This fascinating documentary film explores the struggles and triumphs of three inner city teens as they strive to use their gift of language to rise above daily struggles.  Words can be very powerful, they can build you up as well as break you down.  This film focuses on the positive aspects of writing and artistic expression at a South Bronx school but also delves into the sometimes not-so-pretty aspects of poverty and single parent homes.  To Be Heard is a “must-see” film.  Check out the film trailer.   You may find this and other great documentaries in the Film and Sound Department at Richland Library.

Being bilingual is good for your brain!

It is almost impossible to comprehend the loss that occurred last Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. It can be even more difficult to explain that loss to your children.

Where has the moon gone? It has disappeared from the sky and Rendi seems to be the only one who has even noticed. Although Rendi was in a new village, because he had run away from home, he found work as an inn-keepers chore boy. No one had visited this inn or this town in some time and nothing ever seemed to happen. However, one day a mysterious Madame Chang arrives with wonderful stories of Chinese folklore. It is through the telling of these stories that the pieces of the puzzle begin to unfold. Each story reveals a little bit about the teller and offers a clue that helps answer, "what happened to the moon?" 

The calendar may say that the holidays are almost here, but the thermostat tells a different story.  How do you get in the holiday spirit when the weather refuses to cooperate?  Good books will always do the trick.  Whether it’s Peter’s snowball that melts in his pocket or Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods, these great stories will bring winter to your home.  So, grab a quilt, some hot chocolate and snuggle up.  The weather outside may be frightful, but these books are so delightful.  Happy Holidays and as always, Happy Reading!

Library Storytime is a developmentally important and meaningful experience for children. When you bring your child to storytime, you introduce him to the Library, the best picture books, and what may be his first group experience with children his own age. By attending weekly, you make storytime part of his routine, and teach him that the library is not only where you go to get more free books, but where you go to have lots of entertaining fun. This fun time is also enriching.

Spending lots of time travelling this holiday season? Well, stop by the library for some of these great new picture books that will provide lots of entertainment for your little ones!

Why books? Long after the wrapping paper, ribbon and boxes are gone, books will be pulled out again and again. These stories will help us go to sleep, calm our fears and make us dream. The characters found in the books we share become part of our family and their stories become part of our own. Best of all, these books work their magic, bringing us always closer together.

Richland Library is dedicated to helping you raise a reader. Reading should happen every day and all through the day. These early literacy tips will help you incorporate reading into your family's daily life.We also hope you'll come to the library every week for storytime, and let our expert staff pick out books just right for your growing reader!