52 Ways to Use Your Library Card: Week Fourteen

Week Fourteen: Celebrating the Holidays with RPL 

There's so much to do at the Richmond Public Library in the month of December. We have an assortment of programs for all ages, as well as children's story times with special holiday themes. Pick up a copy of our holiday-inspired flyer for information about programs at our branches. All programs are free and open to the public. Spaces for most programs are limited, so call to register.

Here are some highlighted holiday programs

December 6 - Thursday-Main Library - 2-6 pm - Foraged with Tara Morand - join Tara Morand as she collects things from our natural urban environment and then turns her foraged objects into beauty for your home. As part of our "Out of the Box" series at Main, we will make ornaments, wreaths, and garlands for all the December holidays from Tara's urban natural finds. Join us!

December 6 - Thursday - Ginter Park Library - 7-9 pm - Holiday Fete - take a break from the holiday rush to attend Ginter Park Library’s annual fundraiser with food provided by local restaurants, door prizes provided by local merchants, and live music!

December 7 - Friday - Main Library - 7-9 pm - First Friday - join us for our artists' opening night reception.

December 8 - Saturday - Main Library - 11 am - Spend the Morning with Charles Dickens! Dr. Eric Douglass will present a dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol, dressed in period costume and using stage notes from Dickens's actual performance.

December 8 - Saturday - West End Library- 4:30 pm - The Magical Gingerbread Man Special Story Time
 - join us for Gingerbread Day fun! We will have a magical gingerbread story, craft, gingerbread manhunt and cookies! The program is best for ages 3-5 with an adult.

December 11 and 13 - Tuesday & Thursday - Westover Hills Library - Holiday Story time & Craft - join us for holiday stories, songs, and make an ornament to keep! 

December 15 - Saturday - North Avenue Library - 11 am - 4 pm- Festivals of Lights-come discover a new tradition and make a craft to take along.

December 15 - Saturday - Main Library - 2 pm - Gellman Room Concert: Richmond Boys Choir- become festive with the Richmond Boys Choir  at their 16th annual performance at RPL.

December 17- Monday - Hull Street Library-11 am-1 pm- Kwanzaa Ceremony and African Food Tasting - Dr. Aminah Waajid, Professor at Virginia State University will facilitate the culturally significant Kwanzaa Ceremony and Libations as she explains the meaning and significance of Kwanzaa to all Americans.  Following the ceremony we will have a chance to taste authentic African dishes prepared by MaMusu's West African Restaurant. All are welcome to join in. 

December 18 - Tuesday - East End Library -11 am-2 pm - East End Annual Christmas Celebration
 - join the East End Library Wednesday, December 18th at 11 am for the sounds and smells of Christmas, meet old friends and say good-bye as we prepare to close for renovations. Refreshments are provided.

December 19 - Wednesday - Belmont Library- 3 pm - Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day- help decorate the library with snowflakes as we enjoy Snowflake Day.

December 20 - Thursday - Broad Rock Library - 10 am - Special Christmas Craft Program - for preschool and up– you are invited to create a Christmas ornament. 

Teen Craft Sale!!

Also in this month, the Main Library Teen Advisory Group is having its first annual Craft and Bake Sale. Most of the materials are made resourcefully from recyclable materials. The purpose of the recyclable craft programs at Main is to show teens the importance of reusing materials while also encouraging creativity by making new and interesting stuff. We have had teens and volunteers helping us with several programs throughout the year in order to get ready for this sale. The money from the sale will be used to fund programs and services for teens at the Main Library.

52 Ways to Use Your Library Card: Week Thirteen

Week Thirteen: Curl up with a good book.

The winter Holiday season is a time of thanks and cheer. But as we rush around to buy presents, decorate, entertain family and friends; we often forget to take care of ourselves. So in your moments of calm, take the time to treat yourself.  One way is to crawl into your favorite chair and curl up with a good book, maybe with a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows on top. Since you never know when those 30 blissful unplanned minutes may appear, keep your table stocked, and what better place to get those books than at your favorite library!

