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!

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 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.

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.

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.

HCPL would like to thank and welcome veterans, service members, and their families to the library. HCPL provides access to several resources, including VetNow, JobNow, and Tutor.com, for those seeking help with veteran benefits, career support, academic assistance, and more. If you haven't already, stop by your closest library location to sign-up for a library card and start exploring all that is available to you. Additionally, this November we look forward to hosting programs that honor veteran history and experiences. Read on for further details about upcoming programs, resources, and related titles from our collection.

In commemoration of Native American Heritage Month, the library is hosting a series of programs in November. Learn about the practices of regional tribal communities, sample a staple from Native American cuisine, and discuss stories written by indigenous authors. Read on for more details and to explore more Native American stories and voices from our collection.

Happy National Cookbook Month! As the weather begins to cool off, we look forward to cozying up indoors and cooking with family and friends. And while many of us now turn to our phones and social media for recipes, why not skip the ads and flip through an old-school cookbook instead? Our collection includes cookbooks for everyone in the family. Read on for a selection of kid, teen, and adult titles as well as delicious programs coming up this fall.

The sun is setting earlier, the air is getting cooler: time to go on a camping adventure. Camping is a great way to reconnect with nature, and there are several resources available at the library to help you plan your next camping endeavor. Read on to learn more about our exploration kits, upcoming programs, books, and more.