Ray County Library

Winter Reading Program
2025-01-13 - 2025-03-15
Ready, set, READ! We encourage readers of all ages to challenge themselves to become reading machines this winter. From Jan. 13-March 15, Ray County Library is participating in “Be a Reading Machine,” a reading challenge sponsored by Beanstack and Baker & Taylor. We challenge our community to read and log at least 5 books during the challenge. For adults, read 5 books for a free mug. Read 10 or more to be eligible for a Corsair airfryer! Children can read 5 books to claim a free book, a book light, and a small prize!

Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2025-01-20
The Ray County Library will be closed Monday, January 20, 2025 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Closed for Presidents' Day
2025-02-17
The Ray County Library will be closed Monday, February 17, 2025 in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Seed Starting Workshop: Community Connections Event
2025-04-16 17:00 - 17:45 (America/Chicago) | Library Community Room
Seed Starting Workshop: Community Connections Event
Join us for a hands-on gardening workshop presented by the MU Extension Horticulture Team! This program is the first in a series to learn to grow your own food in collaboration with Community at Play and the Richmond Salvation Army. Attendees will also be able to sign up to use a new community garden in Richmond, MO.
Attendees will learn how to successfully start seeds at home for transplanting into the garden. Each participant will leave with planted seeds.
Workshop Highlights:

Interactive Learning
Pros and Cons of Seed Starting
Expert Guidance

Date: April 16th
Time: 5:00pm-5:45pm
Register to attend: https://forms.gle/cD8ZKbki2MtWnSiN8

Mushroom Festival!
2025-05-02 - 2025-05-03 | Richmond Square, 100 W Main St, Richmond, MO, 64085, United States
Come see us at the Mushroom Festival!
-Friday May 2 @ 9-5
-Saturday May 3 @ 9-2

Closed for the Mushroom Festival!
2025-05-03 | Ray County Library, 215 E Lexington St, Richmond, MO, 64085, United States
The library will be closed Saturday, May 3. Come see us at the festival from 9-2!

Closed for Truman Day
2025-05-05
The Ray County Library will be closed Thursday, May 8, 2025 in observance of Truman Day.

Composting 101-Community Connections
2025-05-07 17:00 - 17:45 | Library Community Room
Composting 101: Community Connections Event
Join us for an informative gardening workshop presented by the MU Extension Horticulture Team! This program is the second in a series to learn to grow your own food in collaboration with Community at Play and the Richmond Salvation Army. Attendees will also be able to sign up to use a new community garden in Richmond, MO.
Attendees will learn how to make and use a compost pile at home for use in the garden.
Workshop Highlights:

How to make compost
How to use compost
Expert Guidance

Date: May 7th
Time: 5:00pm-5:45pm
Please register to attend
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Raised Bed Gardening-Community Connections
2025-05-14 17:00 - 17:45 | Library Community Room
Raised-Bed Gardening: Community Connections Event
Join us for an informative gardening workshop presented by the MU Extension Horticulture Team! This program is the third in a series to learn to grow your own food in collaboration with Community at Play and the Richmond Salvation Army. Attendees will also be able to sign up to use a new community garden in Richmond, MO.
Attendees will learn how to construct, design, and maintenance a raised-bed garden. For all ages.
Workshop Highlights:

Learn how to make and use raised beds
Expert Guidance

Date: May 14th, 2025
Time: 5:00pm-5:45pm
Please register to attend
Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

Big Library Read!
2025-05-15 - 2025-05-29
Join the Ray County Library and Libby App for #BigLibraryRead starting May 15th and borrow ‘Uncommon Measure’ by Natalie Hodges on the Libby App with no waitlists or holds!

Uncommon Measure explores these questions from the perspective of a young Korean American who dedicated herself to perfecting her art until performance anxiety forced her to give up the dream of becoming a concert solo violinist. Anchoring her story in illuminating research in neuroscience and quantum physics, Hodges traces her own passage through difficult family dynamics, prejudice, and enormous personal expectations to come to terms with the meaning of a life reimagined—one still shaped by classical music but moving toward the freedom of improvisation.

Learn more at https://link.overdrive.com/biglibraryreadmay2025

Closed for Memorial Day
2025-05-26
The Ray County Library will be closed Monday, May 26, 2025 in observance of Memorial Day.

