June is a month of celebrations. From Pride to graduations to the start of summer, we have lots to celebrate this month. There are two very special days in June that have previously been overlooked, but have been gaining attention in recent years: Loving Day and Juneteenth.

Our website has a brand-new look! The new site is bright and cheerful, and it was designed with accessibility and clear navigation in mind. We hope you can take a moment to look around and explore.

Reading is the one activity that can increase the bonds between parent and child, teach your little one about the world around them, and open their eyes to concepts they might not encounter every day. Read and Discuss Stories is the last pillar of the Basics. The idea is to make reading fun while your kids are young, and instill a love of reading that will persist beyond childhood.

Starting June 15, the more books you read and the more activities you take part in this summer, the more prizes you will be eligible to win! Log reading, writing, and other literacy activities online to earn badges and prizes. Summer Reading is sponsored by the Friends of Henrico County Public Library. Keep reading to find out more.

Summer is nearly here and we are thrilled to share some in-person and virtual events at the library coming up in June. From Summer Reading kickoff parties perfect for families, to book and film discussions, to virtual teen crafting, there’s a lot happening at HCPL next month. Read on to learn about fun educational programming coming up at your library.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! To celebrate, we’ve pulled together some of our favorite books from Asian American and Pacific Islander authors for kids, teens, and adults, showcasing a wealth of stories and experiences. Read on for our picks.

The public library might not be the first place people think of when they hear the words ‘improv comedy’. However, in Henrico County, that is exactly where folks can go to learn more about improv, and even give it a try!  Improv programs have been happening at Libbie Mill Library since it opened in 2015, but recently, these programs have made the shift to an online environment. Until the end of the summer, middle and high school-age teens can join monthly virtual programs dedicated to easy improv gameplay with their peers.

This week is Resilience Week, and we are again partnering with Greater Richmond SCAN to share titles for young readers that celebrate and uplift stories of resilience. This is also the first week of Mental Health Awareness Month, and we want to share library resources that can additionally support mental health and wellness. Read on to learn more about Resilience Week, and explore recommendations from our librarians.

Spring is here and we are so excited to see you at our upcoming May programs! Learn how to get snacks from your garden, join us for fun role-playing games and trivia, and relax with us in our ongoing meditation program. Plus, we are happy to announce several in-person book discussion groups and storytimes starting in May. Read on to see what we have coming up at the library.

Romeo and Juliet. Heloise and Abelard. Anna Karenina and Vronsky. Some of the most stirring romances in history and fiction walk the tightrope between tradition and modernity, duty and passion, family and society, self and other. These fantastic romances ask the question: can you be remain connected to your family AND follow your heart? Keep reading to find your next romantic read.