Richards Free Library

Engage, Enrich, Entertain

Adult Programs

What are We Playing At?

We’re creating a new gaming collection for Richards Free Library. This collection will include board games, card games, video games, video game consoles, and all the accessories needed to run spectacular gaming programs here at the library. 

COVID-19 cut into a lot of our programming just as it was ramping up, including our game nights. When we wrote this grant application, we had hoped we could get games into your hands and have you run your own game nights at home while we waited for it to be safe to bring game nights back to the library. Thankfully, it looks like we’ll be able to reinstate library game nights sooner rather than later! We’re planning after school gaming programs in the ballroom, family game nights, and board game lessons (we know some of these rule books can be intimidating!). 

I know some of you are thinking “why games?” Games are really just another way to tell a story, and we’re pretty big fans of storytelling here at the library. Plus, games are a great way to engage teens who come to the library after school, looking for entertainment (and somewhere warm or cool to spend the afternoon). We also hope they’ll be a useful tool for families to find time to spend together. 

We’re planning a “kick off” event on Saturday, June 4th, which just happens to be International Tabletop Day (a big day in board game circles). Join us at the library to check out the new collection, learn a new game, or play an old favorite. We hope to see you then!

17 games displayed on a blue shelf. Avengers, Hellapagos, Guess Who?, Slamwich, Xbox Lego Star Wars The Skywalker Saga, Nintendo Switch 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Star WArs Jabba's Palace, Zeus on the Loose, Paint chip Poetry, Santorini, Cascadia, Trivial Pursuit DVD edition, Azul, Scattergories, Buffalo, Apples to Apples, Ticket to Ride.

We’re really excited about this new collection and the incredible grant money from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the New Hampshire State Library that made it possible. 


If you have a game you’d like to recommend for the library, you can fill out this form!

Gift Wrapping Workshop

Is gift-wrappGift Wrapping Workshop, December 12th 5:00 all are welcomeing not your strong suit? The Richards Free Library is hosting a drop-by Gift Wrapping Workshop for teens and adults on December 12th, 5:00-6:00pm. Drop in to learn some simple gift wrapping techniques and make a special gift tag. We’ll have some wrapping paper and trimmings, but feel free to bring your own, or bring a roll of paper to share or swap! Music, cheerfulness, and table space will be provided!

Newport Municipal Solar Project – NEW DATE – March 12th

On March 12th the Richards Free Library will host an informational meeting on Newport becoming the first solar net-zero New Hampshire town and school.

The  1.9 Megawatt solar energy project capable of providing the annual energy needs for all of Newport’s town and school facilities will be on the school and town ballots this spring.  The Newport School District will vote March 13, 2018, on whether to approve an article authorizing the Newport School Board to enter into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Norwich Solar Technologies. The town vote will be held on May 8, 2018.

The project would serve the town’s schools and offices,  as well as all town-owned facilities, including the public library, airport, wastewater treatment plant, and the police, EMS and fire departments. If approved, this would be the largest municipal solar energy project in New Hampshire.

Don McCormick of Norwich Solar Technologies will explain the project and answer questions.

The meeting will be held in the library’s ballroom at 6:00 on Monday, March 12th.

Governor Murphy

Join us for the continuation of the Govennor Murphy story presented by amateur historian, Kenneth Vigue on Saturday June 10th at 3:00 p.m. at the Library Arts Center.