Happening at the Library

It's been a dino-mite summer, and we want to thank everyone who participated in this year's Summer Reading Challenge. Together, we took a step back in time, unearthed countless stories, and even encountered a few dinosaurs along the way. By reading, you beat the summer slide and kept those school year skills from going extinct. Beyond helping students, the Summer Reading Challenge is a wonderful way for all of us, no matter our age, to reach personal reading and learning milestones. So read on to learn more about your collective accomplishments and discover this year’s Grand and Branch Prize winners. If you participated in Summer Reading and haven’t already taken our survey, please give us your feedback. There’s even a chance to win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card!

The Summer Reading Challenge may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop unearthing stories about the past. Sift through our collection for nonfiction and fiction reads that dig into ancient civilizations, uncover lesser-known stories, and highlight advancements in discovery and preservation. You don’t have to travel far to excavate your next great read!

This summer we’re unearthing stories and exploring the past, both prehistoric and a bit more recent. For those interested in digging up their own history, the library offers several resources to discover and preserve your past. So, if the mementos in your attic are collecting dust, or you’re still searching for the missing piece in your family puzzle, read on to learn about some of the equipment and databases available to you with a library card.

This Saturday, July 4, America celebrates its 250th birthday. The Declaration of Independence, penned by Virginia’s own Thomas Jefferson, was signed two hundred and fifty years ago and declared our independence from Britain. To commemorate America’s semiquincentennial anniversary, the library and Henrico Recreation and Parks have planned several events. In addition to these, we invite you to explore stories to learn more about the Revolutionary era. Read on for a selection of related titles found in our collection.

Explore recently released LGBTQIA+ books in our collection. Read on for just a sampling of the latest titles to hit our shelves. Plus, be sure to check out Libby, Overdrive’s library reading app, to find highlighted reads for Pride Month. You can learn more about Heritage and Identity Months through Henrico County’s Outreach and Engagement Department.

This summer, the library invites you to Unearth a Story by digging into the fascinating world of plants. Beneath every leaf, root, and seed is a story waiting to be discovered—from towering prehistoric ferns that once grew alongside dinosaurs, to the tiny plants that thrive in our own backyards. As we explore books, activities, and hands-on learning this summer, we invite you to learn about plants, create terrariums, and bring historic landscapes to life. By planting, growing, and imagining new worlds, we can discover a story waiting to be unearthed. Read on for a list of upcoming programs about plants, terrariums, and gardening, as well as related reads from our collection!