Library Books Are Quarantined at Brooks Memorial Library!

Dear Library Community,

If anyone has been wondering why items are still showing up on their account after returning them to the Big Blue Book Drop, here is why

Don’t worry, we no longer charge any fines. they may accrue, but we delete them as soon as the item comes back to us!

Step 1: items are returned in the Big Blue Book Drop in the Municipal Parking Lot.


Get your Sunflower Seeds at Brooks Memorial Library!!!

Brooks Memorial Library is part of the Growing Hope Campaign!

Come to the Main Street library entrance from 10AM – 5PM, Monday – Saturday, up a sign that says sunflowers, growing hope, or even a picture of a sunflower and we will give you a packet of seeds for you to plant! You can also request seeds when you order items through our curbside service.

The Growing Hope Campaign is a partnership between Brooks Memorial Library and Building a Positive Community in Brattleboro, to distribute sunflower seeds to people who would like to have some hope growing, wherever they are. You can now get sunflowers from Brooks Memorial Library, with curbside pickup. Packets may also be found at the tiny libraries on Spruce Street, Coombs Street, and near the Oak Grove School. Please let us know if they have run out!


Brooks Memorial Library Curbside Service!

If you wondered what it is like behind the scenes here at Brooks Memorial Library, here is a sample of some items that are checked out, bagged up, dated, and ready to go!

Please make sure to tell us what day (and time if possible) you plan to come, and make sure to bring a sign to display at the door. That way we can match the name on the bag with your name to avoid mistakes, while reducing direct contact 


Big Blue Book Book Drop for Brooks Memorial Library Book Returns!

Dear Library Community,

When bringing items back to us, please place them in the Big Blue Drop Box, immediately on the left when you enter the municipal lot (near where the police station used to be).

There is a handy parking spot reserved for your car, and you can drop them in from the driver’s side window Walkers are welcome!


Free Irish Music Concert and Book Launch: Doiminic Mac Giolla Bhríde, with Frances Morton

Join us at 6:30 pm on Monday, June 3rd, as we welcome internationally known Irish musician, Doiminic Mac Giolla Bhríde, and his partner, Frances Morton! They will be giving a FREE concert of his own sean-nós music, after introducing his second Irish-language children’s book, Polcaphonc. He will play a few fun songs from the book!

About the book: Polcaphonc (Polka Dot)
The Songbook/CD for kids by Dominic Mac Giolla Bhríde (from the artists who created Icí Pící), has English (Béarla) translations for each song.


Brooks Memorial Library First Floor Closed May 13th – May 21st

Sections of the library’s first floor and mezzanine will be curtained off and closed from May 13 through June 4 including two days (May 20 and 21) when the entire lower level will be inaccessible. We thank you for your patience as we install a new ceiling, more efficient lighting, and air vents that will minimize noise while making the most of our new HVAC system. The Children’s Room and Teen Room will be open throughout these phases of construction.


Free Author Talk at Brooks Library: Independence Corrupted

Join us at 7 pm on Monday, May 6th,  in the Main Reading Room at Brooks Memorial Library,  as author Charles Schudson presents a FREE presentation about his new book, Independence Corrupted: How America’s Judges Make Their Decisions.

With twenty-two years in America’s courts, Judge Schudson knows the factors affecting judicial decision-making.  With scholarship and impassioned accounts of compelling cases, he brings readers behind the trial bench to see judges analyzing actual trials and sentencings – of abortion protesters, sex predators, murderers, white supremacists….


Free Hip Hop Concert with Rebel Diaz

Join us at 8 pm on Friday, May 10th, as Brooks Memorial Library hosts a kid-friendly concert by hip hop artists, Rebel Diaz! Doors will open at 7:30 pm.

Rebel Diaz is a political hip hop duo out of the Bronx, New York and Chicago, IL consisting of the Chilean brothers Rodstarz (Rodrigo Venegas) and G1 (Gonzalo Venegas). Rebel Diaz uses their music as an organizing tool and to spread knowledge about injustice.


