"This book is a gift from the Small Press Expo"

You may have noticed these popping up on Richmond Public Library shelves--bookplates bearing the title of this post appearing inside some of the cleverest and most exciting new graphic novels you've ever seen.

We are thrilled to be recipients of the Small Press Expo's Graphic Novel Gift Program, which aims to:

"Expand the reach of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries. Promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries. Provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics."  

Children's graphic novels:

Cave In by Brian Ralph, Korgi by Christian Slade, The Kurdles by Robert Goodin, Maddy Kettle by Eric Orchard, Astrid Lindgren's Pippi: the Strongest in the World! by Astrid Lindgren and Ingrid Vang Nyman, S.F. by Ryan Cecil Smith, Yam: Bite-Size Chunks by Corey Barba

Young Adult:

Aya: Life in Yop City by Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie, Beautiful Darkness by Fabien Vehlman, The Heart of Thomas by Moto Hagio, Incredible Changebots by Jeffrey Brown, Infinite Kung-Fu by Kagan McLeod, The Story of Roberto Clemente by Wilfred Santiago

Adult:

Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire, Moving Pictures by Kathryn and Stuart Immonen, 5,000 km per second by Manuele Fior, Earthling by Aisha Franz

This is only a sample of what's available--check out the collection at every branch! 

Circus Story Times Featuring a Real Clown

Kids love clowns! See the proof above in a video clip featuring a couple hundred pre-schoolers enjoying a little juggling action from a Ringling Brothers clown. He's visiting our libraries to juggle, dance, joke, and read If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss.

If you missed today's special circus story time, it's okay. You have four more chances to see some clowning at our branch libraries:

• North Avenue Library - Friday, January 20th - 10:30 am
• West End Library - Friday, January 20th - 3:00 pm
• Hull Street Library - Saturday, January 21st - 10:30 am
• Belmont Library - Saturday, January 21st - 3:00 pm

All ages are welcome to these events. Kids that attend will receive free clown noses and circus coupons, courtesy of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. If you have a group that would like to attend, please call your branch for a reservation.

Barefoot Puppet Theatre tours presents: Little Red and the Gingerbread Man

On Wednesday, December 7th, Heidi Rugg and Barefoot Puppets present a puppet show that combines two well-loved, classic tales to create an original, fun-filled romp through fairy tales. Original music, snowy scenery, and everyone's favorite Big Bad Wolf make up this seasonal favorite for young audiences. This wonderful production is presented at the Hull Street Branch.

Barefoot Puppet Theatre tours award-winning programs to theatres, schools, libraries, children's museums and more. Families, educators, librarians, and theatre directors give enthusiastic reviews of our programs and invite them back again and again.

The shows feature contemporary adaptations of world folktales, classic tales with a twist, myths, and works based on true stories. The scripts, puppets, music and sets are all original. Knowing that children's shows need to be fun and interactive, so each script is carefully written to create a rhythm that balances the actions, words, and music of the production with the laughter and spontaneity of the children. Audiences love the innovative, hand-crafted puppets and beautifully built staging and scenery.

All of the shows are self-contained and can adapt to a variety of spaces. They travel with a professional sound system and supplemental lighting, though they are always thrilled to perform in spaces with full technical support. They work hard to create a theatrical environment wherever they perform.

Hull Street Library Reopens

UPDATE:  More photos! of the Hull Street Library opening on Monday, August 15, 2011.  Stop by and see the beautiful library!
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Hull Street Library reopened yesterday after months of renovations to the building. There were several special guests on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony, and visitors were excited about changes in the library. The space is bright and cozy, with improved technology, a special area for children, updated work spaces for staff, and more efficient and attractive shelving. I think updates to the lighting are especially wonderful. Here are some pictures from the reopening.

Exterior of Building

Mayor Jones at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Library is Officially Reopened!

