Richards Free Library

Engage, Enrich, Entertain

Fundraiser

Keep Newport Warm ’23

On October 24th we will celebrate Sarah Josepha Hale’s 235th birthday by starting the “Keep Newport Warm” project.

This year there are two ways to get involved: As we did last year, Community members can help to make a scarf for the SJH statue displayed in front of the library. Just bring a piece of work measuring 8 inches on one side to the front desk of the library. Contributions will be joined together by a volunteer. The scarf will go around the Sarah Josepha Hale statue on Wednesday, the 22nd of November, in time to honor her for Thanksgiving. A volunteer will place it up in the evening with a sign explaining the project. The scarf will stay up until snow flies, and be down before the new year.

New this year is an opportunity to honor Sarah by giving back. The Library will be collecting handmade woolens to be donated to the food pantry in Newport. So, calling all knitters, weavers, and crochet artists! If you have handmade hats, mittens, scarves, or other winter woolens that you would like to contribute, you can bring them to the library to make sure that they get into the hands of those in need.

Need some yarn to get started? Check at the library for a free skein, donated by a generous crafts-person.  

When community members contribute, they will be asked to fill out a card with their contact information, and given the option to sign up for the library newsletter, or to be contacted for more information about the knitting group. 

We hope to continue Sarah’s legacy of industriousness, charitable giving, caring for the young and needy, and coming together as a community on our national day of thanks.

For sale at the library!

Next time you visit the library, be sure to check out our sale section. We’ve always had books for sale in this spot, but we’ve added greeting cards, postcards, and our brand new library tote bag!

All profits benefit the Richards Free Library and help support the growth of our collections and programs.

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!!!