| Richmond Hill Public Library (RHPL) | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1852 as a Mechanics Institute |
| Branches | 4 |
| Collection | |
| Items collected | business directories, phone books, maps, government publications, books, periodicals, genealogy, local history, |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 1.5 million |
| Website | http://rhpl.richmondhill.on.ca/RHPL/ |
The Richmond Hill Public Library is the organisation that runs public libraries in the town of Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Contents |
The Richmond Hill Library Association formed in 1852 under the provisions of the previous year's provincial An Act respecting Library Associations and Mechanics Institutes.[1] The Library Association marged itself with the local Mechanics Institute in 1858. In 1870, the two organizations split over a disagreement about the user fees, which the Library Association did not support but the Mechanics Institute did.
By the end of the 19th century, it was transformed to an organization that did not require membership fee. The New Richmond Hill District Public Library, with a collection of 5,000 books, was established in the new Masonic Hall on Yonge Street.
| Branch | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Hill Central | 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill | 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) |
| Oak Ridges Moraine | 13085 Yonge Street, Unit 12, Richmond Hill | 6,000 square feet (560 m2) |
| Richmond Green | 1 William F Bell Parkway, Richmond Hill | 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2) |
| Richvale | 40 Pearson Avenue, Richmond Hill | 8,000 square feet (740 m2) |
Library cards are issued without charge to individuals who live, work, study or pay land taxes in the town of Richmond Hill, or in the communities within the York Public Libraries Network (YPLN), which includes Aurora, Markham, Newmarket, and Vaughan. Replacement cards are issued at the cost of $2. If the card is damaged or worn out, the card will be replaced for free. To obtain an adult library card, a valid piece of I.D. with name and current address is required. However, RHPL does accept student card and Transit I.D. for students aged 13 to 17. Memberships expire annually. However, members are required to verify their information and pay any outstanding fees.[2]