Library Director Harriet Coalter and Hull Street Branch Manager Gloria E. Nottingham

Gateway to the Children's Area

Circulation Desk to the Right

New Space for Public Computers

More Comfortable Work Space

Patrons Check Out Library Materials



Branch Renovation Updates

Changes Underway at Hull Street

Renovations at the Belmont and Hull Street Libraries are progessing, and everyone is looking forward to having both branches reopen soon.

Hull Street Library is set to open again in mid-August. The beautiful tilework in the bathrooms and behind the water fountains is completed, and new carpeting is being installed now. The space will feel a lot cozier, with better lighting, more efficient shelving, and an improved infrastructure for technology. Expect more computers and a rejuvinated building and materials collection.

Renovations Happening at Belmont

Belmont is our oldest branch library and is set to open a little later, since it required some extra attention. Look for Belmont Library to reopen in September, also with a cozier, more up-to-date feel. You'll also see some nice tilework here (see picture at right). New windows and meeting room glass have been installed, and painting and ceiling work is underway now. Very exciting!

I can't wait to see how these libraries look after renovations are completed. I know the branch staff  will be so glad to get back to their neighborhoods and serve library users in beautiful new spaces!

Library Renovations Continue

Construction for the renovation projects at the Belmont and Hull Street libraries is progressing as expected, moving toward reopening these two libraries in late summer.

I'm sometimes asked "What's being done with these renovations?" The easiest way to see what's included is to go visit the two completed libraries, North Avenue Library at 2901 North Avenue, or Westover Hills Library at 1408 Westover Hills Boulevard. You'll get a good idea of what changes are underway at Belmont and Hull Street.

If you've been by Belmont and Hull Street, you'll know that the inside of the buildings has been taken down to concrete floors in order to drill for new electrical and data conduit. New ceiling grids are going up for new ceiling tiles and new lighting. Windows will come out and be replaced. All will provide a more energy-efficient building, and a building that is laid out more efficiently for people, library collections and computers.

New heating and cooling equipment will be added at Belmont, replacing three old systems with one new energy-efficient system. An improved back entrance will also be added at Belmont. New carpet and new furniture will complete the renovations.

Hull Street Library is expected to reopen the week of August 1. Belmont Library is expected to reopen the week of September 12. We look forward to seeing you for the reopenings!

Reminder: Hull Street Closed Today - 3/18/10

Source

The Hull Street branch will be closed today, March 18th for inventory. Feel free to visit and return materials to any other branch of the Richmond Public Library during this brief closure. Thank you for your patience.

Youth Arts Month at the RPL

This March, the Richmond Public Library is celebrating Youth Arts Month, and we're pleased to have the opportunity to take part in our vibrant local arts community.

Our regular First Friday Exhibition on March 5th will showcase original artwork from students of Richmond Public Schools, as well as artwork from students of the IQRA Academy of Richmond. The special First Friday will also feature musical performances from Richmond Public School students.

Artwork by Sebastian Wimbush / George Wythe

In addition to the usual Main First Friday exhibition, many local branches will also feature Richmond student artwork for the entire month of March, and are holding Youth Art Receptions to celebrate the young student artists. Belmont, Broad Rock, Hull Street and West End branches are all hosting receptions this Thursday, March 4th from 4-6pm.

If you're curious about art, interested in taking a class, or just wish to learn more about art to impress your friends, Richmond is the place to be. For instance, the Richmond Public Schools have a multitude of available art classes and opportunities for their students, which can be viewed here, on their website.

Additionally, Richmond has many other venues where youth art classes are available, including but not limited to:

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond Youth Classes,

Art Works holds a Children's Art Program on the first and second Saturdays of each month,

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts holds several art classes for teens - click here to find out more about the program.


And of course, the RPL has materials for furthering your own art interests. The following are a few selections leaning toward modern art that may help you get started.


