Blog
Richland Library Main

Books + Music Pairings

  • Morgan R.
    Chris Campbell
  • Tuesday, July 13
We think these book and album pairings were meant for each other. See if you agree!
Meals, Music, and Muses
What the Slaves Ate
Staff Picks

20 Books Which Celebrate African American Culinary History and Experience

  • Mona Verma
  • Saturday, June 19
African American food history is rich and it has intrinsically influenced the development of American cuisine. Any discussion of the culinary heritage of America cannot be complete without noting the contributions of Black people. Very often, these significant contributions are overlooked or minimized when they should be appreciated and recognized. Here are a few books which celebrate the flavorful African American cuisine and its history.
Things We Lost to the Water
Dead Dead Girls
Staff Picks

Debut Authors of 2021 (So Far)

  • Morgan R.
  • Wednesday, June 16
You have your favorite authors, and by now you've read everything by them, right? Time to try someone new! The best part is that checking out up to 60 books with your Richland Library card is absolutely free, so branch out and experiment with a new genre or writer.
Blog
Richland Library Main

#OwnVoices: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

  • Ariel H.
  • Thursday, June 23
Take a journey with Bree Matthews, in this OwnVoices read, as she struggles with life after her mother's death, and prepares to embark on a journey at the University of North Carolina in their Early College program--a journey that will alter how she views the world and herself.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Third Cousin Twice Removed?

  • Dusty R.
  • Monday, June 14
Do you need to refresh your memory on how exactly you and Cousin Sue are related before the next family reunion?
The Night Watchman
A Treatise on Stars
Staff Picks

2021 Pulitzer Prizes

  • Bland L.
  • Saturday, June 12
The winners of the 2021 Pulitzer Prizes have just been announced. Check out the winners (and finalists) in the categories of fiction, history, general nonfiction, biography, and poetry from our collection.
Blog
Richland Library Main

The Show Must Go On!

  • Kate B.
  • Saturday, June 26
Looking for some musical theater stage to film adaptations to tide you over until theaters reopen? Feeling in the mood to sing and dance? Check out this list of Broadway hits on DVD and Blu-ray.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown
Queenie
Staff Picks

Celebrate Loving Day for Adults

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, June 11
Celebrate Loving Day by checking out novels featuring stories of interracial love. "The “Loving” in Loving Day is actually the last name of Mildred and Richard Loving. The Loving Day Story begins when they were arrested for being married in 1958 because they were an interracial couple living in Virginia.
This is Your Mind on Plants
A Closer Look at Plant Classifications, Parts, and Uses
Staff Picks

Get Outdoors: Learn More About Plants

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, June 11
Time to get outside and go on an adventure! Here are a list of books to help you explore your surroundings. Learn more about plants and even go on a foraging trip!
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
Belle.
Staff Picks

Celebrate Loving Day in Media

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, June 10
Celebrate Loving Day by checking out or streaming a favorite film or TV show featuring an interracial love story. "The “Loving” in Loving Day is actually the last name of Mildred and Richard Loving. The Loving Day Story begins when they were arrested for being married in 1958 because they were an interracial couple living in Virginia.
Finna
Finna
Staff Picks

Read Proudly!

  • Alex B.
  • Friday, June 04
Celebrate Pride Month by reading these books by members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Blog
Richland Library Wheatley

What is an Informational Interview, and is it Important?

  • Jessica Daly
  • Saturday, June 05
The Informational Interview...arguably the most underused yet most important part of your networking and ultimately finding a career you love. Informational Interviews are a fundamental part of building your network. Learn the steps to a successful informational interview from identifying who to interview, to preparing what to ask, to how to follow up after the interview.
A Lowcountry Bride.
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes
Staff Picks

Romantic Beach Reads

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, June 02
Fall in love this summer! Enjoy this list of Romantic fiction that's great for your Beach getaway!❤️🤟💕
The Last Train to Key West
Florence Adler Swims Forever
Staff Picks

Historical Beach Reads

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, June 02
Get lost this summer, and travel back in time! Enjoy this list of Historical fiction that's great for your Beach getaway! 🌊⛵🏖️
Blog
Richland Library Eastover

#OwnVoices: Say Her Name

  • Kimberly Jones
  • Thursday, June 23
In this YA non-fiction, Elliot graced us with a beautiful collection of poetry that showcased the intersectionality of being black and a woman.
Database

Consumer Reports

ConsumerReports.org provides trusted ratings and reviews, recommendations and buying advice for thousands of products and services. Includes car buying guide and health care advice.

