Happening at the Library

Our 2025 Summer Reading Challenge has come to a close, and we want to thank you for a summer full of creativity, connection, and reading. You colored our summer by participating in art-related programs and collaborative library displays, and beat the summer slide by logging millions of minutes in reading. No matter your age, Summer Reading is a fun and helpful tool to set reading and learning goals for ourselves. Congratulations on a great summer! Read on to learn more about your collective accomplishments and this year’s Grand and Branch Prize winners.

Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) was recently honored to receive three National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards. The accolades were part of Henrico County’s overall total of 48, which is the most of any county in Virginia for the 20th consecutive year, and the eighth most in the country for 2024.

Our Summer Reading theme, “Color Our World,” goes hand-in-hand with the abundance of art books in HCPL’s juvenile collection. At the library, your child can delve into the lives and imaginations of artists throughout history, from Audubon to Zurbaran. What’s more, many kids’ art books are filled with illustrations inspired by the artists themselves. And if your child is eager to create their own art, take a look at our books on art technique. Read on for a handful of highlights and how to regularly receive picture book recommendations.

Gardening can take many forms. From pots on a windowsill to a backyard homestead, planting a garden can bring enjoyment and relaxation. It can also bring a wealth of benefits to our environment and the many inhabitants living there. Read on to discover some resources that can support you on your gardening journey, whether you’re just starting out, or a seasoned gardener searching for new insights.

Teens interested in pursuing a career in the arts but aren’t sure how are invited to join us for two upcoming program series where you can meet professionals working in creative fields. Whether you enjoy illustration, or history is more your speed, both series will offer insights into the different opportunities available to those seeking creative careers.

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the stories, contributions, and impact of the LGBTQIA+ community. Along with Henrico County’s recognition of Pride Month, we have some fresh reads that highlight LGBTQIA+ voices, as well as some classics to rediscover or enjoy for the first time. We hope these lists provide you with plenty of rainbow reads for your TBR (to-be-read) list. Happy Pride!