Richards Free Library

Engage, Enrich, Entertain

Friends of the Library

Celebrate National Library Week with Fun-filled Activities at Richards Free Library!

Get ready to show your love for the Richards Free Library during National Library Week, happening from April 8th to April 13th! We have an exciting lineup of events and activities for patrons of all ages to enjoy.

Monday kicks off with our heartfelt theme, “I Love my Library.” Patrons can showcase their affection by decorating paper hearts to be displayed proudly at our front desk. Plus, grab a bingo card filled with engaging activities to participate in throughout the week.

On Tuesday, it’s Coloring for All! Stations will be set up around the library for everyone to unleash their creativity. And for adults, join us at 6pm for a relaxing Creative Coloring Lounge, complete with snacks to fuel your imagination.

Wednesday is Game Night! Join fellow patrons at 6pm for an evening of fun and friendly competition.

Thursday is all about poetry with “Haiku for You.” In honor of National Poetry Month, submit a haiku with a “library” theme to be featured in our special display.

Friday is Party Day! The library will be decked out in festive decorations, and there will be tasty treats for all to enjoy.

Saturday is the perfect day for a Read-in! Complete your bingo card to gain entry to our after-hours reading party from 2-4pm. Don’t forget your “ticket” for entry!

Additionally, we’re offering special tours of the library. On Tuesday, families can join us for a tour at 1pm or 3pm. For those interested in architecture, a tour will be held on Thursday at 6pm.

All these fantastic events are happening at the Richards Free Library in Newport, NH. You don’t have to have a library card to join (but it helps)! All events are free and open to the public.

Don’t miss out on the fun as we celebrate National Library Week together! Mark your calendars and join us for a week filled with love, creativity, games, poetry, and, of course, plenty of reading. See you there!

Freebies from the Friends

Mindy Thorpe, the new President of the Friends of the Richards Free Library, is hanging out at the library this week (April 24-29) for National Library week! Come on down to the library to meet her, hear about the amazing fundraising the Friends do for the library, and get some freebies! Mindy is giving away free copies of the History of the Richards Free Library book, notecards, and early access to our book sale in August!

And if you haven’t already joined the friends by donating a minimum of $5, this is the perfect opportunity! We are able to take cash, check, or card.

Mindy and her buddy Minnie are hoping to see you soon!

Book Sale 2022 Debrief

Festival 2022 was a huge success!!! It’s been a few years since the big tent went up, and we picked up where we left off. We welcomed old friends who look forward to this event every year, and they thanked us for returning. 

The raffle winners are in…

Donna Y –  the Wine & Chocolate Basket

Cathy R – Baby Quilt

David H – Graphic Novels

Bob E – Local Restaurant Gift Basket

Nancy W – Banned Books Basket

Deb R – Cord of Wood

Susan F – Dollhouse

The grand total raised today was $5,100.98!!!!!   The breakdown is as follows:

                Books       $3,186.15

                Café               $325.50

                Cookies         $796.00

                Friends           $806.88

                Children’s      $37.45

Thank you to everyone who worked at the festival, baked, set-up, cleaned up, planned, and supported us.   We have an amazing library, an amazing staff and a cadre of people who are committed.  

A special thank you to Paula Johnson for being the person that makes this all come together year after year.   You work tirelessly, and we appreciate all that you do.

A big thank you to Discovery Books for picking up the left overs from our sale! 

The Friends of the Richards Free Library thank all who made our Book Festival such a great success. Special mention to Sugar River Bank and ProMania for their generous donations, and to all the volunteers who made it happen.

Coronis and Yoshi’s Markets provided water and ice to keep the Newport field hockey and football teams and our volunteers well hydrated!

Thanks to everyone who donated and bought books and made this community event something we all look forward to each year. See you on August 26, 2023!

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!!!