This Week at the Richmond Memorial Library March 13, 2023
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Tuesday, March 14, Programs Cancelled
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With a mix of rain, snow, and high winds predicted for tonight through late Tuesday, the library has decided to cancel it's Storytime for Twos and Kid's Crafting Club for Tuesday, March 14.
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Richmond Memorial Library Board Members Needed
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Are
you passionate about library services and would you like to become an
advocate for the library? The Richmond Memorial Library is seeking
nominations for a one-year appointment to the library board beginning
July 2023. The library board works with the Library Director to support
the mission of the library and is responsible for overseeing library
policies, establishing long term planning goals for the library,
advocating for library funding, and serving on various committees.
Library board meetings are currently held on the first Wednesday of the
month at 7 pm. If interested, please contact Library Director Aubrey
Muscaro at amuscaro@richmondlibrary.info or Board President Rich Storrs
at richstorrs@yahoo.com.
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Did you know that the Richmond Memorial Library has a Seed Library? A Constellation Community Champions Grant helped us get the Seed Library started last year and seed donations have helped us to continue to make free seeds available to our community. We are continually adding new seeds, most recently Brussels sprouts, red cored chantenay carrots, coreopsis flowers, eggplant, and an assortment of peppers and tomatoes. There is always an assortment of flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. The Seed Library is open any time the library is open and we welcome people of all ages to check it out!
We will be receiving a donation from the Master Gardener Program courtesy of Ocean State Job Lot at the end of the week so we'll have some new seeds available soon (hopefully early next week)!
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The Richmond Memorial Library is holding a Family Resource Fair! This fair will provide local residents with information on programs, services, and offerings from organizations in the area who cater to families. Our goal is to let families know about all of the valuable resources that are available to them.
Nonprofit organizations are invited to reserve a space to share information, offer giveaways, and engage the community. Fill out this form to add your organization to our list: https://forms.gle/2dKo2M3bANbMMfCA8. For additional information, contact our Children's and Teen Librarian, Vanessa Kelman, at vkelman@richmondlibrary.info.
The Family Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, April 29, from 10 am until 1 pm at the Marlborough Elementary School.
We're also looking for some fun activities for kids! If your community group or school club would like to organize an indoor activity for children, please let us know. The library will have a couple yard games set up and our Friends of the Library group will be doing a craft.
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The
Richmond Memorial Library has launched a new Books for Babies
initiative to promote early literacy and learning while introducing
library services to families in town. Marlborough families with children
ages birth up to twelve months of age are invited to stop into the
library to pick up a Books for Babies Box and register for your baby's
first library card. Each Books for Babies Box includes two board books, a
set of My First Touch and Feel Picture Flash Cards, early
literacy and learning pamphlets and bookmarks, information about library
programs for babies and toddlers, and supplies to get your child
enrolled in our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program in addition to
your child's first library card. Advance registration is required and can be done by filling out the following form: https://forms.gle/QcLeJkNijHpkGFca9. This Books for Baby initiative has been
funded by a Constellation Community Champions Grant.
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Puzzle and Board Game Sale Begins Wednesday
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Our Friends of the Library are holding their Spring Puzzle and Board Game Sale beginning this Wednesday, March 15, through Monday, March 20. Proceeds from the sale directly benefit the Richmond Memorial Library.
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Richmond Memorial Library Goes Fine Free
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We have some EXCITING news to share! The Richmond Memorial Library has become the 119th public library in Connecticut to go Fine Free!
What does this mean? Effective Tuesday, January 3, we have
eliminated late fines on Richmond Memorial Library materials returned
past their due date. All previous overdue fines on Richmond Memorial Library materials have been erased.
Library materials must still be returned or library patrons will be
charged for their replacement when the items are 3 weeks late (as they
were under our previous policy). Library users continue to be
responsible for any damage to materials they may cause.
Why did
our library board make this decision? Studies have shown that overdue fines are actually a major barrier to large numbers of people, including children, low-income individuals, and seniors on fixed incomes. Oftentimes, when overdue fines accumulate on someone’s card, they simply stop using the library altogether. As a community organization with the mission “to serve the Marlborough community’s evolving personal, educational, and cultural needs,” that is the exact opposite of what we want. We want all members of the community to use the library equally. And we are not alone. Libraries across the state and country are going “fine-free” to remain useful and relevant, foster equity, and promote easy access to lifelong learning for all. Fine free libraries are a trend
across the state and the country. Libraries that have adopted fine free
policies have found that the number of community members with library
cards increased, the borrowing of materials increased, more items were
actually returned, and more staff time is spent helping patrons. We want our interactions with you, our patrons, to be pleasant and productive. Rather than “nickel and diming” you at the checkout desk, we would prefer to spend that time recommending great new reads, planning events, and opening a world of possibilities for our community. Our community is stronger and healthier when all people have access to the programs, services, and materials they need to pursue their educational, career, family, and life goals, regardless of their ability to pay for them.
Additional information about our Fine Free policy can be found on our website.
