Whether in the sweltering heat of summer, or the blustery cold of winter, Libraries offer a comfortable indoor refuge from the elements, and supplies you can take home to enjoy the great indoors.  Read on for some of our recommended winter offerings to help you make the most of cozy season!

UPDATE:  We are pleased to announce the Sandston Branch Library will reopen on Wednesday, November 30. We hope you will join us for an Open House to celebrate the updated facility, which will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by activities throughout the day. Learn more. 

Starting September 12, the Sandston Branch Library will be closed for a refresh project.

We will be installing modern, bright, accessible A-frame shelving that will enable face-out displays to highlight book cover art and transform the browsing and wayfinding experience at the library.  In meeting spaces and common areas, you will find new A/V equipment, all new carpet, and a fresh coat of paint.  Outside the library, new environmentally friendly plantings will be added to the landscape.

Whether you are viewing the exterior, browsing books, reading out on the floor, or attending storytime and other programs, your experience will be significantly upgraded.

The Great Depression was a tumultuous, decade-long crisis that brought challenging times to thousands of families across the country. It was also a period marked by resourcefulness and perseverance. Explore the history and pastimes of the Depression era in our 1930s Open House, a series of programs for all ages taking place throughout the day on Saturday, December 3 at Varina Area Library, hosted in partnership with the History Division of Henrico Recreation and Parks.

Fall is officially here, and with darker nights and brisker air upon us, it’s no wonder that many of us seek something equally chilling to read or watch. This season, look no further than the library for all of your spooky needs. From slightly spooky to nightmare-worthy, find the perfect, frightening fit for everyone in the family.

Calling all artists – aspiring, beginner, or expert! HCPL’s collection is full of big, beautiful books of art prints, reproductions, how-to guides, and museum catalogs. These books contain inspiration and instruction for a wide variety of mediums and styles. You can study the work of your favorite artist, explore a particular movement in art history, or learn a new technique.

The world is opening up again, and many of us are thinking about taking our next big trip. Where to?  Spain? Korea? Vietnam? Wherever you go, studying a language can make your fabulous trip even more fabulous.

No travel plans, you say? Language study can still widen and enrich your world. According to Rosetta Stone, learning a new language can help you preserve and improve your brain function, memory, and problem solving skills. You might even be able to connect with individuals in your community who speak the language. Plus, learning a language can be just plain FUN.

Ready to explore a new language? Read on to learn about how the Library can help!

March is National Craft Month! Tap into your creative side by exploring craft programs, recommended titles from our collection, and online course opportunities available through Universal Class, one of our Research and Learning databases. Additionally, stay tuned to our Instagram and Facebook pages throughout the month for craft examples created by staff for programs, library displays, and personal projects!

It's Banned Books Week (9/18-9/24)! Typically held during the last week in September, this annual event, now in its 40^th year, celebrates the freedom to read. Each year the American Library Association tracks which titles have been most targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. In the spirit of this year’s theme, “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us,” we encourage you to read on and explore the titles on this year’s Most Challenged list.

Most of us have heard the old adage, “there are two sides to every story.” The saying encourages us to consider multiple perspectives. As readers, viewing the stories we love through different lenses can open up entirely new worlds! It can be fun to ask ourselves: is there another side to this story?