Brooks Memorial Library

The 2015 Brattleboro Literary Festival will take place October 1-4, 2015. The Festival is a four-day celebration of those who read books, those who write books, and of the books themselves. Located in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont, the Festival includes readings, panel discussions, and special events, featuring emerging and established authors. All events are FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Visit the for more info and a full schedule of events, venues and author listings. http://brattleboroliteraryfestival.org/

Did you know the library has three iPads available for in-house use? iPads are easy to use, mobile, and lightweight. They are perfect for browsing, reading, and much more. Visit the Brooks Memorial Library circulation desk to try one today!

This fall, the Brooks Memorial Library will be hosting a number of book talks with Green Mountain Book Award authors. The Green Mountain Book Award (GMBA) is the Vermont Reader’s Choice Award for grades 9-12. Most teens in high school in Vermont are encouraged to read some of the books on the nominated list in their classes at school.

The first of these Skype talks will be held on September 28 @ 6:30 on the third floor meeting room in the library. This talk will be with author Andrew Smith about his book “Winger.”Andrew Smith is an award-winning author of several Young Adult novels, including the critically acclaimed “Grasshopper Jungle” and his Green Mountain Nominated Book, “Winger.” His most recent book, “Alex Crow,” is the ninth novel he has published. Andrew Smith lives in Southern California.

Please join Radha Buko today, Wednesday, September 9, 7:30 PM for a talk on her memoir. When Hitler invades Poland in 1939, newlyweds Józef and Marysia Buko are catapulted into a sudden and heart-wrenching seven year separation. Each faces life threatening situations demanding courage, faith, and resilience if the couple is ever to see each other again. The event is free and open to the public. 

Vermont author Tereska Buko and Brattleboro artist Lerna will be speaking about Ms. Buko’s newly published book, The General’s Barber and the Seamstress: A Polish Love Story (Red Barn Books of Vermont).

Library technology: All Your Questions Answered! CANCELLED FOR JULY, RESUMING IN AUGUST (8/4 and 8/7). 

Join Reference Librarian Jeanne Walsh on the first Tuesday (4 PM to 6 PM) and first Friday (11 AM to 1PM) of the month for one-on-one help on the various aspects of library technology, such as downloading e-books and e-audio; accessing your library account to place holds, renew your items, suggest new titles for the collection, make lists of your favorite titles to share with your fellow library users. Get help with online tasks like filling out forms and emailing attachments.…and more. NO QUESTIONS ARE TOO SMALL OR TOO SILLY! Bring your devices if you have them: iPads, smartphones, laptops, etc.

Wednesday, June 10, at 7 PM, join writer, teacher, and journalist, Nan Levinson, for a reading and discussion of her latest book  War Is Not a Game: The New Antiwar Soldiers and the Movement They Built. Written with sensitivity and humor, War Is Not a Game gives readers an uncensored, grunt’s-eye view of the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan, while conveying the equally dramatic struggles that soldiers face upon returning home. 

On July 23, 2004, five marines, two soldiers, and one airman became the most unlikely of antiwar activists. Young and gung-ho when they first signed up to defend their country, they were sent to fight a war that left them confused, enraged, and haunted. Once they returned home, they became determined to put their disillusionment to use. So that sultry summer evening, they mounted the stage of Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall and announced the launch of Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Come watch the parade and shop for some great books! 

The Friends of the Library’s June Book Sale will be held on Thursday, June 4 from 1PM to 6PM, Friday, June 5 from 10AM to 6PM and Saturday, June 6 from 10AM to 2PM. A great collection of hardback, paperback and coffee table books plus audio books, music CDs and DVD movies. Lots of fiction on sale and non-fiction titles include gardening, travel, sports, science, music and art, biography, history, how-to, cooking and much more! 

Please join writers  for an evening of readings, Wednesday, June 3, at 7 PM, in the Library’s Meeting Room.

Peter Gould is a writer, director, teacher, adjunct professor at Brandeis University and World Learning, and founder of “Get Thee to the Funnery” summer Shakespeare programs for teens.

His most recent book is Write Naked. Published by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, it is a story of two Vermont teenagers who fall in love as they encourage each other to be honest, artistically expressive, and dedicated to fighting global climate change.

Join Reference Librarian Jeanne Walsh for drop-in hours at the Reference Desk on the first Tuesday of every month, 4:00-6:00 and first Friday of every month, 11:00-1:00.

Get started with downloadable e-books and e-audio, and learn about searching and placing holds in the library catalog. Access your library account to place holds, renew your items, suggest new titles for the collection, and make reading lists for yourself or to share with other library users. Get help with online tasks like filling out forms and emailing attachments…and more.

NO QUESTIONS ARE TOO SMALL OR TOO SILLY! Bring your devices if you have them: iPads, smartphones, laptops, etc.

Revenge: Explore this passionate and provocative human desire through drama, short stories, and novels with Vermont Humanities Scholar Richard Wizansky. Last title in the four-part series: The Sweet Hereafter by Russell Banks, Weds. May 27, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the meeting room. Book are available for checkout at the circulation desk. The event is free and open to the public. Welcome! 

For more information contact Brooks Library by phone at 802-254-5290 ext 0, by email at info@brookslibraryvt.org, or on the web at brookslibraryvt.org. Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Location Meeting Room, 2nd Floor.