Read More | Access
Blog
Richland Library Main

Up Lit: The Hug You Didn't Know You Needed

  • Kate B.
  • Wednesday, June 02
For every mood or emotion there is a book to match - and sometimes you just need a good hug from the story you're reading. Here are some titles to help you feel cozy and cared for when you're feeling a bit blue.
Dead Dead Girls
While Justice Sleeps
Staff Picks

What's New in Mystery/Thrillers by Black Authors

  • Mona Verma
  • Tuesday, June 01
Black authors have been traditionally underrepresented in Crime/Mystery books but times are changing for the better and it is exciting to see more inclusion and diversity in this genre. Do browse and checkout from this list of new titles which are riveting reads.
Blog
Richland Library Northeast

¡Que Rico!: Stuffed Honduran Pastelitos

  • Elisa D.
  • Friday, May 28
Bring the rich flavors of our community to life in your kitchen! Try our Stuffed Honduran Pastelitos—inspired by a recipe from one of our ¡Que Rico!: Community Cookbook contributors, Karin Cantarero.
Extra Lives
The Art of Cuphead
Staff Picks

Games, Gamers, Gaming: Nonfiction Works About Games and the People Who Love Them

  • Bryan B.
  • Wednesday, May 26
If you're like me, you grew up surrounded by video gaming, which led to a lifelong passion for interactive experiences. This collection of works are all about games, and the people like us who love them dearly. From narrative nonfiction about arguably the most influential game of the 1990s, to a deep dive on the culture of contemporary game design, these picks will surely satisfy any gamer (or nongamer's) curiosity.
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun. Vol. 01
The Osamu Tezuka Story
Staff Picks

Manga About Creating Manga

  • Thomas M.
  • Tuesday, May 25
Feeling meta? Manga stories about making manga can take you deeper into an artist's life, showing how masters of the craft became creative titans. They can also comment on the comics industry, winking at titles and tropes that fans recognize. These manga tend to be a bit of both, sharing the highs and lows of the illustrated life.
Arsenic and Adobo
While Justice Sleeps
Staff Picks

Chiller-Thriller Reads to Beat the Heat

  • Ariel H.
  • Monday, May 24
Ready to enjoy some of the heat of the Summer, with a hint of fun? Check out these riveting and thrilling books that are guarantee to take you on a ride. Enjoy!🤪
The Other Black Girl
Somebody's Daughter
Staff Picks

Goodreads Summer Reading List - JUNE 2021 releases

  • Ariel H.
  • Monday, May 24
Join in on the fun with Goodreads Summer Reading list. Check out June 2021's book releases. Grab a copy, and get ahead of the heat that's following these top Summer Reads!! 🔥🔥🔥
The Personal Librarian
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for June 2021

  • Sarah C.
  • Monday, May 24
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country. All these books will be published in June 2021, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
The Bromance Book Club
Bringing Down the Duke
Staff Picks

Life is Hard, Romance is Fluffy

  • Alex B.
  • Friday, May 21
Over the past year, I've seen an increased interest in romance novels. This makes absolute sense given how challenging 2020 has been for all of us, to say the least. Oftentimes, books serve as a comfort and refuge--a metaphorical fluffy blanket, if you will--especially when it comes to romance. Readers are often drawn to romance due to the formulaic nature of the genre. There's going to be a couple, there will be conflict and tension, but of course they're gonna get together!
Prince of Thorns
The Blade Itself
Staff Picks

