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Portsmouth Public Library's monthly email newsletter!
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PPL Rex: Personalized Recommendations and Research Help!

Portsmouth Public Library Card needed.

The library is still closed for browsing - and we know that can be frustrating.

But we want you to know that we're truly devoted, as ever, to helping you find books, movies, magazines, and other materials you LOVE.

Here's what we offer:

Personalized Booklists & Bundles

  • Looking for your next great read?
  • Kids, Parents and Teens, use our Youth Book Suggestions Form to receive a customized booklist or surprise book bundle curated by a youth services librarian!
  • Adults, fill out our PPL Rex: What's Next? Form and choose Recommendations - we can send you a list by email, or put items on hold for curbside pickup!

Research Help

  • If you're learning about a new topic - delving into your family genealogy, thinking about going gluten-free, starting a yoga practice, thinking about opening your own business, buying a new mattress, anything! - let our reference librarians find you credible resources.
  • Fill out our PPL Rex: What's Next? Form and choose Research Help. We'll send you personalized research materials, and answer any follow-up questions you may have!

Monthly Emails with Titles in your Favorite Genre

A Library System Full of Recommendations

  • When you're browsing our catalog online, click on a book you love. Scroll to the bottom of the page to Novelist Select. 
  • You'll see information about the series (if it's part of one), "read-alikes," similar authors, similar series, and even Story Elements that help you pinpoint what you love best, and look for more of the same. It's like a Book Netflix!

Friendly, Personable Staff who are Here to Help

In This Newsletter...


Note: Please view this email in your browser to see the entire message.

All programs and events will be held ONLINE. Need help using Zoom to connect? Visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/news/onlineprograms.

Current Library Services

In person at the library, we offer:

We are also accepting returns.

Please check our website for more information and updates - as with all organizations, our services and procedures may change often! 

Online services are covered elsewhere in this email.

Current Library Hours

Limited Library Services are offered during the following hours:

Monday - Tuesday 11 AM - 7 PM
Wednesday - Friday 11 AM - 5 PM
Saturday - Sunday Closed

11 AM – 12 PM each day is reserved for seniors and high-risk or immunocompromised library users.

Remembering Teri Weidner

You may have noticed the rabbit sculpture welcoming you near the library entrance.

The sculpture was erected in honor of children’s author and illustrator Teri Weidner Dahlen who passed away in December 2019. The memorial sculpture fundraising effort was organized by local artists and illustrators, led by Tess Feltes and Lin Albertson Thorpe, who collaborated with Teri’s husband, Chris Dahlen. They commissioned Thomas Berger to sculpt a piece based on one of Teri’s illustrations. He chose to work with white granite from Bethel, VT - considered the finest kind of granite for sculpting.

Teri’s books have delighted children and adults alike, and her enthusiastic support of literacy, other artists, and the Portsmouth Community made her a cherished member of the seacoast.

In many ways Teri embodied library spirit. She fostered community, she constantly connected people to what they needed, and she shared knowledge and resources without hesitation. She saw the world through a lens of kindness and inclusivity.

May this bunny capture Teri’s spirit, and make you feel welcomed and seen as you are, to find delight in nature and animals, and inspire you to follow your dreams and to support others to follow theirs.

See more photographs and read more about Teri at https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/library/teriweidnerdahlen.

Read Diverse Voices

It's important for kids and adults alike to hear a variety of voices in the media we consume. Reading more diversely expands our minds, opens up the world to our understanding, and builds empathy!

This month, we're sharing some titles by Black authors, as well as books featuring characters with diverse abilities. 

Specially curated by library staff, these book lists make it easy to place holds and save titles to your reading list.

Black Poets
Poetry Collections for Adults

Cookbooks by Black Authors
Find New Favorite Recipes!

Africanfuturism & Fantasy
In the words of Nnedi Okorafor, these genres are "rooted in African culture, history, mythology and point-of-view... [and do] not privilege or center the West."

Characters with Disabilities
Adult Fiction Titles

Neurodiverse Books
A List for Kids

Diverse Ability Books
A List for Kids

Have You Signed Up for Summer Reading?

No library card necessary!

Read all summer and win prizes? It's true. It's free. It's for everyone. Even adults! And this year, it's online. Our theme - Imagine Your Story - explores myths, folktales and fairy tales!

We're using an online platform called Beanstack. To find out more, visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/summerreading. To sign up, visit cityofportsmouth.beanstack.org.

Summer Reading lasts until August 22. And there's something for every age!

Early Literacy Program 
Ages 0 - Kindergarten

A summer literacy program just for preschoolers! Can you read 25 books and complete 25 early literacy activities? Earn patches for your PPL tote bag.

Elementary Reading Program
Kindergarten - 6th grade

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade can sign up for our elementary reading challenge. Earn virtual badges for your reading. Along the way you’ll also earn cool prizes like buttons and stickers.