For
those of you who consider fines a contribution to library services,
please know that staff are always happy to accept donations at the desk. The library does rely on community donations and fundraising to help us bring fun, new programs and materials to our community. It is through donations we have received and money we have earned through fundraising efforts that we have been able to add yard games, sensory bins, nature explorer backpacks, early learning backpacks, white noise machines, Wonderbooks, and so much more to our circulating collection.
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The Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library used some of the money raised from multiple fundraisers this past fall to purcahse 5 Wonderbook Sing Alongs. Similar to the Wonderbook storybooks, these Sing Alongs have an additional feature: Not only does their audio-enabled player read the story, but it can also sing the story as well. Measuring stories with songs boosts language acquisition, listening and attention skills, visual focus, phonemic awareness, language play, and memory. We would like to thank the Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library for all of their hard work fundraising for the library and all of the patrons who have attended these fundraisers and supported the library.
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Join Ms. Nessa for a baby-centered storytime with songs, rhymes, lap bounces, and a story! For children ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Babytime will be held on Friday mornings beginning January 13 at 10 am. Registration is recommended but drop-ins are welcome if space allows. Please note that, due to the number of participants now attending, the program has been moved to our upstairs meeting room.***
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Ms. Nancy will be offering a storytime and craft program for children ages 20-36 months on Tuesdays at 10 am. The first session has now ended, but session two will be held soon, on: March 14 (CANCELLED), 21, and 28, and April 4. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210.
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Winter Storytime with Ms. Nancy
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Ms. Nancy will be holding two winter storytime sessions for children ages 3-5 years old. Choose either 10 am or 11:15 am. Session Two includes the following dates: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210.
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Can't make it to the library? Join us on Zoom! Ms. Nessa will lead an online Storytime for children ages 2-5. Stories, songs, and a craft project each week. Zoom Storytime meets on Mondays at 10 am beginning January 23 and running through April 3 (there will not be a storytime on February 20 because the library is closed). Register online so that we can send you the Zoom link. This Storytime is perfect for anyone who is feeling under the weather or who just can't make it out of the house!
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Families with children ages 3 and up are invited to stop by the library on Friday, March 24, at 2 pm for a Wildlife Welcomes Spring program with White Memorial Conservation Center. Learn how wildlife welcomes the warmer weather and longer days. Meet a bird of prey, a salamander, and a snake up close! Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. This program will be held in the upstairs meeting room unless an ADA accommodation needs to be made.***
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Young readers are invited to come in and read to a certified Reading Education Assistance Dog on Monday, March 27 from 6-7 pm (we now have 2 dogs coming!). Pre-registration for a 15-minute session is required to secure your child's spot! Limit 1 child per 15 minute time slot per dog. Reading to a dog is a great low-pressure way to encourage beginning readers.
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Family Fun Night: Create A Craft
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Families with children ages 3-15 years are invited to join us for a Family Fun Night with a Create a Craft theme on Thursday, March 30, at 6:30 pm. Registration is not required.
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Do you like building with Legos? Our popular Lego Club has returned. Join us for creative and STEM-based challenges involving Legos! Best suited for ages 4 and up. Registration is recommended. Lego Club meets every other Tuesday at 4 pm, with future dates being: March 21, April 4, April 18, May 2, May 16 and May 30.
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Kids ages 5 and up are invited to join us on Wednesdays at 4 pm from March 8 through March 29 for a Super Science Mysteries program series! In this science-themed storytime, we'll read a story and then use science to solve a mystery. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210.
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Tween and Teen Crafters Club
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Tweens and Teens (ages 10 and up), join Ms. Nessa on Fridays at 4 pm beginning January 13 to hang out, make some friends, and create something awesome! Bring a craft project you're working on or we'll have one that day you can make! Registration is recommended but not required. This series will meet weekly through March 31.
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Our Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is Back
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Our Teen Advisory Board will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 4 pm, with the next date being April 5. Share your thoughts about how to make the Richmond Memorial Library the best it can be, especially for teens! What programs would you like to see? What books are we missing? How can we better serve our teen population? Participants will receive volunteer credit if needed. Open to ages 13-18. Registration is preferred ... call 860-295-6210 or register online. Please note that this program will meet in the upstairs meeting room unless an accommodation is necessary.
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Upcoming Adult Programs...
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The Richmond Memorial Library building is now open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 AM to 8 PM, Fridays 10 AM to 6 PM, and Fall Saturdays, 10 AM to 4 PM. Curbside pickup services are also available during these times.
Thursday, March 23 at 6:30 pm, Pollinators in Our Yards: Local resident Carrie Crompton will describe
ways to encourage the insects that pollinate native plants as well as
the garden vegetables and flowers in our own yards. She will also
highlight the most common pollinators in our area and what they need to
complete their life cycles. Carrie is a Goodwin Master Naturalist who
has been observing and photographing insect behavior in her yard and
around Andover for the past five years. Registration is required and can
be done online or by calling 860-295-6210.***
***Accessibility at RML: The library does not have an elevator. If
you need full accommodation, please contact Library Director Aubrey Muscaro
at 860-295-6210 or amuscaro@richmondlibrary.info prior to the event (one
week preferred) so we can find an alternate space. The meeting room is
located on the second floor.
Please call the library at 860-295-6210 or email us at richmondprograms@gmail.com. |
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