August 2025
In This Issue:
Summer Reading Program Finale
First Fridays
Highlighted Events
All Events
Storytime Break
Curated Reads on Libby
Career Online High School
Foundation Update
Summer Reading Program Finale
Celebrate Your Summer Reading Accomplishments!
 
Celebrate all the reading you've done and fun you've had this summer at our annual Summer Reading Finale. Enjoy cool activities, a game truck for playing video games, dancing, and FREE scoops of ice cream from Ruby Scoops (while supplies last). Create some summer crafts or just play—fun for all ages! 
 
The Summer Reading Finale takes place at Pine Camp Park (4901 Old Brook Rd. Richmond, VA 23227) on Saturday, August 2, from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. 
 
First Fridays
Make the Main Library a Stop on Your Culture Crawl
 
Richmond Public Library is proud to participate in First Fridays, a signature event in Richmond’s Arts District. This long-standing art walk takes place year-round on the first Friday of every month. Galleries, shops, restaurants, nonprofits, and other venues open their doors in celebration of art and community. Make the Main Library a stop on your culture crawl by joining us from 6:30-8:30 PM. Each of our gallery spaces will feature new exhibitions by a variety of local artists.
 
August First Friday
Friday, August 1, 6:30-8:30 PM
Main Library
 
August's featured artists are Richmond Photography Meetup Group and Camera Club of Richmond.
 
Highlighted Events
Keep Your Clothes Out of the Landfill with Visible Mending
Saturday, August 2, 10:30 AM
Belmont Branch
 
Discover the art of sashiko--visible embroidered mending on worn or ripped clothes. You will learn various hand stitches to repair, embellish, and patch clothing. Presented by Top Stitch Mending. Registration required.
Gaming & Theory Tabletop Roleplaying
Saturdays, August 9 & 23, 1:00 PM
West End Branch
 
We know adulting makes it hard for everyone to get together, so we'll make it easy for you and provide the games, character sheets and dice. Just bring yourself.
Droids & Dragons: A Sci Fi/Fantasy Book Club
Thursday, August 14, 6:30 PM
Hull Street Branch
 
Whether you dream of exploring distant galaxies or ancient enchanted realms, we dive into the best of sci-fi and fantasy--one epic tale at a time. This month we are reading and discussing Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
Teen STEAM: Real or AI?
Wednesday, August 20, 4:30 PM
East End Branch
 
Learn more about AI images and how to tell if something you're looking at online is real or a "deepfake."
Master Gardener Help Desk
Thursday, August 21, 10:30AM
Westover Hills Branch
 
Master Gardeners will be out in the library, eager to answer any of your gardening questions. They will have soil sample kits and other helpful resources.
All Events
 
 
Storytime Break
 
 
As a reminder, all Richmond Public Library locations will be taking a brief storytime break from August 2-17.
 
Curated Reads on Libby
Back to School: Dark Academia
Check out this list of titles with dark academic themes.
            
 
Women in Translation
Read these translated books authored by women.
            
 
 
Career Online High School
Earn a High School Diploma—Free through Richmond Public Library.
 
Prepare for a successful  career or continuing education with an accredited high school diploma and career certificate. You can:
  • Earn an accredited high school diploma
  • Earn a career certificate
  • Take classes online with the flexibility of 24/7 access
  • Get support from certified instructors and an academic coach who care about your success
  • Gain career readiness with a career portfolio including a resume, a cover letter, and job preparation support
High school graduates earn $8,424 more a year than those without a high school diploma.* Are you ready to get started?
 
*2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Population Survey
 
 
Foundation Update
For fun, we asked our summer interns: "What song best sums up your summer internship experience?"
 
We loved these great responses - and hope you will too:
 
Isabella: "Heat Above" by Greta Van Fleet
Nina: "ABC" by The Jackson 5
Dominique: "I Get Around" by The Beach Boys
Charlie: "Searching" by Roy Ayers
Ysanne: "Where'd All the Time Go" by Dr. Dog
Shawn: "Golden" by Jill Scott
Jocelyn: "It Gets Better (with Time)" by The Internet
Bibi: "Feels Like Home" by Louie Zong
Finn: "Half Past Three" by Cosmo Sheldrake
 
Please join us in thanking them as they wrap up their internships in mid-August. They led programs, learned library and customer service skills, partnered with families, and served as valuable team members in summer learning initiatives. They added new skills to their resumes, and built community connections. We will miss them!
 
 Thank you,
Susan Revere
Executive Director, Richmond Public Library Foundation
 
 
 
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Richmond Public Library
101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 646-7223
https://rvalibrary.org/