Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 3, 4, 5

"Night after night, Little Star took tiny nibble after tiny nibble of the Big Mooncake."--A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin Preschoolers are listening to longer books and asking LOTS of questions.  They are growing their independence along with their attention spans.  Bring your book lover to Richland Library and pick up one of these terrific titles today.  
Staff Picks

Great Books for Toddlers

"Monsters straight ahead!  Watch out for the yellow rubber ducky!"--Off to See the Sea by Nikki Grimes Toddlers are on the move, but they still love a good story.  They're learning new words every day and will ask to hear their favorite book again and again (and again).  Check out some of these toddler-tested titles to share with your mover and shaker.  
Staff Picks

Great Books for Babies

"You see a bustling city.  I see adventure ahead!"--You See, I See: In the City by Michelle Sinclair Colman Snuggled in your lap, babies love books with photographs, simple, bright illustrations, rhyming and the sound of your voice.  Find your little one's new favorite story from our list of books to share.  
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Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story

Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books.  This conversation focuses on the nonfiction children's biography, Buffalo Bird Girl:  A Hidatsa Story by S.D. Nelson.  

Staff Picks

StoryWalk®: I Am a Bird Read-Alikes

Visit Richland Library's I Am a Bird StoryWalk® at Doko Meadows Park or pick up the book from your neighborhood library and get your family soaring and gliding while enjoying a great story.  Next, check out some of these good books to continue the fun at home! 
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Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: Dear Martin

Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books.  This conversation focuses on the New York Times bestselling YA novel, Dear Martin by Nic Stone.  

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Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: How Do You Wokka-Wokka?

Curated storytimes that families can share at home with an ebook (How Do You Wokka-Wokka?)songs and rhymes ( Peel Banana | Drama Warm Up, Banana Banana Meatball Song by Blazer Fresh and If All of The Raindrops by Old Town School of Folk Music) and activity (Learn 5 dance sequences choreographed by Barbara Howse-Diemer)

Service

Find a StoryWalk® Near You

Located at public parks throughout Richland County, our StoryWalks® are a delightful way for children — and adults — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time.

Staff Picks

Let's Talk Race (as a Family...)

Having "The Talk" can feel daunting.  Whether it's sexuality, staying safe or race--it can be difficult to know where to begin. By talking about these important topics early and often, parents and caregivers can increase the whole family's comfort and skill in conversation, making these discussions part of their family culture.  
Staff Picks

StoryWalk®: How Do You Wokka-Wokka? Read-Alikes

Pick up a copy of How Do You Wokka-Wokka?, one of our StoryWalk® titles, at one of our Richland Library locations and get your family moving and grooving while enjoying a great story.  Next, check out some of these good books to continue the fun at home!  Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. 
Staff Picks

StoryWalk®: Rainbow Stew Read-Alikes

Visit Richland Library's Rainbow Stew StoryWalk® at Hyatt Park or pick up the book from your neighborhood library and get your family soaring and gliding while enjoying a great story.   Check out this list below for more inspiration to get you moving, growing and cooking together!  
Staff Picks

Celebrate Loving Day for Families

Celebrate Loving Day by sharing stories of families brought together by 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.
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Richland Library Main

Famously Hotspots

From schools to libraries, community centers and more, here's a list of public Wi-Fi spots in Richland County.

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Richland Library Edgewood

DIY Egg Carton Flower Bouquet

Ready to plant the seeds of creativity in your kiddo? Grab these common household items and usher in a burst of color and creativity.

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Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: A Story About Afiya

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.

Staff Picks

Read All About It: Fire Safety

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.  
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Worry & Anxiety

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.
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Being Mindful & Finding Calm

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:  
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Richland Library Main

#OwnVoices: Celebrating Differences

It is our job as parents and caretakers to ensure our children know that everyone deserves respect, regardless of differences. We all were uniquely crafted and it is our differences that makes the world so interesting.

Staff Picks

Friendship

Friendships near and far Connecting with friends and family, we are able to listen to each other's experiences.  Let these items show us that we are not alone in how it feels to be human.    Looking for more? Check out our personalized recommendations here or call us at 799-9084.
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Kindness & Caring

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.
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Feelings and Mental Health

Sharing books about feelings gives children the language to name their emotions.  These stories can also give children the opportunity to explore feelings and imagine how they might behave if they were a character in the story.   Talking about emotions with a trusted caregiver builds a solid foundation of mental health. Check out some of these great read-alouds and start your conversation today!  
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Richland Library Main

Top 10 Challenged Books of 2019

The American Library Association tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2019. Overall, 566 books were targeted. Here are the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in 2019.

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Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: Back to School: A Global Journey

Curated storytimes that families can share at home with an ebook (Back to School:  A Global Journey)songs and poems ( Yo Te Amo and There's a Dog in School) and activities (DIY School Accessories:  Homework Caddy, Pompom Bookmark and Paper Bag Book Cover).

Staff Picks

Back to School... at Home: The Book List

It is time to set up space for your school year. Starting at home? Check out these great titles that will inspire you to create a space that is fun and functional for you and your children. Study, explore, create, and make the grade! 
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Richland Library Ballentine

Create Your Own Jump Rope

Jumping rope is an iconic summer activity. It is great exercise and has a long and award-winning history in South Carolina. Follow along with this tutorial to learn how to make your own jump rope out of plastic bags and help save the environment at the same time!

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Richland Library Main

Sensory Dough Learning Activities

Using sensory dough to promote learning and play at home is easier than you might think. And you probably already have everything you need to get started. 

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Richland Library Main

Create Your Own Sensory Dough

Making sensory dough at home is much easier than you might think, and you probably already have everything you need waiting in your pantry.

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Richland Library Main

All Around Town: 7 Days of Family-friendly Activities

With a little help from our friends around town, here are some daily suggestions for family-friendly activities—both digital and non—from some of our favorite places that just might get you out of your current rut.

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Richland Library Main

Managing Children’s Emotions 

Eight things you can do today to help your entire family understand, process and cope with this new, temporary normal.

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Richland Library Edgewood

Indoor / Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Coming up with ways to keep young children entertained while stuck at home is challenging. Try these two scavenger hunts for a nice change of pace. 

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Richland Library Main

Pandemic Parenting

Pandemic Parenting, or "You're not very good at this, are you?"

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Richland Library Main

How to Do a Storytime

Four easy steps to help you keep reading, singing, playing and talking every day. 

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Richland Library Main

Your Daily Dose of Children's Authors & Illustrators

From readings to art clubs to book-based activities, we've compiled a list of some of our favorite authors and illustrators who are going digital to help you and your family join in on the fun.