Art 21: Art in the 21st Century
Thelma Golden

The companion volume to the PBS television series introduces 21 American artists, established and emerging, working in a variety of media. The series is noted as "looking forward to the future rather than back to the past," and features profiles and discussions with the artists regarding how they work and why and is structured around 4 themes: place, spirituality, identity and consumption.


If you missed the televisions series, it is available in its entirety, (season one through four), for free on the PBS website, along with an accompanying blog, slideshows of artwork and biographies of all featured artists.


I sold Andy Warhol. (too soon)
Richard Polsky

For those of us who have no idea how current art market functions or what really determines value, this "highly enjoyable insider's guide" follows Mr. Polsky's path (as an art dealer) after he sells Andy Warhol's "Fright Wig" self portrait at auction for $320,00. If he had waited a few more years, it would have captured millions. This memoir exposes the absurdities and hypocrises of the art dealer's world, and helps the reader understand economic evolution of art, and the subsequent cultural impact.




Henry Moore, sculpting the 20th century
Dorothy M. Kosinski

From the catalog:
"Edited by Dallas Museum of Art curator Dorothy Kosinski, and serving as the catalogue for an exhibition currently touring the U.S., the book covers the artist's entire career, from his early primitivism to his 1930s surrealism to his post-war public art. Photos of over 120 of Moore's suggestively abstract plasters, carvings, bronzes and drawings grace the pages of the book, along with scholarly essays from Moore proponents."

Black History Month - Exhibits and Lectures

February is Black History Month, and we have a wealth of exhibits, lectures and events in our fair city of Richmond. We are surrounded by this history daily, but February is an ideal time to take in several new exhibits in Richmond and the surrounding area.

This will be the first in a series of posts related to Black History month, as there are many events in the local area. We'll focus first on new museum exhibits and lectures in or around Richmond, and add posts regarding library materials, activities, and more as the month goes on. If you have suggestions for further posts, be sure to leave your suggestion in the comments!

Richmond Public Library

Hull Street Branch: Pathways to Change
Thursday, February 11th
2:30 pm

Presentations featuring Edward Hudson, former Negro League Baseball Player and Harry H. Bradley, Historian and Community Activist.

Main Branch: Kusun Ensemble
Thursday, February 11th
10 am

The Kusun Ensemble is an extraordinary group of musicians and dancers based in Ghana, West Africa. Come join us and bring the children to this exciting event showcasing Ghana's most powerful music and dance ensemble fusing innovative rhythms with jazz and traditional Ghanaian instruments. Don't miss this electrifying performance sponsored by the Historic Jackson Ward Association and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia Exhibit
Take Our Stand: the African American Military Experience in the Age of Jim Crow
February 5 - May 29, 2010

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia will have a new exhibit produced in partnership with the American Civil War Center. The exhibit chronicles the black military experience from the Spanish-American War through the desegregation of the U.S. military and features rare historic images, lesson plans for students, and feedback panels where visitors can record their impressions of the exhibit.

The exhibit opens this Friday, February 5th from 6 - 8:30 p.m. with a keynote address from Dr. Kimberly L. Phillips, Associate Professor of History and American Studies at the College of William and Mary. You can also RSVP on to the opening event on their Facebook page here.

Virginia Historical Society Exhibit

The Portent: John Brown's Raid in American Memory
October 10, 2009 - April 11, 2010

From the Historical Society's website regarding the exhibit:

"As a major part of the national acknowledgement of the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid on the Federal Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, the Virginia Historical Society presents The Portent: John Brown's Raid in American Memory. This exhibition is the first-ever critical analysis by a southern institution of an episode that, on the eve of the Civil War, broke open sectionalist fissures. Brown demanded that his contemporaries take a moral stance on slavery, and to this day a mention of his attack spurs debate about issues of justice, terrorism, liberation, and vigilantism. The story of Brown's early life, his fervent religious beliefs, his turn to violence as an abolitionist in Kansas, and his Virginia raid and its aftermath will be told in the exhibition. Contemporary reactions to the raid and to the trial and execution of John Brown will also be discussed, and visitors will see a display of objects and books related to John Brown's raid."