Don't know what to read or ready to try something new? Librarians love to talk about books and recommend titles. We have lots of Reader's Advisory posts on our blog, a new Shelfari bookshelf full of favorites, and lots of Librarians in our branches ready to assist you in filling your table with great new reads or classic favorites. Of course, we can even help you find books on yoga, meditation, crafts, baking or your favorite activity to relieve stress.

52 Ways to Use Your Library Card: Week Eleven

Week Eleven: Get a new recipe.

The holiday season is upon us; which means lots of food, friends, family, and more food. While it may not be your first thought, why not come to the library to plan your upcoming meals? Whether you want a new twist to your holiday favorites or it is your first time cooking a turkey, each branch has several resources that can assist you.

Check out our cookbooks where you can compare similar recipes or find brand new ones. Are you a fan of a celebrity chef or the Food Network? We have many cookbooks from Paula Deen, G. Garvin, Rachel Ray and Bobby Flay, just to name a few.  

How to Cook a Turkey: and all the Other Trimmings is geared towards first time cooks or those who just need a gentle reminder on how to cook the perfect bird.

 Martha Stewart's Cookies: the Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share is just one example of a helpful book to use as a guide when invited to your next cookie swap party or social gathering.

The Neelys' Celebration Cookbook: Down-home Meals for Every Occasion includes sample menus and recipes to make any meal a celebration.






We also carry several food magazines, including Bon Appetit, Cooking Light and Food Network Magazine. Pull up a chair and flip through a few to see their holiday selections or use the Internet to get the recipes, both past and present, from their website. While you are searching online, there are also some great recipe sharing websites, my personal favorite is  All Recipes.

Feel free to share your favorite recipes with us!

52 Ways to Use Your Library Card: Week Ten

Week Ten: See local artists @ your library.

Every month we have several art exhibits on display at the Main Library, with an opening reception on the First Friday of the month. Art at RPL is just one of the many ways you can be enriched at the Richmond Public Library.

The following exhibits will be on view at the Main Library from Friday, November 2

through Tuesday, December 4, 2012:

"Return to Normandy" - D-Day beaches as they appear today and what remains of the German bunkers along the Normandy coastline by Richmond photographer Allen Jones. "Return to Normandy" is on display in the Gellman Room and Dooley Hall on the first floor.

"The Great War of 1914-1918" - books, maps and artifacts from the collection of the Mathews County curator Elana Siddall is showing in the Dooley Foyer.

"Contemporary Fishing Lures and Decoys" - hand-carved and brush-painted wooden fish decoys and fishing lures by Bill Grossman is on display in the 2nd Floor Gallery.

The David Freed Gallery hosts the library's permanent collection of prints of renowned authors by David Freed.

The Newbold Perkins Gallery - paintings by Anne Newbold Perkins, a Richmond artist and former Richmond Public Library artist.

Art you an artist who would like to have an exhibit at the Richmond Public Library?

The Information for Artists page is on the library website under General Information. Here you will find general information along with the exhibit guidelines and application.  For questions or information please contact Lynn Vandenesse, 804-646-4740.

52 Ways to Use Your Library Card: Week Nine

Week Nine: Get Your Work Published
Do you like to write and want to get your work published? Or do you have ideas you want to put on paper? If so, this is an opportunity to take advantage of free resources and programs at the library. 

How to Get Your Writing Published

This Thursday at 1:00 p.m., the Main library will be having Cheryl Pallant, writing coach, journalist, poet and nonfiction writer and professor. She will provide steps on how to get your work from idea to print or electronic publication.


More information about Ms.Pallant can be found at her website: http://cherylpallant.com/





Finding books for writers in the Library's Collection

The library's collection is a great "free" source for those who are interested in writing and getting their work published. Here are some books to name a few.

