Richards Free Library

Engage, Enrich, Entertain

events

Summer Reading 2024 “Adventure Begins at Your Library” Events Schedule

June 27th 10:30am KICKOFF Family “Adventure Concert” with Miss Julieann Join us for a free family concert and adventure that will be fun for the whole family. Sing along to catchy new songs written and performed by music therapist Julieann Hartley, and come along as we go on an adventure around the library grounds and learn to look at things a little closer.

June 28th 10-12pm Kids’ Craft Button Making: Drop in to make a home-made button pin or two to adventure with this summer!

July 1st thru July 3rd Drop in Scavenger Hunt! Try out our library-themed scavenger hunt any time. Will you find everything we hid?

July 3rd 11am Adventure Family Story time! Pretend to be your favorite animal for this animal-themed story time for ages 0-6.

July 5th 10-4pm LEGO Day at the library! Build an obstacle to add to our LEGO obstacle course!

July 9th 2pm-3:30pm Unicorn and Dragon Party! Join us for stories, crafts, activities and snacks at this party celebrating our imaginations. Wear a costume to be part of our party parade!

July 10th 6pm Fantasy Map Making. Make your own fantasy map with some tips from an expert world builder! Big kids ages 8+, teens, and adults are all welcome to join in!

July 12th 12-4pm Let’s Crazy Craft! Make anything with our craft supplies: Summer Edition!

July 15th 2 pm Design a Hero: Needle Felt or use LEGO to build an adventurer to take home or use next week for Stop Motion!

July 17th 11am Adventure Story Time: Wonder Quest! Join in for an inspiring story time, and then we’ll go on a Quest around the library grounds to find the wonder surrounding us in the world outdoors. What will you find?

July 19th 1-3pm World Record Challenge. Kids and teens are invited to try out these challenges to see how quickly you can do them compared to the world record! It’s all fun and games, but can you get the fastest times?

July 22nd 1-3pm Make Your Own Adventure: Stop Motion Video. We’ll work together to film a stop-motion adventure, or you can learn some tricks to try it out in your own small group. For kids age 6-11 with their families.

July 23rd 2pm Author Visit with Marek Bennett, the beloved graphic novel author-illustrator who so many Newport kids love. Bring the whole family to meet Marek! The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) is sponsoring this visit and bringing 2 books for each child that attends. The presentation will be on the library side lawn.

July 24th 11 / 11:30am Fairy Houses! Come for our 11am family storytime, and stay to build nature-safe fairy houses on the library side lawn at 11:30. Items found in nature (fallen bark, sticks, shells) from home are welcome to supplement ours.

July 29th and 30th 2-5pm Library Escape Room: Register online or call to reserve a time slot to try our library-themed Escape Room with your friends or family. Kids under 9 will need at least one adult, please!

July 31st 11am Special Story Time: Bubbles! After a bubbly story time we’ll play with Ms Mo’s famous soap bubbles! Rain: Aug 7

August 2nd 10:30am-12 Navigation Games! Join expert Dawn Dextraze to learn an adventure skill and have a blast at the same time! Dawn is Sullivan county’s Natural Resources Education and Outreach Specialist, and she Knows. Her. Stuff!

August 3rd 10:30 -1:30 Stuffed animal drop-off! Drop off your stuffy for a weekend of epic stuffy adventures. Make your plushie a button pin before you go! See you Monday! (Registration required.) Note: Stuffies sleepover, not kids.

August 5th 1pm Stuffed Animal Tea Time Pick Up Party! Join the stuffies for a tea party in the ballroom, and watch a slideshow of all the adventures the Stuffies had over the weekend at the library!

August 6th 3:30pm Frozen T-Shirt Challenge: Can you wiggle into a frozen-solid t-shirt? Don’t miss this Newport tradition! We’ll round out the fun with other outdoor games.

August 8th 3pm Summer Reading Finale Ice Cream & Tie Dye Party! with ice cream donated by Sanctuary Dairy Farms. Bring something white to tie-dye! Kids, teens, and their families are all invited.

Looking Forward to Summer Reading 2024

Summer is around the corner!
It’s time to mark your calendars for June 27th for the kick off of the Summer Reading Program: Adventure Begins at Your Library! Mo is busily preparing activities and program to fill our warm months with fun! In the mean time, check out these events for May!

May 3rd- Kids Video Games, 4-5:00pm. Bring your friends and your favorite hand held video game, and join us for video games at the library! We’ll have our Nintendo Switches available for group games, too! This is just for kids ages 6-11 and their families.
May 6th-Let’s Crazy Craft! Drop in 1-6 pm. Let your imaginations run wild: Make anything at all with the supplies on the craft table! For families of all ages.
May 7th My First Book Group 3:30 read a beginning reader book together. We’ll have a snack, read, and discuss. This months book is Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff. Grownups are expected to stay
May 7th Chapter Chats 4:00pm We’ll start a chapter book together and discuss it! for grades 2-5, depending on reading level. This months book is Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier. Grownups are expected to stay
May 9th Needle Felt! Kids Craft, drop in 1-4pm. For kids 6-11 and their families.
May 20th LEGO Day, Drop in between 1-6pm. Come build with our LEGOS! What can you build?
May 24th Newport Rec Play Group Story Visit, 10-11:30am at the Newport Rec Center down the road from us! Ms Mo will join the fun with some books to read aloud.
May 24th Kids Craft 1pm & 3pm – Suncatchers!
May 29th Kids Craft 1pm & 3pm – Shrinky dinks!

See you at the Library! 

Navigating Care: A Community Event on VNA Services and Hospice Care

In a world where healthcare options can be overwhelming, understanding the available services for oneself or a loved one is crucial. Richards Free Library in Newport is proud to host an enlightening event on May 2nd, 5pm, aimed at providing clarity on VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) services and hospice care. Whether you’re a caregiver, aging individual, or simply curious about end-of-life care, this event promises valuable insights.

Leading the discussion is Jim Culhane, President & CEO of Lake Sunapee VNA. With his extensive experience and expertise, attendees can expect comprehensive guidance on various aspects of VNA services and hospice care. From understanding the basics to navigating complex topics, Jim will cover it all.

The event will delve into several critical themes, including:

  1. Hospice/End-of-Life Care: Facing end-of-life decisions can be daunting. Jim will shed light on hospice care, explaining its purpose, benefits, and how it differs from traditional medical care.
  2. Bereavement Support: Coping with loss is a challenging journey, and knowing where to find support is essential. Attendees will learn about the bereavement services offered by VNA, helping them navigate the grieving process with compassion and understanding.
  3. Aging in Place: Many individuals wish to remain in their homes as they age. Jim will discuss how VNA services facilitate aging in place, providing necessary healthcare and support to maintain independence and quality of life.
  4. Caregiving: Caregivers play a crucial role in supporting their loved ones, but often face their own challenges and needs. Jim will address caregiver support services offered by VNA, offering valuable resources and guidance for those in caregiving roles.

This event isn’t just about providing information; it’s about empowering community members to make informed decisions about their healthcare journey. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences, and connect with others facing similar situations.

Whether you’re personally navigating healthcare options or supporting a loved one through their journey, this event is for you. Join us at Richards Free Library on May 2nd, 5pm, and take the first step towards understanding and accessing the vital services provided by VNA and hospice care. Together, we can navigate care with knowledge, compassion, and support.

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!

Land Wisdom: Strengthen your Connection to the Natural World

We live in a time when our connection to the natural world is more crucial than ever. As communities grapple with environmental challenges, it becomes increasingly evident that fostering a deeper relationship with the land is essential for our well-being and the health of the planet. On Tuesday, April 16th, at 5pm, the Richards Free Library in Newport, NH will host an enlightening event aimed at exploring this vital topic.

Meet the Speakers: Emily Boles and Dan ‘Rudi’ Ruddell

Our event will feature two remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to understanding and caring for the Earth in both traditional and scientific ways. Emily Boles, an Abenaki environmental scientist, brings her rich heritage and academic background to the table. Her work is guided by Traditional Knowledge and principles from ecology and conservation, offering a unique perspective on land stewardship.

Joining Emily is Dan ‘Rudi’ Ruddell, a conservation biologist and watershed scientist deeply rooted in the community of Tunbridge, VT. Together, Emily and Rudi lead the White River Land Collaboratives’ Forest Project, an initiative that combines Abenaki insight with modern science to promote a balanced approach to environmental care.

Building Reciprocal Relationships with the Land

During the event, Emily and Rudi will delve into the concept of reciprocity in our relationship with the natural world. They will discuss how increased understanding and experience can pave the way for a more harmonious bond with the land. Drawing from their collaborative efforts, they will share insights from their work and highlight the importance of hands-on learning from ecosystems.

Exploring Paths to Environmental Stewardship

Through engaging discussions and real-life examples, attendees will gain valuable insights into nurturing a deeper connection with nature. Emily and Rudi will explore the intersection of tradition and science, showcasing how these complementary approaches can guide us towards sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

Join Us in Newport on April 16th

We invite you to join us at the Richards Free Library on April 16th at 5pm for an enlightening evening of dialogue and discovery. Together, let’s explore how we can cultivate a stronger, healthier connection with the natural world. Emily and Rudi’s expertise and passion promise to inspire and empower us to become better stewards of the Earth.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a conversation that’s not only timely but also essential for the well-being of our planet and future generations. See you there!