Richland Library is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. Our collections, services and programming reflect the broad range of viewpoints and cultures that exist in our community, and we remain steadfast in our mission to provide customers with unfettered access to information and safe spaces for all. 

Below you will find a variety of recommendations from Richland Library staff as well as blog posts and upcoming events. Additional resources on Race, Equity and Inclusion can be found, here.

Jun 28 11:30 a.m.

Event
Richland Library Southeast

Watch Freely: Kung Fu Panda 4

Aug 17 3:30 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Northeast

What's Cooking, Chef?

Come and explore Culinary techniques, international cuisines, and guest chefs with Chef Floyd, Culinary Arts Coordinator

Welcome Chef Maegan Horton, Chefs for Seniors, to the Teaching Kitchen as Guest Chef.

Event Type(s):

Lifeskills

Audience(s):

Parents, Families, Teens (12-18 years)

Jul 13 3:30 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Southeast

Book Brunch

Join us as we bring a special book to life. This month we are making cookies galore, with the book, Stop and Smell the Cookies by Gibson Frazier and Micah Player.

Event Type(s):

Lifeskills

Audience(s):

9-12 years

Aug 03 12:00 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Southeast

Play Freely: A Sensory Friendly Edition

Jun 01 3:30 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Southeast

Book Brunch

Join us as we bring a special book to life. This month we are making pizza with the book, Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri.

Event Type(s):

Lifeskills

Audience(s):

9-12 years

Jun 18 6:00 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Southeast

Celebration in Black: From Gullah to Freedom

Blog
Richland Library Main

The Trans Rights Readathon

  • Savannah G.
  • Friday, March 29

The Trans Rights Readathon is an annual call to action to all readers and book lovers! During the readathon readers are encouraged to read and uplift titles centered around trans stories.

Jun 08 3:30 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Northeast

What's Cooking, Chef?

Come and explore Culinary techniques, international cuisines, and guest chefs with Chef Floyd, Culinary Arts Coordinator
(Welcome Guest Chef Kiki Cyrus of Kiki's Chicken and Waffles!)

Event Type(s):

Lifeskills

Audience(s):

Parents, Families, Teens (12-18 years)

Jul 20 3:30 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Northeast

What's Cooking, Chef?

Come and explore Culinary techniques, international cuisines, and guest chefs with Chef Floyd, Culinary Arts Coordinator

Welcome Chef Mike Ellis (CEC), Director of Culinary for Grand, Smoked, Hanabi, Good life café, to the Teaching Kitchen.

Event Type(s):

Lifeskills

Audience(s):

Parents, Families, Teens (12-18 years)
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute
Together, Apart
Staff Picks

2024 New Year, New Me: Middle Grade and Teen Books

  • Richland Library
  • Monday, February 19
Recommended by Richland Library staff, this list is what happens when we decide to kick-off the new year with a challenge--reading outside of our comfort zones.  From nonfiction to manga, romance to historical fiction, we stretched ourselves and our reading habits to explore new genres and authors.  
Goodbye Earl
The Brittanys
Staff Picks

Galentines Day Reads

  • Savannah G.
  • Tuesday, February 13
Happy Galentine’s Day! Show your girlfriends you really care by sharing a good book with them. From thrilling mysteries to heart-warming comings of age tales, this list is all about the power of female friendships.

May 04 12:00 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Southeast

Play Freely: A Sensory Friendly Fun-Filled Event

May 25 12:00 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Southeast

End Of School Year Blast!

May 11 3:30 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Northeast

What's Cooking, Chef?

Come and explore Culinary techniques, international cuisines, and guest chefs with Chef Floyd, Culinary Arts Coordinator
(Welcome Guest Chef: Chef Frances Wright, Baked by Franny LLC)

Event Type(s):

Lifeskills

Audience(s):

Parents, Families, Teens (12-18 years)
She is a Haunting
The Dream Weaver
Staff Picks

2023 Best Middle Grade and Teen Books featuring Diverse Characters or Experiences

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, November 17
Selected by Richland Library staff, these books represent some of our favorite stories (and non-fiction) featuring diverse characters published in 2023--plus a few older titles that we wanted to make sure you didn't miss.   Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. 
Seoulmates
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces
Staff Picks

Gift Guide: Books for Your K-Pop Obsessed Teen

  • Alex B.
  • Friday, November 10
In a same vein as the "British Invasion" cultural phenomenon of the 1960's, Korean culture has significantly influenced Gen Z's tastes and trends . From K-dramas (Korean soap operas), K-beauty (Korean beauty products), to K-pop (Korean pop music), Korean cultural influence has been all the rage with the youth. If you have a young person in your life who loves K-pop, these might be some good titles to extend that interest into reading. 
Blog
Richland Library Main

Queer Authors and Intersectionality: A Reading List

  • Adele C.
  • Monday, October 30

This blog post introduces some queer authors who explore intersectionality. Whether you are looking for poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or graphic novels, this reading list will provide works that resonate.

Hip-hop at the End of the World
Born in the Bronx
Staff Picks

Honoring Hip Hop's 50th Anniversary: Adult Titles

  • Savannah G.
  • Friday, October 20
This year marks Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary. From music to culture, Hip Hop has solidified itself as a powerhouse genre with its legacy and influence spread across the globe. Celebrate this momentous occasion by reading about Hip Hop from those who know it best: the pioneers, the tastemakers, the innovators, the historians, and the lovers of the craft! 
Blog
Richland Library Main

The Origins of South Carolina Pride

  • Margaret D.
    Evelyn B.
  • Wednesday, October 18

Friday, October 20, is the 2023 Famously Hot Pride Parade. How did Pride celebrations in South Carolina begin and who played a role in the origins of the Gay and Lesbian Pride March?

The Changing Man
All These Sunken Souls
Staff Picks

Teen Horror & Thrillers | 2023 Releases

  • Ashley S.
  • Monday, October 16
In the mood for something a little scary and/or thrilling? Check out these 2023 releases to find the perfect title for this Halloween season!
Gallowgate
Deephaven
Staff Picks

Children's Horror | 2023 Releases

  • Ashley S.
  • Monday, October 02
In the mood for something a little scary? Check out these 2023 releases to find the perfect title for this Halloween season!
Blog
Richland Library Main

A Look at Richland County's HBCUs

  • Leslie L.
  • Wednesday, September 20

Of the eight HBCUS found in South Carolina, two of these institutions can be found in Richland County: Allen University and Benedict College.

Blog
Richland Library Main

Cuban Trainees at Fort Jackson

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, September 15

For Hispanic Heritage Month,take a look at a little-known chapter of history that unfolded in Columbia at Fort Jackson, where several thousand Cubans came to receive military training and United States citizenship.

Blog
Richland Library Main

Writing in the Queer Archive

  • Evelyn B.
  • Tuesday, August 29

“What has been omitted from the history we learned? The stubble was plowed under, sometimes burned.” – Ed Madden

Briarcliff Prep
Imogen, Obviously
Staff Picks

Back to School Titles for Teen Readers

  • Ashley S.
  • Friday, August 04
Starting a new school year is filled with so many new adventures and feelings. Check out these titles for teen readers to help prepare for the upcoming academic year!
Welcome Back!
9 Kilometers
Staff Picks

Back to School Titles for Younger Readers

  • Ashley S.
  • Friday, August 04
Starting a new school year is filled with so many new adventures and feelings. Check out these titles for younger readers to help prepare for the upcoming academic year!