05/23/2026
On May 31, please join Rochester Library at The Hub (former HS building) for a free screening of The Climate Future Film Festival . This collection of 10 short films from around the world explore life and art as a response to climate change. Leading climate action voice Bill McKibben (Middlebury College) served as Honorary Judge and anchors the festival with a videotaped introduction. There will be a Q & A session immediately following, guided by Vermont Senator Ruth Hardy, local author Chelsea Steinauer-Scudder of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light, Tegan Murray of the Rochester Area Climate Initiative, and Evelyn Seidner from the VT Natural Resources Council. Many thanks to the partners of Rochester Library in making this event happen: Climate Future Film Festival, The Valley Hub, VT Natural Resources Council, and the Rochester Area Climate Initiative. Thanks as well to our amazing panelists for their commitment to this issue. And a special thanks to Diane Teetsel, film festival volunteer extraordinaire. This screening is free and open to the public. Snacks will be available for purchase.
Valley Hub Auditorium, Sunday, May 31, 2 PM.
This summer, Rochester Public Library will help you get prepared for unexpected events. Please join us on Saturday, June 6 for the Personal Emergency Preparedness Class, with Misha McNabb, MA-EMEL, VT-CEMD, NRP–all of which means she is a medical and logistics expert in emergency preparation and response. Misha presents this course as a member of the Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps, which is a volunteer agency that activates during public health crises. Volunteers include medical, public health, and general professionals who are dedicated to preparing communities in health matters, encouraging town resiliency–the more we can do right here in Rochester, the less we’ll need to rely on help from elsewhere.
The course will cover a variety of topics, from anticipating hazards at home and at work to basic lifesaving, to storing emergency supplies and creating your own plan. Go-bag starter kits will be given to each household participating; these include and emergency blanket, flashlight, a quick-reference guide and other items.
This is a free course, happening on June 6 at 10 AM. Child care is available!
In addition to this course, RPL will be adding emergency response items to our Library of Things. This will include things like solar-powered generators, outdoor-rated extension cords, walkie-talkies, a solar oven, a portable hotspot, cleaning supplies and PPE, a handcrank weather radio, and perhaps some more. What would you like to see added?
On June 2, and each first Tuesday of the month, please join us at RPL for a masked story time. We’ll meet in the children’s rooms for some sweet stories and then enjoy the many wonderful things that can be found there! We’ll explore art, movement, science, and building, balancing free play with guided activity. Our group will be meeting before the official opening time of the library; everyone in the library during this hour will be masked. Additionally, the library’s air purifier will be running and windows open as weather permits.
N95 masks are available if needed (adult size only). Please make sure masks are covering both the nose and mouth, and please stay home if you are sick or have recently spent time around someone else who is sick. All ages are welcome! Masks are required for anyone over the age of 2. 10-11 AM
This summer, RPL is super-excited to be offering Page Turners Summer Reading for kids! We’ll have a gorgeous kick-off party on June 27, with treats, Granville Daze, Tshirts, a special after-hours library hour just for participants to check out books , and face painting! This will be a fun and gentle program, with children setting their own goals for the summer. There will be lots of treats and celebrations when weekly or monthly goals are met, and some very cool experiences to enjoy at the end of summer. I promise, this will be the most fun you’ve EVER had reading, EVER. Starting Saturday, June 27, 12 - 2 PM
Astronomy Season is here, and so are the clouds!! We’ve had to rearrange things a few times now, but I bet THIS month will be perfect for star gazing! Join us on Saturday, June 6 at 10 PM (ah, summer–it never gets dark!) at Liberty Hill Farm. Rain date is Friday, June 13. Any change in date or location will be posted on Front Porch Forum and on the library’s page. Thank you, as always, to Liberty Hill Farm!
DumbleDorks are back! If you love all things Harry Potter, stop in any summer Thursday and find stories to listen to, Hogwarts-inspired crafts, movies, games…it’ll be like you are right there with Harry, Ron, and Hermione! Starting June 25; all ages.
Stories in the Park is off to a snozzwanger of a start! We’ll meet most market Fridays for delights and wonders; bring a story to tell me! There will, alas, be no Stories on May 29th. See you again on June 5th at 3:30!
Regular programming continues with Purls of Wisdom Handcrafting on Tuesdays at 1:30. And NOW, our new evening crafting group, Knit at Knite! That’s on Thursday evenings at 6 PM. On Thursdays thru June 11, join us for The Preschoolers’ Rumpus at 3. The Writers’ Workshop with Amy Braun happens on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 1 PM; next one is June 20..
Our Library of Things has everything you need this summer! From yard games to a canopy, from tools to bike helmets, we can make whatever you’ve got planned easier (and cheaper!) to manage. Browse the nearly 400 items on our online catalog, which you can reach through our website, rochesterVTpubliclibrary.com .
And while you’re there, check out our calendar for the very latest info and events.
Thank you so much for your support–we wouldn’t be here without you!
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11-6, Saturdays, 9-12. [email protected].
