Richards Memorial Library: At the Library: Highlights: August 2026 Newsletter

At the Library: Highlights

August 2026

Message from the Director

Greetings!

Thank you for attending our 250th Celebration events! The Library staff and I want to say a special thank you to our guest lecturers, the Attleboro Chapter of the DAR, and the Robert Treat Paine Chapter of the SAR for their time and interesting history lessons.

North TV videotaped three of the history lectures, which should be ready to view sometime this month.

The Summer Reading program has been a huge success this year with a combined registration for adults and kids at just under 600 participants! Thank you for joining in on the fun.

The Friends of the RML are looking for new members!

Please consider joining the Friends of the Library and volunteering your time to help raise funds that support library programs, program supplies, and museum passes. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, at 6:00pm in the library meeting room, and we welcome all those interested.

Best regards,

Debbie Clifton, MSLIS

Library Director

Free with your library card!

With your RML library card, you have access to learning more than 100 languages when using Transparent Language Online. It allows learners to build and maintain the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as gain general background knowledge of a language and its culture. Create your free account today!

RML now offers a free admission pass to the MA State Police Museum. Explore the MA State Police's rich historical past from its beginnings up through the modern era of cybercrime and homeland security. The museum is located in Whitinsville (about 30 minutes away), and open Tuesdays and Saturdays
from 11am - 4pm.

Summer hours continue
through September 8!

Monday – Thursday: 9:00am–7:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 9:00am–1:00pm
(closed on Sundays and holidays)

Children & Teen Programs

It's time to redeem your summer reading log! Logs are due back by Saturday, August 8, in order to receive a Palagis free lemonade coupon for our summer wrap-up on the same day (info below) and to receive a raffle ticket for a big prize. Logs may still be redeemed during this event.

Prizes this year include a microscope kit; passes to Launch, Roger Williams Zoo Treetop Adventures, Showcase Cinemas, and Level 99; plus gift cards to Dairy Queen and An Unlikely Story.

Summer Reading Wrap-up: Palagis will be here between 11am and 12:30pm on August 8 to hand out frozen lemonades to any child or teen who completed a summer reading log. Make sure to bring the Palagis coupon your child received. Children will also select a free book on the 8th.

Join us for Make and Take Legos on August 3 at 10am. Build something cool, and take it home to keep! Please bring a baseplate or box to carry your creation home.

Is your family good at puzzles and working together? If so, register for Family Puzzle Races on August 5 at 1pm, and see if your family can complete a 300-piece puzzle the fastest.

Enjoy a special summer storytime for ages 0-7 on August 6 at 10am. We will hear stories about the beach and camping, and then do a sticker craft.

Dungeons & Dragons for beginners (ages 10-14) will meet on August 15 from 10am-12:30 pm. Registration is required.

Does your child love chess? Bring them to our chess meetup for ages 6 and up on August 18 from 3pm-5pm to refresh their skills!

Visit the online calendar for more information and to register
for events.

Teens

Teens are invited to join adults at the Community Fiber Arts Circle on the first and third Thursdays (3:30-5:00pm) of the month.

The Youth Advisory Council applications will launch in late August this year.

Adult Programs

Adult Summer Reading ends on Saturday, August 8!

Are you filling your bingo card? Each bingo gets you a prize ticket for a summer-ending drawing for local prizes; getting at least two bingos also earns you a frozen lemonade ticket to redeem on Saturday, August 8, from 11am-12:30pm when the Palagis Ice Cream truck will be outside of the library.

There will be a cart of free books, too, on August 8. Any summer reading participant may select a free book from it (no bingos necessary for the free book)!

Remember that we are here to help you get that final "x"

in a column or row on your bingo card. We've designed weekly book displays and simply love talking about books, so come on by to the Reference Desk for encouragement and recommendations!

Quick Pickling
Tuesday, August 4, 5-6:30pm

Learn to make summer squash, zucchini, or cucumber pickles. All participants will go home with a pint jar of delicious pickles that they make themselves.

Register here for this session. (Note: This program has a wait list, and those on the list will be notified if a space becomes available.)

NEW: Spice Packet Club!
Spice packets are a great way to liven up your cooking or entertaining. For the rest of the calendar year, local small business The Native Kitchen will offer a monthly spice packet with an accompanying recipe for patrons to enjoy. And their blends are always all-natural. August's packet is Tomato, Basil, and Oregano, perfect Spoons Full of Different Spices

for bringing the taste of a sun-ripened garden to your kitchen. It's a versatile blend that will add fresh, homemade flavor to your

favorite meals. Packets will be available beginning the third week of the month, and registration is required to receive your packet.

Critical Thinking: The Key to Smarter Decisions and Impressing Employers (VIRTUAL)
Wednesday, August 19, 9:30-10:30am
In this tough economy, you are competing with thousands of other

job seekers for a limited number of positions. A key method for succeeding is to develop critical thinking skills. Learn the characteristics of a critical thinker and some key words to use on your resume. Register here for this virtual session.

Community Fiber Arts Circle

Are you interested in fiber arts? If so, the Library hosts a Community Fiber Arts Circle on the first and third Thursdays of the month.
Colorful Threads on the Wooden Floor

Come crochet, knit, embroider, weave, etc. with fellow fiber crafters! Beginners are welcome. Work on your latest project, make new friends, and bounce ideas off of each other. There will be no direct teaching of fiber arts, but community guidance and sharing of ideas are greatly encouraged. Open to ages 12-adult and all experience levels.

Both meeting times are from 3:30-5:00pm, allowing group members to meet and enjoy each other's company and encouragement twice per month.

First Thursday: August 6, 3:30-5:00pm (Meeting Room)
Third Thursday: August 20, 3:30-5:00pm (Meeting Room)

August's Book Groups

The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal about Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power by Deirdre Mask

Guys Book Group
Saturday, August 1
10:30-11:30am
August's read is The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal about Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power by Deirdre Mask. Anyone who identifies as male is welcome to join this quarterly book group!

Whalefall: The Global Thriller Sensation by Daniel Kraus

Adult Book Group
Tuesday, August 11
1:30-2:30pm
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus is this month's read, and certain to get members talking--not that they need encouragement! Join this monthly group for spirited, thoughtful book discussions.

What is the RML Staff reading?

Each month, we will feature what two staff members are currently reading. We're all quite bookish, so please ask any staff member what they are enjoying--or recommend!

Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins

MA Reading Challenge 2026

August's prompt for the Massachusetts Center for the Book's Reading Challenge is a book that could be considered taboo. If you are participating in the Library's adult summer reading program, by reading a book with this theme, you can also place an "x" on the "a banned book" square on your bingo card. A great reading two-for-one!

After you finish your book, fill out this monthly entry form

for the chance to win free books or book-related items. Participate as little (one month) or as much (all 12 months) as you want. Whatever works for your schedule!

Friends of Richards Memorial Library

The Friends of the Richards Memorial Library support library programs, museum passes, and more! You can support the library by giving to the Friends (checks payable to Friends of RML) or by volunteering. Contact the Friends of the RML via their email address (friendsofrml118@gmail.com) to learn more.

Helpful Links

Richards Memorial Library
118 N. Washington St.
N. Attleboro, Massachusetts 02760
508-699-0122
www.RMLonline.org