Collection" in the Main Library Family Resource Center. This collection contains resources especially for early education providers to support quality early care and instruction. All materials are marked with an orange dot for easy identification. You can also type PROVIDERS RESOURCES in the search box to get a list of all materials in the "Orange Dot Collection".  In addition to print and DVD resources, the Main Library also has a wide selection of die cuts available to use. Please bring your own paper/foam. Call the Literacy Outreach Coordinator at 646-4147 for more information.

Each Branch Has:

• Information on the developmental needs of children
• Community resources and materials centralized in a comfortable neighborhood setting
• Special programs designed for families

For Parents:

• Materials on child development (from prenatal to adolescence)
• Family fun activities 
• Parenting magazines
• Practical and insightful videos
• Brochures
• Web resources to address parenting needs

For Early Care and Education Providers:

• DISTANCE LEARNING opportunities: Earn training hours using library resources and distance learning materials from the Virginia Department of Social Services and Community Idea Stations/PBS Ready to Learn. Program options include the following and are available only at the MAIN LIBRARY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER:

  1. Read A Book (VDSS) Books and information binder.
  2. The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years (VDSS) DVDs and packets.
  3. The Program for Infant and Toddler Caregivers (VDSS) DVDs and packets.
  4. A Place of Our Own (Community Idea Stations/PBS Ready to Learn) DVDs and packets.
• Creative learning materials (art, music, movement...)
• Activity books and manipulatives
• Educational videos
• Brochures
• Web resources to address child concerns
• PBS View/Do/Read backpacks: Curious George, Word World, and Clifford
• Die cut machine and die cuts (must provide your own paper/foam)