The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) is gearing up to host its much-anticipated annual event, the 10th Annual CRRL-Con, at the Howell Branch Library in Stafford County. Scheduled for Saturday, May 18, from noon to 4 p.m., this event promises a jam-packed day of entertainment for comic enthusiasts of all ages.
Library spokesman Sean Bonney shared, “CRRL-Con has become a staple event in our community, bringing together fans of pop art, comics, anime, manga, and cosplay. It’s a celebration of creativity and storytelling.”
Attendees can expect an array of activities, including cosplay, vendors, face painting, crafts, free comic book giveaways, games, and a selfie station with props. Live demonstrations will feature Katanatalk with Scott Takahashi from RVA Katana, Japanese kimono tying with Yoshiko Nakamura, LARPing (live-action role-playing) with Muninn Myst, and Crocheting Your Way to Cosplay with Kai Pooler-Drummond.
One of the highlights of CRRL-Con is the cosplay contest, which will take place from noon to 2:30 p.m., followed by a parade and awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Registration for the contest is open online or onsite, and prizes will be awarded across various age categories, as well as for group entries and special awards such as crowd favorite and most in-character.
Judges for the cosplay contest are Collette Riddle and Molly Lucas, both costume makers for local theater companies.
In addition to the cosplay contest, CRRL-Con will feature authors such as Mackenzie Friel, an indie sci-fi fantasy author, and William LJ Galaini, known for his works spanning sci-fi, horror, historical, and satire genres.
CRRL-Con is not just about fun and games; it also serves as a platform to promote literacy and storytelling. “Offering a variety of events like CRRL-Con broadens the library’s appeal and makes it a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone in our community,” said Bonney. “It’s an opportunity for attendees to explore the creative worlds found in books, graphic novels, manga, and other forms of media.”
Since its inception in 2014, CRRL-Con has grown in popularity, attracting several hundred attendees each year. Although the event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, successful virtual editions were held in 2021 and 2022. The return to in-person programming in 2023 saw a turnout of 525 attendees, highlighting the enduring appeal of CRRL-Con within the community.
In conjunction with CRRL-Con, related events such as Comic Art Day and the Comic Art Show at the Salem Church Branch in Spotsylvania County, as well as the CRRL-Con Comedy Show at Howell Branch, will further enhance the celebration of comic culture in Stafford County.
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Stafford County Public Schools will commence kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 academic year on March 6. Parents and guardians of children who reach the age of five by September 30, 2024, are encouraged to complete the online registration process.
Several documents are requisite for enrollment, including a driver's license or photo ID for the parent or guardian, the child's official birth certificate, current physical and updated immunization records before the school's opening, and proof of residence or domicile. The latter entails providing a deed, lease, or tax bill, along with two additional current documents, such as utility bills tied to the home, employment verification, tax documents, or other official correspondences.
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The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) is set to cease operations at the Barbara J. Fried Center Joint Use Branch on Friday, February 16, 2024. The decision, according to a library spokesman, stems from several factors.
Firstly, the library usage at the Barbara J. Fried Campus branch of Germanna Community College on Old Potomac Church Road, near Stafford Hospital, did not meet the anticipated levels. Additionally, the current Fried Center location is scheduled for closure in late 2024, with plans to relocate to a new site just off Route 610 in North Stafford. The library system already operates the Porter Branch Library, off Parkway Boulevard, near where the new campus will sit.
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In a move to streamline its social media presence, Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) announced the deactivation of its X (formerly Twitter) account. The decision was made in response to low user engagement on the platform. Sean Bonney, a spokesman for the library, provided insight into the decision, stating, “CRRL focuses on connecting with users in our service region, and unfortunately, the X account did not generate the desired level of engagement.”
According to Bonney, CRRL, which serves the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland, commits to reaching its community through various channels. While the X account has been deactivated, the library assured that its events, services, and news will continue to be actively promoted on CRRL’s other social media accounts. There are no plans to add or remove any additional accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Flickr.
