Maya Lin
Fred Korematsu Speaks Up
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Asian & Asian American Biographies for Children

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Friday, April 30
Celebrate the amazing accomplishments and stories of Asians and Asian Americans of yesterday and today, by reading the wonderful and powerful titles below.  Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
A Different Pond
The Best We Could Do
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Historical Asian & Asian American Titles for Children and Teens

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Friday, April 30
Read the historical fiction and nonfiction titles below to learn more about the Asian and Asian American Experience! Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
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

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

Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart

  • Taelor J.
    Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, June 23

Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books. These discussions will build our capacity for talking about race and define our roles in fighting against both every day and systemic racism.

Back to Front and Upside Down!
My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay
Staff Picks

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - Recommendations for Younger Readers

  • Jenny D.
  • Saturday, March 27
March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987 when President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation urging Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “The encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” Developmental disabilities include disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, down syndrome, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and affect a person's growth and/or cognition. The aim of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is to ra
Stella Diaz Has Something to Say
Anna Hibiscus
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Ramona & Friends

  • Heather M.
  • Friday, March 26
In the spirit of Ramona Quimby, these girls are the stars of their own stories all while sharing their (mis)adventures, making us laugh and introducing us to their family and friends.   These friends of Ramona may be new, but they are sure to find a place on your family's bookshelf and in your family's heart.  
Blog
Richland Library Main

iRead: My Happy Life Book Series

  • Leslie Tetreault
  • Sunday, March 28

In the spirit of Ramona Quimby, meet Dani, a young girl who has faced sadness but still looks for happiness in her life.  

1, 2, 3. Play with Me!.
1, 2, Trees!.
Staff Picks

Playaway Launchpads for Children

  • Jenny D.
  • Wednesday, March 24
Have you tried our Playaway Launchpads for children yet? These tablets are pre-loaded with content for children, designed with a simple, easy-to-use interface. No need to worry about download time and or Wi-Fi. There are all kinds of tablets to try - interactive learning, stories, math, science, STEAM, short movies, languages - there is something of interest to every child. Fun for road trips or just an afternoon at home - try one today. 
Blog
Richland Library Main

SC ELA Standards: Reading for Information Part 3

  • Shannon G.
  • Friday, April 30

Reading for information is commonly paired with nonfiction books. However, some fiction books hold good information about nonfiction subjects in a fictional setting. Because storyline is more complex, children can to gather information over time and wonder what will happen next or how the story ends. Helping your second grader learn to read carefully for details increases comprehension, introduces new vocabulary, and opens interest to related topics. 

45-love
55 Dynamic Agility & Conditioning Drills for Tennis
Staff Picks

Swing into Tennis (Game, Set, Match)

  • Ariel H.
  • Thursday, March 11
A list of Tennis related material has been compiled as you gear up for the courts. Lace up your shoes and tighten your strings, it's time to ace this year's season. 
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Read Woke Across America Week

  • Taelor J.
  • Friday, March 05

Let’s show out children a world where everyone does not look the same, worship the same, or even think the same—and that this is the beauty of the world. Let’s teach them that in spite of our differences, we’re more alike than different, and learning brings us closer together. Let’s join together and Read WOKE Across America!

Blog
Richland Library North Main

#OwnVoices: The Undefeated

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, June 23

Unforgettable. Undeniable. Unflappable. Unafraid. These are just a few of the words that can be used to describe this Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-Winning book by author Kwame Alexander and illustrator Kadir Nelson.

Blog
Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: A Story About Afiya

  • Children's Room
  • Thursday, March 11

DIY Storytimes are curated storytimes that families can share at home with an ebook, songs and activities.  

Children and adults alike will be mesmerized by the sweet story of Afiya and her dress, written by the late Coretta Scott King Book Award-winning Jamaican poet, James Berry, with fresh illustrations by Anna Cunha.

Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

African Americans in Art: Beverly Buchanan

  • Taelor J.
  • Saturday, February 27

There is much more to Black history than civil rights activists and inventors. This project explores the cultural contributions of African American artist, Beverly Buchanan, and gives you the opportunity to make your own artwork inspired by her! Beverly Buchanan was born in Fuquay, North Carolina, but grew up in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She is best known for her shack structures which explore the Southern vernacular through architecture

Black Widow
Lumberjanes. Campfire Songs
Staff Picks

100 New Graphic Novels for Children

  • Jenny D.
  • Monday, February 15
Grab a stack of these new graphic novels from 2020-2021 and catch up on what you've been missing. There are 100 here to chose from!
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

#OwnVoices: Black History Is American History

  • Taelor J.
  • Thursday, June 23

Black History Month should not be just a time to celebrate African Americans who have paved the way for us all to thrive. It should be a time to challenge the stubbornly persistent tendency to teach Black History as a footnote to American history.

