Brooks Memorial Library - Brattleboro VT

"PART FOR THE HOLE" - book launch with author Peter Gould
2026-04-20 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Main Reading Room
Postponed – due to a publishing matter. As soon as we have the rescheduled date, it will be posted. Stay tuned!
At a time of increasing politicization of the idea of arts support, this new novel, PART FOR THE HOLE, puts the reader into the mind and heart of a mild-mannered High School teacher who decides to rescue the National Endowment for the Arts all by himself—with the help of his sometime-lover and a bunch of his AP English students. They realize it’s time to take a stand, to not allow every working artist to disappear into a corporate world that could ask for their soul in return for their success. But be advised: no artists, teachers, students, or administrators were harmed in the writing or reading of this story: it’s all theater, all metaphor!
“Sentence by nimble sentence, Gould gallivants through his story, and I follow
his jazzy solo phrases, hoping that this book never ends.”
Peter Coyote, old hipster, author, actor, Zen Buddhist priest.
PART FOR THE HOLE will be published by Whetstone Books in April, 2026. Brooks Memorial Library is honored to host this book launch event. All are welcome!
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Peter Gould founded (in 1998) and still directs the “Get Thee to the Funnery” youth Shakespeare camp in the Northeast Kingdom. For his work with theater and creative writing students around Vermont, he earned the Arts Council’s 2016 Ellen McCulloch-Lovell Arts Educator of the Year Award.

Brattleboro Stamp Club
2026-04-20 19:00 - 20:45 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Join the Brattleboro Stamp Club for all sorts of philatelic curios, conversation, and comradery!

Art & Exploration at the Library - Creating Cyanotype Art
2026-04-21 13:30 - 15:00, 2026-04-28 13:30 - 15:00, 2026-05-05 13:30 - 15:00, 2026-05-12 13:30 - 15:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Join teaching artist, Evie Lovett, for this free 6-week book exploration and art-making course for learners ages 60+. Participants will have the opportunity to explore books on a variety of themes and create cyanotype art in response to those themes. Cyanotype is a process of making photographs with the sun or UV light. This course is perfect for participants new to creating art and interested in a social book club experience. Supplies provided. Registration is required; stop by or call the Circulation Desk at (802) 254-5290. Or, you can email: outreach@brookslibraryvt.org

Military Experience Reading Group
2026-04-21 18:00 - 20:30 | Meeting Room D – Quiet Reading Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
The Military Experience Reading Group offers those with military experience a chance to connect through a shared joy of reading. This group welcomes anyone with military experience – whether active, reserve, retired or military veterans. The program is on the 3rd Tuesdays; there are light refreshments and social time scheduled from 6 PM, before the book discussion at 7 PM. The Vermont Humanities Council is a proud supporter of this program, providing a trained discussion facilitator and a limited supply of books each month.
April’s book selection is WOMEN by Kristen Hannah. Interested participants can pick up a book at the Circulation Desk, while copies are available.

Brattleboro Outing Club Board Meeting
2026-04-22 17:30 - 18:30 | Meeting Room B – Mezzanine Room, Main Street 224, Brattleboro, Vermont, 05301, United States
Monthly Meeting of the Brattleboro Outing Club Board of Directors

Brattleboro 250 Planning Sessions
2026-04-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Come and connect with others who are interested in working on plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.
This monthly meeting space on the 4th Wednesdays is dedicated for those who would like the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and work on projects that align with Vermont’s 250th Anniversary Commission’s mission to “…inspire all Vermonters to learn from the history, legacy, and context of the past to build strong Vermont communities for the future.”
The space is being hosted by Brooks Memorial Library, Vermont Independent Media (The Commons) and Windham World Affairs Council, with support from the Vermont Humanities Council. We are already working together on a collaboration entitled, ‘Examining American Identity and Leadership in a Changing World – and have joined America 250, a national initiative asking communities to plan for how to commemorate the 250th year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Its mission is to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past & present, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.

Films at the Latchis for National Library Week: "Matilda" & "Lost in Paris"
2026-04-23 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-23 19:00 - 20:30 | The Latchis Theatre, 50 Main Street, Brattleboro, Vermont, 05301, United States
To celebrate National Library Week, Brooks Memorial Library is pleased to offer community screenings of “Matilda” at 2pm and “Lost in Paris” at 7pm at the Latchis Theater. Both films are by donation. Sponsored by the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library.

