December 3, 2021
Happy (Upcoming) Holidays!
  
December, the best month of the year for readers everywhere, has arrived! Whether you need something to read as you travel, are looking for something to get lost in on a cold and wintry day, or are just in search of some facts to impress your family members at a holiday dinner, RPL has something for all of your needs. There are few better options for escaping the winter blues than by digging into a great read, sinking deeper into a warm cocoon of blankets, and sipping hot cocoa.
 
That said, make sure and come visit us before our winter closings roll in! Even librarians need a few days off now and then, and we will be closed for both the winter holiday and New Year's. All locations will be closed from December 23rd through December 27th, and again from December 31st through January 2nd. 
 
Enjoy your December, Richmonders, and we look forward to seeing all of you in 2022. However you celebrate, we want to wish everyone warm season's greetings and a Happy New Year! 
 
RPL Librarians in the News
In case you missed it, some of your local librarians have been making headlines in the region:
 
Meldon Jenkins-Jones, librarian at the Law Library, was recently chosen by the Virginia Library Association as the winner of the 2021 Librarian of Color Forum Award. This award recognizes librarians and library staff of color who exhibit excellence in service to communities of color through outreach or programming that encourages engagement or removes barriers to library information and services. Meldon was chosen for this award because of her dedication to social justice, outreach, and community service. 
 
Collection Development Librarian Meg Raymond was featured on November 19th in Richmond Magazine, promoting her Bookologist service. If you have never used this free service, make sure to check it out on our website! We offer bespoke book recommendations based on information that you submit via an electronic form.  
 
Finally, Heather Montgomery, Library and Community Services Manager at the Broad Rock Library, was officially recognized by Richmond Poder, Richmond's local Spanish language radio station, as a 2021 Persona de Poder. In honor of the radio station's 15th Anniversary, they chose a variety of individuals who have had a positive impact on the local Spanish-speaking community, including Heather.
 
We are so proud of our librarians and library staff who help communities across the City of Richmond and beyond.  
 
Holiday Closings
All Richmond Public Library locations will be closed on the following dates:
  • Winter Break: Thursday, December 23rd, through Monday, December 27th, 2021 (all locations will close at 5pm on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021).                                                                                
  • New Year's Celebration: Friday, December 31st, 2021, through Sunday January 2nd, 2022. 
All locations will reopen the following business day at our regularly scheduled time. 
 
Programs for Kids, Tweens & Teens
Little Movers & Groovers Virtual Storytime
It's never too early to introduce your little one to reading! Log in on Wednesdays at 11:30 for a fun and interactive storytime filled with books, music, movement, and more!
 
Registration for this program is required, so please sign up here.
 
Make It! Monday at Ginter Park
Whether or not it snows this December, you can always create and decorate a snow person if you have the right craft supplies! 
 
Join Mr. Louis at Ginter Park on Monday, December 6th, at 4:30pm for the bi-weekly Make It! Monday craft series, where the theme will be snow people, and kids and tweens can decorate them to their hearts' content. Click here for more info and future Make It! Monday dates. 
 
Disguise a Gingerbread Man Contest
The holiday season is approaching and the Gingerbread Man needs your help! Help create the perfect disguise for him/her/them based on your favorite book character! Here's how it works:
  1. Pick up a Gingerbread Man template at your closest Richmond Public Library location and create their disguise.
  2. Take a picture and upload it beginning November 29th using our Biblioboard submission form.
  3. Submit your artwork by December 12th for a chance to win your own gingerbread decorating kit!
  4. We will select one winner per age group (Ages 2-4, 5-7, and 8-11). Winners will be announced by December 17th.
  5. Visit our Biblioboard site to see all the entries!
Get Lit Lunch & Learn: New Children's Books by Local Authors
Join us virtually on Monday, December 13th, at 12pm as Richmond author Jon Rakestraw and illustrator Clara Hart talk about their delightful new children's book, Billy Fellin’s Great Catch. Jon also co-authored the YA collection The Mostly True Stories of Trudi Hierholzer, and his first novel is Return of the Richmond Vampire.
 
Click here to register for the event today!
 
Teen Spotlight Issue #2
The latest issue of Teen Spotlight, a zine produced by the Richmond Public Library Teen Advisory Group (TAG), is now available!
 
