Monarch butterflies feed exclusively on milkweed, making the relationship between monarchs and these plants very special. As a host plant, milkweed is critical to the monarch’s survival. In the spring months, monarchs migrate from their Northern overwintering sites to the US and Southern Canada in search of milkweed to lay their eggs and feed their larvae. Without milkweed, the butterflies cannot complete their life cycle, causing a decline in their numbers. An excellent way to support monarch butterfly populations is to restore their breeding grounds by planting local, native species of milkweed.

The library isn’t just for books and reading! Use your library card to check out movies, documentaries, television shows on DVD, or use Hoopla to stream directly to the device of your choice.

And last but not least, we're sharing our favorite Adult picks! With unique titles that span across several different genres, it's our hope that this list offers a little something for everyone. Click through the links below to learn more about each title.

Short Story Day always takes place on the shortest day of the year (of course!). This year it falls on December 21^st. Why celebrate short stories? According to Edgar Allen Poe, they leave the reader with “a sense of the fullest satisfaction.”

Ever wondered what a Krusty Burger tastes like? What about Buddy the Elf’s Breakfast Pasta?

Luckily for our taste buds, creative chefs have compiled, created, and in some cases re-created, recipe collections of famous foods from cinema and television. From The Simpsons’ fast food to Downton Abbey feasts, from Hogwarts feast hall to The Sopranos’ New Jersey family table, our library cookbook collection has titles for any fan’s delectation.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) gifting is a creative alternative for those wishing to avoid the hassle of crowds and online shopping this holiday season. Should you opt for a more hand-made holiday, be sure to check out our Digital Media Lab resources for project ideas and support! 

Whether you’re ready to visit the theatre or love watching from your couch, there are television and movie adaptations of some of our favorite titles to look forward to this fall and into 2022. Despite some productions being delayed, it’s never too early to start keeping tabs and looking for news to build up the anticipation. Take a look at just some of the options below, and make sure to check out their book counterparts at any Henrico library location!

It has been said that everyone has one novel in them.  National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, has been helping that notion become a reality since 1999. It is a simple challenge put forth for any and all to participate: write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Every November, NaNoWriMo gives aspiring authors the opportunity to find that novel within themselves by providing structure, community, and encouragement to reach their creative goals. It’s an inspiring and positive month for writers of all ages. Whether you are penning the next gripping bestseller, or crafting a literary opus, November is a great motivational opportunity!

Many of us are familiar with Robert Frost as a poet who uses nature as the setting and focus of much of his writing. His poem “A Late Walk” is rich with images of autumn. Frost describes the seasonal transformation of the landscape in the mown field, the covered path, the tangled garden, the sad whir of birds, and the bare trees. The last stanza portrays both memories of the season gone and hope for future seasons that are held in “the faded blue, Of the last remaining aster flower.” Why did Frost choose an aster? Why did he feel such a strong association between the aster and the changing of the seasons? What is so special about this little blue flower?