We are just a few days away from hosting our sixteenth All Henrico Reads event! This year we are thrilled to host bestselling author Ruth Reichl and hear about her life, work, and recent release, The Paris Novel. We hope you will join us on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 7p.m. at the Henrico Sports & Events Center. Whether this is your first All Henrico Reads or your sixteenth, it never hurts to plan ahead. Read on for our top five tips for attending this year’s event.

We couldn’t be more grateful to bestselling author Ruth Reichl and the community for making this year’s All Henrico Reads another one for the books! Thank you for joining us for an evening of conversation about food, art, and learning to enjoy life’s pleasures. Read on for more details about this year’s delicious event.

July 4, 2026, will mark the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and in anticipation of this milestone, HCPL is excited to announce a new program series supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250). Using textiles as a lens to explore America’s history both past and present, we invite you to join us for demonstrations, hands-on learning, and presentations from local groups, artists, and historians. Read on for more details about our upcoming Hand Crafted program series.  

We are feeling inspired by this year’s delicious All Henrico Reads title, The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl, and are eager to explore new cuisines, try fresh recipes, and embrace our inner gourmands. While the early definition of gourmand was synonymous with overconsumption, the term has since gained a more positive connotation, thanks to the French. Today, a gourmand is someone who simply appreciates good food and drink. So if the thought of buttery croissants, soft creamy brie, and simmering summer vegetables whet your appetite (or you’re interested in trying all of the above), we recommend reading on to learn more about the art of cooking French food.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which raises awareness about people living with a developmental disability such as Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 6 children have one or more developmental disability.

HCPL has programs and resources throughout the year for people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. There are also many related items in our collections. Read on to learn more. 

It’s that time of year again when all we want is to stay inside and curl up with a good book. This season, we’re leveling up our cozy with equally cozy mysteries from the library. Cozy mysteries are typically lighthearted, include a quirky cast of characters, feature an amateur sleuth, and leave out the disturbing details that make you want to sleep with the lights on. Best of all, they come in several sub-genres, making it easier to find the right mystery for you. Whether you’re a classic “whodunit” enthusiast (think Agatha Christie), an animal lover, a culinary connoisseur, a history buff, hobbies nerd, or home renovation obsessed, there are plenty of mysteries out there to keep you cozy this winter.

Whether it's stargazing, bird watching, exploring the outdoors, connecting with loved ones, or discovering new books, the library has several curated kits to help kick start activities with friends and family. Read on to learn more about our kits as well as other resources to enjoy with loved ones over the holiday break.

We couldn’t let this year come to a close without sharing our 2024 Staff Picks. Find new reads for your TBR (to-be-read) pile or to gift to someone special this holiday season. From feel-good romances to out-of-this-world science fiction, staff read across a wide range of genres and interests. We hope this list provides a little something for everyone as you start setting reading goals for the New Year.

Be sure to also check out our Staff Picks lists for Teens and Kids to find fresh reads for the younger readers in your life. And if you’re looking for more recommendations in 2025, subscribe to one of our genre-specific newsletters, browse thousands of read-alikes and mood-inspired recommendations on Novelist, or try our My Next Read service to receive a custom list of titles from one of our librarians.

Happy Library Card Sign-Up Month, a time to promote the perks of using the library. Stop by your nearest location to learn more about signing up and unlocking a world of resources. And if you already have a card, we’re offering replacements all month long. So if your card is looking well-loved, come pick up a fresh one, for free. For those who still aren’t convinced, read on for our top ten reasons to sign up for a library card today.