All Richmond Public Library locations will be closed Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Our Online Services are available 24/7.

Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.
Groucho Marx

Summer Reading 2021


June 12 - August 7

Join us for this year's Summer Reading! It's fun for all ages and we have so much happening this year at Richmond Public Library. We have events, prizes, and partnerships, and a community goal of 100,000 minutes of reading we are hoping to set with your help! Visit our Summer Reading page to learn about all that's happening and how to get started.

Support Your Library with Amazon Smile



Online

Shop Amazon Smile and choose Richmond Public Library as your designated charity. Amazon Smile has the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on Amazon Smile, the Amazon Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to RPL!

YAVA Teen Judge



Online

Teens — Have you heard? Richmond Public Library is now accepting applications for teens to serve as a judge for the 2022 YAVA Award! This is a great opportunity to learn about and meet local Virginia authors and it looks great on applications and resumes! Deadline for submissions is June 18th, 2021.

Teen Spotlight Issue 1



Online

Teen Spotlight is a zine produced by the Richmond Public Library Teen Advisory Group (TAG). This zine was started to highlight the creative work of youth living in Richmond City and its surrounding counties. In it you will find a variety of pieces including poetry, short fiction, drawings, photography, essays, and more! Inspired by their own experiences, mythology, favorite TV shows, great figures in history, nature, first love, and so much more, these teens have put their talents in the spotlight.

Library Reopening – Expanded Access


May 12
All Libraries

Beginning Wednesday, May 12, 2021, RPL libraries will be open to the public. We will continue reopening in phases, and will keep offering digital programs. Visit our reopening page to learn more about our expanded services and what to expect for your next visit to the library.

Latest from the Blog

18 Jun
16 Jun
14 Jun
11 Jun
07 Jun

Commemorate Freedom: Juneteenth 2021

kathryn Coker
June 18, 2021
Civil Rights
Civil War
Frederick Douglass
George Floyd
Jim Crow
Juneteenth
Major General Gordon Granger
President Abraham Lincoln
Reconstruction
Robert E. Lee
black-history-month
book-reviews
childrens
events
history-and-preservation
holidays
holidays-celebrations
inform-enrich-empower
law-library
reading-recommendations

Virginia State Holiday As of October 2020, Juneteenth is a permanent statewide holiday in Virginia. Virginians, like others across America will celebrate in various ways ranging from parades, dancing, visiting historical sites, to barbecues. Federal Holiday House of Representatives voted 415-14 to make Juneteenth (June 19th) a federal holiday. This followed the Senate’s unanimous passage of a resolution on the day before to establish June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day. Wednesday night “The White...

2021 Teen Reading Challenge: Juneteenth

Jennifer Deuell
June 16, 2021
#activism
#activist
#teenactivism
#teenactivist
2021rplteenreadingchallenge
blackauthors
blackhistory
blm
booksforteens
currentevents
ireadya
Juneteenth
readingchallenge
teenreadingchallenge
teenreads
black-history-month
fiction
holidays-celebrations
nonfiction
reading-challenge
reading-recommendations
teens

Welcome back to month six of the 2021 RPL Teen Reading Challenge. How's it been going to far? I don't know about you, but historically this is about the time that I start falling behind in a challenge, reading or otherwise. And, that is definitely true for this one. Never fear! We are only halfway through June, and there is still time to get your prompt read this month. To help you find just the right read, I've curated a list of fantastic books and resources. This month's reading prompt is to read something about Juneteenth or the legacy of...

By Teens, For Teens - Into the Wild & A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Jennifer Deuell
June 14, 2021
book recommendations
book recs
book reviews
booksforteens
byteensforteens
ireadya
teenreads
volunteen
adult
book-reviews
fiction
nonfiction
reading-recommendations
teens

Welcome back to our next installment of By Teens, For Teens. This blog post series consists of all teen-generated content. This time we have two book reviews for you to enjoy! Book Review: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars This book tells the story of Chris McCandless, a young man of great potential who struggles to be fulfilled living the traditional life his parents have planned. Narrated in Jon Krakaeur’s familiar voice, this predictable plotline shifts into a gripping novel. The book attempts to not only...

VIRGINIA PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS IN WORLD WAR II: "ENEMIES WITHIN & WITHOUT"

kathryn Coker
June 11, 2021
African American Soldiers
Civl Rights
Domestic Relations
German Soldiers
Italian Soldiers
Jim Crow
Labor Shortage
Lectures
Prisoners of War
Race Relations
The Press
World War II
adult
black-history-month
book-reviews
events
history-and-preservation
inform-enrich-empower
law-library
nonfiction
reading-recommendations

Prisoners of War Arrive During World War II, the U.S. was “home” to over 425,000 prisoners of war (POWs). They were Japanese, German and Italians from the Axis countries  captured by U.S forces and our allies in far off battlefields. Since there was no room in the rear to hold the rising number of POWs, they were sent in empty transport ships to America. Many arrived at the Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation. Italian POWs Arriving at Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation Transfer to Camps After processing, the POWs typically...

By Teens, For Teens - The Chase by Elle Kenneday & One of Us Is Lying Read-Alikes

Jennifer Deuell
June 7, 2021
book recommendations
book recs
book reviews
booksforteens
byteensforteens
ireadya
teenreads
volunteen
book-reviews
reading-recommendations
teens

By now I hope you've read our previous By Teens, For Teens blog posts and are starting to look forward to them! This series is all teen-created content and makes it that much more awesome (IMHO). This month we have a two-for-one deal with a book review and read-alikes list both by Elaina S., age 15. Please enjoy! Book Review: The Chase by Elle Kennedy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars The Chase by Elle Kennedy is about a wealthy college student, Summer Heyward-Di Laurentis, and her life living with her crush, Colin Fitzgerald. As someone...