Wilderness Branch Library

Overview
Located at the eastern end of Orange County adjacent to the Lake of the Woods subdivision and just 2 miles from Rt. 3, Wilderness Branch serves residents of Orange and all adjacent counties including Spotsylvania and Culpeper plus all cardholders of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Wilderness Branch is approximately 7500 sq. ft. and provides books, videos, magazines, DVDs, CDs, books-on-tape, books-on-CD, and computer software on CD-ROM for free checkout by the public. Wilderness has especially strong collections in audio books, Civil War history, and homeschooling resources. This branch has a collection of over 45,000 items and adds approximately 275 new items each month.

Current hours

PHONE: 540) 854-5310 FAX:540) 854-5402

Toddler Storytime is on Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. for children ages 18 months up to 3 years and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime is offered on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for children ages 3-6. Sign-up is not required for Toddler Time or Preschool Storytime.

During our 6 week Summer Reading Program we provide regularly scheduled storytimes and a variety of professional performers provide storytelling, magic, live animals, clowning and a variety of other programs.
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Staff

The Wilderness Branch is staffed by 7 staff members, of whom 5 are part-time and 2 are full-time. Michele Beamer is the Branch Librarian.  Amy Cryst is the Assistant Branch Manager.  Ms. Beamer reports to the Library Director, Katie Hill.  The staff is assisted by volunteers.

Library Support Groups

The Wilderness Branch is supported in its mission by two library support groups. The Wilderness Friends of the Library provide funds for needs such as display furniture, children`s programs, large-print books, videos, children`s books and special projects. They have contributed several thousand dollars in aid in the past year. The Orange County Library Foundation supports all three library locations. The Foundation`s annual fund drive addresses a specific area of need each year. The 2007-08 campaign raised over $20,000 for updating the classics in all foramts for all ages at the three libraries. The Foundation is currently seking donations for their 2009 campaign which is focused on increasing the variety of fiction books and books on CD for all ages. Membership information for both groups is available at the library.

Meeting Room

The Wilderness Branch offers a meeting room available for certain types of public use at no charge.  See our Meeting Room Policy for more information.