September 9-16 is James River Week, and the library is marking the occasion with programs to educate and celebrate one of our greatest community resources, the James River! Whether you enjoy hiking and biking its trails, spotting dozens of its native bird, fish, and plant species, swimming in its waters, or kayaking, canoeing, or rafting down its class II-IV rapids, join us as we learn more about Richmond’s beloved James River and how we can help protect its future.

Laughter is a wonderful way to bring people together, and scientific studies have shown that it can even help improve your overall health by improving circulation and reducing stress. Reading funny books is a great way to connect with your little one(s) and add a dose of laughter to your day. Read on for some recommended funny reads for kids from our collection to get laughing – it's good for you!

July is Graphic Novels in Libraries Month, and while popular favorites like Batman, Superman, and other Marvel and DC comics come to mind, the library offers even more to explore. Search thousands of titles in our catalog or in our Hoopla collection. Whether you’re a visual person, want to broaden your reading horizons, or just need a break from pages and pages of type, we recommend giving a graphic novel a try.  Many reluctant readers have found their love of books through graphic novels.   You may be surprised by what you discover!

Quilting bees, stitch-ins, and sewing circles have long been community gatherings. In the spirit of our “All Together Now” Summer Reading challenge, join us to explore quilting and other textile arts this summer. Events include collaborative art installations at several locations, a documentary screening, presentations from area quilters, and a lecture on Virginia Quilt Trails.  Read on for more information about how you can connect with your community through quilting at the library this summer, and for book recommendations related to quilting and textiles.

Fall in love with LGBTQIA+ romance this Pride Month! Love takes many forms across multiple genres in our collection. So whether you prefer your romance in the real world, fantastical worlds, or worlds of the past, we have a wide range of titles to help you find your perfect romance. Read on to explore just some of the titles we’re gushing over this month.

Taking road trips with the family is a time-honored summer tradition. What better way to engage the whole family while beating that “Are We There Yet” boredom than by listening to an audiobook together? June is Audiobook Appreciation Month, and whether you’re a new listener or an audiophile, we have an extensive, fun-filled audiobook collection to keep you entertained for miles. Read on to learn more about the joys of audiobooks, and to discover some of our favorite audiobooks from the library’s collection.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month, and we are commemorating the occasion with a month full of programs and displays at the library. In our programs, you'll hear from Asian Americans in the Henrico community as they share their personal immigration experiences, learn about Japanese plants, gardening, and flower arranging, and discuss books and films with stories from Cambodia, India, and China. Read on to learn more about our upcoming programs and browse our list of recommended titles by AAPI authors and about AAPI Heritage!

Explore STEM concepts at the library! STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, is a multidisciplinary and inquiry-based teaching approach that encourages hands-on learning to help students build critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills (Virginia Department of Education). Dive into the wonderful world of STEM with several regular programs for children, teens, and families at the library. Read on to find out more!

From Bebop to Big Band, Dixieland to Ragtime, Swing to Latin, Afro-Cuban to Cool: April is Jazz Appreciation Month! Head to the library with your little ones to learn more about jazz’s history, legends, and influence on music today. Discover the spirit of jazz by exploring books and music in the library’s collection or by attending one of our upcoming programs! Read on to learn more.