City Nature Challenge Kick-Off Event
2026-04-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Main Reading Room
There is nature all around us! Knowing what species are in our city/town and where they are helps us study and protect them, but the ONLY way to do that is by all of us – scientists, land managers, and the community – working together to find and document the nature in our area.
By participating in the City Nature Challenge, not only do you learn more about your local nature, but you can also make your city/town a better place – for you and other species!
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Kick-Off Event
Saturday, April 25
10-11am – Intro to the Challenge & ID Tips – Brooks Memorial Library Community Room
12-1pm – Identification Walk – West River Park (333 West River Road, Brattleboro, VT)
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We’ll start with a Kick-Off Event on Saturday, April 25, from 10am-11am in the Brooks Memorial Library Community Room. It will be followed by a nature walk from 12-1pm at West River Park (333 West River Road, Brattleboro, VT) so folks can apply their news skills, contributing to citizen science. An ID Session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7pm in the Community Room.
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About the ID Session on April 28: whether you’re a seasoned user of iNaturalist and have made many IDs of other people’s observations to bring them to Research Grade, or you’re using iNaturalist for the first time during the April 24-27 observation period of the City Nature Challenge, we’d love to have you join the effort to identify as many of the observations made in Windham County during the Challenge as possible. If you’re new to this, we’ll help you learn how to use the identification features of iNaturalist.
The CNC, held globally by iNaturalist, is the largest annual biodiversity census in the world, and this year, we’re taking part in Windham County! Our local Windham County Nature Challenge is being organized by the Brattleboro Conservation Commission and cosponsored by several local Conservation Commissions, Brooks Memorial Library, and the Connecticut River Conservancy.

SilverCircus - by NECCA
2026-04-25 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Strengthen balance and build social connection, all while playing and connecting to your inner child with SilverCircus by the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA). These circus classes are designed for older adults and are welcome to all mobility and cognitive levels. We will work with each student where they are at, while fostering a supportive and playful group dynamic. Activities will challenge the brain and the body, and will be scaled up and down to be the perfect challenge for each participant.
It is not too late to join the circus! Join us at Brattleboro Memorial Library at 11am on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays in January through May (01/10, 01/24, 02/14, 02/28, 03/14, 03/28, 04/11, 04/25, 05/09, and 05/23).

Brattleboro in Stitches
2026-04-25 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-02 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Bring a work in progress to sew, knit, crochet, embroider, or mend. Sewing machines, irons, and companionship will be provided.

Financial Empowerment
2026-04-27 17:30 - 19:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Financial Q & A with SEVCA and Mascoma Bank
All are welcome to these programs, held on the 4th Mondays of the month throughout 2026, with different topics for each session and peer support encouraged throughout. Representatives from SEVCA and Mascoma Bank facilitate the discussions, share their expertise, and respond to individual questions and concerns. A light meal will be served at 5:30PM; the focused conversation starts at 6:00 PM.
As a follow-up to March’s discussion on “Credit Reports”, the April topic is “Repairing Credit.”
Registration is required. To sign-up, you can call (802-254-5290), stop by the circulation desk, or email us at circ@brookslibraryvt.org

Green Carnation Reading Group
2026-04-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Meeting Room D – Quiet Reading Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Discussions of books by and for queer people. For more information, please visit the Green Carnation Reading Group Facebook page.

City Nature Challenge - Nature ID Session
2026-04-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Main Reading Room
Join us for an identification blitz as part of the Windham County City Nature Challenge (CNC), on April 28, between 7 and 8:30 pm in the library’s Community Room. Whether you’re a seasoned user of iNaturalist and have made many IDs of other people’s observations to bring them to Research Grade, or you’re using iNaturalist for the first time during the April 24-27 observation period of the City Nature Challenge, we’d love to have you join the effort to identify as many of the observations made in Windham County during the Challenge as possible. If you’re new to this, we’ll help you learn how to use the identification features of iNaturalist.
The CNC, held globally by iNaturalist, is the largest annual biodiversity census in the world, and this year, we’re taking part in Windham County! Our local Windham County Nature Challenge is being organized by the Brattleboro Conservation Commission and cosponsored by several local Conservation Commissions, Brooks Memorial Library, and the Connecticut River Conservancy.

Portable Solar Demonstration & Home Energy Options Workshop
2026-04-29 17:30 - 20:00 | Main Reading Room
The Town of Brattleboro and the Vermont Energy Education Program are teaming up to try to provide Brattleboro relief from high electric and heating costs. Come see and learn about how portable solar systems and other energy savings tools like heat pumps and insulation can help make a difference for your family’s budget and comfort. Experts will be on site to explain how these tools work, and how they could work for you in your home. Food and childcare will be available to all who attend the event.

