This Week at the Richmond Memorial Library February 2, 2026
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Beginning Monday, November 3, through Saturday, March 7, our open hours will be:
Mondays-Thursdays: 10am-7pm
Fridays: 10am-6pm
Saturdays: 10am-4pm
This current fiscal year's budget included a 1 hour cut in our hours from Mondays through Thursday evenings. Our meeting room will still be available to anyone looking to use it and can remain open until 9pm.
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Our Friends of the Library Want to Know How Much You Love the Library |
Our Friends of the Library will be leaving paper hearts at the circulation desk this February with the hopes of asking library users to share what they love about the Richmond Memorial Library! These paper hearts will be hung up for everyone to read and enjoy.
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Nonfiction Book Club Interest Check |
Are you interested in joining a Nonfiction Book Club? Share your thoughts and vote on the first book by clicking the following link: https://richmondlibrary.info/16371-2/. This book club would meet monthly in the evening.
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Our Seed Library has been restocked! We will continue to add new seed packets over the weeks and months ahead. Please remember to make a note in the binder next to the Seed Library what seeds you are taking. Doing so helps us know what seeds are the most popular and will need to be replaced. We also maintain usage statistics to help us gauge community interest in our Seed Library.
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New Library of Things Item |
Thanks
to our Friends of the Library and the fundraiser they held at Jessica's
Garden last fall, we have been able to add a laminating machine to our
circulating Library of Things collection! Borrowers can either use their own laminating sheets or can purchase them at the circulation desk. The laminating machine circulates for one week.
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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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January's Spice of the Month kit features Ground Mustard. Your kit includes 2 teaspoons of ground mustard, more information about this spice, and two or three recipes. Kits will be available beginning Tuesday, January 20, while supplies last.
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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 January through March:
January 5: Family Circle All Time Favorites
February 2: Essential Pepin
March 2: Ottolenghi Simple
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Steeped in Secrecy: The Boston Tea Party, 250 Years Later |
*Happening this Wednesday!* The story of the tea has always been infused
with intrigue, particularly when it became a flash point for tensions
between England and Colonial America. Learn about the brewing political
problems tea presented in its history with Anglophile and former UK
resident Claire Evans on Wednesday, February 4, at 7 pm. Next, author, genealogist, librarian, and former
UK resident Debra Dudek will examine the history of the Boston Tea
Party's most famous partiers (and phonies) as well as how to trace
bonafide participants through lineage societies and historical groups.
Please note that this is a virtual program held on Zoom. Registration is
required so that staff can email participants the Zoom link. This
program is part of the Marlborough 250 celebration.
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String Theory: A Fiber Arts Club for Adults |
Our String Theory program series returns on Friday, February 6, at 1 pm. Knit, crochet, embroider, or stitch your way through the afternoon with others who share your passion for fiber arts. Bring your own project, ask for advice, make the project we have on hand, or get inspired for your next creation. This month, we will have supplies on hand to create a needle felted bookmark. Registration is recommended and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Program meets in the upstairs meeting room but can easily be relocated if necessary.***
*Program is full.*
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The Richmond Memorial Library's Morning Book Club will meet on Thursday, February 12, beginning at 10 am. The group has chosen to read The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin. Registration is not required and new members are always welcome.
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Fact or Fiction: Recognizing Fake News |
Identify the dangers of fake news and learn how to spot it in the wild with this program, led by our Outreach and Technology Specialist, Elliot, on Monday, February 23, at 6 pm. 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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The Richmond Memorial Library has a brand new book club starting this Feburary! Adults (ages 18+) are invited to join us on Wednesday, February 25, from 6pm-7pm for our very first meeting. February's book title is The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. The Sweet and Spicy Book Club will then meet on Wednesday, March 25, to discuss Funny Story by Emily Henry. 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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Take Your Child to the Library Day |
This upcoming Saturday, February 7, is National Take Your Child to the Library Day! Join us all day long (from 10am-4pm) for carnival games, board games, video games, and more.
The day's line-up:
10am-4pm: Carnival games will be set up in the Storytime Room
10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm: Board games will be set up in the upstairs meeting room***
1pm-2pm: BINGO in the upstairs meeting room***
10am-1pm: Old-school video games in the YA department
1pm-4pm: Code your own games with Hour of Code in the YA department
You will also be able to play scavenger hunts and bring game-related activities home.
Registration is not required.
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Winter Storytime for Twos and Threes |
Children ages 2-3 years old and their caregivers can join Ms. Nancy for a storytime and craft on Thursdays at 10 am. Session One will be held on the following dates: January 15, 22, 29 and February 5, 12, and 19. Session Two will be held on the following dates: March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2 and 9. Registration is required. Please be advised that parents or caregivers must remain in the room with children this age. Registration can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210.
*This program series is full and wait list only.*
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Winter Storytime for 3-5 Year Olds |
Children ages 3-5 years old can join Ms. Nancy for a storytime and craft on Tuesdays at 10 am. Session One will be held on the following dates: January 13, 20, 27 and February 3, 10, and 24. Class will not meet on February 17. Session Two will be held on the following dates: March 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 7 and 21. Class will not meet April 14. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210.
*Please note that Session One is already full and wait list only.*
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Hey, Kids (ages 4 and up)! Join us every Wednesday beginning January 14 through April 8 at 4 pm for a variety of craft projects plus open crafting. We'll have two projects to choose from, plus assorted supplies on hand to spark creativity. Held in the Storytime Room. Registration is not required.
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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, January 12, from 6-7 pm.
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Pajama Storytime with Yoga
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Our Pajama Storytime with Yoga program has returned! Children of all ages are invited to this cozy storytime on Thursday, February 5, at 6 pm. Hear a story or two and do some calming yoga with local resident Rachel Kaczynski. Wear comfy pajamas and bring your favorite stuffed animal or blankie. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
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Help us show the Marlborough Food Bank some love! The Richmond Memorial Library and MOMS Club of Marlborough have teamed up to help the Marlborough Food Bank this February. Join Miss Nancy for a story and a craft on Saturday, February 21, at 11am. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Held in the upstairs meeting room.*** In addition to this special program, the Marlborough MOMS Club will have a donation bin where they will be collecting nonperishable food items all month long.
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Teens, stop by the library on Mondays to hang out with your friends from 4pm to 5:30pm beginning Monday, January 12. We'll have crafts on hand that you can make, board games to play, and snacks. Please let us know about any food allergies you may have. Our Teen Scene program is for ages 12-17. Held in the upstairs meeting room.*** Registration is not required.
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The Richmond Memorial Library building is open:
Mondays through Thursdays from 10 AM to 7 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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