Stop Drop and Roll
Elmo Visits the Firehouse.
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Fire Safety

  • Heather M.
  • Saturday, February 06
It's always a good time to talk about fire safety.   Share these books with your child and discuss what to do if there's a fire in your home or in their school.  Reading together will make them feel safe and confident that they know what to do in case of an emergency.   If you want to know more about firefighters and how they keep us safe, check out Read All About It:  Firefighters & Fire Trucks.  
What Do Firefighters Do?
Fire Engine.
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Firefighters & Fire Trucks

  • Heather M.
  • Saturday, February 06
Firefighters work hard to keep us safe.  Find out more about how they keep us safe, what they wear to keep them safe and the equipment they use (especially fire trucks) by reading these fiction and nonfiction titles about these first responder heroes. If you want to know how to keep yourself safe around fire, check out Read All About It:  Fire Safety.  
Blog
Richland Library Eastover

Name 3 Things

  • Kimberly Jones
  • Friday, June 24

This is a quick game you can play with a family member during your #brainbreak to get your brain recharged and ready for more learning.

The Rabbit Listened
Captain Starfish
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Worry & Anxiety

  • Caitlin B.
  • Thursday, January 28
2021. We made it, but not without a heaping dose of anxiety and fear. If worry is affecting you, you can bet it’s also affecting your little one.
Explorer
The History of Ancient Egypt.
Staff Picks

Booklist: Exploration for fun

  • Helene F.
  • Thursday, January 28
Exploration Generation   Do you want to explore history and geography, whenever you want?  Then welcome to a new way of thinking of generations. Ask your local librarian for even more suggestions!
The Cure for Cold Feet
Izzy Kline Has Butterflies
Staff Picks

Children's Novels in Verse

  • Jenny D.
  • Friday, January 08
Want to try something different? Choose one of these novels where the narrative is told entirely through a series of poems. Once you read one, you'll be hooked on this creative way to tell a story. 
Baseball Crazy
Beware!
Staff Picks

A Long List of Short Stories for Children

  • Jenny D.
  • Friday, January 08
Collections of short stories are a great way to bite off a little reading at a time - and a fun way to discover new authors you have never read before. Funny, sad, scary, sporty, thought-provoking - there's a short story collection on this list for you. Curl up and enjoy one story or devour the whole thing all at once.
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: Nian, the Chinese New Year Dragon

  • Taelor J.
    Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, June 23

Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books. These discussions will build our capacity for talking about race and define our roles in fighting against both every day and systemic racism.

D is for Dragon Dance
A Gift
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Lunar New Year

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Saturday, January 02
On February 12 of this year, Lunar New Year will begin and will introduce the Year of the Ox. Every lunar new year is a time of celebration throughout Asian countries and the Asian American community to bring in the coming twelve months, according to the traditional Chinese calendar or lunar calendar. Lunar New Year typically begins on the lunar calendar's first new moon and ends fifteen days later on the lunar calendar's full moon. Read the stories listed below to learn more about the Lunar New Year celebration!
Already a Butterfly
Breathe and Be
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Being Mindful & Finding Calm

  • Heather M.
  • Wednesday, December 23
Being mindful, taking a breath and finding your calm can be challenging on a good day.  Add in busy schedules, family stresses, worries and world events, it can seem impossible--especially for children who haven't mastered self-regulation.  Even good changes like holidays or vacations can make children feel overwhelmed:  
Recipe for Trouble
Just Add Magic
Staff Picks

Yummy Cooking Novels for Children

  • Jenny D.
  • Monday, November 23
With the holidays fast approaching, cooking and food is on everyone's mind. Feed your reading hunger with these children's novels featuring characters whipping up culinary delights in the kitchen.
Beauty and the Beaks
Gus, the Pilgrim Turkey
Staff Picks

Thanksgiving Books to Share with Children

  • Jenny D.
  • Monday, November 23
Sharing a Thanksgiving story as a family is a fun and meaningful way to spend some time preparing for the holiday. Here are some books you will want to gobble up.
Tree
Wishtree
Staff Picks

An Arbor Day Celebration

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, November 19
Arbor Day (the first Friday in December) is the beginning of tree planting season in South Carolina.  Celebrate safely by finding moments to walk among the trees and appreciate their quiet majesty. Reading can also deepen our knowledge of even every day subjects. This curated selection of books offers titles for everyone - stories about the importance of trees, the science and even hands-on activities. 
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: Going Down Home with Daddy

  • Taelor J.
    Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, July 14

This 2020 Caldecott Honor book gently and proudly tells the story of Lil Alan and his family as they return to his father’s childhood home in the South to celebrate traditions and family history.

I Can Make This Promise
How Tia Lola Came to Visit Stay
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Diverse Families in Novels

  • Heather M.
  • Saturday, November 07
Family is what holds these stories together as the characters experience life-changing moments, face difficult truths and each other.   Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
One Family
Black is Brown is Tan
Staff Picks

Read All about It: Diverse Families in Picture Books

  • Heather M.
  • Saturday, November 07
Celebrate all kinds of families and their love for one another by reading these wonderful picture books with your very own family. Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.  
Blog
Richland Library Main

iRead: Ninjas RULE!

