This year the United States is celebrating its Semiquincentennial, the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which secured freedom for our nation. Join HCPL (and all of Virginia!) over the coming months for performances, lectures, and more to commemorate this once in a lifetime event. Read on for upcoming programs and titles from our collection that explore life during the American Revolution.

Commemorate Black History Month at the library and learn about the impact of Black Richmonders on the history and culture of our region, create art inspired by influential Black artists, listen to African folktales, and more. Read on for our full list of upcoming performances, book discussions, film screenings, and lectures, as well as some highlights from our collection.

Soccer, robots, mad scientists, and more, this year we read about all kinds of characters, worlds, and real-life wonders. Read on to see what we enjoyed most in 2025! Plus, be sure to check out our Staff Picks lists for teens and adults too.

January 2 is National Science Fiction Day, which honors the significant contributions to the genre by prolific author and editor Isaac Asimov born on January 2, 1920. Asimov is also credited with coining the term “robotics” in a 1941 short story he wrote, and robots do indeed populate a number of the titles in our collection. Read on for kid, teen, and adult science fiction recommendations to help you commemorate the occasion!

As we flip the page on 2025 and head into a new year, we find ourselves reflecting on the past and considering how to best meet the needs of our community.

It’s winter, it’s cold, and we’re cooped up indoors. Why not put a dent in those 2026 reading goals while you’re already snuggled up on the couch? Introducing Warming Up: A Cozy Little Reading Challenge to kick start your year and commitment to reading.

The winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when the Earth's axis is tilted the farthest away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere and closest to the sun in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice usually takes place on December 20 or 21.

As we enter the holiday season and near closer to the start of winter, we find ourselves eager to cozy up indoors, get a little crafty, and enjoy culinary comforts with friends and family. If you find yourselves feeling the same, then we hope you will join us to create and celebrate over the coming weeks. Read on to learn more about upcoming events and highlights from our collection.

Commemorate Native American Heritage Month with the library! Catch a film, join a book discussion, and learn about regional Indigenous culture and history. Read on for program details and to browse recent titles that highlight Native American stories.