Chincoteague Island Library

We are a small, privately supported free library that serves residents of Chincoteague Island and Northern Accomack County and many seasonal visitors. Our mission is to promote reading, a love of books, and literacy, and to preserve the history of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.

Our historic (1890's) building is being outgrown. Since it opened in 1995, the Chincoteague Island Library has been well-used. Centrally located in a 750 square foot historic building which is the oldest commercial frame structure on Chincoteague, it has offered patrons convenience and a piece of local history. Before 1995 residents had to travel 26 miles to the Eastern Shore Library, or rely on a bookmobile which became obsolete. Now these libraries circulate shared materials. Our 7,267 volumes have an annual circulation of 8,700. The library staff consists of 26 volunteers and 2 part-time employees.

Accomack County has the highest illiteracy rate in Virginia. It is vital that our library address this problem. The first GED program on Chincoteague began in the library, but soon left due to cramped space in the tiny facility. Ten years of steady growth have created an urgent need to add on. We have approved an addition of approximately 2,100 square foot architecturally compatible with the original structure in which to expand our collection, add computers with internet access, offer children’s and community groups’ programs, provide climate controlled storage for archives, and a small work area for our staff and volunteers.