Brooks Memorial Library - Brattleboro VT

Community Talk - with Lama Tenzin Yignyen
2025-04-23 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | VT
As part of Lama Tenzin Yignyen’s week-long visit to Brattleboro, the venerable Tibetan Monk will be speak about the spiritual significance of the mandala he will be creating in our Main Reading Room throughout the week.
This sacred art form symbolizes love, compassion, generosity, wisdom, and appreciation, and serves as a profound testament to the beauty and interconnectedness of all beings.
Lama Tenzin Yignyen, has been making sand mandalas for over forty years. He explains: “The Mandala is a reflection or expression of our inner self– our inner positive qualities. It presents us with opportunities to cherish those qualities and a means to rid ourselves of negative qualities, so we may be happy and peaceful. The message of the Mandala includes all the important elements that can make us a happy and caring person. The construction is considered as a blessing for the area and for the people who live where it is constructed.”
This week-long event is sponsored by River Gallery School (RGS) in partnership with Brooks Memorial Library. This event is made possible by the Vermont Community Foundation. It’s free and open to the public. All are welcome.

Brattleboro 250 Planning Sessions
2025-04-23 18:00 - 20:00 | VT
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.”
For the April gathering, special guests will be joining our discussions – including Breanna Sheehan, Administrative Director, Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs. A light meal will be served, so registration is requested. For more information and registration, please see HERE.
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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 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.

Closing Ceremony - with Lama Tenzin Yignyen
2025-04-25 10:30 - 12:00 | VT
As part of the week-long visit of Lama Tenzin Yignyen, there will be a formal closing ceremony in which Lama Tenzin will intentionally destroy the delicate Sand Mandala of Compassion – Avalokiteshvara – that he patiently created throughout the week.
During this dismantling ceremony, the public will be invited to help sweep the sand into a vase. Breaking the circle of the mandala symbolizes the impermanence of all things and serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of existence.
As part of the closing, we will walk from the library down Main Street to the Whetstone pathway, where Lama Tenzin will return the sand to the earth by offering it to the brook. All are welcome to attend this meaningful ceremony.
This week-long event is sponsored by River Gallery School (RGS) in partnership with Brooks Memorial Library. This event is made possible by the Vermont Community Foundation.

Functional Play! For Older Adults with Marissa Peck
2025-04-26 11:00 - 12:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Join us for a functional movement workshop series where we will move, shake, strengthen, stretch, and connect. Designed for adults 50+ of all abilities and mobility levels.
Sessions are on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays in March and April (03/08, 03/22, 04/12 & 04/26)
(From the creator of SilverCircus)

Brattleboro in Stitches
2025-04-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-03 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-10 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.

Everywhere Philosophy Presents: The Twilight Zone Examined
2025-04-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Meeting Room B – Mezzanine Room, Main Street 224, Brattleboro, Vermont, 05301, United States
Join Everywhere Philosophy’s Dr. Mike and Bethany for an interactive, philosophical exploration at the intersection of truth, power and obsolescence in The Twilight Zone. This program includes a full screening of season 2, episode 29 ‘The Obsolete Man’, showcasing librarian Romney Wordsworth’s dramatic resistance to a totalitarian state that has, “like every one of the super-states that’s preceded it,…one iron rule: Logic is an enemy and truth is a menace.”
Our screening will be followed by guided discussion of the major philosophical themes and concepts evoked by Rod Serling in this brilliant episode.

Multigenerational Civics Class
2025-04-28 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-05-05 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-05-12 10:15 - 11:30 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Who has power over us? What power do we have to create the world around us? The Vermont Village School welcomes villagers of all ages to participate in a people’s Civics class with us this spring at Brooks Memorial Library. We will be untangling the different institutions that exert power over us, past and present, official and unofficial, and brainstorming how we move forward together.

Join us Monday at 10:15am @ Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro. This will be the first of a series–we will plan future gatherings based on collective interest and energy.

Financial Empowerment
2025-04-28 18:00 - 19:30 | VT
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference:
Take a look at the small changes we can make in our budgets that can lead to big changes in our financial success with Chris from SEVCA and Jen from Mascoma Bank.
These monthly meetings provide a supportive space to talk about banking, personal finance, and the resources that might be available to you in our communities.
Dinner from 6-6:30 with conversation from 6:30 to 7:30PM.
Registration is required. To sign-up, you can call (802-254-5290), stop by the circulation desk, or email us at circ@brookslibraryvt.org
We hope to see you there!

Green Carnation Reading Group
2025-04-28 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.

Rhyme Time
2025-04-30 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-05-07 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-05-14 10:30 - 11:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Join us on Wednesday mornings @ 10:30 am for 30 minutes of stories, songs, and fun!
Rhyme Time is for kids 5 & under and their caregivers.
Free and open to the public.

Lifelong Learning - Families First
2025-04-30 13:30 - 14:30 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Lifelong Learning provides ongoing educational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Participants become experts in areas of interest and share their knowledge with peers!

Vermont Pastel Society Hub Meeting
2025-04-30 16:00 - 17:15 | VT
We are looking at hub members paintings and planning events.