Summer Reading Program!
2025-06-02 - 2025-08-09
Be Inspired, get creative, and branch out with your reading this summer as we Color Our World! With this year’s theme, we want readers to be inspired and imaginative as they select their reading materials and attend related events.
There are two programs, one for adults and one for children and teens aged 0-18 years. Participants who register for the program and children/teens who log 600 minutes of reading and adults who log 5 books can earn badges, free books, and a chance to win one of this year’s great prizes.
Log in/register here!
Visit the ‘Summer Reading” tab at the top of the webpage for more information!

Food for Fines
2025-06-04 - 2025-08-20 | Ray County Library, 215 E Lexington St, Richmond, MO, 64085, United States
Food for Fines is back! We’re collecting canned goods and other nonperishables for the Salvation Army from June 4, 2025 through August 20, 2025. 1 food item = $1 in forgiven fines!

Closed for Juneteenth
2025-06-19 | Ray County Library, 215 E Lexington St, Richmond, MO, 64085, United States
The Ray County Library will be closed Thursday, June 19, 2025 in observance of Juneteenth.

Mad Science Presents: Color Our World Summer Reading Program Party!
2025-06-27 10:00 | Library Community Room
Join us Friday, June 27 at 10 am as MAD Science presents Color Our World, a Summer Reading Program Party! Color Our World Through Science! With the help of prisms and the diffraction of the white light, rainbows will appear. Volunteers from the audience will be needed to help the MAD Scientists out with all the experiments that will go with ROYGBIV’s world. All supplies provided. This interactive science lesson is appropriate for all ages.

Closed for Independence Day
2025-07-04 - 2025-07-05 | Ray County Library, 215 E Lexington St, Richmond, MO, 64085, United States
The Ray County Library will be closed Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, 2025 in observance of Independence Day.

Community Connection Event: Summer Plant Care
2025-07-22 17:00 - 18:00 | Library Community Room
Want to learn about caring for plants in the summer heat? Attend the upcoming summer plant care workshop lead by the MU Horticulture Team. Attendees will learn about caring for annuals, vegetables, and trees and have an opportunity to ask their gardening questions. Program is for all ages.

Community Connections Event: Fall Gardening
2025-08-06 17:00 - 18:00 | Library Community Room
Join us for a gardening class presented by Kathi Mecham, an MU Extension Horticulturist.
This workshop will cover which vegetables can be grown in the fall, when to plant, and how to care for your fall garden.
Register Here: https://raycountylibrary.missouri.org/ninja-forms/14n5kf
Upcoming programs include Canning Demo and other food preservation classes.

Closed for Labor Day
2025-09-01 | Library Community Room
The Ray County Library will be closed Monday, September 1, 2025 in observance of Labor Day.

Ray County Farm Crawl- Storytime & Activities
2025-09-20 10:00 - 18:00
Get Ready for the 2025 Ray County Farm Crawl!
Mark your calendars for September 20 and join us for a day celebrating local farms, fresh food, and family fun! This self-guided tour lets you explore the scenic countryside of Ray County, visit working farms, meet the farmers, and enjoy hands-on activities for kids. Sample farm-fresh products Shop local handmade goods Meet animals and see live demonstrations Fun for the whole family
“The Farm Crawl is a great way to support local farmers, learn where food comes from, and enjoy a day of adventure,” says Chamber Director Jayne Taylor.Free to attend! Start at any participating farm. Bring comfy shoes, a cooler for purchases, and a camera to capture the day.Maps and details are shared in the Richmond News, on the Chamber website, and our social media channels.For more info, call the Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce at (816) 776-6916.

Closed for Columbus Day
2025-10-13 | Ray County Library, 215 E Lexington St, Richmond, MO, 64085, United States
The Ray County Library will be closed Monday, October 13, 2025 in observance of Columbus Day.

Closed for Veterans' Day
2025-11-11 | Ray County Library, 215 E Lexington St, Richmond, MO, 64085, United States
The Ray County Library will be closed Tuesday, November 11, 2025 in observance of Veterans’ Day.

Closed for Thanksgiving
2025-11-27 - 2025-11-28 | Ray County Library, 215 E Lexington St, Richmond, MO, 64085, United States
The Ray County Library will be closed from Thursday, November 27 to Saturday, November 29, 2025 for Thanksgiving. Happy Holidays!
