All libraries will be closed Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. The Main Library will be closed on Saturday, November 16th for the Richmond Marathon.

Kids

FUN AND LEARNING

An adventurous, knowledge seeking, wonderland designed to allow kids and teens to explore the outer reaches of their imaginations.

EventsStorytimesSchool ReadinessDiscover Parents & Caregivers Book Lists

Storytimes


Ripple the otter makes an appearance at a children's story timeRichmond Public Library strives to provide quality storytimes that stimulate children’s minds, promote brain development, and give children the tools they need to succeed in school.

We use an overall brain development curriculum called The Basics that uses 5 simple principles:

  • Maximize Love, Manage Stress
  • Talk, Sing, and Point
  • Count, Group, and Compare
  • Explore Through Movement and Play
  • Read and Discuss Stories

These principles can be used at any age but studies show that the younger children are when they start learning the principles, the more prepared they are to start school. These basics will instill in your child a love of learning to last a lifetime.

You can learn more about The Basics at https://thebasics.org

School Readiness


Mother and Child at Richmond Public Library
Children are remarkable. Even before birth, the foundations for language, literacy, health, well-being and the ability to form positive relationships are being built.

Babies are born full of potential and the best opportunity to help them achieve life-long success is in the first years of life when more than 1 million new connections are formed each second. Because this trajectory to success begins well before school does, parents are children’s first and most important teachers.

The Richmond Public Library is free, trusted, and a welcoming hub of resources for families and children. We want to help nurture children’s early literacy skills and support families in preparing them for promising futures.

The time to start preparing your child for school is now and we can help!

Discover


Online Learning and Fun

Read eBooks, research a topic, learn new skills, play games, or watch educational videos.

RPL Presents

View our Storytime and Craft Videos on the RPL YouTube channel.

VACU Financial Success for Kids

VACU helps RPL with Kiosks of children’s books about money.

Young Writers Workshop

Do you have a great idea for a story, but not sure what to do next? We can help!

Parents & Caregivers


RVA Reads

We recruit volunteer readers to read to each preschool class at Richmond’s Five Regional Preschool Centers.

Sensory Kits

Sensory kits help individuals manage sensory overload.

SOL Resources

Find links to videos, hands on activities and more to help your child understand concepts or enhance their knowledge with extension activities.

Latest from the Blog


1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: November 2024

Katie Heslop
November 1, 2024
book-reviews
childrens
families
picturebooks
reading-recommendations

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a nationwide initiative to encourage reading to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. To learn more about how to start the program, visit the 1,000 Books Before […]...

Storytime at Home: Snails

book-reviews
childrens

Welcome to the Storytime at Home series! Every other week, we share a list of book options tied to a kid-approved theme, a craft you can set up to go […]...

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

adult
childrens
inform-enrich-empower
nonfiction
reading-recommendations

Every October is Dyslexia Awareness Month.  The International Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as the following: “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by […]...

Booklists for Kids