  • Children's Room
  • Friday, November 06

iRead features the best ebooks, eaudiobooks and print books for children and teens curated by the Children's Room and Teen Center staff.  

Ninjas are AWESOME!  They are stealthy, strong and full of surprise.  Discover the real ultimate power of ninjas--both fact and fiction--and read some super stories along the way.  

I Walk with Vanessa
Each Kindness.
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Kindness & Caring

  • Heather M.
  • Tuesday, November 03
Everyone can show kindness and everyone needs a little kindness.  Waving hello, offering to help someone carry a heavy load or making a card for a friend can brighten someone's day. Let these books inspire you to find ways to let people know that you care.   Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084.
Blog
Richland Library Main

iRead: Spooky Stories

  • Children's Room
  • Friday, October 23

Fears--real and imagined--abound in these scary stories featuring a missing mother, killer buttons, a ghost and a suspicious rabbit.  (And we won't tell if you decide to sleep with the light on...)

Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring
I Lived on Butterfly Hill
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Hispanic Heritage Month in Novels

  • Children's Room
  • Wednesday, October 14
Hispanic Heritage month is a celebration of the countless contributions of Hispanic culture.  Check out these chapter books and novels to learn more about how Hispanic culture has influenced our literature and our lives.  Don't miss our Hispanic Heritage Month in Picture Books list!
Going Down Home with Daddy
Going Down Home with Daddy.
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Kelly Starling Lyons

  • Rebecca K.
  • Friday, October 09
Award-winning author Kelly Starling Lyons grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, surrounded by creativity and artistic expression.  She has now written more than a dozen books for children, from picture books to beginning readers to chapter books, focusing on the African-American experience and giving young people stories to reflect their own lives and culture.
Blog
Richland Library Main

iRead: Kelly Starling Lyons

  • Rebecca K.
  • Monday, October 12

Award-winning author Kelly Starling Lyons grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, surrounded by creativity and artistic expression.  She has now written more than a dozen books for children, from picture books to beginning readers to chapter books, focusing on the African-American experience and giving young people stories to reflect their own lives and culture.

A Snake Falls to Earth
Ancestor Approved
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Indigenous & Native People in Middle Grade & Teen Novels

  • Saturday, October 03
Discover the stories, cultures, traditions and history of indigenous and native people of the Americas in these compelling novels for middle grade and teen readers.  Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
Rock Your Mocs
Una Huna
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Indigenous & Native People in Picture & Board Books

  • Saturday, October 03
Understand and celebrate the stories, culture, traditions and history of indigenous and native people of the Americas in these beautifully illustrated picture and board books.   Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
Blog
Richland Library Main

iRead: On The Run

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, October 23

iRead features the best ebooks, eaudiobooks and print books for children and teens curated by the Children's Room and Teen Center staff.  

Whether it's running from danger or running towards adventure, these are stories of friends and family discovering new things about the world and themselves.  

A Big Mooncake for Little Star
Freedom Soup.
Staff Picks

Fry Bread, Bi-Bim-Bop, & More!

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Friday, October 02
While we all have our differences, one thing we can all agree on is food! There are so many cultures and countries all over the world that have delicious dishes that everyone can enjoy. From kimchi to tamales, our tastebuds await the next yummy surprise and insight into both familiar and new worlds.  Read these stories to learn more about different types of tasty cuisines, the unique characters behind these cuisines, and how these cuisines bring us all together.
Dreamers
Dreamers.
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Hispanic Heritage Month in Picture Books

  • Children's Room
  • Thursday, October 01
Hispanic Heritage month is a celebration of the countless contributions of Hispanic culture.  Check out these picture books to learn more about how Hispanic culture has influenced our literature and our lives.  And don't miss our Hispanic Heritage Month in Novels book list!
Blog
Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: Grace for President

  • Children's Room
  • Tuesday, October 12

Curated storytimes that families can share at home with an ebook (Grace for President), songs and rhymes ( Sunny Day by Elizabeth Mitchell, I Am Special and Young Soul by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo) and activities (Make Your Own Campaign Poster, "If I Were President," Make Your Own "I Voted" Badge & Design Your Own Readers Make Leaders Bookmark)

Blog
Richland Library Northeast

Halloween Egg Hunt: A Social Distanced Trick-or-Treat Tutorial

  • Shinelle P.
  • Wednesday, September 30

Keeping our distance doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun! A Halloween Egg Hunt is a playful way to keep the Halloween spirit, whether you organize a neighborhood event or just hide the eggs around your home for the kiddos to find. This two-for-one tutorial is a great craft for kids and preparation for a fun Halloween event!

Blog
Richland Library Main

iRead: Sharon Draper

  • Caitlin B.
  • Friday, October 09

“I learned to dream through reading, learned to create dreams through writing, and learned to develop dreamers through teaching. I shall always be a dreamer. Come dream with me."--Sharon Draper