The Historical Society leads gallery walks through its exhibits - and the next upcoming walk is lead by Lauranett Lee, Curator of African American History on Wednesday, February 10 at 12pm.

Listen to the lecture regarding the exhibit by curator William M.S. Rasmussen online here.
You can read a review of the exhibit by the New York Times here.

Virginia Union University

Sit-In | Stand Out
A Project Recognizing the 50th Anniversary
Of the Thalhimers Lunch Counter Sit-In
February 17-22, 2010

Virgina Union University has many events scheduled for this week-long commemorative event recognizing their student's important role in the Civil Rights movement in Richmond. View their calendar of events for this week here.

Monday, February 22nd marks the culmination of this celebration and includes events such as an Education Forum moderated by Sheila Johnson with representatives of “Richmond 34”, students from partner schools and the Thalhimer family Richmond CenterStage Carpenter Theatre as well as a Commemoration of Historic Marker at Richmond CenterStage.

Learn more about the "Richmond 34" here.

Image: Virginia Union University students wait to be served at the Woolworth's department tore lunch counter in downtown Richmond, February 20, 1960.
Courtesy of The Valentine Richmond History Center.

VCU Libraries Black History Month Lecture - Fifty years after the student-led sit-ins: where are we now?
Tuesday, February 9th 7:30 - 9pm Singleton Performing Arts Center
Free and open to the public
(all ages)

A panel discussion exploring the legacy of student protests, including the state of Black America and race relations 50 years after the sit-ins.

View more about the event, including the panelists and moderator, here on the VCU Libraries website.

University of Richmond
Black History Month Events

The University of Richmond have several upcoming discussions and lectures this month on their website here. For more information, call (804) 289-8032

Events include:

Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Weinstein Hall, Brown-Alley Room, “How the Sit-ins Changed America: A 50th Anniversary Retrospective,” Andy Lewis, former Richmond faculty member and author of “Shadows of Youth – The Remarkable Journey of the Civil Rights Generations.”

Feb. 19, 12:30 p.m., Weinstein Hall, Brown-Alley Room, Brown Bag discussion, “The Mortgage Crisis, Communities of Color and the Ways Forward,” with a panel of community leaders.

Feb. 21, 2 p.m., Tyler Haynes Commons, Alice Haynes Room, “Fact or Fiction: The Active Involvement of Blacks in the Civil War,” with Harold Jones, curator of the Black Civil War Museum in Washington, D.C.

Main Street Station Holiday Open House

This past Friday, December 4th, the Richmond Public Library participated in the Main Street Station Holiday Open House to help celebrate the upcoming holidays. The theme for the event? The Polar Express, of course.

Doesn't Main Street Station look like something right out of the book? All aboard for the North Pole...

The City of Richmond and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority partnered to organize the event. As this year's event focused on literacy, the Richmond Public Library and several organizations, including the READ Center, gathered to participate in the festivities.

READ Center's Carol Holmquist & Laura Schoolcraft at the busy craft tables

The Richmond Public Library donated 300 books to attending children, and there were professional storytellers, many crafts - including a special Polar Express train craft - and free cookies, cider and treats!




If you didn't have a chance to attend the event, don't worry, there's always next year! In the meantime, there are plenty of upcoming holiday events at your Richmond Public Library, including:

Saturday, December 12 at 2pm - Main: Gellman Room Concert Series featuring the Richmond Boys Choir performing their 13th annual concert - a holiday tradition at your library!

Wednesday, December 16th - Ginter Park - Hot Cocoa Challenge!
Join the challenge at Ginter Park this winter and warm up with a good book. From December through January, we are challenging young readers to "outread" adult patrons! Each time you visit the Library, you can add your name to our hot cocoa mugs to see who reads the most this winter!

