Richards Free Library

Engage, Enrich, Entertain

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Holiday & Building Maintenance Closures

The Richards Free Library will be closed Saturday December 23rd and Monday December 25th for the Christmas holiday. We will reopen our normal hours on Tuesday December 26th.

For New Years we will be closed Saturday December 30th and Monday January 1st.

January 2nd and 3rd we will be closed for building maintenance. We have plumbing work being done which requires the water to be shut off in the building. Once this work is done, we will reopen normal hours on Thursday January 4th.

If you have any questions, please contact the Library Director, Justine Fafara, at jfafara@newport.lib.nh.us

Happy Holidays!

November Holiday Hours

The library will be closed Friday November 10th and Saturday November 11th for Veterans’ Day.

The library will close early at 6pm on Wednesday November 23rd and will remain closed Thursday November 24th and Friday November 25th for Thanksgiving. We will be open normal hours on Saturday November 26th from 10am-2pm.

Happy holidays!

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.

Number Party this Wed, 10/5 @ Noon!

Numbers and Patterns are all around us! Recognizing and using them is one of the most important basic skills that a person can master. The RFL is hosting a number party on Thursday, October 6th at 12-2 to explore and celebrate numbers and patterns.

If you have a homeschooler or a preschooler that is interested in a fun time, you can join us as we push numbers into play dough, make number collages, and look for hidden numbers around the library to trade in for prizes, to name a few examples! ( The number scavenger hunt will begin at 1)

You can count on having a good time!

Teen 1920s Masquerade November 17th 6-8pm

Step back in time to the roaring ’20s at our after-hours event tailored for teens and tweens! Mark your calendars for November 17th, when the first floor of the library will transform into a lively gathering place from 6-8pm. We’ve got an exciting lineup of activities including dancing, food, poker, and more! All teens and tweens aged 11-18 are invited to attend, but do keep in mind that registration is required (registration available below).

In the spirit of the 1920s, we encourage you to don your finest Gatsby-inspired attire. To truly embrace the era, consider adorning a stylish masquerade mask. If you don’t have one, don’t worry! You can join us on November 3rd to craft your very own mask before the big event. It’s sure to be an evening filled with the charm and mystique of the Jazz Age!