Visiting the Jefferson Library
The Jefferson Library welcomes all researchers interested in learning about Thomas Jefferson and his world. If you are considering a visit, be sure to explore our Collections page to get an idea of what we have here and whether a visit may be fruitful for you. If you do decide to visit, please read on for important information on how to plan your visit and what to expect when you arrive.
Make an Appointment
If you are planning to visit the Jefferson Library to do research on a Jefferson-related topic, we ask that you make an appointment with us ahead of time. This will help us to make your visit more productive, and ensure that your visit does not conflict with any events occurring in the library. To make an appointment, you may use our online form, email us directly, or call the Reference Desk at (434) 984-7543.
Research Ahead of Time
You may wish to get a head start on your research by exploring our online catalog, which you can access at http://tjportal.on.worldcat.org.
Getting Here
The Jefferson Library is down the road from Monticello; our street address is 1329 Kenwood Farm, Charlottesville, VA 22902, which should work with most mapping apps.
Registration
Once you arrive, please stop in the front office to register. Registration involves filling out a short form with your name, contact information, and research topic, with a listing of our policies requiring your signature. Registration requires a photo ID, so be sure to have one with you.
Jackets and bags larger than a large handbag are prohibited in our Reading Room and Multimedia Center; we have a coat closet and lockers available for storing personal belongings while you are using our collections.
General Contact Information
Phone: (434) 984-7540
Email: library@monticello.org
Please note that we do not accept reference questions over the telephone. If you have a research-related question, please submit your query to us in writing by using our reference form, emailing us at library@monticello.org, or sending your query by mail to the Jefferson Library, P.O. Box 316, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
Please note: For each person or department, we have only specified the first portion of email addresses. Please add @monticello.org to contact us via email.
Hours
The Jefferson Library is open every Monday through Friday, from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
We are closed on the following holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- George Washington Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- The day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Request Forms
- Reference Questions
- Appointment Requests
- Resource Recommendations
- Interlibrary Loan Requests
(for Monticello staff, interns, and ICJS Fellows only) - General comments and suggestions may be
sent directly to the Foundation Librarian
Intern and Volunteer Program
The Jefferson Library welcomes volunteers and interns from the local community. To learn more about these opportunities, please see our Intern and Volunteer Program page.