Tax help available, but appointments are required

ROCHESTER - Please note that the Library will be closed Mon, Feb 21 in observance of President's Day.

Coming up this month is the Love and Chocolate event. Be sure to sign up soon as there is only room for 20 attendees.

Tax Help

AARP Tax-Aide - Volunteers are now back at the Library to help you file your taxes. Appointments are required and are available until April 15. Appointments take place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. To make an appointment, call 211 or go to the web site http://www.eznetscheduler.com/calendar/nhtaxhelp. Out of state, call 1-866-444-4211.

For what to bring to your appointment, stop by the Library Main Desk on the first floor and pick up a packet with all the information and forms you will need.

Write-In Group

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 10-12 p.m. in the Rose Room.

Focus on your work-in-progress surrounded by other aspiring writers. Visit rpl.lib.nh.us for more information.

Love and Chocolate Program

A "Love & Chocolate" program, presented by herbalist Rivka Schwartz, will take place at the Library on February 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room. Come and learn about the history of chocolate and its health benefits while tasting recipes from different eras.

Herbal chocolates, hot chocolate, and truffles are all on the menu! Take home recipes and an information packet will be provided. Registration is required due to capacity restrictions. There is a limit of 20 people. Sign-up at the Main Desk. Call Abby, our Programming Librarian, at 603-335-7550 with any questions about these programs.

Book Recommendations

Main Desk Librarian, Emily, has a couple of new recommendations: "Amor Towles's Gentleman in Moscow has been recommended by staff before however; I cannot help but recommend the audio book. The voice actor, Nicholas Guy Smith, was phenomenal and I would liken listening to this audiobook to enjoying a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup on a cold day. The story was heartwarming, a little adventurous, and just an overall delightful read.

On the other side of the spectrum, I would also recommend Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns. While this book does contain quite a lot of violence and covers difficult topics, Hosseini is an excellent storyteller who handles these topics with care and treats his characters with dignity. While this is not a through and through uplifting or warm-hearted story, it does end optimistically."

Red Cart Book Sale

We have missed having a book sale and we know you have too. Due to COVID and space considerations we have had to downsize our offerings, but we are happy to present a Little Red Book Cart dedicated to offering a variety of books and DVDs for sale. We refresh these items as often as possible. Stop by and see what surprises we have for your shopping pleasure.

Children's Room

Children's Room Librarian Christina, shares:

Spring Story Times: "Story Time sign ups begin Monday, February 14. Call 603-3357549 or come to the library to register. Registration will remain open until Story Times are filled or through the first week of the Story Time session. The programs are free. Story Times begin the week of March 14 and will run for six weeks.

Story Time will start in our meeting room and will last about 20 minutes. We will share three to four books alternating with finger plays, songs, and movement, and then follow that with a 30-minute "Stay & Play" in the Children's Room. This time will be for children to participate in unstructured play and socialize, while adults will have an opportunity to meet other families in our community.

StoryWalk®- Plus! Rochester Public Library Children's Room will be holding a StoryWalk® Plus over February school vacation. Start at the Library, where packets can be picked up downstairs in the Children's Room from Friday, Feb 18 through Saturday, Feb 26. Participants will move throughout downtown, stopping at the designated locations to read a page from the book and to "collect" clue words. When the walk is completed, participants will unscramble the "collected" words to complete a phrase.

Completed forms should be returned to the Children's Desk by Monday, Feb 28 to collect a reward and to be entered for a chance to win a prize. Prizewinners will be chosen at random.

The walk will take participants approximately 45-90 min to complete. We hope that while families are searching for their next book character, they will also get excited about visiting downtown businesses!"

Book Recommendations: RPL Librarian, Amy, has some great Children's book recommendations: "Be sure to check out the new displays in the Children's room. We have plenty of Valentine's themed books including the picture book, Snowy Valentine; and easy readers Geronimo Stilton, Valentine's Day Disaster and Katie Woo, No Valentines for Katie. We also have the fabulous Junie B. Jones and the Mushy, Gushy Valentime, (Yes, that is how it is spelled)."

Paper Tube Mouse ~ Take It & Make It Craft: Families can pick up a craft kit beginning Saturday, February 5 through Saturday, February 12 or until they are gone. The kits will be inside the Children's Room entryway. (One kit per child please.) You will need an empty t.p. roll for this craft.

RPL Animated Recommendations

Main Desk Librarian (and syndicated cartoonist) Stephanie, and Main Desk Librarian, Karyl, have created a series of weekly animated videos recommending book, DVD and other titles available at the Library.

Cold and flu season Protocols

Cold and flu season, as well as Covid-19, is upon us. If anyone in your family comes down with Covid-19, please contact us for help with items you may not be able to return on time. Call us at 603-332-1428 or 335-7549 with any questions. While we love to share our books, we do not want to share germs! A good rule of thumb is that if you or your child are too sick to go to work or school, you are too sick to visit the Library.

Tech Help

Having problems with a new smartphone or tablet? Want help setting up Libby or hoopla so you can read or listen to free ebooks and audiobooks? Emerging Technology Specialist, Jessica, is here to help you if you need it! Give us a call to make an appointment at 603-332-1428 or RPLReference@rochesternh.net.

Contacting RPL

Visit the Library's website: https://rpl.lib.nh.us/

Email the reference librarian Rplreference@rochesternh.net.

Message us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rplnh/ or https://www.facebook.com/RPLChildrensRoom