All Richmond Public Libraries will be closed Friday, May 30, 2022 in observance of Memorial Day

Librarians save lives: by handing the right book, at the right time, to a kid in need.
Judy Blume

May Art Exhibits


May 6th - 31st
Main Library

The following exhibits will be on display from Friday, May 6, 2022, through Tuesday, May 31, 2022:
“A.M. STIMULI” by Philadelphia artist H. Stokes
“Transitions – Series I” by Richmond artist John Moon
“World Stamps” by Richmond artist William T. Grace
“Indian Memories Reimagined” by Virginia artist Elizabeth Gorn
Pen-and-ink with ink wash, pencil and marker pointillism by Mechanicville artist Cacy Herman
Paintings by Danny Trent are on display in the Dooley Foyer Atrium
Join us Friday, May 6, 2022, from 6:30—9:00 pm for the opening night reception. Live music will be provided by Mark Vollten & The Scenic Roots

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YAVA Teen Judge Applications


May 1 - June 16, 2022

Richmond Public Library is now accepting teen judge applications for the 2023 YAVA Award! Teens must be between the ages of 12-18, live in Virginia, and agree to all the judging requirements. Those who are accepted to the panel will receive copies of all the nominated titles, get to meet the authors in person, and participate in a once in a lifetime opportunity that looks great on resumes and other applications!

The Urban Fiction Experience 2022


Saturday, May 21st
Main Library

The Urban Fiction Experience 2022 is a fun, social way to connect with authors and readers who love the genre and supporting each other. There will be performances, readings, author talks, and chances to connect 1-on-1. Featured guests include Breeze the Poet, Haikeem Stokes, and Silk White! If you have questions about the Urban Fiction Experience, please contact April Freeman at april.freeman@rva.gov or by calling 804-646-8699.

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2022 YAVA Award Winner



We are honored to present this year's award to author Lamar Giles for his 2020 book NOT SO PURE AND SIMPLE. Giles is an acclaimed author who writes across multiple genres for both middle grade and YA readers. NOT SO PURE AND SIMPLE is a story about growing up, first love, how to handle sex and peer pressure as a teen, toxic masculinity, and so much more. The author tells a narrative that is both heartfelt and authentic all while being hilarious and approachable to the teen reader. Please join us in congratulating him!

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By Teens, For Teens - Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous & Romances to Make You Cry

Jennifer Deuell
May 18, 2022
book recommendations
book recs
book reviews
booksforteens
byteensforteens
teenreads
volunteen
book-reviews
fiction
humor
reading-recommendations
romance
teens

Welcome back for another round of By Teens, For Teens! This week we have something to make you laugh and something to make you cry. VolunTEEN Magdalena K., age 12 share a book review of a funny, coming of age story. Then, take a look at a booklist full of romance stories that will make you cry, created by Max K., age 15. Book Review: Sunny Song Will Never be Famous by Suzanne Park Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Sunny Song will Never be Famous follows Korean American Sunny Song, a social media influencer who is sent to a...

May Book Chat with the Youth Services Team

Louis Maranski
May 13, 2022
#bookchat
#bookrecs
#childrensbooks
#kidsbooks
#rplrecommends
#youthservices
childrens
families
reading-recommendations

Welcome back to the next installment in our new series of blog posts featuring children's books we're currently loving! "Book Chat with the Youth Services Team" features one book recommendation from each of our Youth Services team members. We cover a variety of books from fiction to non-fiction, picture books to chapter books, graphic novels and more! We hope that this month's reading recommendations get you excited about some awesome new books we've added to our collection as well as some oldies but goodies....

At-home COVID-19 tests available at select RPL locations

Simms Toomey
May 11, 2022
inform-enrich-empower

The Richmond Public Library is working with the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts to provide FREE at-home COVID-19 tests on a first come, first serve basis at five locations: Main Library Broad Rock East End Ginter Park North Avenue If you are experiencing symptoms, please send a healthy helper inside or call the library to request contactless pick-up. We encourage you to pick up a test for yourself and one for each member of your household. For more information on COVID-19, community testing events, and other places where you...

By Teens, For Teens - Junk Boy & The Hate U Give

Jennifer Deuell
May 4, 2022
book recommendations
book recs
book reviews
booksforteens
byteensforteens
teenreads
volunteen
book-reviews
diverse-reads
fiction
reading-recommendations
teens

Are you enjoying our By Teens, For Teens blog posts? We sure hope so! We have two new contributions this week. First up, a book review of Junk Boy by Tony Abbott. This novel in verse that VolunTEEN Chris S., age 15, enjoyed and hopes you will too. Then, Max K., age 15, put together a great read-alike list for readers who enjoyed The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Enjoy! Book Review: Junk Boy by Nathaniel Hawthorne Rating: 4 out of 5 stars It is very relatable to children who are left out these days since it seems like...

World Autism Awareness Month

April Freeman
April 27, 2022
uncategorized

April is World Autism Awareness Month, so here at Richmond Public Library we would like to take a moment to acknowledge our patrons and staff members who either are autistic or love someone who is autistic our patrons and staff members who either are autistic or who love and support an autistic person in their life. April and her son Khaden Hello, everyone, I am April Freeman, the children's librarian at our Hull Street branch. This is my beautiful, energetic, 9 year old son, Khaden, who is autistic. Khaden is known at many of our...