Brooks Memorial Library

Brooks Memorial Library Enters Next Phase of Construction

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

The next phase of Brooks Memorial Library’s renovation project will begin on Monday, July 27, 2026. This phase includes the closure of the sidewalk in front of the library’s Main Street entrance, as well as the accessible ramp connecting the Municipal Center parking lot to the library’s rear entrance. Crews will remove and replace the sidewalk in front of the library and Municipal Center, as well as the connecting accessible walkway.

Although the sidewalk directly in front of the library will be closed, patrons will still be able to access the Main Street entrance by approaching from the south side of the building through a fenced area. The upper entrance will remain closed during this phase. The stairway leading from the front of the Municipal Center to Main Street will also be closed. Parking will not be available in front of the library during this phase. An accessible parking space and a 15-minute parking space will be available just south of the library. Library patrons can also park in the Municipal Center parking lot, on Grove Street, or in the Harris Lot.

Lindsay Bellville Appointed Interim Director of Brooks

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro has appointed Lindsay Bellville the Interim Director of Brooks Memorial Library while the search for a permanent library director continues. Bellville will step into the role on June 29, 2026.

Bellville has served the Brattleboro community through Brooks Memorial Library for more than two decades. She joined the library in 2004 as Assistant Children’s Librarian and earned her master’s degree in library science while working at Brooks. In 2015, she became Children’s Librarian, and following the library’s 2016 renovation and expansion of teen services, her position evolved into Youth Services Librarian, overseeing services for children and teens.

Brooks Memorial Library Director Resigns, Candidate Search to Resume

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro has received and accepted the resignation of Brooks Memorial Library Director Julie Perrin. Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Friday, May 29, 2026, as the Town makes plans to resume the search for the next library director.

“The Town will be heading in a different direction, and we intend to resume our efforts immediately,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter. “We’re committed to
identifying a strong candidate and grateful for the dedication of library staff and the community’s patience during this transition in leadership.”

Town of Brattleboro Names Julie Perrin Next Director of Brooks Memorial Library

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is pleased to announce the appointment of Brooks Memorial Library’s next Director, Julie Perrin. Perrin, who has spent the past nine years leading the Jaffrey Public Library in Jaffrey, NH, brings extensive experience in library program development, grant writing, and operations management. She will begin on May 11, 2026.

“We’re excited to have someone with Julie’s clear passion and original thought to pick up the thread and help write the next chapter at Brooks Memorial Library,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter. “She’s an experienced leader with a proven track record that includes efficient management, capital fundraising, and facility project management, which is especially important as Brooks undergoes renovations over the next year.”

A Lifeline for Difficult Times: The Taking Solace Series March: Come See Me in the Good Light film

by CenterforSolace | Media

Wednesday, March 4th at 6 pm: “Come See Me in the Good Light”. This is a poignant and unexpectedly funny love story about poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley facing an incurable cancer diagnosis with joy, wit and an unshakable partnership. Through laughter and unwavering love, they transform pain into purpose, and mortality into a loving celebration of resilience.

This will be held on the Main Floor of Brooks Memorial Library.

Brooks Memorial Library Director Starr LaTronica to Retire in Spring 2026

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro and the Board of Trustees of Brooks Memorial Library today announced the retirement of Brooks Memorial Library Director Starr LaTronica following a decade of transformative service to Brattleboro. LaTronica plans to step down from her position on April 25, 2026.

“Starr’s commitment to community connection and innovation in Brattleboro has firmly established the library as a centerpiece of our town,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter. “We are immensely grateful for her leadership and wish her a wonderful, book- filled retirement.”

LaTronica has had a distinguished career in library service. After graduating from UC Berkeley in 1980, she worked as a children’s librarian at the Berkeley Public Library before relocating to upstate New York, where she held a prominent role as the Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator for the Four County Library System. She was also president of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, and has served as a member of numerous book award committees.

A Lifeline for Difficult Times: The Taking Solace Series January’s topic: Climate and Ecological Grief: An Exploration

by CenterforSolace | Questions & Answers

In the midst of multiple challenges happening in our world, living with the growing effects of climate change can be overwhelming. Feelings such as grief, sadness, fear, guilt, despair, and helplessness can be held in community as we witness the ongoing destruction of our planetary home.

Join us on January 7th at 6pm as we slow down and create a place where we can share our feelings about what we are witnessing. This is not a venue for problem solving, it’s a place to express and share our feelings about how the earth is rapidly changing.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – A Long Winter’s Eve and It’s A Wonderful Life

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard december 2

Despite the weather conditions, the Brattleboro Selectboard went forth with their first meeting of December.  Being a very long meeting, I decided to jump in somewhere around the time of the discussion of health care changes and voting on RTM, which appeared on the agenda for roughly 8:15, which was actually more like 9pm.

The board covered the DPW, Rec & Parks, Library and DID budget requests. Interestingly, they decided to hold public hearing to gather important feedback from the public about declaring an emergency and making it more difficult for social service and charitable use organizations to exist. This will be at a special meeting of the selectboard to be held December 22nd, overseen by Mr. Potter. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 2, 2025

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will continue work on the FY27 budget at their first regular meeting in December. From the way it is scheduled, this could be a VERY long meeting. The agenda-setters have the final item beginning AFTER 10 PM, and we all know how good they are at estimating agenda starting times.

