This Week at the Richmond Memorial Library October 13, 2026
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An Annoucement from Miss Patty |
We have a special announcement from Miss Patty:
On October 15, after many
rewarding years, I will be retiring from the Richmond Memorial
Library with
sadness and appreciation.
I am the luckiest of
librarians as
serving the community of Marlborough has been my great
privilege. While I am
looking forward to this next chapter and all that retirement
will bring, I will
always cherish my time at RML and the people who made it so
special.
Thank you to the patrons
who
shared their love of libraries, love of learning, and love of
reading. I will
miss our conversations. To those that joined me in book club,
you made my
workdays fun and full by sharing your insights and experiences.
The children of
Marlborough truly enriched my life with their love, humor, and
curiosity. Each
one has a special place in my heart. Thank you to all of them
and to their
families. And finally, to my colleagues here at RML and in
libraries throughout
Connecticut, thank you for your support and friendship. I say
goodbye with a
full heart and countless wonderful memories.
With
appreciation
and affection,
Patty
Miss Patty will be here Wednesday and Thursday morning into the early afternoon for anyone who would like to stop into the library to say goodbye! She also reassures us that she will continue to visit the Richmond Memorial Library and plans to attend our Morning Book Club when she can.
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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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Important Changes to Overdrive and Libby |
Beginning Thursday, October 15, OverDrive will require patrons to enter both their barcode AND a PIN or password when logging into either the OverDrive website or their Libby reading app. Your password will be the same one you use to access your account through our new catalog, Vega Discover.
After October 15, anybody who has not yet created a Vega Discover password will be unable to log into OverDrive/Libby until they have done so. You must have a valid email address associated with your library record in order to reset your password on your own. Library staff can also reset your password for you. If you have any questions about PIN numbers or passwords, please reach out to us at 860-295-6210.
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We are partnering with the DEEP and CT State Library on a Laptop ConneCT program, paid for with funding provided by an ARPA grant. The Richmond Memorial Library will have 5 laptops available for long term, multi year use. In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility requirements listed on the and submit an application by October 20. The 5 community members chosen to receive the laptops will also not receive them until they have completed at least two technology classes with our Outreach and Technology Specialist. Applications are available at the Library or through a Google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd098DeUqxHKIwMSWoR13CrzVDX0fxSKvTC2Fz590Q05hTefQ/viewform?pli=1
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We've added a light board to our circulating Library of Things collection! Our rechargeable light board is cordless, wireless, and magnetic, making it perfect for tracing, sketching, drawing, or for working on diamond art. Available for a 3 week check out period.
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Reading Makes You Use Your Noodle |
Thank you to everyone who came in and showed us their library card this past September as part of our National Library Card Sign-Up Month initative and thank you to Zina's Cucina for partnering with us. As a reminder, if you received a coupon for 10% off lunch at Zina's Cucina Mondays-Saturdays 11:30am-4pm, it is good until October 31, 2026.
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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
UPDATE: The company has asked us to share that there was a brief delay in a few items coming from Holland, but orders will begin being shipped in the next week or two. In the meantime, they have extended the order deadline date to Thursday, October 15.
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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.
We've extended our deadline to this Thursday, October 15. If we do not receive a few more applications, the event will be cancelled.
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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 November Spice of the Month Kit, we will be diving into Poppy Seed. Poppy seeds are described as having a mild, nutty flavor profile, and are most often paired with citrus flavors, especially lemon. Your kit will include one tablespoon of this poppy seeds and 3 recipes including one for Strawberry Lemon Poppy Seed Scones. Available beginning Friday, October 17, while supplies last.
Please note that the day of the week our Spice of the Month Kits will be available has now changed to the third Friday of the month instead of the third Tuesday.
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Medicare Updates, Changes, and Benefits for 2027 |
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 on Tuesday, October 20, at 6 pm 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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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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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 November 6, Sandy will teach anyone interested how to make a gnome turkey napkin holder. 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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The Richmond Memorial Library's Morning Book Club will meet on Thursday, November 12, beginning at 10 am. The group has chosen to read The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) by Rabih Alameddine. Registration is not required and new members are always welcome.
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Give your favorite book a dazzling makeover! Create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that's perfect as a keepsake or a thoughtful homemade gift in this program held on Thursday, November 12, at 6:30pm. You must bring your own book. All other supplies will be provided. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
*Please note that this program is filling up quickly. There are only 4 spots left. If you are interested, please register as soon as possible.*
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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 Threes to Fives |
Our Fall Storytime for ages three to five with Miss Nancy will be held on Tuesday mornings at 10am. Session One includes the following dates: September 22 and 29, October 6, 13, 20, and 27. Session Two includes the following dates: November 10, 17, and 24, and December 1 and 8. 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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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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Creepy Carrots Themed Halloween Storytime |
Families, join us on Saturday, October 31, at 10:30am for a special Creepy Carrots themed Halloween Storytime. Miss Torrie even has a special craft lined up after the story! Registration is not required. Held in the Storytime Room. Best suited for ages 4-8. Costumes aren't required but we would love to see them!
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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
Fall/Winter Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 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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