"Why Children's Books" Exhibit

Did a children's book change your life? Do you have special childhood memories attached to a certain book? 

There is a wonderful exhibit coming to Richmond Public Library in April that explores the role of children's books in our lives. "Why Children's Books: Inspiring Generations" will feature essays from many notable Richmonders including Shaka Smart, Michael Rao, Alex Nyerges, Jack Spiro, Mayor Dwight Jones, Tim Kaine, Anne Holton, Jason Mraz, and many more. These essays are personal stories from all over Richmond on children's books that make a real difference. Each story illustrates the power of children's books and their ability to inspire us.



The exhibit will be displayed at the Main Library beginning April 12th and will be up until May 29th. The essays will also be available to view at RPL branches during the month of September. "Why Children's Books" was organized by the Friends of the Richmond Public Library, a volunteer-based group that supports library services and programs across our city.

March First Friday Exhibits & Events

It's First Friday! And it will be a beautiful night for Art Walk. The galleries in the Main Library will be open tonight from 7 to 9 pm and will feature work celebrating Youth Art Month. Stop by to see art created by some talented students in Richmond City Public Schools. The artwork will be up throughout the month of March.

The Richmond Writers Series, presented by the Friends of the Richmond Public Library, will continue tonight with a discussion of The Joshua Plant, presented by playwright Amy Berlin. Local actors will perform a reading of the play. This event starts at 7 pm and promises to be an intimate evening featuring several members of Richmond's performing arts community. 

Volunteers from HandsOn Greater Richmond will offer crafts and activities for children during First Friday festivities, making the Main Library a family destination during your Art Walk tonight. We hope you'll be able to stop by to enjoy some fabulous student art and the Richmond Writers event. As always, these programs are free and open to the public.

Book Drive This Saturday

This Saturday, the Friends of the Richmond Public Library are holding a book drive from 9 am to 2 pm. Do a little spring cleaning, weed some of the books from your crowded home library, and bring them to the Main Library (enter from Main Street to take your donations to the back door). Your tax deductible donation will help fund library programs and services across the city.

And when it's time for the spring book drive, you know the spring book sale is right around the corner! The Big Book Sale will be held on May 4th and 5th.

Fall Drive-Thru Book Drive

Got unwanted, gently loved books, DVD's, or CD's? Donate them to the Friends of the Richmond Public Library! They will be hosting a Drive-Thru Book Drive at the Main Library on Saturday, October 1st between 9 and 2.

Bring your donations to the back of the Library (enter from Main Street), and you won't even have to get out of your car. Your donation is tax-deductible and will go to a great cause. Used materials are sold in the Friends' bi-annual book sales, and the proceeds of these sales go directly toward services and programs at your library. Look for the next book sale to be held on November 4, 5, and 7.

Drive-Thru Book Drive

The Friends of the Richmond Public Library are holding another Drive-Thru Book Drive at the Main Library on Saturday, May 21st from 10 am to 2 pm. Bring your unwanted, gently loved books, DVDs, and CDs (no text books or magazines, please) to help raise money for library services and programs. Your donation is tax-deductible and the drive is conveniently scheduled for any spring cleaning you might need to do! You won't even have to get out of your car. Just drive by the library's rear loading dock, which is accesible from 1st Street or from Main Street behind the Library.

Spring Book Drive

We're experiencing a bout of very spring-like weather here in Richmond (I won't dare call it an early spring, though). After months of cold and darkness, you can finally open up your windows and let in the fresh air and sunshine.

And maybe this lovely weather inspires you to tidy things up, if you're the spring cleaning type. Well, we have even more inspiration for you spring cleaners. The Friends of the Library Book Drive is being held in just a few weeks. Pull the unwanted, gently used books, DVD's, and CD's from your shelves and bring them to the Main Library on Saturday, March 5th from 9 am to 2 pm. When you donate your items to the Friends of the Library, they'll be sold in the Big Book Sale in April, and all proceeds go right back to RPL so that we can continue to offer top-notch services and programs. To make it super easy for you to bring your donations, the Friends will be providing drive-thru drop-off service behind the library (in the parking lot behind the library, which you enter from Main Street).

Happy spring cleaning, library lovers!

Love Your Library Month

Happy Valentine's Day, library lovers! I know I don't really need to list the many reasons there are to love your library. Internet access, awesome programs, helpful librarians, books, DVD's, concerts, children's story times, computer classes... yeah, you already know the cool stuff we have going on. I'm sure you have your own reasons for falling in love with Richmond Public Library (feel free to list them in a comment below!). The things that make your library lovable are almost endless, but we need your support to ensure everyone in the community has access to these resources. Now is the perfect time to offer your support to the library. It's Love Your Library month!

When you become a Friend of the Library, you'll join an awesome group of people who help ensure that your library can continue many enriching programs. The Friends support us in all kinds of ways, including sponsoring summer reading programs and local author talks. Plus, when you're a Friend, you get early admission into book sales. Joining is easy. Just stop by your library and fill out the form.