Richmond Free Library

Like last year, we’ll have everything kids need to participate in the summer reading program set up downstairs just inside the door. There will be reading records, stickers, “charms”, guessing jars, prizes and more. Instructions, self-serve activities and information about in person programs await. The first day to register for the summer reading program will be Monday, June 14 which is also the day that we’ll be resuming in person browsing, so kids can come register and then head up to the second floor to choose their own books.  Students at RES will be seeing a video explaining the program during their school library period and will be sent home with a flyer listing all summer programs at the library. The flyers are also available in the library foyer and the video appears below.

Library Reopens: Starting on June 14 the library will be open for in-person browsing from 10 am–5 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; 10 am–8 pm on Wednesday; and 10 am–2 pm on Saturday. We request that you keep your visit to 30 minutes. For now, we are operating at limited capacity in the children’s area and room limits are posted. You may be asked to wait if the number of people inside the building exceeds our capacity. For those not yet comfortable returning to the library we will continue to fill online/phone requests and leave items for foyer pick-up. Visitors over the age of two will be asked to wear a mask while inside the building. The computer room will be open with a limit of one person/party per 30-minute session.

Outdoor Storytime: Starting on June 7 we will gather on the library lawn behind the building. Families should bring their own blanket or chairs and are welcome to bring snacks and/or a picnic lunch. Sun hats and bug spray might also be useful. No registration is necessary. Storytime includes books with big, bold pictures, rhymes, songs, and the opportunity to pick out some picture books to take home. Join us on Mondays at 11 am during the months of June and July (no Storytime on July 5). Call ahead on rainy Mondays to find out if the program will move indoors.

StoryWalk® A StoryWalk is an outdoor reading experience that reveals a story page by page as the reader follows the StoryWalk route. There will be a new StoryWalk set up around the library grounds each month this summer. For the month of June come enjoy a story with the happiest of endings, Sam Who Never Forgets by Eve Rice.

As of May 1, our foyer pick-up hours are expanded to:

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 10-5
Wed: 10-8
Sat: 10-2

You can request books and other materials by either: placing a hold on items in your account (must be logged in to Koha using your library barcode as login and your last name as password); calling us at 434-3036; emailing us at rfl@gmavt.net; or filling out this form.

Mini Poetry Walk along Library Walkway April offers us glimpses of spring and is truly a month of transitions in the natural world around us.  April is also National Poetry Month.  In celebration of both spring and poetry we invite you to take the short walk along the library sidewalk and enjoy the outdoor poetry that has popped up in the garden alongside the daffodils.

April Take and Make Craft Bags A new take and make craft is available in the foyer between April 2 and April 16 while supplies last. Each craft kit contains everything needed to make an adorable paper plate Spring Bird.The craft is most appropriate for youth ages 5 – 8. There are also some new Spring-themed coloring sheets and mazes.

Spring Storytime Bags We have put away the winter-themed storytime bags in order to make room on the shelf for a new SPRING bag, and a restocked GARDENS bag. Storytime Bags make it easy to enjoy a themed storytime at your house complete with stories, songs and a craft.  These new bags are sure to be welcome themes in the coming days.  If you are new to Storytime Bags, call or email the library to request one of our ten themed bags.

National Poetry Month April is the month!  We have an excellent collection of poetry books for children of all ages (adults too!).  Browse our online catalog or request some poetry for your little person by calling or emailing us.  April is a great month to find a favorite poem and work on memorizing it together.

Enjoy Miss Wendy’s latest creation, “Two Songs & A Story #3”

VOX Audio/Picture Books for Young Children

VOX Books are slim audio devices that live in beautiful full-size picture  books. The permanently attached VOX Reader transforms an ordinary picture  book into an all-in-one read-along. There’s no need for computers, tablets, or CDs. Children simply push a button to listen and read. We are launching a collection of VOX Books in February and know that children will love them and parents will love occasionally letting someone else read the story. VOX books will circulate just like picture books and will be shelved in a special location in the picture book room. Some of the titles in our starter collection include: Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock! By James Dean; Lulu the One and Only by Lynnette Mawhinney; Going Places by Peter Reynolds; Horse Meets Dog by Elliot Kalan; Inky the Octopus by Erin Guendelsberger and Poor Louie by Tony Fucile.

The Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (formerly the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award) was created to honor excellence in children’s literature. Each year since 1957, Vermont students in grades four through eight have selected their favorite book from a list of 30 nominees carefully chosen from among hundreds of new books by a team of Vermont librarians and teachers. It is recommended that students read at least five of the year’s nominated titles before voting for their favorite. Voting takes place in the spring, generally beginning in April.

Every year we acquire each of the titles on the Golden Dome list, and these books are among the most circulated youth books in the library. The list is an excellent place to start if you are trying to help your middle-grade reader find something great to read. Encourage them to check out this year’s list and get cracking so that they can vote for their favorite. It won’t be long before a brand new list is before us.