Also on Wednesday, the 16th at Ginter Park from 4:30 - 6pm - "Mickey's Christmas Carol" Holiday Party. Join us for the beloved children's film and make a craft to celebrate the holiday!

Saturday, December 19th at 11 am - Hull St: A Holiday special mini flick for Preschoolers.

Saturday, December 19th at 2pm - North Ave: Holiday Crafts with snacks and stories!

Saturday, December 19th at 3pm - West End: Gingerbread Day

Join us for the magical gingerbread man story time. We will listen to a story, make a craft, hunt for the gingerbread man, and snack on gingerbread cookies. Ages K-1st grade with an adult. Please sign up at the Circulation Desk or call 646-1877.

Thanks so much for celebrating the holidays with us - we hope to see you at your local Richmond Public Library branch for an event this holiday season!


Main St Station photo credit: Flickr user lawrence_the fourth

Holiday Happenings

A slew of special events, creative crafts and festive holiday happenings are scheduled for the month of December through your Richmond Public Library!

We've created a consolidated list of events below, and have included a few suggested reads to go along with this holiday season and the activities at your local branch. We hope you will join us in celebrating the season.

Wednesday 12/2

Belmont: A Taste of the Holidays - Sample holiday foods and learn about customs from around the world. 4-6 p.m.

East End: Celebrate National Cookie Cutter Week - Come decorate a holiday cookie!
10:30 a.m.

Thursday 12/3

North Ave: Cookie Party - Decorate and enjoy your cookie creations.
4 p.m.

East End: Celebrate National Cookie Cutter Week - Come decorate a holiday cookie!
10:30 a.m.

Friday 12/4

East End: Celebrate National Cookie Cutter Week - Come decorate a holiday cookie!
10:30 a.m.

Saturday 12/5

Main: A Dramatic Reading of A Christmas Carol by Eric Douglass
2 p.m.

Hull St: Mini Flicks - Join us for a holiday special!
10:30 a.m.

Wednesday 12/16 - Friday 12/18

East End: Christmas Celebration - Step into Christmas past by making a gift for a family member or by making a special ornament for the family Christmas tree! 10:30 a.m.

Saturday 12/19

Hull St: Mini Flicks - Join us for a holiday special!
10:30 a.m.

North Ave: Holiday Crafts - Come join us for crafts, stories and snacks!
2 p.m.

West End: Gingerbread Day - Join us for the magical gingerbread man story time. We will listen to a story, make a craft, hunt for the gingerbread man, and snack on gingerbread cookies. Ages K-1st grade with an adult. Please sign up at the Circulation Desk or call 646-1877.
3 p.m.


A few selected reads to accompany these holiday activities:


A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, (adapted for children by Lesley Sims)

ISBN: 0794505848

The Christmas classic. Read along at the Main branch dramatic reading on Saturday!




To every season : a family holiday cookbook
Jane Breskin Zalben
ISBN: 0689817975

Brief histories and recipes for the holidays, including Kwanzaa, Passover,and many others. A perfect way to learn different holiday traditions and discover new recipes as a family.



The great Christmas cookie swap cookbook : 60 large-batch recipes to bake and share

ISBN: 9781588167576

Looking for the perfect recipe to share with 40 of your closest friends? This book is perfect for you and your upcoming holiday baking bonanza.



Step-by-step crafts for winter
Kathy Ross
ISBN: 1590783581

Enjoy making homemade holiday crafts with these 20 projects. The range of crafts includes decorations for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, winter, Lincoln's Birthday, and Valentine's Day.

Computer Classes

Basic Computer Classes for Seniors

Belmont Branch
Fridays, September 14 and 21
10:00 - 11:00am

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Do not be challenged by technology. Accept the challenge!

Beginning Computer Classes for Adults
Ginter Park Branch
Call 646-1236 to register.

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Tell us what computer skills you want to learn and we'll help!

Hull Street Branch
Call 646-8699 to register.