Brooks Memorial Library Children’s Room will be Closed: Week of May 6th

Brooks Memorial Library will be undergoing some minor renovations in May, beginning with new ceiling tiles in the Children’s Room.

Unfortunately, there is no way to safely remain open during this process, so beginning May 6th, the Children’s Room will be closed for about a week. You will still be able to enter the library from the second floor entrance, and use the elevator or stairs to access materials on the Mezzanine, and in the Main Reading Room.


Free Diversity Day Film Screening: I Am From Here

Join us at 7 pm on Thursday, May 2nd as we present a FREE screening of the movie: I Am From Here, in honor of Diversity Day.

This is an instructional film, originally created for public school staff, teachers, and administrators in Vermont. It was commissioned by the Vermont-NEA Racial Justice Task Force in collaboration with the National Education Association. Bess O’Brien from Kingdom County Productions produced the 30-minute film. She interviewed parents, community members, educators, and students from Vermont. Bess filmed their accounts of living in and going to school in Vermont.


Compassion: Town Government and the Police – A Free Panel Discussion

Join us on at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 24th, at Brooks Memorial Library, as Compassionate Brattleboro brings Brattleboro Town officials together for an FREE, open panel discussion.

Speakers will include: Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell, Police Chief Michael Fitzgerald, a member of the Brattleboro Selectboard, and Doug Cox, moderator. This program is a part of Compassionate Brattleboro’s series of conversations around exploring how to make compassion actionable in Brattleboro.


Free Foundation Fundraising Workshop

Join us at 1 pm on Thursday, April 25th, at Brooks Memorial Library, as Richard Wizansky of Bold Moves Consulting joins our own Jeanne Walsh for a FREE public program about foundation fundraising…


Jill Lepore: These Truths – Free Author Talk

Join us at 7 pm on Saturday, April 27th, at Brooks Memorial Library, as Harvard professor, New Yorker staff writer, and best-selling author gives a FREE public talk about her new book, in our Main Reading Room. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.


Meet Your Brattleboro State Representatives!

At 10 am on Saturday, April 6th,  join your three Brattleboro State Representatives for a casual conversation about what’s been happening in Montpelier and beyond.  Mollie S. Burke, Tristan Toleno, and Emily Kornheiser offer you the opportunity to speak with them directly about issues that concern you.
Childcare is available upon request, and if you need it, please email emiliekornheiser@gmail.com.


Compassion and Human Services: A Free Discussion Panel

Join us at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, March 27th, at Brooks Memorial Library, as Compassionate Brattleboro brings speakers from around the community together for an FREE, open panel discussion. Speakers will include: Chloe Learey and Margaret Atkinson of Winston Prouty Center; David Schoales, Moderator.


VISION 2020: Global Climate Change Advocate Dr. Edward Cameron, with the Climate Café

At 6:30 pm on Tuesday, April 2, Brooks Memorial Library and the Climate Café are pleased to welcome back Dr. Edward Cameron, a global climate change advocate with many years of experience working with the EU and other international organizations to to support bold actions towards the  pursuit of a low-carbon, climate-resilient and inclusive global economy.

In this presentation, he will present the key lessons from the IPCC 1.5C report and outline a vision for building a low-carbon, climate-resilient and inclusive economy in Vermont, throughout the United States, and across the globe. He will look beyond challenges towards climate change, and explore how each of us can use this moment to build a just and sustainable world for all.


An Army Physician’s Experience in Vietnam 1968-1969

At 7 pm on Monday, March 25th, join Dr. Robert Tortolani in the Brooks Memorial Liberary Community Meeting Room, where he will share some of his personal experiences during his time of service as a medic during the Vietnam War.  He will show slides and a film from his personal collection, followed by an open discussion.


Know Your Rights in the Era of #MeToo

At 6 pm on Wednesday, March 27th, join the Women’s Action Team and the Women’s Freedom Center at Brooks Memorial Library, for an open community conversation: Know Your Rights in the Era of #MeToo.

The #MeToo Movement has clearly changed the cultural landscape. But how do we know if it’s safe to speak about our experiences of harm, especially in public?