This Week at the Richmond Memorial Library August 3, 2026
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Thank you to everyone who turned out for our adult Paint Your Pet program last Thursday. Look at some of the amazing watercolor paintings our participants made! We will definitely have Nancy Roman back again sometime next year.
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Library Connection Inc. (LCI) Mobile App is Now Available |
Our Library Connection Inc. (LCI) consortium's mobile app is now available! Some of the features of our new app include: Search the catalog, manage your account, down ebooks and eaudiobooks, place holds, renew materials, check library hours. If you still have our previous app downloaded, it is highly recommended that you delete that app before downloading the new one. If you have any questions, please stop into the library or call 860-295-6210. The QR code below will bring you right to the app in your App Store or Google Play.
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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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This summer, catch up on some of the Spice of the Month Kits you may have missed! Each kit includes a sample of the spice, 2-3 simple recipes, and information about the spice. There are limited amounts of each spice, as we seek to use up what we have leftover. Available now through August, 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 July through September:
July 6: Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins
August 3: Salad Freak: Recipes to Feed a Healthy Obsession by Jess Damuck
September: September's meeting date falls on Labor Day and the group will not be meeting.
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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, August 4, 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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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 August 7, Sandy will teach anyone interested how to make a wet felted bowl. Please dress accordingly because you might get a little wet. Please let us know if you have a latex allergy. 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.***
*UPDATE: August's program has been CANCELLED ... we'll see you in September!*
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Beekeeping Demo and Honey Tasting |
Beekeeper Mark Ceneri of Trumbull Nature
& Arts Center will cover everything about bees and beekeeping in this adult program held on Wednesday, August 5, at 6:30pm. He
will show you how beekeeping equipment is used, lead a lively discussion
on the importance of pollination to food production, offer captivating
facts about the cooperative structure of honeybee society, and tell you
all you need to know about honey, royal jelly, and beeswax. We will also
have a tasting of Connecticut raw honey. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling
860-295-6210. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
This program was made possible with a Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Marlborough Greater Together Community Fund Grant.
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The Richmond Memorial Library's Morning Book Club will meet on Thursday, August 13, beginning at 10 am. The group has chosen to read Me, An Autobiography by Elton John. Registration is not required and new members are always welcome.
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Sweet and Spicy Book Club
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Our Sweet and Spicy Book Club moves to Monday evenings beginning in June! Adults (ages 18+) are invited to join our new Sweet and Spicy Book Club on Monday, August 17, from 6pm-7pm. August's book title is Swept Away by Beth O'Leary. 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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Back by popular demand! Join Leslie, the
Library's Outreach and Technology Specialist, for a workshop on how to
"Cut the Cord" on Tuesday, August 18, at 6pm. Cable is on its way out--so what are the alternatives?
Learn about the alternatives to cable TV, tips for the switch, and how
you can save money without giving up your favorite shows! Registration
is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Held in
the Library's upstairs meeting room. Registration is required and
can be done online or by calling 860-296-6210. Held in the upstairs
meeting room.***
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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 August 20, the group will be reading The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kemmerer. Copies of the book 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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Exploration Station: Sensory Play |
Seniors,
the Marlborough Senior Center and Richmond Memorial Library are teaming
up to bring you a special drop-in program filled with sensory
activities and play for you and your grandchildren on Tuesday, August 11 from 10am-11:30am. There will be
stations for crafts, puzzles and games, sensory bins, STEM building and
robotics, and reading. Advance registration is not required. Held at the
Marlborough Senior Center. Best suited for children ages 3-8.
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Family Movie Night on the Green |
We are partnering with Marlborough Parks and Rec for another Family Movie Night on the Green! Bring the family, a blanket, and some snacks to this fun, family event on Friday, August 14, beginning at 8pm. The Library will have yard games and crafts available prior to the start of the movie. This month's showing will be Zootopia 2. For more information, call Marlborough Parks and Rec at 860-295-6203.
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Join Ms. Nessa on Monday and Friday mornings at 10 am for a little learners storytime with songs, rhymes, and a story from June 22 through August 21 (no program on July 3). This program series is held outdoors and is cancelled when it rains. Best suited for children ages 0-5 with a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Registration is not required.
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Families, join Miss Nancy on the side lawn for stories, a craft, and outdoor play on Thursdays in July beginnign at 12pm. Bring your lunch and a blanket. Registration is not required. Story and craft geared towards children ages 3and up but all ages are welcome. Meets June 25, (there is no program July 2), and July 9, 16, 23, and 30.
*Due to previous weather-related cancellations, Miss Nancy has extended Lunch Bunch by ONE week! There will be a program this week on Thursday, August 6.*
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Calling all kids ages 6 and up! Erika
Gradecki from Food For Your Soul, LLC will be here to show us how to make banana-zucchini bites on Wednesday, August 5, at 4 pm. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Allergy note: Recipes contain gluten and dairy ingredients. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
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Spend some quality time with loved ones this Thursday, August 13, beginning at 6pm, as we enjoy stories and songs that embrace this summer's garden and farm theme. Recommended for families with children ages 3 and up. Held outside, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be moved to the upstairs meeting 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, August 17, from 6-7 pm.
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Animal Crossing in Real Life |
Join us for a fun hour of
activities inspired by Animal Crossing on Wednesday, August 19, at 4pm. Design and decorate a house, go fishing, dig for fossils, create a
museum, earn bells, buy stuff, and more! For ages 12 and up. Registration is required and can be done online or by calling 860-295-6210. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
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Tweens and teens (ages 12 and up), join us on Thursday, August 20, from 6pm-8pm for a Retro Gaming program! We'll have a variety of old-school video games available. Registration is not required. Held in the Storytime Room.
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Teens, looking for a place to hang out with your friends? You provide the friends, we'll provide the games, simple crafts, and snacks! Our Teen Hangout series will be held on Mondays, August 3, 10, and 17 from 4pm-6pm. For ages 12 and up. Registration is not required. Held in the upstairs meeting room.***
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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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