In 1949 the Mental Health America organization designated May as Mental Health Awareness Month to bring attention to mental health issues. Mental health is defined as “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” (Medline Plus).

In 2020, 21% of the United States population ages 18 and older, around 52.9 million adults, and 16.4% of youth ages 6-17, experienced a mental health disorder (SAMHSA, October 2021). 5.6% of adults experienced a serious mental illness. The library offers informative resources on the subjects of health and wellness, and is offering educational programs in May to support Mental Health Awareness Month.  If you or a loved one needs support or treatment for a mental health condition, or if you or someone you love is in crisis, the experts at Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services can help.

Read on to learn more about what’s available at the Library.

Discover the Eastern Shore! In the spirit of Summer Reading, we’re exploring all things ocean. What better place to start than Virginia’s coast? Read on to learn more about upcoming programs and titles that explore the region’s unique landscape and history.

This summer, Henrico’s own nationally renowned, bestselling, and Newbery Award-winning author, Meg Medina, will be leading a series of book discussions for tweens!  Called Open Book, this special book club will allow rising 4th-7th graders to discuss books and writing with Meg Medina and their peers at HCPL locations county-wide! Read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

We are excited to announce our 2022 Summer Reading Challenge: Oceans of Possibilities! In this year’s challenge, readers of all ages can explore the library’s collection, attend programs, submit written reviews, and participate in other activities to earn badges and prizes. Read on to learn more about how to participate.

Since 1971, Week of the Young Child has been celebrated by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and early childhood educators around the country. This weeklong event is a time for communities to learn more about the hard work being done to help educate and prepare young children (birth through age 8) for success in school and life.

This Valentine’s Day, we’re highlighting Black authors we love! Explore a few of our favorite contemporary and classic Black authors for adults, teens, and children.

Expand your imagination with an audiobook! Audiobooks allow us to enjoy fabulous narrators and concentrate on the spoken word alone. Best of all, they enable us to bond and listen to stories together!

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.