Tween & Teen Reading Program
6th - 12th grade

Teens and tweens will earn points for reading, volunteering for the library, writing book reviews, and more. Earn fun prizes along the way, and each point you earn enters you into a raffle for the end of the summer.

Adult Reading Program
Ages 18 and up

Adults will earn points for reading, writing book reviews, and completing a host of different activities. Earn lots of prizes along the way - including a lovely set of notecards featuring historical Portsmouth illustrations, and a PPL tote bag! 

Questions? Call us at 603-427-1540 (Adults) or 603-766-1740 (Youth & Teen) for assistance!

As we reach the end of summer we’d love your feedback! Let us know your favorite virtual programs, the best part about Beanstack, or the book you most enjoyed this summer. Do you have ideas for future programs? Suggestions for summer reading next year? We’d love to hear those too. Feel free to fill out this brief survey. Thank you!

World Affairs Discussion Group

No library card necessary!

Every Monday
4 - 5 PM

Are you fascinated by international affairs and the world of foreign policy? If so, please join Library Director Steve Butzel and a group of your peers on Mondays to discuss World Affairs topics. This program will be offered online through the summer.

If you plan on attending and would like to vote on the week's possible topics, send our Director an email at skbutzel@cityofportsmouth, and he will send you a link to the webpage where you can vote. The list of topics is posted each Wednesday afternoon and voting concludes that Friday afternoon. At that point, the Director will send out an email to the group letting them know the two selected topics, and a list of links to suggested articles.

No registration required.
Click this link to connect via Zoom. Password: 3GWdHC

Weekly Meditation

No library card necessary!

Every Wednesday
12:15 - 1 PM

Whether you've meditated before or you'd like to start learning, this weekly drop-in is for everyone. Our volunteer instructors teach a variety of different techniques, and we provide a friendly, low-pressure environment for beginners to learn!

To read more about our instructors, visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/weekly-meditation.

No registration required.
Click this link to connect via Zoom. Password: 3GWdHC

Language Discussion Groups

No library card necessary!

Each of our language discussion groups is volunteer-facilitated. These are not classes, and are geared toward people who already speak or are learning the language. They will have no teacher and may have no native speakers.

German 
Every Monday | 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Spanish
Every Tuesday | 10:30 AM - 12 PM

Chinese 
Every Thursday | 5 - 6 PM

Italian
Every Friday | 12:30 - 1:15 PM

French
Every Friday | 1:30 - 3 PM

Japanese
Every Saturday | 10 - 11 AM

No registration required. Click this link to connect via Zoom. Password: 3GWdHC

Adult Book Discussion Groups

No library card necessary!

The library currently offers three online book groups for adults: Classics, Fiction, and Speculative Fiction. We also host a monthly Book Talk where you can discuss your recent favorites with other readers!

Classics: A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 
Tuesday August 4 | 7 PM

Fiction: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
Monday August 10 | 1 PM or 7 PM

Speculative Fiction: An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
Tuesday August 25 | 7 PM

Classics: Howards End by E.M. Forster
Tuesday September 1 | 7 PM

Book Talk: Share a Book or Two!
Monday August 17 | 1 PM 
Connect with other readers online, and share your recommendations! Bring a 3-line description of an adult book (or two) that you enjoyed, or just come and listen to community favorites. We’ll be there to guide the discussion and share how you can find more titles you’ll like – especially ones that are available online! 

No registration required. Click this link to connect via Zoom. Password: 3GWdHC

Visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/book-discussion-groups for more information!

Mindfulness for Challenging Times

No library card necessary!

Last workshop: August 3
Kindness for me, you and the whole world
6:30 – 8 PM

There's still time to sign up for the last 90-minute online workshop on mindfulness. Each workshop will include a short talk, an opportunity to practice together, and discussion. No experience necessary. Everyone is welcome!

Registration is required. Space is limited. Find out more and register at cityofportsmouth.com/library/news/mindfulness.

Harvest & Preserve Garden Workshop

No library card necessary!

with Amy Antonucci of Seacoast Permaculture
Thursday August 6
6:30 - 8 PM

How is your garden growing? Maybe you are having problems you'd like to talk about, or you’ve been so successful that you might be harvesting more food than you can even eat! We can discuss both your challenges and how you might preserve some of your bounty the off-season. There are many food preservation methods you can use to extend your harvest that we can talk about: freezing, drying, canning and more.

An important aspect of Permaculture is obtaining a yield and becoming a successful gardener is one great way to do that. But what if you run into trouble? Let's talk!

Amy Antonucci, NOFA-NH's 2017 Gardener of the Year, worked on an organic farm & CSA for 10 years before becoming a certified permaculture designer and focusing on homesteading. She keeps bees, poultry, goats and gardens at Living Land Permaculture Homestead in Barrington NH (livinglandpermaculture.com). She has spoken at libraries, schools, garden clubs, NOFA-NH and on the radio, and is the main organizer of Seacoast Permaculture.

