December 2024
In this Issue
December 2024
Expanded Memory Lab Hours
Bookologist
Volunteer With Us
Upcoming Events
Acorn TV
Curated Reads for December
Next 100 Survey
Holiday Closings
Richmond Public Library Foundation
Sign Up for RPL At Home
Expanded Memory Lab Hours
As we gather for the holidays, we tend to share fond memories through stories or pictures. For this reason, this time of year is the perfect opportunity to preserve your family history. While you are visiting family or friends, ask if there is anything someone wants to digitize or if there are stories they want recorded. With a mix of communication skills and digital technology, you can ensure those memories last for generations to come.
 
And, the exciting news is we’ve just expanded the hours in our Memory Lab! You can now book an appointment on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings until 8 PM and on Saturdays. This means more time for digitizing, recording, and preserving your family’s memories.
 
Visit our Memory Lab webpage for all the details and to book an appointment today!
 
 
Bookologist
Hand-crafted, "bespoke" book suggestions for you or your loved ones!
 
Libraries are all about connecting books and readers. Sometimes the choices can seem overwhelming, and you need a little help finding titles you really want to read. Or, maybe you're looking for the perfect book to gift that special someone, but need help finding one they'll enjoy.
 
Richmond Public Library Bookologists can help! Just fill out a short, online form, and we'll create a list of titles just for you or your loved one. We craft lists for kids, teens, and adults!
 
Our book recommendations are bespoke – not canned, not an algorithm – but carefully hand-selected. Like most artisanal products, they take time to create. Please allow 3-5 business days for your personal list.
 
 
Volunteer With Us
Volunteers are vital to our Library's mission. They help in a variety of ways both with our day-to-day operations and on special projects. Interested in helping the library? Here are a few volunteer opportunities:
 
• Those interested in helping out with programs, “resume builders,” and others who want to assist in library duties are encouraged to complete this form.
 
• Teens seeking community service hours should contact the Youth Services Librarian or Branch Manager of their neighborhood branch. 
 
• RVA Reads recruits volunteer readers to read to each preschool class at Richmond’s five regional preschool centers on a monthly basis (October-May). Apply to be a volunteer reader here.
 
• Friends of the Library volunteers manage the semi-annual book sales and work throughout the library system shelving, checking reports, and more. Join the Friends here.
Upcoming Events
S.T.I.N.G. the Thing: Overcoming Grief with Lynn Lewis
Saturday, December 7, 1:00 PM
Hull Street Branch
 
Lynn Lewis is a certified grief coach and author who supports adults aged 50 and above who are navigating the aftermath of suicide loss. Her mission is to empower her clients to lead meaningful and impactful lives despite the profound loss they have experienced. Using her personal story, her goal is moving from pain to peace, from grief to gratitude. For more information about Lynn, go to her website: www.destinedtothrivegriefcoaching.com 
 
Register for the program here.
Free Chess Class
Saturday, December 7, 1:00 PM
Main Library

RVA Pieces Free Library Chess Class is open for players of all ages and skill levels. Students can expect an hour of classroom style chess instruction from one of several coaches, where they’ll be shown famous games, openings, endgames, tactics, and everything in between! Following the lecture will be free casual play. Boards and pieces will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own set. No registration required. Click here for more information about RVA Pieces. 
Tech Talk
Mondays, 2:00-4:00 PM
North Avenue Branch

Receive one-on-one computer support during Tech Talks. 

Call North Avenue (804-646-6675) to schedule a half-hour appointment. No repairs or specific device setup.
Under the Bridges of Paris
Sunday, December 15, 2:00 PM
West End Branch

Chantal Maréchal, former professor of French at Virginia Commonwealth University, invites you to travel through Parisian history via the architectural backstory of the Seine's bridges.  Ms. Maréchal will answer questions following the presentation.
Acorn TV
Don't pay for Acorn TV when you can get it FREE through Richmond Public Library!
 
Indulge in stories you love from around the world, all in one place. Acorn TV offers hard-to-find gems, timeless classics and newly-discovered favorites from Britain, Ireland, Australia, and beyond. Discover addictive dramas, thrilling mysteries, and warm-hearted comedies. Here are just a few of their most popular shows:
  • Monsieur Spade
  • Harry Wild
  • Inspector Ellis
  • The Long Shadow
  • Spirited
  • The Madame Blanc Mysteries
  • Doc Martin
Stream now using our Hoopla app!
 
 
 
Curated Reads for December
Enjoy the holidays with titles we've curated for these great December book lists!
 
Best of the Best of 2024
Check out one of these top titles of 2024!
            
 
And the Winner Is...
List of 2024 literary nominees and award winners.
            
 
 
Next 100 Survey
Richmond Public Library is embarking on a new Facilities Strategic Plan and is collecting feedback from the community to help inform our new goals. As current library users, we want to hear from you! Tell us how you use the library and what your experience has been. What would you like to see more of? What ideas do you have for how we can grow? Please take a few moments to fill out the current user survey and help shape the future of our libraries!
 
 
Do you have a friend, family member, or neighbor who doesn't currently use the library? We want to hear from them, too! Their input will help us make changes to increase the number of people who enjoy our resources. Please share the future user survey and encourage them share their thoughts.
 
 

Holiday Closings
Winter Holiday/Christmas 
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 – All libraries closed
Wednesday, December 25, 2024 – All libraries closed
 
New Year’s Day
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – All libraries closed
 
Richmond Public Library Foundation
Richmond Public Library offers opportunities for people to gather for difficult conversations, for understanding new perspectives, and for finding common ground. When you make a donation through the Richmond Public Library Foundation, you make it possible for your neighborhood library to host programs, collect resources, and create spaces that will build bridges.
 
Donating to a resource that makes us all better, both individually and collectively, is powerful. And as we head into a season of gratitude and family, please know we are grateful to our entire community of library advocates. - Susan Revere, Executive Director
 
To strengthen your favorite library's resources, donate by clicking on the logo above.
 
Sign Up for RPL At Home
Want to stay "in the know" about Richmond Public Library?

Click on the button below to sign up for future editions of RPL at Home,
as well as other news from the library! 
 
Richmond Public Library
101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 646-7223

https://rvalibrary.org/