This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley

The ASJA guide to freelance writing : a professional guide to the business, for nonfiction writers of all experience levels by Timothy Harper, editor

The Marshall Plan for Getting Your Novel Published by Evan Marshall

The elements of story : field notes on nonfiction writing by Francis Flaherty

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

The plot thickens : 8 ways to bring fiction to life by Noah Lukeman

For Young Writers

Just Write: Here's How! by Walter Dean Myers

















Spilling ink : a young writer's handbook by Anne Mazer

52 Ways to Use Your Library Card: Week Seven

Week Seven: Celebrate Teens and Young Adult books
during Teen Read Week!

Richmond Public Library will celebrate Teen Read Week™ (October 14-20, 2012) with special events and programs aimed at encouraging area teens to read for the fun of it. Thousands of libraries, schools and bookstore across the country will hold similar events centered on this year’s theme, It Came from the Library, which dares teens to read for the fun of it!

Teen Read Week is a time to celebrate reading for fun and encourage teens to take advantage of reading in all its forms —books and magazines, e-books, audiobooks and more — and become regular library users. It is the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association.

To celebrate we have several activities for tweens and teens during the week at different branches!

Are library fines getting you down? Have no fear, the 2nd Annual Teen Read Week Fine Read Off is here! Teens between the ages of 12 and 18, come into any library during Teen Read Week (Oct 14-20, 2012), read in the library and pay off your overdue book fines! Just stop by the Circulation Desk to register. (The Read Off only applies to overdue fines, and not lost or damaged items.)

Drop by any branch to register for the Cheap Date Raffle! You could be one of several winners of two (2) Byrd Theatre passes and two (2) drink coupons! (All winners will be drawn Saturday, October 20th at 4pm.)

But that's not all! There are movies and book discussions and TAGs, oh my!

Here is the schedule for the Teen Read Week Activities:

Movies @ Main in the Children's Activity Room from 4:15 to 6pm
The Woman in Black (PG-13), Monday, October 15th
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (PG-13), Wednesday, October 17th
Red Riding Hood (PG-13), Friday, October 19th

Teen Advisory Group @ Main, TAG your it! TAG is open to any teens who want to share ideas. Meeting Room C, Saturday, October 20th, 3pm at Main.

DTLR Book Club @ East End Free books, free pizza, free conversation. Call 646-4474 for details. Tuesday, October 16th, 5pm at East End.

Hunger Games @ North Avenue Read the book, watch the movie! Call 646-6675 for details, free copies of the Hunger Games are available now!
Book Discussion Thursday, October 18th at 4:30pm
Movie Matinee Saturday, October 20th at 2pm



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!

52 Ways to Use Your Library Card: Week Five

Week Five: Enjoy a concert.

There is so much more to Richmond Public Library than just books. In addition to our literacy and reading programs, RPL has a desire to enrich our patrons through both art and music.

The month of October has several family friendly programs in addition to kicking off the 2012-2013 Gellman Room Concert Series.

The first performance of the Gellman Room Concert Series is on Saturday, October 13th at 2pm in the Gellman Room at the Main Library.

Husband-and-wife duo Matthew Singer (baritone) & Leanne Gonzalez-Singer (mezzo-soprano) reprise the recital program they debuted to a full house in New York City, with pianist Cathy Venable. The program of art songs and duets in a variety of languages blends the well-known with rarely heard gems on the ancient themes of Love and War. Music by Ravel, Schumann, Chopin, Brahms and others.


Then on Saturday, October 27th at 2pm, guitarist Christopher Jenkins performs a solo classical guitar concert of music by Bach, Albeniz, and composers from various musical eras as well as selections from France and Russia.

 But that's not all! The Richmond Symphony returns to the Richmond Public Library for two entertaining family programs.

On Saturday, October 13th from 10 to 11:30am, the Board of the Richmond Public Library Foundation invites your family to a musical morning featuring musicians from the Richmond Symphony.

The Richmond Symphony also has several educational and kid-friendly programs. The LolliPops Concert series includes classical music and live storytelling in a relaxed atmosphere, which is a perfect way to introduce children to the symphony. There are also interactive activities before the concert, including their musical petting zoo.