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Register for a hands-on introduction to PCs and the Internet. Space is limited - call 646-1877.

Computer Basics for Seniors
West End Branch
Tuesdays
10:30am

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Learn what you want to learn, at your own pace! First come, first served. NOTE: no class September 14.

Computer Classes for Seniors
Westover Hills Branch
Fridays
10:00am-12:00pm

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Main Library
Wednesdays
9:30am-11:00am

Sept. 5 ..... WORD 1 Basic
Sept. 12 ... WORD 2 Basic, continued
Sept. 19 ... WORD 3 Intermediate
Sept. 26 ... WORD 4 Intermediate, continued

Main Library
Monday evenings
7:00pm-8:30pm

Sept. 17 ... EMAIL 1 For the very beginner
Sept. 24 ... EMAIL 2 Attachments, address book, etc.

For classes at the MAIN Library, call 646-2551.

Resume Critique & Assistance Workshop

Learn the goals and how to improve a resume, create resumes in Microsoft Word. For adults. Details, call 646-8699.

Hull Street Library

Tuesday, June 26 from 11:00am-12:00pm

Thursday, June 28 from 11:00am-12:00pm

Homework Help through May

In partnership with GRIP; after school help for K-12 students in teh BR community. Get assistance from a certified teacher to get your homework done!

Broad Rock Branch

Mondays & Wednesdays 4-7:00pm

Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-6:00pm

Teachers, library staff and computers are available for homework help and research assignments - and it's free! For students K-12th grade.

East End Branch

Mondays - Thursdays 3-6:00pm

Hull Street Branch

Mondays - Thursdays 3-6:00pm

North Avenue Branch

Mondays - Thursdays 3-6:00pm

Happy Birthday Hull Street Library!

Come help us celebrate 20 years of service in the community.

Hull Street Branch

Friday, April 20

10:00am-12:00pm

Homework Help

Teachers, library staff, and computers are available for homework help and research assignments - and it's free! For students grade K-12. Offered at the following branch libraries:

Throughout the month of April:
Broad Rock ... Mondays & Wednesdays ... 4:00-7:00pm
Broad Rock ... Tuesdays & Thursdays ... 3:00-6:00pm
East End ... Mondays-Thursdays ... 3:00-6:00pm
Hull Street ... Mondays-Thursdays ... 3:00-6:00pm
North Ave. ... Mondays-Thursdays ... 3:00-6:00pm

Get assistance from a certified teacher to get your homework done!

Homework Help

Teachers, library staff and computeres are available for homework help and research assignments - and it's free! For students grade K-12. Offered at the following branch libraries:

Throughout the month of March:
Broad Rock ... Mondays & Wednesdays ... 4:00-7:00pm
Broad Rock ... Tuesdays & Thursdays ... 3:00-6:00pm
East End ... Mondays-Thursdays ... 3:00-6:00pm
Hull Street ... Mondays-Thursdays ... 3:00-6:00pm
North Ave. ... Mondays-Thursdays ... 3:00-6:00pm

Get assistance from a certified teacher to get your homework done!

Youth Art Month

During March, Richmond Public Libraries are proud to exhibit original art work by students from the Richmond Public Schools. Join us for opening receptions celebrating the creativity of artists and musicians with performances by RPS students:
Thursday
March 1
4:00-6:00pm

Belmont:	Richmond Community HS harpists
Broad Rock:	Boushall MS woodwind ensemble
East End:	Martin Luther king, Jr., MS concert band
Ginter Park:	Henderson MS choir
Hull Street:	Elkhardt MS wind ensemble
North Avenue:	Overby-Sheppard ES choir
West End:	Southampton ES soloists from choir
Westover Hills:	Fox ES choir

Friday
March 2
7:00-9:00pm

Main:	Miles Jones ES handbell choir at 7:15pm in the lobby
Main:	Binford MS concert band at 8:00pm on the 2nd floor