Fantasy Fiction for Adults

  • Kristin A.
  • Friday, May 21
Looking for an escape? Within the pages of a great fantasy novel, you can step inside magnificent worlds, meet wonderful monsters and creatures, and fight alongside heroes and villains. Check out some of these great fantasy novels and get transported into a whole new world.
The Newcomer
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes
Staff Picks

25 New Beach Reads

  • Mona Verma
  • Wednesday, May 19
There is nothing better than reading a book by the beach, watching the waves during breaks and enjoying the sea breeze. Here are some new books published in 2021 which you can browse and checkout and pack in that beach bag!
Voyaging Southward from the Strait of Magellan
Prague Pictures
Staff Picks

Travel Writing, Classic to Contemporary

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, May 11
As summer approaches and public health restrictions are eased, the prospect of travel, long denied for many, beckons invitingly. If you are not quite ready to plan a trip yet, consider some of the best that travel writing has to offer, from classics like William Bartram’s exploration of the Southeast in the 1770s to the latest from best-selling travel writer/novelist Paul Theroux. The following list leans heavily toward the literary travel-writing end of the spectrum (no Fodor’s or Rick Steves guides here). Only one title per author is included, although severa
Blog
Richland Library Main

Famously Hotspots

  • Megan M.
    Chantal W.
  • Thursday, May 13
From schools to libraries, community centers and more, here's a list of public Wi-Fi spots in Richland County.
Aquaman
Battlestar Galactica. Season One
Staff Picks

Art Representing Asian American, Pacific Islanders

  • Helene F.
  • Monday, May 10
Graphic novels and manga, with the aid of movies and anime, have been great ways to bring cultures together. Here is a list of some of my favorite titles with AAPI characters and artists. Looking for more? Check out our personalized recommendations here or call us at 799-9084.
Bossypants
Talking to Strangers
Staff Picks

10 Books for Graduates

  • Brittany S.
  • Thursday, May 06
When the confetti falls and the celebration ends, what is next? Check out these helpful and inspiring titles as you enter a new chapter of your life.
Akira.
Cowboy Bebop
Staff Picks

Where to Start Your Anime Journey

  • Bryan B.
  • Saturday, May 01
Anime can be an overwhelming medium, especially for someone new. This collection of anime movies are a great starting point to begin your exploration of the medium. Works range from family friendly works by Hayao Miyazaki to the deep and psychological works of the late Satoshi Kon. Whichever you choose, you're bound to find a new world in anime.
Ladies Get Paid
Humor, Seriously
Staff Picks

Ladies Get Paid (and other new business books you might enjoy)

  • Bland L.
  • Friday, April 30
Check out these business and finance books recently added to our collection. Popular titles include Ladies Get Paid, a manifesto on workplace equality by Claire Wasserman, and Black, White, and The Grey, a memoir by Mashama Bailey and John O.
The Killing Floor.
10,000 Black Men Named George.
Staff Picks

Movies for Workers' Day

  • Keith B.
  • Thursday, April 29
The first day of May has been celebrated as International Workers' Day since 1889 when labor activists were demonstrating and organizing for the eight-hour-day. The following list is made up of dramatic features, documentaries, and educational series on the labor movement, unionizing, leftist political activism, economic inequality, and working conditions. Mostly focused on American culture and history, it nontheless includes films set around the globe, helping to illustrate the shared struggles of workers everywhere.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Celebrating National Bike Month

  • Bland L.
  • Thursday, May 20
May is National Bike Month, and although it may strike you as something that was only recently adopted, it has actually been observed since 1956.
Blog
Richland Library Main

AiR Presents: Local Artist Directory!