Our favorite magical/musical Symphony story teller and actor Michael Boudewyns returns to perform on Saturday, October 27th in the Richmond Symphony's LolliPops Concert of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf. Join us the day before as he entertains families with a free program of stories and lots of fun. Friday, October 26th at the Main Library in the Auditorium  from 10:30 to 11:30 am.

Join us during the month of October, it will be music to your ears!



52 Ways to use your Library Card: Week Three

Week Three: Hear a local author reading his/her latest book.

People should take advantage of great opportunities the library has to offer. One of those opportunities is going to a  "FREE" book talk given by an author.

There have been many great book talks by authors in the past at the Richmond Public Library. We had Meg Medina and Gigi Amateau during the summer for The Girls of Summer program as well as special guest author, Wendy Shang who wrote The Great Wall of Lucy Wu.

We also had child star, Dr. Danielle Spencer-Fields from the show, What's Happening. Even though Danielle is not from Virginia, she has family rooted here.

Expect to see more local author talks, including an upcoming talk from Reverend Benjamin P. Campbell.

Rev. Benjamin P. Campbell

Author Rev. Benjamin P. Campbell of Richmond’s Unhealed History, will lead a book talk and discussion that examines the contradictions and crises that developed in Richmond over the last two centuries. This two-part public discussion is a direct response to what is the “next step” from the Uncovering the 2010 Census program. 5:45 – 9 p.m.

Thurs. Sept 27: The Decision to Destroy Jackson Ward

Thurs. Oct 11: The Liberation of Metropolitan Richmond

More information about the author can be found at this link: Reverend Benjamin P. Campbell.

52 Ways to use your Library Card: Week Two

WEEK TWO: Pick up voter registration information and become and informed voter

November will be here before you know it, which means that it is almost election time. Whether you need to register to vote or learn more about the candidates and issues, your local library is a great place to empower yourself to become an informed voter!

Richmond Public Library branches are just one of the several locations where you can pick up a copy of the Voter Registration Application. As per the Virginia State Board of Elections, the application deadline to vote in the November 6, 2012 general election is October 15, 2012.  The VSBE website has lots of useful information; including where to vote, election results and information on how to vote absentee. Already a Registered Voter and want to work as an Election Official? Apply online!

Click here to access their forms, including the Voter Registration form and the Absentee Ballot Request form.

But turning in your registration form isn't all you need to become an empowered voter and your local branch can provide one stop shopping!  Come into a branch to read a newspaper or magazine to learn about different sides or local opinion of current issues. Use a computer to research the candidates and their platforms. Did you miss watching the party conventions? Check out their websites to see what you missed ( Democrat or Republican ). 

Knowledge is Power and becoming an informed voter is another reason why your library card is the smartest card in your wallet!

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month!

Oh, the things you can do with a Library Card!

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month but Richmond Public Library will be celebrating all year long and YOU are invited to the party! A library card is the smartest card you will ever own and to celebrate our favorite 52 ways you can use a library card, we will be highlighting one idea every week.

Starting now!

WEEK ONE: Get to know your Librarian, the ultimate search engine
@ your library!

Richmond Public Library is filled with Librarians and Library Associates who are ready to help you. Looking for a book on Mars? No problem. Need to know what book to chose for your school's Summer Reading program? Piece of cake. Need computer help? No worries, there is a class for that! My grandson just got me a new eReader, how do I check out library books? Come on in and we will show you how to use Overdrive.

No matter what goals you have in your life, your Librarian and your library card can help you get there! All you have to do is ask us. In an age with an endless amount of technology at your fingertips, it is reassuring to know that there is still a friendly person at the desk. We can provide research assistance, job search and resume skills, computer help and so much more. Google has nothing on us, so come on in to any branch and meet Your Librarian, the ultimate search engine @ your library!

But "how do I get a library card?" you ask? Just click here for everything you need to know.

But this party isn't complete without you,
our patrons. Take a picture of yourself with your library card and send it to us at amanda.giannini@richmondgov.com 
With your permission, we will share the pictures on our 52 Ways blog posts throughout the year.