The winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when the Earth's axis is tilted the farthest away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere and closest to the sun in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice usually takes place on December 20 or 21.

Mental health plays an important role in how we navigate life’s everyday challenges. For teens, it can be stressful juggling school, extracurricular activities, friendships, and family, let alone planning for your future. To help support your wellness, the library offers resources specifically geared toward teens about mental health topics. Read on to learn more.

Soccer, robots, mad scientists, and more, this year we read about all kinds of characters, worlds, and real-life wonders. Read on to see what we enjoyed most in 2025! Plus, be sure to check out our Staff Picks lists for teens and adults too.

Attend summer camp, join the track team, harness magic, and return to the dystopian world of Panem with this year’s Staff Picks list for teens. No matter what your preferred genre is, we think there’s a little something for everyone in this year’s selection of books. Read on to see what made the cut! 

Plus, be sure to also check out our Staff Picks lists for kids and adults.

It’s finally here—and just in time to set your New Year’s goals and for our upcoming Cozy Reading Challenge (details coming soon!) We’re excited to announce our annual Staff Picks list full of our favorite things we’ve read this year. To say we enjoy putting it together would be an understatement. Of course, we are always happy to provide book recommendations (check out My Next Reads if you haven't already), but something about compiling them in one place makes our library hearts extra happy. We hope you find something new to add to your night stand, and if you’re looking for books for the younger readers in your life, be sure to check out our kids and teen lists too.

As we enter the holiday season and near closer to the start of winter, we find ourselves eager to cozy up indoors, get a little crafty, and enjoy culinary comforts with friends and family. If you find yourselves feeling the same, then we hope you will join us to create and celebrate over the coming weeks. Read on to learn more about upcoming events and highlights from our collection.

Take a trip through time and space at Henrico County Public Library. Historical fiction is not confined to corsets and hoopskirts. Read on for windows into different places and eras throughout the world.

November is Family Literacy Month. HCPL recognizes the power of learning together and offers resources that support literacy and learning for everyone in your family. Preparing your little ones for kindergarten is just the first important step in a lifelong journey of education and discovery. Read on for more about kindergarten readiness tips and resources to support literacy in your family’s early years and beyond.

Commemorate Native American Heritage Month with the library! Catch a film, join a book discussion, and learn about regional Indigenous culture and history. Read on for program details and to browse recent titles that highlight Native American stories.