  • Ashley Warthen
  • Friday, April 30
Let’s give our local artists as much of the spotlight we can! With the pandemic and other issues facing our community, I’m elated to share that One Columbia’s artist directory now lives here on Richland Library.com
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Staff Picks

Lower Richland Staff Picks

  • Bryan B.
  • Thursday, April 29
Lower Richland is Richland Library's newest location, located in Hopkins! Here are some staff picks to help get to know us better:
Kansas City
All Night Long
Staff Picks

Jazz Appreciation Month: Feature Films

  • Keith B.
  • Wednesday, April 28
Just because Jazz Appreciation Month is drawing a close, it doesn't mean your appreciating of Jazz has to end! Here are some movies to entertain you while enriching your understanding of one of America's finest cultural creations. Sit back, pour yourself a cool drink, and enjoy some swinging horns and moving pictures.
The Gilded Wolves
Children of Blood and Bone
Staff Picks

For Fans of Shadow and Bone

  • Alison B.
  • Wednesday, April 28
Binge watched your way through Netflix's new number one show Shadow and Bone yet? You can of course pick up Grishaverse creator Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone trilogy or Six of Crows duology to finish the tale.
Blog
Richland Library North Main

#OwnVoices: Between the World and Me

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, June 23
Angry. Scared. Tired. These are only a few of the words to describe how the Black community is feeling right now and how it has felt for the past four hundred years.
Blog
Richland Library Main

The Profound Poetry in 'The Prophet'

  • Mona Verma
  • Wednesday, April 28
There are twenty poems on topics such as Love, Marriage, Children, Giving, Joy and Sorrow, Work, Laws, Freedom, Friendship, Teaching, Pain, Crime and Punishment, and much more. Each poem is simple yet sublime with a mystical message.
While Justice Sleeps
The Newcomer
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for May 2021

  • Sarah C.
  • Monday, April 26
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country. All these books will be published in May 2021, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
Our Time is Now
Our Time is Now
Staff Picks

Our Vulnerable Democracy: Past, Present and Future

  • Chantal W.
  • Friday, April 23
One of the many things that we learned in the year 2020 is that democracy is a fragile thing. How do we as regular citizens combat white supremacy? How do we go about demanding that the institutions that are the foundation of our democracy and government be fairer and actually represent all of us and not just some of us?
Blog
Richland Library Main

Day of Silence: My Silence, My Story

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, April 23
The Day of Silence is an annual student-led demonstration meant to raise awareness of bullying and harassment directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students.
Blog
Richland Library Main

An Interview with Spoken Word Artist Tammaka Staley

  • Phillip W.
  • Friday, June 24
For this post, I spoke to Tammaka Staley, the library's current Artist-in-Residence, and the tenth AiR at Richland Library. She's a poet, spoken word artist and educator. We discuss her background, her approach to her work, and more.
Thyme of Death
Garden Spells
Staff Picks

Herbal Medicine fiction

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, April 23
As we cultivate our gardens and spruce up the place, why not entertain yourself with some herbal medicinal reads? Fiction, of course! Let's take a break from the dust, dirt, and heat. Time to grab a glass of ice cold lemonade, tea, or infused water and add just a hint of herbal fun to the mix.
Blog
Richland Library Wheatley

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

  • Jessica Daly
  • Wednesday, April 21
Resumes need to be customized for every job; there's no one size fits all. Here are some tips on how to make your resume standout to hiring managers.
The Factory
Atlas Shrugged. Part 1.
Staff Picks

Are There Limits to Human Creativity? (Philosophical fiction)

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, April 21
A list of 30 top philosophical reads--included with these selections are various formats (eAudio, eBook, Blu-Ray or DVD, & Standard or Large print). Enjoy your journey with these philosophical fiction novels that will make you think and analyze the conditions and nature of humans, and maybe gain a different perspective. Some of these titles have been made into motion pictures or turned into TV shows. Feel free to decide if there are limits to human creativity...
Blog
Richland Library Main

Washington Street's Black Business District

  • Margaret D.
  • Tuesday, April 20
Two downtown blocks on Washington Street were once known as Columbia's Black Downtown. View historic photographs of the district from the Walker Local & Family History Center.
Herb Gardening for Dummies
The Integrative Guide to Good Health
Staff Picks

