Submitted by Stephanie Piro Nolan

Appointment Free Browsing!
Starting on June 1, the Rochester Public Library will be open for browsing without needing an appointment!  Our hours will now be: Mon-Wed 9:00-8:00, Thur.-Fri 9:00-5:00

“As we continue to see NH vaccination rates go up and Covid-19 cases go down, it is time to return to more normal library service,” says Library Director Marie Lejeune. RPL to-Go, the Library’s curbside service, will continue through the summer, and possibly longer. Also starting on June 1, patrons will be able to check out books on all floors of the Library; this should minimize waiting in line at the often-busy Main Desk.  And resuming on June 1 are Tech Help appointments; anyone needing help with Library related technology can call the Library to schedule an appointment.  

Initially, the Library will be open at half capacity. “This shouldn’t have any impact on patrons using the main or second floors of the Library, but it may impact families using the Children’s Room.  We will be as accommodating as we can for families, but this is the age group that doesn’t yet have access to vaccinations, so we are erring on the side of caution,” says Lejeune, “Still we hope families will feel comfortable coming to the Library; the Children’s Room is getting ready to start its Summer Reading Program on June 21st, and they have a number of outdoor programs planned.”  Summer Reading Programs for Teens and Adults are also being planned.”

What’s On Display
This week we have a fun DVD display curated by Main Desk Librarian, Nick.

1. The Birds and the Bees features nonfiction nature documentaries and fictional films using those themes. Here are a few of the available titles:
2. Birdsong
3. Bee Season
4. A Birder’s Guide to Everything
5. Silence of the Bees
6. H is for Hawk
7. Lady Bird
8. Honey Land
9. One of our current book displays is Books in Bloom which focuses on garden and floral titles. Here is a selection of titles from the display:
10. Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster by Scott Wilbanks
11. Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlin
12. Dark Rose by Erin Kelly
13. The Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Be A Friend
The RPL Needs YOU! If you love the Library and want to help in various fundraising and other projects, then consider joining the Friends of the Library! Contact us at rplfriends@gmail.com FMI!

Kait Recommends
Assistant Librarian, Kait, is back with some more great recommendations: “Today I’d like to share some of my favorite mystery books with you! I think you’ll enjoy these if you like: headstrong girls solving crimes, villains with perfect smiles, and that spine-tingling feeling you get when something scary is about to happen!”

1. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
2. Embassy Row by Ally Carter
3. The Diviners by Libba Bray
4. In Her Skin by Kim Savage
5. Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
6. The Game by Linsey Miller

Children’s Room
Bridging the Remote Learning Gap! With just two months left, we are still offering these project-based activity packages. Geared towards school-age children, the packages include a “how-to” video for children, a “how to help” video for adults, written instructions, and most of the supplies needed. Some items, such as scissors, staplers, or glue, are not included. Fifty activity kits will be available each month. Families wishing to participate can call the Children’s Room at 335-7549 to subscribe to the program. Please go to our website for further information, or give us a call.

Contacting RPL

1. Visit the Library’s website: https://rpl.lib.nh.us/
2. Email the reference librarian: Rplreference@rochesternh.net.
3. Message us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rplnh/ or https://www.facebook.com/RPLChildrensRoom/
4. or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochesterpubliclibrarynh