This Week at the Richmond Memorial Library September 28, 2026
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Fall/Winter Saturdays return this upcoming Saturday, October 3. The Library will now be open on Saturdays from 10am-4pm until the end of April.
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The Richmond Memorial Library will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of Columbus Day. The Library will reopen on Tuesday, October 13, at 10am.
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Dolly Parton Day Prize Drawing Winner |
Congratulations to Nicole S. for winning the Dolly Parton Day prize drawing! We will be contacting you soon. In case you missed it, community members were invited to come into the library on Friday, 9/25 (9 two 5), and enter a prize drawing for Dolly Parton's children's book Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out and a box of both Dolly Parton's chocolate chip blondie mix and fudge brownie mix if they showed us their library card or registered for a library card.
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Reading Makes You Use Your Noodle |
Did you know that September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month? This September, we are partnering with Zina's Cucina on a special promotion. Stop into the library from September 1-30, show us your library card (or register for a library card if you do not have one), and we will give you a coupon for 10% off lunch at Zina's Cucina Mondays-Saturdays 11:30am-4pm. The coupon is good until October 31, 2026. One coupon per person. Support public libraries and local businesses this September!
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Friends of the Library Bookmark Contest |
In celebration of National Friends of the Library Week (October 18-24, 2026), our Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library are hosting a Bookmark Contest. Stop into the Library to pick up an official entry form. Submissions are being accepted for all age groups (children, teens, and adults) now through 5 pm on Wednesday, September 30. Winners will be announced during National Friends of the Library Week in October. Please see official contest rules for more information.
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Fall Flower Bulb Fundraiser |
The Richmond Memorial Library needs to update its website to meet new federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements specific to website content and mobile apps. This is a very expensive project and funding was not part of this upcoming year's budget. Our Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library are sponsoring a Fall Flower Bulbs Fundraiser to help us fund our new website, which will be rolled out by early spring. Bulbs come from farmers in the U.S. and Holland. The Library earns 40-50% of your sales. Place your order by Saturday, October 3. Your purchased items will be delivered to you. Link:
http://RichmondMemorialLibrary.fpfundraising.com
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In celebration of National Friends of the Library Week, the Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library invite individuals, local groups, and businesses to create a scarecrow on the Town Green. Registration form and $15 payment (cash or check) must be submitted to the library by Saturday, October 10. Scarecrows can be set up beginning Saturday, October 18. Community members will vote for their favorite and prizes will be announced in early November. Scarecrows must be removed the weekend of October 31 - November 1. See official rules for more information.
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New Eaudiobook Platform for Adults: Blackstone Unlimited |
The Richmond Memorial Library is excited to be able to share the news that we have received a John E. Blair Fund Grant through the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving that will allow us to purchase a three-year subscription to Blackstone Unlimited, an eaudiobook platform. Blackstone Unlimited will be available to Richmond Memorial Library card holders beginning July 1st. You will need your library card number as well as your PIN number (the PIN number you use in Encore). If you do not have a PIN number set up through Encore, please set one up first or call the library and we can do this for you. Once you have registered, you will only need your email address to sign in. Please make sure you use an email address you have the password to and are able to log into because Blackstone Unlimited will prompt you for a secondary (two-factor) verification code that is sent to your email.
Blackstone Unlimited is a new eaudiobook platform that was developed partially in response to Hoopla and the issues libraries across the country have had with the company and their payment structure. Blackstone is a publishing company and most of the items you will find available through Blackstone Unlimited are ones their company publishes. There are currently over 7,000 titles and additional titles are added on a quarterly basis. Blackstone is currently reaching out to additional publishers and trying to work out deals so that they can offer items from other publishers through Blackstone Unlimited. At this point, you will not find every one of your favorite authors or every New York Times best seller available through this platform. Some authors you will find include Monica Murphy, M.C. Beaton, Mary Alice Monroe, Lisa Wingate, Anna Quinn, Archer Mayor, Bill Pronzini, Don Winslow, Meg Gardiner, Karin Slaughter, Donna Leon, among so many more. What is the real benefit of Blackstone Unlimited? You will always have immediate access to the eaudiobooks you would like to listen to through the platform and you will have access to an unlimited number of audiobooks each and every month. There are no monthly caps like there were in Hoopla. How do you access Blackstone Unlimited? You can either download the Blackstone Unlimited app on your phone/device or you can use the online player by going to the following website https://www.blackstoneunlimited.com/.
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For our September Spice of the Month Kit, we will be diving into Pumpkin Spice. Pumpkin Spice Blend, also known as Pumpkin Pie Spice, is often considered to have a "cozy" taste profile, signifying the kick-off of fall. Warm, earthy, and sweet, it is the perfect blend for all of your favorite fall foods and beverages. Your kit will include one teaspoon of this blend, and 3 recipes including a delicious pumpkin bread! Available beginning Tuesday, September 15, while supplies last.
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Knit, crochet, embroider, or stitch your way through the afternoon with others who share your passion for the fiber arts. Bring your own project, ask for advice, make the project on hand, or get inspired for your next creation. Our String Theory program meets the first Friday of the month at 1 pm.
This October 2, Sandy will teach anyone interested how to make an embroidered leaf. This is an adult program. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210.
Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
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Chatham Health returns to the Richmond Memorial Library for a flu vaccination clinic on Monday, October 5, from 4pm-6pm. Additional vaccinations that should be available include: Covid, RSV, shingles, and pneumococcal. Bring your insurance card and photo ID. Shots are given on a first come, first serve basis. Ages 3 and up. The Flu Clinic will be held outdoors unless inclement weather moves it indoors.
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Calling all home chefs! The Richmond
Memorial Library and Senior Center are trying out a new programming
series this year. If you love to cook or enjoy trying new recipes,
consider signing up for our new Cookbook Club. Select a recipe from the
next month's pre-selected cookbook, cook the recipe at home, and then
bring your creation to the Senior Center to share. We'll talk about what
went right, what went wrong, and tips and tricks that you learned while
tackling your recipe. The Library will have a copy of the next month's
cookbook available at their circulation desk a few weeks before the
program, giving you time to choose your next recipe. Tell the Library
which recipe you have chosen (only one person per recipe) and make a
free copy of the recipe to take with you. Advance registration is
required and must be done through the Senior Center so that participants can sign a waiver in advance. Program is open to
everyone ages 18 and older. Meets on the first Monday of the month from 6-8 pm.
The following cookbooks have been pre-selected for July through September:
September: September's meeting date falls on Labor Day and the group will not be meeting.
October 5: Choose from either My Big Fat Greek Cookbook by Christos Sourligas and Evdokia Antginas or Eat Like a Greek by Marina Georgalliddes.
November 2: Sheet Pans: The Sheet Pan: 150+ Easy Creative Meals from Your Most Versatile Pan by America's Test Kitchen.
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Join us on Wednesday, October 7, at 6:30pm for a spooky celebration by creating a one-of-a-kind, spooky season-themed sea glass suncatcher using hand-collected (never tumbled) sea glass and other beach treasures from beaches around Connecticut, Puerto Rico, and even as far as Scotland. All of the materials are sustainably sourced, collected, and curated, and everything is provided. All you need to do is bring your creativity! No experience necessary. You'll walk away with a sea glass suncatcher to hang on your window or your wall, adorn your bookcase, or cozy up inside your houseplant shelf. There is a maximum of 15 adult participants for this program. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
*This program is currently full and wait list only.*
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The Richmond Memorial Library's Morning Book Club will meet on Thursday, October 8, beginning at 10 am. The group has chosen to read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickins. Registration is not required and new members are always welcome.
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Medicare Updates, Changes, and Benefits for 2026 |
Confused about medicare? Come and learn the
ins and outs of Medicare (enrollment, drug stages, penalties, etc) and
the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage with
Mark Macrina, a local insurance agent with Senior Health and Retirement
Services (located in Colchester, CT). Held on Tuesday, October 13, from 2pm-3pm and 6pm-7pm. This is an informational seminar
and no individual health information will be discussed. For
accommodations of persons with special needs please call 860-338-1466
TTY 711. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
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Mark Macrina, partner and licensed insurance agent with Senior Health and Retirement Services in Colchester, will be here to answer questions about Medicare's GLP1 Bridge program on Tuesday, October 13, at 3pm and 5pm. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210.
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Truth Be Told: Nonfiction BooK Club |
Come join our new narrative nonfiction book club, led by our new Outreach and Technology Specialist, Leslie, on the third Thursday of the month at 6 pm. On October 15, the group will be reading The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time -- A Powerful Narrative of Societal Collapse by John Kelly. Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk. Registration is not required. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
*Please Note: Our Truth Be Told Nonfiction Book Club will not be meeting in September.*
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How can you use technology and apps while traveling? Learn how to navigate using your phone (your plan vs. esim), organize your dream trip with free itinerary apps like Wanderlog, and explore translation tools on the go. We’ll also cover how to build shared photo albums with travel companions, discover free audio guides like Rick Steves' Audio Europe, and access thousands of travel ebooks directly through your library card. Join us to turn your smartphone into the ultimate lightweight, budget-friendly travel companion for your next getaway! There is a limit of 15 participants in this program. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
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Sweet and Spicy Book Club
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Adults (ages 18+) are invited to join our new Sweet and Spicy Book Club on Monday, October 26, from 6:30pm-7:30pm. October's book title is First Time Caller by B.K. Borison. Copies of the current month's book title are available at the circulation desk. Registration is not required. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
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UPDATE: The library is thrilled to be able to share that we have received a second Constellation Community Champions Grant so that we can continue our Books for Babies Initiative! Since the program rolled out, the library has given out 46 Books for Babies Boxes to families who had not previously been library users and another 14 to families with infants who were already using our library on a regular basis.
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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Fall Storytime for Twos and Threes |
Our Fall Storytime for Twos and Threes with Miss Nancy will be held on Thursday mornings at 10am. Session One includes the following dates: September 24, October 1, October 8, October 15, October 22, and October 29. Session Two includes the following dates: November 12, November 19, December 3, December 10, and December 17. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210.
This program series is full and wait list only!
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Pajama Storytime with Yoga |
Children of all ages are invited to this cozy storytime, perfect for winding down, on Thursday, October 22 at 6pm. Hear a story or two with Miss Nancy and do some calming yoga with local resident Rachel Kaczynski. Wear comfy pajamas and bring your favorite stuffed animal or blankie if you want. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Held outside if weather allows, otherwise the program will move to our upstairs meeting room.***
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Young readers are invited to come in and read to a certified Reading Education Assistance Dog. Reading to a dog is a great low-pressure way to encourage beginning readers. Register for a 15-minute time slot to secure your child's spot. Limit 2 children per time window (one per dog). Our next Read to the Dogs programs is scheduled for Monday, October 19, from 6-7 pm.
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The Richmond Memorial Library building is open:
Mondays through Thursdays from 10 AM to 8 PM
Fridays from 10 AM to 6 PM
Spring/Summer Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM
Curbside pickup services are also available during these times.
A Note about Accessibility at the Richmond Memorial Library:
When any of the programs mentioned above in our weekly newsletter have *** it means that the program is held in our upstairs meeting room and to note the following disclaimer:
***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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