On April 26th, Wendy de Forest, Richmond Free Library Youth Director, and her assistant Margaret, joined our club meeting to tell us what's new at the library. Wendy spoke to our club 2 years ago and her talks are always exciting.
First a few interesting facts
Vermont has more public libraries per capita than any other state at 3500 with 185 libraries. Vermont also has the highest public access computers per capita at 9 per 5000 people - almost double the 2nd highest state of Minnesota.
What's New at the Richmond Free Library and where our donations were spent over the years
1- Playaways are preloaded audio books. RFL has 174 playaways, 25 that were gifted from our club
2- Vox books are chidren hardcover books with built-in players for read-alongs. RFL has 62 Vox books, 17 gifted from our club.
3 - Launch Pads are educational game tablets for early literacy focused on social and emotional skills.
4 - Graphic Novels are book long narratives told through sequential art.
5 - Early Chapter Books are bridge books for readers 5-9 (grade 1-3) transitioning from picture books to longer novels
6 - Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional items available for loan, allowing users to borrow instead of buying. At RFL, you can get so many items from pickle ball paddles for outdoor activity to a briefcase and tie for an interview.
7 - STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) kits at the RFL are themed tote bags. “Bugs-themed” was brought in and contained books, a collection receptacle to watch catured specimens, and much more.
To read more about the Richmond Free Library, go to: https://www.richmondfreelibraryvt.org/