25 Years Since Civil Unions: Lessons Learned - Vermont Humanities Snapshot Series
2025-04-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Hybrid: Brooks Memorial Library and Online
Twenty-five years ago, responding to the Vermont Supreme Court’s “Baker Decision,” the Vermont Legislature created the first comprehensive legal recognition for same-sex couples in the United States. The establishment of Civil Unions was an historic step toward full Marriage Equality. Long-time Vermont LGBTQ political activist and politician Bill Lippert remembers the fierce battle and political backlash around Civil Unions, and considers the lessons learned from the fight.
More information and registration for this hybrid Vermont Humanities Snapshot Series event can be found, HERE.

Sing & Dance With Robin
2025-05-01 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Designed for ages under 6- all ages welcome! Free and open to the public.
This lovely class is an enriching musical experience for toddlers and preschoolers, designed to support healthy cognitive, physical, and social development. Children will sing, clap, stomp, dance, and play along with the curriculum of traditional and modern folk songs. Parents will be encouraged to fully sing and participate with their child in the class.
Sponsored by the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library.

LEGO-Palooza
2025-05-01 15:00 - 17:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Join us on the first Thursday of every month after school from 3-5pm to play with LEGOs!
We provide the LEGOs. You build. Do not bring your own LEGOs.
Children cannot keep LEGOs, but if there is enough room, we will display them in the window.
Free and open to the public!

Community Conversations with State Legislators
2025-05-03 10:30 - 12:00 | Main Reading Room
Community members are invited to our monthly Community Conversations with Brattleboro State Legislators at Brooks Memorial Library on Saturday, May 3rd from 10:30 AM – 12 PM. The topic of this month’s discussion is “Response to the Federal Government: including activities involving immigration, climate and reproductive health”.
We hope you join us and bring your questions and concerns regarding state matters to this community forum. All are welcome.

Brattleboro Great Books Group
2025-05-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Meeting Room D – Quiet Reading Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Monthly discussion of “Great Books”

Mineralogical Society
2025-05-06 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!

Lifelong Learning - Families First
2025-05-07 13:30 - 14:30 | Mezzanine Conference Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States

Vermont Coverts Passing Lands Pop-up
2025-05-07 15:00 - 19:30 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Passing Lands Pop-Up: What will your legacy be?
Wednesday May 7
Session 1: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Session 2: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Brooks Memorial Library Community Room

Planning for the future can be a daunting task. VT Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife and Windham Regional Woodlands Association are hosting a passing lands pop-up where you can meet with professionals to talk about the future of your woodlands. You will have the chance to meet one-on-one with financial and estate planning professionals and a landowner who has been through the planning process, all ready to answer your questions about passing your woodlands to the next generation. Want to understand options for the land? Wondering what it would mean to conserve your land with a land trust? Have questions about Current Use? Have no heirs but want to see the land remain intact? These and other questions can be addressed as you rotate between the experts, allowing you to identify your next steps. The program is run through two sessions; one from 3:00 – 5:00 and the other 5:30 – 7:30 with refreshments in between. Participants will receive a copy of “For the Future of Your Forest.” The program is free, but space is limited. Register here today! Questions – email laura@vtcoverts.org.

Registration link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOBWUZGkkx1_Z3mCGXi4PHXZt76ap4-Bgh5-PA0g5ktu8maA/viewform?usp=header

The Unfinished Revolution: The Deep Work of Non-Violence
2025-05-07 18:30 - 20:00 | VT
The America 250 Town Hall Series, a collaboration with Brooks Memorial Library and Vermont Independent Media, publisher of The Commons, is made possible, in part, through a generous grant from the Vermont Humanities Council.
This town hall will consider the theory and practice of Lewis’s unfinished revolution. We’ll consider the philosophical underpinnings to non-violence, drawing on Gandhi’s satyagraha and Catholic understandings of natural law. We’ll also think practically about what it would take for us to engage in a revolution in which our current enemies are seen as future friends.
In 1963, John Lewis envisioned a non-violent revolution that would achieve the ends of freedom and liberty without taking up arms. In this “unfinished revolution,” current enemies are seen as future friends. Black and white, men and women, rich and poor, he argued, must learn to work together for their mutual benefit.
After twenty years of teaching political theory and constitutional law to Marlboro College undergraduates, Meg Mott has taken her love of argument to the general public. She attended the University of New Hampshire in the 1970s and is currently teaching at Keene State College. Meg’s award-winning series, Debating Our Rights, on the first ten amendments, brings civil discussions on contentious issues to public libraries and colleges.

Alzheimer's Action Plan - Community Education & Input Session
2025-05-13 10:30 - 12:15 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
The Vermont Department of Health and the Alzheimer’s Association need your help to develop strategies that support the needs of those living with dementia, their caregivers, and families. This session will begin with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association; afterward, there will be a guided discussion during which folks may share their experiences about navigating healthcare, finding community supports, the stress of being a family caregiver and more.

Library Board of Trustees
2025-05-13 16:30 - 18:00 | Meeting Room A – Community Meeting Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301, United States
Monthly meeting of the Brooks Memorial Library Board of Trustees. Citizen attendance and commentary welcome!
Board of Trustees
