Although many believe that the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, freed all enslaved people in the South, the dream of freedom did not become a reality for people enslaved in Texas until two years later. General Gordon Granger led his Union troops to Galveston on June 19, 1865, and delivered General Order No. 3, declaring the end of the institution of slavery. Juneteenth commemorates this historic event. In 2021, Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday, and is now recognized in 47 states. The day is often celebrated by large gatherings with food, music, parades and more. Read on to find resources about Juneteenth at the Library!

One question library staff frequently encounter is, "Can you recommend a book for me?" And the answer is, of course!  Recommending titles is something we love to do! Read on to learn more about library resources that can help you find new titles and authors to explore.

In 1949 the Mental Health America organization designated May as Mental Health Awareness Month to bring attention to mental health issues. Mental health is defined as “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” (Medline Plus).

In 2020, 21% of the United States population ages 18 and older, around 52.9 million adults, and 16.4% of youth ages 6-17, experienced a mental health disorder (SAMHSA, October 2021). 5.6% of adults experienced a serious mental illness. The library offers informative resources on the subjects of health and wellness, and is offering educational programs in May to support Mental Health Awareness Month.  If you or a loved one needs support or treatment for a mental health condition, or if you or someone you love is in crisis, the experts at Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services can help.

Read on to learn more about what’s available at the Library.

We are excited to announce our 2022 Summer Reading Challenge: Oceans of Possibilities! In this year’s challenge, readers of all ages can explore the library’s collection, attend programs, submit written reviews, and participate in other activities to earn badges and prizes. Read on to learn more about how to participate.

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month! What originally began as a day to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising (Gay Pride Day) has since evolved into an official month-long celebration that recognizes the impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (questioning), intersex and asexual identifying people have had on history (Library of Congress). We are marking the occasion with a list of titles that celebrate authors and characters belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community. Read on for recommended books for children, tweens, teens and adults!

Juneteenth is just weeks away and in commemoration of the holiday the Library has organized a series of programs that centers around Black stories from near and far. Explore the history of Black people in Henrico County by transcribing primary source documents from 19th century Henrico County, experience a live historical interpretation of Gabriel Prosser, learn about Black communities throughout the Coastal South and their displacement, and discover sea-inspired myths, legends and folklore from Africa. We hope you will join us at the Library as we celebrate Juneteenth!

Join us for an author talk with local Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist, Chip Jones! Jones will discuss his title, The Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South, which was awarded the 2021 Nonfiction Literary Award by the Library of Virginia.

Our online catalog has an updated look and feel. The home page of the new catalog features scrollable carousels with popular entry points for browsing titles in our collection, from new books to bestsellers. 

Did you know that you can digitize your memories at the library? Scan old photos, film and slides or transfer a VHS home movie to digital format using equipment available in our Digital Media Labs. Use the library’s resources to see what’s in that inherited collection of slides, re-watch your decades-old wedding tape, repair a long-lost photograph and much more!