In addition to hearing from Rec & Parks, the Library, the downtown organization, and Public Works about their budgets for FY27, the board will take up the bigger items of a change of health care providers, a discussion of options for voting to end Representative Town meeting, a new potential zoning change to start controlling “social assistance or charitable services” through conditional use permits, a monthly budget update, and anything else the public wants to bring up during public participation.

Navigating Grief During Holidays (and Anytime)

by CenterforSolace | Town News

Come join us in December to explore this universal topic:  whatever we may celebrate, losing or missing a loved one at holidays (or birthdays & other milestones) can certainly compound our grief.  How do we hold space for that added emotion, as well as honor the lives of those we’ve lost?

Caz Clark on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Town News

CAZ CLARK fills a place in our town we didn’t even know we needed. Working at our Food Co-op, Caz interacts with folks in need and finds ways to help connect them to many local organizations. Caz has a view of Brattleboro that’s gritty, real, timely and hopeful.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Delayed Western Ave Bridge Project Much Better; Won’t Happen For Years

by cgrotke | Town News
brattleboro selectboard feb 18 2025

VTrans came back to the Brattleboro Selectboard, granting their wish to pay less for the bridge on Western Avenue. The board was happy, but wouldn’t sign the documentation quite yet. And there is also the matter of VTrans not being able to build the bridge or even put the bridge project on their construction schedule yet. Maybe by 2027 or 2030? No one knew what the future might bring. It will be a great bridge someday, though.

There was some debate over the Town Manager’s interpretation of the audit findings. He saw proof of a solid financial situation going forward; others weren’t so sure since the document didn’t make such a characterization and hadn’t taken into account decisions made last fall, after the audit was finished.

Brooks Memorial Library gets a new roof and a new rooftop solar system, and taxpayers get a video about reducing property taxes. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – February 18, 2025

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hear about the FY24 audit findings at their next regular meeting. They will also learn that the Western Avenue bridge replacement (good ol’ 54) is back on track with the Town paying a 5% share instead of 10% of engineering and construction costs. Brooks Memorial Library will get a $200,000 rooftop solar system, the board will be told about a video, and will approve historic markers being placed on town properties.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation. Plus, you can ask questions or comment on any issue on the agenda. 

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Hey Buddy, Can You Spare A Sign?

by cgrotke | Town News
dec 5 brattleboro selectboard

The Brattleboro Selectboard bravely took no action against a non-existent problem at their most recent meeting. Panhandling isn’t a problem to be solved, and existing laws cover any other potential issues.  Perhaps we will make… a sign!

The Library has a strategic plan, housing development is lackluster, the town might get McNeill’s property to pay off demolition of his building, the public wondered about unusually large raises for department heads given an expected increase in property taxes, and an exhaustive search led the Town to hire Golden Cross’s billing service for EMS billing.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – Dec 1, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

Ooops. A “previously overlooked item” will require an estimated base increase in Brattleboro property taxes for FY25 of 3.6%. It’s on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.

The Brattleboro Fire Department would like $3000 a month to pay an outside company for EMS billing services. Doing everything in-house is no longer an option.

The board will also hear about a strategic plan for Brooks Memorial Library, and update on how their housing plan has been going, talk of acquiring the McNeill’s property in exchange for the demolition costs, and another discussion of things that can be done about panhandling.

You can bring up almost anything else during public participation unless it is some issue the Chair doesn’t want discussed in public.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Summer Public EMS Discussions Wrapping Up

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard aug 15 2023

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their August public EMS discussion at their regular meeting on Tuesday. The board is happy with their progress though one member said that the public doesn’t understand what decisions are to be made,. They will make their EMS decision in late September. Two more public meetings will be held prior.

The Town Manager said the EMS project web page has had over 1600 page views since May. (This site averaged 7,750 pages viewed per day in August for comparison). The board had questions about the Fire Department’s large overtime budget and the public had questions about downtown cameras and sheltering people without homes this winter. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – Agenda and Notes – August 15, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

Brattleboro’s Town Manager will suggest changes to the budget process at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. One proposed change to the schedule is intended to increase public participation.

EMS discussions continue, with one more chance for the public to weigh in on aspects of pending EMS decisions. The board will also hear a financial report and will spend nearly $60,000 for a Pool Engineering Feasibility Study.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brooks Memorial Library Seeks Trustee

by Starr LaTronica | Town News

The Board of Library Trustees of Brooks Memorial Library seeks an enthusiastic and dedicated library user to fill a two-year position on the Board.

Candidates should have an interest in maintaining a strong, dynamic and visionary library in Town. Trustees must be residents of Brattleboro.

The Board, which numbers nine trustees, meets at the Library at 4:45 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. Members are asked to chair or serve on two or more committees that convene as needed.

Brattleboro Town Manager Friday COVID-19 Update – What’s New

by Not Signed In | Town News, Uncategorized

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Governor Scott’s updated executive order earlier today includes the following: 

“All businesses, not-for-profit entities, and municipal entities in the State shall reinstitute, to the maximum extent possible, … telecommuting or work from home procedures… [A]ll meetings should be held by telephone or electronically to avoid in person meetings whenever possible.” 

In furtherance of this directive, Town of Brattleboro administrative offices will transition next week back to the almost entirely remote operations that we put in place during the Stay Home Stay Safe period last March and April. Starting Monday, November 16, some Town offices will be unoccupied. By Friday, November 20, most Town offices will be unoccupied most of the time. As was true last spring, some employees will come to the offices on some days just to perform tasks that cannot be performed from remote locations. We found last spring that we could adequately meet the public’s needs while performing the vast majority of our work online, via email, and by phone.