Another year is upon us and with each new year is a new beginning. It’s a time to hit the reset button on our lives, be it for personal improvement, fitness, or professional development. As you make your New Year’s resolutions, you can utilize our collection for resources to aid in keeping your 2021 goals.

We are pleased to announce that, after being unable to join us last year, Robin Sloan will join us virtually for our 2021 All Henrico Reads to discuss his book Sourdough. We are excited to welcome him on April 1, 2021 at 7 pm.

Children who are exposed to lots of books early in life are better prepared once they start kindergarten. Read with your little one and try to reach the goal of 1000 books before they start kindergarten, and earn cool prizes along the way!

Language learning starts early, and the best way to build vocabulary is through interaction. Talking, singing, and pointing are hallmarks of language learning, and the pillars of the second principle of The Basics. The Basics are a set of principles that help families maximize early learning so you can build a foundation for your child's cognitive, social, and emotional growth. In the second post in this series, we are sharing tips for “Talk, Sing, and Point”, the second principle of The Basics.

Last but not least, here are our favorite books for adults! There is something for everyone, from romance to high fantasy to history. What was your favorite book this year?

There were some absolutely fabulous teen titles published this year, including wonderfully thought-provoking nonfiction, fantastical adventures, and stunning LGBTQIA+ stories. Here are our favorites!

It is December and that means it is time for us to share our favorite books from 2020. We are starting with our favorite books for kids (and those young at heart!). Be sure to keep an eye out for our favorites for teens and adults later this week.

Books are powerful vessels for allowing children to see themselves reflected in stories. When they read about a character like them, they can be empowered and gain a sense of belonging and familiarity. Reading books that feature disabled characters can help children with disabilities see themselves represented in literature and validate their experiences. These books also inform and educate children without disabilities about the experiences of others, building empathy and understanding. In the end, reading books that feature characters with disabilities is positive for all children. Read on for some recommended titles from our librarians.

Physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology and meteorology are regarded as physical sciences because they apply to the natural world and can be investigated by using data and models to form a hypothesis that can be tested through carefully controlled experiments. This list is for anyone who’s ever looked at their homework (or the lab) and wondered: What am I ever going to need this for?!?