If you’re a student or have students in your household, a library card can be a key to success—and savings. For families looking for ways to save, a free library card can unlock hundreds of dollars of programs and services to help students succeed. This handy calculator shows how libraries can save you money. Read on to learn more about free library resources in our community.

Storytimes have always been vehicles for fostering early literacy skills, and they can help with your child(ren)’s social emotional development too. Many parents and caregivers seek to instill a love of reading to give their little ones a boost with future academics, but social competency also factors into success both in and outside of school. Children need opportunities to identify and manage their emotions, to practice setting goals, to show compassion towards others, to form meaningful relationships, and to make responsible decisions, all of which libraries can help provide. Read on to learn more about library storytimes and recommended titles geared toward early social emotional development.

This year’s Summer Reading theme is “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” and we couldn’t agree more! HCPL is the perfect place to plan your next adventure. There are plenty of fun places to explore in Richmond, throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the greater Mid-Atlantic region. Read on for recommendations and learn more about resources to help you plan your next local adventure.

One of the many adventures you can enjoy this summer (and all year) is the game of Dungeons & Dragons. In this collaborative tabletop roleplaying game for all ages, players work together as different characters to defeat monsters, solve puzzles, and ultimately tell a story of their own creation. Dungeons & Dragons has grown in popularity with many recent books, television shows, movies, and podcasts highlighting the game.

Games like Dungeons & Dragons, which focus heavily on teamwork, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, are a great way for peers to engage with one another and work on social skills. Be sure to check out our online calendar or Program Guide for upcoming opportunities to play Dungeons & Dragons at the library!

In the meantime, browse our collection for Dungeons & Dragons-themed books to get you in the spirit of adventure. Read on for a list of some of our recommended titles for children and teens.

What do the 2024 Summer Olympics have in common with our manga collection? More than you think! You’ll find badminton, basketball, cycling, gymnastics, running, soccer, and volleyball on the screen and on our shelves. If you’re a manga fan (or looking to try something new) and are feeling inspired by the summer games, read on for some of the sports-themed manga available at the library. 

Whether it’s a destination at the top of your bucket list or a place you’re curious about but would never visit, discover a book about it in the library’s collection of unique travel titles. Who knows? Maybe a great book will open your eyes to a surprising destination for your next real-life trip. Adventure awaits you at the library!

That’s a wrap on our 2024 Summer Reading Challenge! Thank you to everyone who read and learned with us. Whether it was diving into books, trying new things, or exploring new places, we think it’s safe to say that this summer was quite an adventure. Read on to learn more about all of your accomplishments.

As Varina Area Library celebrates its eighth anniversary, we’d like to highlight the only HCPL library situated on the Capital Trail! Opened in June of 2016, Varina’s current LEED-certified location on New Market Road replaced the smaller Varina branch which served the community since 1970. Varina Library is a 43,885-square-foot two-story building equipped with designated adult, teen, and children’s areas; study and meeting spaces; a Digital Media Lab; a demonstration kitchen; a grand stairwell for events; and a nature trail. In 2017, Varina won the prestigious Library Building Award presented by the American Institute of Architects in conjunction with the American Library Association. Read on to learn more about this serene and nature-inspired library nestled in the East End!

Happy Pride Month! Pride is an annual commemoration dedicated to recognizing the impact of the LGBTQIA+ community. In celebration, we’re reading across the rainbow and highlighting some of our collection’s newer LGBTQIA+ reads for teens and adults. Read on for some of our recommendations!