Bonney emphasized the library’s dedication to providing diverse services to the community. He stated, “CRRL offers a wide range of resources in our eight facilities, through our mobile delivery services, and online at our award-winning website librarypoint.org. Our goal is to effectively engage with our patrons and keep them informed about the valuable services we offer.”
The decision to deactivate the account was made in September 2023.
According to a report from Similar Web, in September 2023, global web traffic to Twitter experienced a significant decline, with a -14% year-over-year decrease on twitter.com and a -16.5% drop on the ads.twitter.com portal for advertisers, according to Similarweb estimates. In the U.S., which contributes about a quarter of twitter.com’s traffic, September saw a steeper decline of -19%.
However, platform owner Elon Musk’s profile and posts on Twitter experienced a notable positive trend, with a 96% year-over-year increase in traffic in September. Despite the decline, Twitter’s competitors have not significantly lured away its user base. Musk’s ownership has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding his $44 million acquisition of the company in 2022 and his ongoing feud with the media, Similar Web reported.
Central Rappahannock Regional Library:Â “Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s Uniquely Stafford Art Show at Porter Branch has been rescheduled.”
“Show dates: January 17-March 15. Submissions accepted online: January 2-6. Opening reception: Thursday, January 18, 6:00-7:30 p.m.”
“Artists ages 18 and up are invited to apply. Artistic works must illustrate scenes which are unique to Stafford County. Categories: Natural Media (Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Mixed) Digital/Photography (Photography, Computer Generated).”
“Awards generously donated by the Friends of the Library. Best in Show: $500. Prizes are awarded in each category.”
- First Place: $250
- Second Place: $125
- Third Place: $75
- Honorable Mention: $50.
More details can be found online.
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library will reduce hours at some of its library locations.
Several area jurisdictions, including Stafford and Spotsylvania counties and Fredericksburg, contract with CRRL to provide library services.
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Central Rappahannock Regional Library: “Bring your chairs or blankets to join us Monday nights at Fredericksburg Branch for Music on the Steps. This concert series, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is in its 38th year and features a wide range of talent for relaxed summer evenings.”
Prince William County Public Libary: “Prince William Public Libraries’ 2023 Summer Reading program is centered around kindness, friendship, and unity with the theme, “All Together Now.” From June 20 – August 20, come into any of our 12 libraries to register for Summer Reading. You can also register online at pwcva.gov/library or through the Beanstack Tracker app on your smartphone.”
“This year’s Summer Reading program has something for all ages. Game cards are uniquely designed for Babies and Toddlers, Preschool – Grade 5, and Grades 6 – 12, with fun activities to complete that encourage participants to learn more about library services and programs and to read books to meet goals and win prizes. This year’s program also includes a challenge for adults by encouraging them to complete activities or read books all summer.”
Central Rappahannock Regional Library: “READ is the word for this summer, and the all-ages Summer Reading Challenge is now open. There are so many good books in the library! Check out the list of Staff Picks for May for recommended reading from your librarians.”
The Friends of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library is marking its 50th anniversary with a special membership drive.
The Friends is a volunteer-run non-profit organization established in 1973 to raise funds to enhance the services of Central Rappahannock Regional Library, focus public attention on the library, and support the library in developing library services and facilities for the region.
The Friends raise funds through the Friends of the Library Center & Bookshop and bookshops in all library branches except Towne Centre and through membership dues. Funds support professional development, enhancing the abilities of library staff to offer excellent services and programs for the public, including virtual author talks from New York Times-bestselling authors and thought leaders, the Music on the Steps summer concert series, the Claudia Emerson Teen Poetry Contest, and the Johnny P. Johnson Teen Art Show.
The Friends are offering membership rewards in April for current members who renew and new members who join. Memberships are available at multiple levels, each of which earn different rewards, including travel picnic blankets, lunch totes, sports bottles, and clings and decals. Friends of the Library are eligible to become members of the Virginia Credit Union and Topside Federal Credit Union.
