52 Ways to Use Your Library Card: Week Six

Week Six: Get Homework Help.

The school year is back in full swing, which means projects, reports and homework! Lots and lots of homework.

A new school year also means the return of the Homework Help program to the Broad Rock and North Avenue branches. Every Monday-Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. come to either location and get free, hands-on assistance from a Certified Richmond Public School Teacher. Come prepared with your homework or research assignments. The program is open to all students, K-12. You do not have to be enrolled in a Richmond Public School to participate.



But that's not all! Check out our Online Databases for assistance with your research. Need to know both sides of an issue? Check out Opposing Viewpoints in Context! Writing a biography on a historical inventor? Look them up on Biography in Context. Don't forget about Find it Virginia ,which "offers a one-stop source for newspaper and periodical articles on a wide range of topics, as well as resources specifically tailored to help Elementary, Middle and High School students with research assignments." All of our databases can be accessed both inside and outside the library. All you need is to have your Richmond Public Library card number!

Of course, don't forget about asking your Librarian, the ultimate search engine, for help!

Introducing Ande Tensae

The staff of North Avenue are excited to welcome our new Community Services Manager, Ande Tensae, to Richmond Public Library! I was fortunate to interview Ande at the end of his first week, and so that we may all get to know him a little better, he graciously agreed to be included on our blog.

After earning his MLS, Ande started as what was called a "generalist" at a library in Queens, NY. During his time there he mostly worked with Young Adults and doing collection development.

Bringing to North Avenue a wealth of knowledge of library and management experience, Ande is excited to be leading "such a well rounded staff" and about the challenge of continuing and increasing the library's relationship with the Northside community and the local schools.

His professional passions include education and collection development. "The job of  the librarian is so important to the educational development of children, and you never know if you are helping a future CEO or president." His wide background includes teaching Italian and Religion at the University level, socioal work, and even publishing!

In his free time he enjoys reading about international affairs, religion and political discussions. He didn't have the opportunity to read much as a child, but his son loves the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series!

Next time you are around North Avenue, stop in and welcome Ande!

Can You Dig This-Growing Communities through Gardening @ RPL

Here at Richmond Public Library we have been playing with a lot of dirt and plants!  This year, RPL is implementing an assortment of gardening programs.

As part of the city's Green Richmond Initiative and with the partnership of Richmond Noir Market and Richmond Grows Gardens, there were six free instructional classes on urban agriculture at the North Avenue Branch.

This spring, the first Gardening Club for Tweens and Teens at the Main Library was established and it has been a great experience to see how interactive the kids were in the program. We had kids of all ages helping out while also learning many gardening techniques and using repurposed materials to create a garden platform. Marlene Sehen, our gardening expert, has helped a great deal with this program by talking to the kids about compost, herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers among other things.

Even though the group will meet once a month, the kids will have the opportunity to help out throughout the weeks, especially with watering!

Our next meeting for the Teen Gardening Club is Monday, May 14th at 4pm.

We also brought back our Container Gardening program from last year due to its major success. A lot of people of all ages turned up at the Main Library. Marlene Sehen assisted us once again with this large group. 

As our gardening programs continue to progress, we hope to see you there!