Richards Free Library

Engage, Enrich, Entertain

Children's Programs

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Register for the annual RFL Stuffed Animal Sleepover for your child to be able to drop off a stuffed animal on Thursday, July 20th between 4 and 5 pm, and come to the Pick Up Party on Friday at 11 am to reunite with their friend, watch a slideshow of all the amazing activities the stuffies got up to during their sleepover, and enjoy a snack and activity together. Registration is required for this event, and space is limited to 30 stuffed animals. Same-day registration will be allowed so long as there is space left!

May Movie Nights at the RFL!

Join us for two movie nights this month. On Wednesday May 17th at 5pm, all are welcome to see Puss in Boots The Last Wish, and enjoy some popcorn! On Friday May 26th at 3pm, teens ages 11-18 are welcome to watch The Hunger Games and enjoy some snacks! The movies are shown in the ballroom, on the third floor of the library, where we have a large screen television and lots of comfy seating. We hope to see you at one of these fun events!

Books Groups, Old and New!

Consider joining one of our book groups for a chance to chat about books, connect with friends, and try something new!

Copies of the latest books will be available at the library’s circulation desk. You don’t even need a library card to pick up a book! Just sign them out and join the discussion with like minded readers.

Books on Tap – 1st Thursday at 5:30

We’re bringing back the Books on Tap book group which meets at Salt Hill Pub. We’ll be meeting the first Thursday of the month. See you 5:30 at the Pub!

Oct 6thThe Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Nov 3rdThe Rose Code by Kate Quinn
December 1stFirekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Teen Book Club – every other Wednesday at 3

Teen Book Club is for middle and high school young adults. Join other readers to talk about
some old favorites and some exciting new reads! This group meets every other Wednesday.
The first meeting will be September 14th at 3:00 We’ll be talking about Heartstopper by Alice
Oseman.
If you are interested, Ask Molly! mdipadova@newport.lib.nh.us

My First Book Group – 2nd Tuesday at 3:30

Beginning this September, the library will host a monthly book club for primary school-aged students. On book group day, we will begin by eating a snack and walking through the pictures, reading the book aloud together, and then reading through silently or with our grownups, before coming back together to talk about the book and enjoy some imaginative play. 

Registration will not be required, but if you are interested, we invite you to talk to Mo about joining in so we can have an idea of how many books to request, or to discuss what would be helpful to your child.

Our first meeting will be Tuesday, September 13th at 3:30 or after Richards School lets out. We’ll be reading Pete the Cat: Too Cool for School, by Kimberly and James Dean. Other book choices will include Chicken Said, “Cluck!” by Judyann Ackerman Grant, Otter: Hello, Sea Friends!  By Sam Garton, and Biscuit and the Little Llamas by Alyssa Capucilli.

For more information, contact Mo at mchurchill@newport.lib.nh.us

The Beach Readers – 2nd Wednesday at 6

Want to get away? The Beach Readers have got you covered.

This group will offer books that are escapes from reality, easy to read, captivating, and accessible to many readers.

For more information, contact Ali at awood@newport.lib.nh.us

Sept14Pretty Little LiarsShepard, Sara
Oct12Howl’s Moving CastleJones, Diana Wynne
Nov9FlamerCurato, Mike
Dec14The Uncommon ReaderBennett, Alan

Brown Bags and Books Book Club – 4th Tuesday at 12 Noon

The Brown Bag and Books club is a midday group and the books are chosen democratically once a year. Interested in discovering new books that you might have otherwise completely overlooked? Or do you want to enrich yourself and possibly understand the world from a different perspective? Consider joining in!

For more information, contact Ali at awood@newport.lib.nh.us

Sep20This Tender LandWilliam Kent Krueger
Oct25The Night WatchmanErdrich, Louise
Nov22Finding FreedomFrench, Erin
Dec27Pot Luck!~Hopefully~
Jan25Chances Are...Russo, Richard

Richards Free Library Book Sale

Making their return this year are the annual Friends of the Library Book Sale and the annual Friends of the Library Cookie Walk!!! Here is the rundown of library-related events taking place Saturday, August 27th in conjunction with the Apple Pie Craft Festival:

  • The Friends of the Library Book Festival will take place under the tents on the side lawn of the library from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! Raffle tickets to win some special baskets of goodies will be on sale as well!
  • The Friends of the Library Cookie Walk will take place under the tent on the right side of the front lawn of the library starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending when the cookies are all gone! What is a cookie walk you ask? Basically, you purchase a bag for $5.00 and walk around the tables under the tent, filling your bag with bundles of cookies.
  • The Library Board of Trustees will be offering breakfast on the library porch starting at 9:00 a.m. Drop by and purchase a cup of coffee and a quick bite!
  • Mo, our wonderful children’s librarian, will be offering a kid’s craft under the tent on the left side of the front lawn of the library from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! In addition, Ali, one of our fabulous library assistants will be offering kid’s face painting from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon!
  • The library will also have a booth on the Common providing information on our fall programs. Show us your library card and you will be entered to win a “Basket of Books and Book Swag”!!!
  • Additionally, the library itself will be open extended hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.!

The library is NO LONGER accepting book donations for the book sale. If you have some that you want to drop off, PLEASE WAIT and drop off next week, after this years sale is over!

If the Cookie Walk caught your eye and you love to bake cookies, we are looking for cookie bakers to donate cookies for the Walk! If interested, please contact Janice Brehio at outreach@newport.lib.nh.us.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 27th. We look forward to seeing all of you!!!