Upcoming events at Portsmouth Public Library and Rye Public Library

PORTSMOUTH – If the rain is getting you down, the air quality is hazy, or the heat is unbeatable, your local library is the place to visit. Take advantage of the air conditioning, attend an outdoor program, or check out a read on the beach or an audiobook for your drive along the coast. Kids and parents can get rewards and prizes for their reading, you can request personalized recommendations, and you can even learn something new – about cooking, history, literature, or society! Here’s everything that happens in your library, even at the end of summer …

Portsmouth Public Library

The Portsmouth Public Library is back to its normal hours with no restrictions on how long you visit or the number of people in most parts of the building. However, capacity and time are still limited in the youth services area. Families and teens are encouraged to make an appointment to visit Youth Services to ensure that your preferred time is booked. Call the library at 603-766-1740. Please note that anyone over the age of 6 is still required to wear a face mask when entering the library, and at all times in the building. The library continues to serve a population that, at the moment, cannot be vaccinated, and thanks the community for helping to ensure the safety of everyone, especially its younger visitors.

The Summer Reading runs until August 31 and is open to all ages, including adults. The theme is Tails & Tales. The library uses an online platform called Beanstack, where you can save your reading and earn rewards and prizes. It’s even easier this year to read newspapers for the whole family. Register today.

The library currently offers outdoor Sunday summer yoga, every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on the grounds next to the library, until August 22. This program is offered rain or shine, in a tent. Registration is compulsory.

Are you looking for ideas for all your vegetables, fresh from the farm or from the garden? The library will be offering “Summer Salads” with Vanessa Young of Thirsty Radis on Monday August 9 at 7 pm online. Learn new preparation methods, ingredient combinations and homemade dressings for colorful and tasty salads to keep you satisfied throughout the season. Registration is compulsory.

History and animal lovers are invited to attend the library’s August local history conference, “The Secret Life of Appledore’s Seagulls” with Dr. Sarah Courchesne, on Tuesday August 17 from 19 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. online. Or, learn how to find genealogical clues in the digital collections of the Library of Congress and the National Archives at the next genealogy workshop on Thursday, August 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This course will be taught by Bryna O’Sullivan. Registration is required for both events.

If you are fascinated by the untold stories of our history, attend an online conference hosted by several local libraries on Thursday, August 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., “Whaling Captains of Color: America’s First Meritocracy,” with author Skip Finley. No registration is required.

Lovers of literature and theater should register for the first of the library’s monthly Shakespeare discussion group meetings. Tuesday August 31 from 4 pm to 5 pm, the discussion will focus on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Watch the play in the library or watch one of the many productions available for free online, and get ready to read some lyrical lyrics on Puck, Titania or Bottom! This program is open to adults and adolescents, and registration is required.

The library just announced its eighth session of Standing Up to Racism, a four-week crash course that will teach you how to be an ally and help dismantle the racist system. Spaces are selling fast in this course, so register today for meetings on Thursdays, September 9-30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The weekly meditation is now outdoors, as well as online! Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m., meet in the library garden or log in to Zoom to meditate with others. Led by volunteer instructors, this beloved program has been in existence for six years. No registration required.

The library also hosts five adult book clubs (fiction, speculative fiction, LGBTQ, classics and a general book discussion), a world affairs discussion group, and five different language discussion groups. No registration is required for these ongoing events – visit the website to find out more.

Storytelling hours at the library will take a break this month and return in September. In the meantime, emerging readers are invited to spend time with the Library’s Outdoor Reading Dogs on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the library’s garden. Registration is required – to register for a 15-minute appointment, call the library’s youth services office.

Teens are encouraged to sign up for a teenage take-out – these book boxes include snacks, activities, and a library swap. The boxes will be delivered on August 20. And the conclusion of the Summer Reading for Teens will take place on Tuesday, August 17 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Or join the library’s outdoor group Teen Dungeons and Dragons for a bi-weekly role-play journey with sword slashes and magical missile fire into mystical worlds. Register and attend Tuesday August 10 and 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. At Middle School Paint Night on Wednesday, August 25 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., budding artists will follow along online with a painting tutorial. Registration is compulsory.

Book clubs for young people and tweens also include Blast Off (grades K – 2), Grades 3 & 4, Grades 4 & 5 and Middle School Book Club. Other ongoing events include Take & Make kits for young people and teenagers!

Questions? Call 603-427-1540, email libraryevents@cityofportsmouth.com or visit cityofportsmouth.com/library. To register and connect to events, visit the full calendar.

Rye public library

On Wednesday, August 11 at 3 p.m. at the Rye Public Library, come listen to the sweet sounds of the Caribbean. Ipa and Greg Islandside will be playing new reggae and old standards like “Stir It Up” by Bob Marley and “Day-Oh” by Harry Belafonte. Bring your chair and enjoy the summer music outside.

Thursday Story Time with Marcia will take place every Thursday at 10:30 am All story times are outdoors, weather permitting. In case of bad weather, they will be indoors with a maximum of 17 participants. On Thursday August 5, celebrate friendship with heartwarming books and a group handprint friendship tree. On Thursday August 12, the frogs jump into the library. Triple RIBBITS, so many fantastic books on frogs! On Thursday August 19, this little pig goes to the market. Another little pig goes to story time! And, on Thursday, August 26, meet new canine friends and say goodbye to the summer heat waves.

Questions? Contact Gwen Putnam-Bailey at 964-8401, or visit www.ryepubliclibrary.org.