Richards Free Library

Engage, Enrich, Entertain

Newport NH

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!

Number Party Oct 5th!

Join us for a number party Tuesday October 5 from 12:00 to 2:00.

This exploration and celebration of numbers is perfect for homeschoolers and preschoolers.

Activities include:
Number Shapes with Playdough
Pattern Exploration with beads
“Chicka Chicka 123” collage craft
Number games like “Tenzi”

Feel free to drop in on these activities and join us at 1:00 for a Number Scavenger Hunt (all elementary school ages welcome. There will be prizes!)

The RFL Needs Help with the Roof!

Dear Patrons, Supporters and Friends, 

Can you imagine a worse place for a water leak than a library full of books and an art gallery full of photos and paintings? For several years the Richards Free Library and the Library Arts Center have been battling leaks with repeated repairs that didn’t solve the long term problems. 

On February 9th the Board of Trustees of the RFL met to review bids and chose to work with GDC Slate and Copper, a roofing company with experience and great references for working on historic buildings. Their inspection prior to bidding was done comprehensively with drone technology and showed 37 areas needing work on the Library and the Arts Center. They will make repairs to slate, to copper roofing, to rubber roofing, to flashing, to chimney and to wood work. Please feel free to view some pictures of the issues (Courtesy of GDC Slate and Copper 2/3/23). 

Slate maintenance ½ of mortar joints Failed main seam & Open wall at EPDM seam failure missing perimeter seams transition of dormer 

The comprehensive bid to make all repairs is $216,000. The Library’s Memorial Fund that was left by the Rollins family for maintenance of the RFL will cover $21,600 and GDC has awarded a $5,000 grant for this historic building project. 

In recognition of the value of the Library and Library Arts Center to the Newport Community, the Newport Board of Selectmen agreed to include in the town budget a separate warrant article for $189,400 so that the roofs of our buildings can be completely repaired and their precious contents protected. 

The Richards Free Library and Library Arts Center are asking for your support! Deliberative Session: April 4 6pm Newport Middle High School. At this session the warrant article could be amended. Town Meeting: May 9 8-7 Newport Middle High School. Please Vote Yes.

Decoding the Mysteries of Cats with Stephen Quandt

What: A Zoom presentation about cat behavior

When: Wednesday, April 5th at 6pm

Where: This Zoom presentation will be available to join remotely, or participate in person at the library.

click here to register!

This webinar pulls together and interrelates:
the Cycle of Predation that can lead to “drive-by” ankle biting, play aggression, early morning wake up, and food aggression as examples. being prey on the Confidence Scale that can lead to similar behaviors but can also result in fearful cats, victimized cats (cat on cat aggression), fear aggression and redirected aggression.

The Q&A is typically geared towards guests who want behavior advice and all advice is happily given in the allotted time. Some guests may want additional support and they will be given the opportunity to book a private behavior consultation afterwards and into the future as needed. This 60 minute webinar (including extensive Q&A) is given over Zoom to any organization that wants it.

Meet Stephen Quandt!

Stephen Quandt, CFTBS, Founder and Top Cat

I am a shelter-trained and Certified feline training and behavior specialist with the Animal Care Centers of New York City, a not-for-profit shelter contracted by the City of New York to provide animal related services to the residents of New York. I’m also in private practice as a feline behavior consultant and I believe in a compassionate, educational and non-judgemental approach to cat behavior and I believe in creating a happier world for cats and the humans who love them! My husband and I share our home with our two cats, happy-go-lucky Cricket, and Jenny, her blind-from-birth bestie, who rules our home.

Stephen has given hundreds of behavior consults in person and over Zoom, many of them through his presence on the Airbnb Online Experience platform which you can view at https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1725425 and where he has over 120+, 5 star reviews. He believes strongly in a compassionate, collaborative and educational approach to cat behavior, and he is Fear Free Certified. Decoding the Mysteries of Cats, or Why Cats Do What They Do!

Library Closed Saturday, March 4th

The library will be closed today, Saturday March 4th due to the snow storm. While we are physically closed, remember you can download a book, audio book, movie, tv show, music album, and more from one of our streaming services for free with your library card! Check out Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy in the App Store.

Stay safe and cozy tomorrow!