Herbal Guides from the Ground Up

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, April 16
Great Weather! Awesome Temperatures! Spring Cleaning! Now, How About Your Garden? Dig into These Books to Get Your Herbs Up and Growing.
Pitch
Bad News Bears
Staff Picks

Batter Up for the Next Season of Baseball

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, April 16
Whether you watch on TV or attend the games in person, it's time to gear up and get your head back in the game. There's a mixture of books, videos, and eOption material for spectators and the aspiring/training athlete. Batter UP!
Martha Stewart's Organizing
Complete Guide to Natural Home Remedies
Staff Picks

Inspiration for Spring Cleaning

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, April 16
Need a lot of pick-me-up this year to kick off your Spring cleaning? Try some of this titles to inspire your creative cleaning flow! NEXT STOP:
What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat
The (other) F Word
Staff Picks

Health at Every Size

  • Jennifer N.
  • Wednesday, April 14
A revolution in size acceptance is upon us. The titles below explore the work of the Health at Every Size (HAES) movement and the concepts of fatphobia, weight discrimination, body image, disordered eating, radical self love, and weight inclusivity. Challenging traditional notions of weight and health, these works may lead you to question what you thought you knew about wellness.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Augusta Baker and the Art of Storytelling

  • Rebecca T.
  • Thursday, March 24
"Storytelling at its best is mutual creation. Children listen and, out of the words they hear, create their own mental images; this opening of the mind's eye develops the imagination." - Storytelling: Art and Technique by Augusta Baker and Ellin Greene
Does My Head Look Big in This?
First Comes Marriage
Staff Picks

Biographies and Novels that Explore the Arab American Experience

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Tuesday, April 13
Let’s take the time to celebrate the history, contributions, and culture of the diverse population of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have roots in 22 countries located in the Middle East and North African regions and within all those countries, there are various languages, religions, traditions that are now part of the American story. Explore their stories though verse, memories, and more.
On Fragile Waves
Bestiary
Staff Picks

Recent Magical Realism

  • Morgan R.
  • Monday, April 12
When you need a stretch of the imagination, a break from mainstream fiction and predictable mysteries, and like books that are a little weird but not too weird, give one of these newer magical realism releases a try.
Red Sparrow
Three Hours in Paris
Staff Picks

Female Spies

  • Kristin A.
  • Monday, April 12
Female spies are more than just the femme fatales shown in moves and television. They must have ingenuity, talent, and more than just a little courage. From tales of real heroines from history, to espionage fiction inspired by the bravery of these women, these stories are full of intrigue, espionage, and thrilling edge of your seat storytelling at its best.
Blog
Richland Library Sandhills

Five Trailblazing Women of Richland County

  • Brittany S.
    Alex B.
  • Tuesday, April 27
Let's look at five amazing women leaders who not only have made a positive impact all across Richland County, but have broken down barriers while they were at it.
Anansi the Spider
Folk Tales & Fables of Asia & Australia
Staff Picks

Good Folk Tales and Fairy Tales for Storytelling

  • Rebecca T.
  • Friday, April 09
In their well-respected book, Storytelling: Art and Technique, Ellin Greene and Augusta Baker tell us: "A good story for telling is one that has something to say and that says it in the best possible way." Check out some of these books to learn more about the traditional art of storytelling and to find folk tales and fairy tales that have something to say and are written in the best possible way!
Blog
Richland Library Main

April is National Poetry Month: Ode to the Onion

  • Kate B.
  • Friday, April 09
What do an onion, a sock, a hummingbird, and ironing all have in common? Chilean poet Pablo Neruda wrote odes to each of these. Learn more about elemental odes and write one yourself.
Crying in H Mart
The Best We Could Do
Staff Picks

25 Essential Books About Asian American Identity and Experience

  • Mona Verma
  • Tuesday, April 06
It is really unjust and unfortunate to see the sharp rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. Books are a great way to educate oneself about the Asian American experience. Racism can be combated by reading these human stories and understanding that we are all more alike than different.