For this issue, we asked teens to submit written and visual work based on a theme: “retelling of a traditional tale.” From traditional fairy tales, to fables, mythological stories, and age-old monster stories, you’ll find it all here!
Teen Advisory Group (TAG!) Meeting
Current and prospective TAG members, join us for our monthly meeting on Thursday, December 16th, at 4pm at the Main Library. Help us plan teen programs, give feedback on the YA collection, and have your voices heard concerning all things TEEN at the library. 
 
For more information contact Jenn Deuell at (804) 646-4740 or jennifer.deuell@richmondgov.com
 
Adult Programming
Free COVID-19 At-Home Test Kits
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recently announced its partnership with libraries and library systems across the Commonwealth to distribute free COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits. Soon, RPL will begin distributing kits at all nine locations across Richmond during regular business hours. Anyone can request a free test kit, but call your nearest RPL location first to check availability.  
 
These easy-to-use kits are labeled with instructions and an expiration date. It should only take 15 minutes to know your status and receive a digital result. The Supporting Testing Access through Community Collaboration (STACC) program is designed to increase access to COVID-19 testing, especially among under-resourced communities and other vulnerable populations.
 
Author Table with J.S. Furlong
J.S. Furlong will be at the Main Library to sign copies of her debut novel, Hidden City, on Saturday, December 4th, from 12pm to 3pm.
 
Ms. Furlong is an author, producer, and actor. She is the author of Antagonists, a LARP guide to vicious villains for Vampire: The Masquerade’s Mind’s Eye Theatre. She is the mother of four teenagers, co-author of modern theatrical circus Circus of Night with Neil Gaiman (pending production), and once played a small but pivotal role on the TV series Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. She is a graduate of The Duke Ellington School of the Arts and University of Mary Washington. 
 
Gellman Room Concert Series
On Saturday, December 4th, at 2pm, join us in the Gellman Room at the Main Library for “Sweet Potatoes Live at the Gellman Room” presented by the Richmond-based jazz band, Sweet Potatoes, with members Johnny Hargrove, guitar, Reyna Pannell, vocals, and Stephon Larue, drums
 
All concerts are free, in-person, and open to the public. 
 
Author Talk with Sarah Newland
On Wednesday, December 22nd, from 12pm to 3pm, join author Sarah Newland at Main, where she will talk about her new adventure series, The Coelacanth Project.
 
Her books revolve around the difficult transition into adulthood, conquering inner demons, and discovering powerful friendships. She hopes to promote a love of reading and brain-active living. 
 
We hope to see you on December 22nd, when you will be able to get first-hand insight into the world of publishing and writing fiction.
 
Important Library Updates
  • All RPL locations will close at 5pm on Wednesday, December 22nd, and remain closed through Monday, December 27th. All libraries will reopen on Tuesday, December 28th, at 10am.
  • All RPL locations will be closed on Friday, December 31st, and remain closed through Sunday, January 2nd. All libraries will reopen on Monday, January 3rd, at 10am.
  • All RPL locations are open Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm, and Saturday, 10am-5pm.  
  • All book drops are open for returns.
Please visit our website at rvalibrary.org for up-to-date information.
 
How to Access Materials
Your Library at Your Fingertips: Always Open Online!

With your library card, you can check out tens of thousands of digital books, audiobooks, magazines, movies and TV shows and explore the more than 30 databases RPL subscribes to. But what if you don't have a card? Don't worry, the e-card is here to save the day! 
 
Click this link or the images to the right for more information. Answer a few questions and you'll instantly be given access to a treasure trove of materials, enough to keep you busy, entertained, and enlightened. 
 
Moment of Calm
 
"Winter Branches"
by Margaret Widdemer
 
When winter-time grows weary, I lift my eyes on high
And see the black trees standing, stripped clear against the sky;
 
They stand there very silent, with the cold flushed sky behind,
The little twigs flare beautiful and restful and kind;
 
Clear-cut and certain they rise, with summer past,
For all that trees can ever learn they know now, at last;
 
Slim and black and wonderful, with all unrest gone by,
The stripped tree-boughs comfort me, drawn clear against the sky.
 
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Richmond Public Library
101 East Franklin Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 646-7223https://rvalibrary.org/
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