Friendships play a vital role in our lives—especially when we are teenagers. Friends offer connection, adventure, and support. Whether you love meeting new people, prefer one-on-one connections, or feel more comfortable talking to people online, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to friendship. February 11 is “Make a Friend Day,” but we're celebrating all month long. Inspired by the popular early 2000s-style quizzes teens used to take in magazines with their friends, we've created a quiz of our own. Read on to discover your preferred friendship style, and explore personalized YA recommendations featuring stories about friendship!

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.

Turn the chapter on last year’s literary scenes, and jump into new worlds of adventure with fantasy and science fiction books for teens. Known for crafting incredible worlds of detailed magic or advanced technology, fantasy and science fiction authors can transport you to imaginary territories ripe for exploration. Looking for some fresh excitement in 2025? Enroll in a magical school, spy on a bubbling dystopian revolution, or survive an intergalactic war by traveling to new worlds at your library. Read on for a full list of recommended reads, upcoming otherworldly teen library events, and a handy library resource that can help with future fantasy or science fiction adventuring.

We are excited to announce that in 2025 our signature community reading program, All Henrico Reads, will feature James Beard Award-winning author Ruth Reichl and her bestselling book The Paris Novel. We invite the community to join us on Thursday, March 27 at 7 PM at the Henrico Sports and Events Center for an evening with Ruth Reichl, including an in-person discussion, Q&A, book sales from Book People, and a book signing. Read on to learn more about the event and how to take part in this year’s all-community read.

This Saturday marks the beginning of Black History Month and we are looking forward to kicking things off with a day full of events at Fairfield Library. Listen to Justin Golden perform the Piedmont Blues, test your knowledge of Henrico Black History by playing Bingo with Henrico Recreation and Parks, History Division, and enjoy a music and spoken word concert of African and African American folktales from Richmond's Elegba Society. Read on to learn more about upcoming Black History Month events including book discussions, film screenings, lectures, performances, and more, as well as titles from our collection that center around Black history.

As you hit the reset button and start thinking about the year to come, remember the library is here to support you in reaching your 2025 goals. Whether your hopes are related to your career, academics, wellness, finances, personal hobbies, or reading, HCPL has a number of resources that can help you. Read on for a list of databases, programs, and titles available to you, for free, with a library card. Moreover, don’t forget our staff are also here to support you! Call, visit, or text us (571- 536-7695), and we will work to point you in the right direction.  

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.

Picture and chapter book readers alike are sure to find reads on this year’s Staff Picks list of children’s titles. Dive into beautiful artwork, magical worlds, adventure, and more!

Be sure to also check out our Staff Picks lists for Teens and Adults to find fresh reads for the other readers in your life. And if you’re looking for more recommendations for your young reader(s), subscribe to 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. HCPL’s littlest readers can also sign up for our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge to help develop their reading skills and love of books! Browse our conveniently curated book kits to get started.