Richards Free Library

Engage, Enrich, Entertain

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Outreach Program at the RFL

Do you know of someone who no longer has the ability to come in to the library for temporary reasons (such as an injury), or those who are homebound on a more permanent basis?

With our Outreach Services, you don’t have to come into our building to check out our great materials. You can request to have books, movies, audiobooks, music, puzzles, games, and other items from our Library of Things. Our Outreach Librarian, Janice Brehio, will work with you to check out, drop off, and return your items for you, so that you can still take advantage of our services without coming in!

Janice goes out to make deliveries on Fridays. She is also available to read aloud by appointment, so that large groups can share in the same story. Janice can bring you a form to fill out and apply for access to the Talking Books Program. She would be happy to answer your questions and add you to her delivery route!

You can reach Janice by email at outreach@newport.lib.nh.us or leave her a message at the library (603) 863-3430.

From the Desk of the Director

I am honored and thankful to be appointed the new Library Director at the Richards Free Library in Newport, NH. For the past three years, as Assistant Director, I have worked closely with our amazing staff and patrons, learning so much along the way. When I stepped into the role of Interim Director 4 weeks ago, I was truly humbled by the trust and support from our community, our library staff, and our Board of Trustees. As the new Library Director, I am committed to upholding the high standards of service and excellence for which our library is known.

To our patrons, I want you to know that I am dedicated to you and our community. The Richards Free Library is more than just a place to borrow books; it is a hub of knowledge, creativity, and connection. I will work hard to make sure the library continues to be an important part of our community and that every visitor feels welcome. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we start this new chapter together.

Sally Bernier

Monica Wood to Accept the 2024 Hale Award

The Richards Free Library proudly announces best-selling Maine author, Monica Wood, as the recipient of the 2024 Sarah Josepha Hale Award. 

Monica Wood is an award-winning novelist, memoirist and playwright. Originally from Mexico, Maine, her writing tells character-driven stories about life-changing events. Wood was awarded the 2019 Constance Carlson Prize for contributions to the public humanities in

Maine; and the 2018 Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance Distinguished Achievement Award for her contributions to the literary arts.

Her newest novel, “How to Read a Book,” has already secured translation rights in five countries. Her previous novel, the bestselling “The One-in-a-Million Boy,” has been translated into 20 languages in over 30 countries. She is also the author of “When We Were the Kennedys,” a New England bestseller and winner of the May Sarton Memoir Award. Her other fiction, “Any Bitter Thing,” “Ernie’s Ark,” and “My Only Story” have also won awards and made bestseller lists. Her short stories have been widely anthologized and featured

on Public Radio International. Her nonfiction and reviews have appeared in O, the New York Times, Literary Hub, Down East, the San Francisco Chronicle, Martha Stewart Living, Parade and many other publications. She has also written several books for aspiring writers and three plays including “The Half-Light,” “Saint Dad,” and “Papermaker,” that in 2015 debuted in an extended run at Maine’s Portland Stage. She lives in Portland with her husband, Dan Abbott, and their cat, Susie.

Please join us Saturday September 7, 2024 at 7pm at the Newport Opera House for the award ceremony, which will include a speech by Wood as well as book sales and signing. The award ceremony is free and open to the public.

We will once again host a dinner with the author at the Old Courthouse Restaurant on the same evening at 5pm, prior to the ceremony. Dinner tickets are available for purchase at the library.

Unlock the Fun: Join Us for an Exciting Escape Room Adventure at Richards Free Library!

Are you ready for an adventure that will test your wits and teamwork? As part of our Summer Reading Program, Richards Free Library is thrilled to present an all-ages Escape Room experience!

🗝️ What’s an Escape Room?

An Escape Room is an interactive adventure game where you and your team are “locked” in a themed room and have 20 minutes to solve puzzles, find clues, and unlock the door to escape. It’s a fun, brain-bending challenge that requires collaboration, creativity, and a keen eye for detail.

📅 When & Where

  • Location: Richards Free Library
  • Dates: July 29th and 30th
  • Times: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM both days
  • Time Slots: Sign up for your preferred 20-minute time slot.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who Can Participate?

  • All Ages Welcome: Whether you’re a child, teenager, or adult, everyone can join in the fun!
  • Group Size: Up to 8 people per session.
  • Little Explorers: Kids under 5 can participate and won’t count towards the 8-person maximum.

🔓 How to Join

  • Sign-Up Required: To ensure everyone gets a chance to experience the escape room, please sign up for a time slot in advance.

An emotional good-bye from Justine Fafara, Library Director

It is with a mixture of gratitude and sadness that I share my resignation as Library Director of
the Richards Free Library, effective July 3, 2024.

Serving as the Library Director for the past 3.5 years has been a deeply rewarding experience. I
am incredibly proud of the accomplishments we have achieved, from updating our
collection and revitalizing our services post-covid, to maintaining our historic facilities and
enhancing community engagement. These efforts have not only enriched the lives
of our patrons but have also solidified Richards Free Library as a central part of our
community.

However, after careful consideration and reflection, I have decided that it is time to
embark on a new chapter in my professional journey. This decision was not made lightly, and it comes from a desire to move closer to family. After the sudden passing of my mom, my husband and I realized that family is our main priority. We will be moving to Pennsylvania where I will be the Library Director of the Malvern Public Library.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Board of Trustees for their unwavering
support, guidance, and trust these last few years. I am also immensely grateful to the
dedicated staff, volunteers, and patrons who have made my time at Richards Free so fulfilling
and enjoyable. I will cherish the memories and friendships I have made here.

Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve as the Library Director. It has been an honor.


Sincerely,
Justine Fafara