If you are interested in learning more about portable solar for your home, please consider filling out this survey.

Questions? E-mail or call Stephen Dotson – Sdotson@brattleboro.gov, 703-431-3075

Community Conversations with Brattleboro State Legislators
2026-05-02 10:30 - 12:00 | Main Reading Room
As the Brattleboro Legislative Delegation gears up for the start of a new legislative session in January, these monthly sessions are an opportunity to meet the Brattleboro Representatives and discuss issues that matter to you. Topics will include healthcare, education, climate change, and housing. All are welcome to join your Vermont Legislators, hear from experts, and share your experiences.
These conversations are scheduled monthly on the 1st Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM. (Scheduled dates: 2/7, 3/7, 4/4, 5/2, and 6/6.)

Windham County Democratic Committee
2026-05-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Monthly Meeting of the Windham County Democratic Committee

Mineralogical Society
2026-05-05 18:00 - 20:45 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Join the Brattleboro Mineralogical Society to discuss Minerals and other Geological topics!

CANCELLED-Vermont Pastel Society
2026-05-06 15:30 - 17:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
pastel painting

A Lifeline for Difficult Times: The Taking Solace Series
2026-05-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
The Wednesday, May 6 session of this series is cancelled due to library construction.
Starting this November, Center for Solace (formerly Brattleboro Area Hospice) & Brooks Memorial Library
are inspired to begin an 8-month collaboration on the first Wednesday of each month, from 6-8 pm.
Come join us for a wide range of conversations
on tender topics, from Death Cafes, to film & discussion nights,
speaker panels, a climate-grief dialogue, and more.
Together we’ll explore some of the challenges of being alive in our time.
For instance, how might we navigate illness, caregiving, or loss?
Or beyond that, face a much broader anguish for our fragile planet itself?
Because we know that at least one form of solace
stems from staying connected.
To quote poet David Whyte, “Solace is not meant to be
an answer, but an invitation, through the door of pain and difficulty,
to the depth of suffering and simultaneous beauty in the world
that the strategic mind by itself cannot grasp or make sense of.”
We begin November 5th from 6-8pm
with a Death Cafe in the Community Room.
And to find out about further topics, please follow
Center for Solace or Brooks Memorial Library on Facebook:
centerforsolace.org, or brookslibraryvt.org.

Stories with Starr Family Storytime for Starr's Last Day!
2026-05-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Main Reading Room
Encore Farewell
Please join the festivities as Starr expresses gratitude for her decade of fun and friendship on her final day as Library Director.
10-11am Stories With Starr Family Storytime. Hear favorite tales from Starr’s time as a travelling storyteller.

4-5pm Waltz Away the Day. Fred Breunig and Andy Davis will play some of Starr’s favorite tunes for the last hour of her last day.
Free and open to the public. Cupcakes will be served!

Waltz Away the Day for Starr's Last Day!
2026-05-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Main Reading Room

Sci-Fi Reading Group
2026-05-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Meeting Room D – Quiet Reading Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
The Sci-Fi Reading Group will meet in the Quiet Reading Room from 7:00pm – 8:30pm to discuss Countess by Suzan Palumbo!
Virika Sameroo lives in colonized space under the Æcerbot Empire, much like her ancestors before her in the British West Indies. After years of working hard to rise through the ranks of the empire’s merchant marine, she’s finally become first lieutenant on an interstellar cargo vessel. When her captain dies under suspicious circumstances, Virika is arrested for murder and charged with treason despite her lifelong loyalty to the empire. Her conviction and subsequent imprisonment set her on a path of revenge, determined to take down the evil empire that wronged her, all while the fate of her people hangs in the balance.
Please note that this SFRG will be meeting on the second Monday of the month! The Sci-Fi Reading Group typically meets the third Monday of every month and is open to curious minds of all ages, whether or not they’ve read this month’s selection.

Town Committee Fair
2026-05-13 17:30 - 18:30 | Main Reading Room
BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY YOU LOVE!
Beginning this summer, the Selectboard will be appointing new members to the Town’s numerous Boards and Committees. This fair is an opportunity for the public to learn how to get involved in the community. Speak with current members and Town staff to find a group that interests you.
Why join?

Community building
Have a say in your local government
Meet and work with your neighbors
Civic duty looks amazing on a résumé
Make new friends!

Click here to learn more about our boards and committees and apply online.
