At the Law Library, I get this question quite a bit - "If my apartment has bugs/mice/fleas/etc., is it my landlord's responsibility to pay for an exterminator, or do I have to pay for it?" And as with many legal questions, the answer can depend on several factors. Thankfully, the Virginia Court of Appeals recently clarified one factor related to this topic. Landlords can't ignore their duty to control pests at a rental property and they can't put all the responsibility on the tenant. Bugs?! Before you have even moved...

Welcome to the Storytime at Home series! Every other week, we share a list of book options tied to a kid-approved theme, a craft you can set up to go along with the theme, songs/rhymes you can do during storytime, and additional enrichment activities. All books are available at Richmond Public Library, and crafts will involve items you likely have at home already! Our hope is that we can make it easy for you to share stories with your little ones and create a little bit of library magic at home.  P.S. Love library storytimes? Take a...

With the weather warming up in Richmond, there are more opportunities to go outside and play. Taking a stroll through the neighborhood with your toddler is not only a great way to enjoy the spring weather, but also an excellent opportunity to incorporate early literacy activities into your daily routine! From letter hunts to storytelling, there are countless ways to turn a simple walk into a fun and educational adventure for your little one. There are so many fun and simple ways to practice early literacy skills while enjoying a walk and...

A study done in 2021 detailed how a majority of children from ages 4-7 are confused if their food comes from a plant or animal.  Creating and planning a garden addresses those concerns by teaching children the life cycle of a plant from seed to harvest. Spring is the perfect time to start planning for a summer garden.  The Richmond Public Library has many resources available to help caregivers teach children about food sources and how to garden.  Whether one lives on a large plot of land or in a tiny apartment with a window or balcony,...