No registration required. Click this link to connect via Zoom. Password: 3GWdHC

Local History Talk: Urban Legends, Local Lore, and Real History

No library card necessary!

Tuesday August 11
7 - 8:30 PM

What does the name “IOKA” mean? Where were the secret tunnels? Was The Addams Family filmed in Exeter?

Local historians often have to confront the unofficial history of their community. Untangling truth from fiction, when there are sometimes vocal stakeholders involved, can be quite a challenge. How can we tell what is real versus what is believed to be real? This program explores some strange stories, long-held beliefs and flat-out urban legends from the town of Exeter, in an effort to explain how they start, spread and stick. Join Exeter local historian, Barbara Rimkunas, as she tries to find the truth without ruining everyone’s childhood. Perhaps there are some real stories out there just odd enough to replace the fiction?

No registration required. Click this link to connect via Zoom. Password: 3GWdHC

Come Create Workshop Day: Learn Japanese Poetry & Art Forms

No library card necessary!

Wednesday August 12
1:30 – 8 PM

The Come Create! Workshop Day is offered by Portsmouth Poet Laureate Tammi Truax. Learn traditional Japanese poetry and art forms from local writers and artists. This program is co-sponsored by the Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program, as part of a project of building a bridge to Japan. Come to one or all four events on the day! Open to adults and kids ages 10+.

Registration required. The link to connect via Zoom will be sent by email the day before the workshop. To find out more and register, visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/news/comecreate.

1:30 - 3:30 Introduction / Haiku and Senryu
Learn about the Bridge to Japan project. Read, discuss and write Haiku and Senryu forms of poetry. With educator Misako Moore.

4:00 - 5:00 Haibun and Tanka
Read, discuss and write Haibun and Tanka forms of poetry. With poet Mimi White.

5:30 - 6:30 Visual Art Presentations
See demonstrations of two traditional Japanese visual art forms. Discuss poetry broadsides.

7:00 - 8:00 Renga / Wrap-Up
Read, discuss and write Renga form of poetry. Wrap up the day. With poet Mark DeCarteret.

Registration required. The link to connect via Zoom will be sent by email the day before the workshop. To find out more and register, visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/news/comecreate.

Tarot 101 Workshop

No library card necessary!

This workshop is already full!  Please register to be put on a waiting list.
cityofportsmouth.com/library/news/tarot101

Tuesday August 18
7 – 9 PM

Learn about Tarot reading in this workshop with Kate Sheridan, which will include group discussion and activities. Tarot cards can be a great tool for self-reflection and personal growth, and this workshop is geared toward beginners who are looking for practical tips on how to get started.

The workshop will use the classic Smith-Rider-Waite deck as a guide, and will cover basic tarot theory, giving you the bird's eye view of all 78 cards, how they work together, and how to interpret them in a reading. Throughout the workshop, you'll be invited to discuss card images in an intuitive, down-to-earth way. At the end of the evening, you'll be guided in conducting a mini-reading for yourself, and you'll leave with personalized, practical next steps.

Registration required. Please visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/news/tarot101 to learn more and register for the waiting list. 

Genealogy Workshop: 17th Century Handwriting

No library card necessary!

Thursday August 20
6 - 8 PM

In this workshop you’ll hear the story of Plymouth Colony and the surprising story of the manuscript itself, and then receive a tutorial on how to read and transcribe early 17th century handwriting. It is easier than you might think!

As New England marks this year the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower, join us for a workshop on William Bradford’s journal, “Of Plimoth Plantation.” Bradford was a Mayflower passenger and the longest-serving governor of Plymouth Colony. He maintained a journal that documented the history of the Pilgrims from 1608 to 1647.

We’ll work through selected passages from Bradford’s journal, and together experience the satisfaction of reading, and understanding, a 400-year-old handwritten manuscript.

We will then discuss the various conventions for transcribing historical manuscripts, focusing on the semi-diplomatic style. You will learn some new skills to assist in your family research, and hear about upcoming local transcription project opportunities as Portsmouth approaches its own 400th anniversary in 2023.

Registration Required. Find out more and register at cityofportsmouth.com/library/genealogy.

Youth August Events

No library card necessary!

While programming is winding down for the summer, there is still plenty of time to log your reading and activities on Beanstack as part of our virtual summer reading program. Readers of all ages can register for a summer reading challenge here! Earn fun prizes and virtual badges for reading, writing book reviews, and more.

As we reach the end of summer we’d love your feedback! Let us know your favorite virtual programs, the best part about Beanstack, or the book you most enjoyed this summer. Do you have ideas for future programs? Suggestions for summer reading next year? We’d love to hear those too. Feel free to fill out this brief survey. Thank you!

Fairy House Challenge
Ends August 8th
Using natural materials build a fairy house in your yard. Share an image of your fairy house with us on social media using the hashtag #pplfairyhouse

DIY Blast Off Book Club
Blast Off Book Club is our book club for emerging readers in grades K – 2.  While the group will not meet virtually over the summer, interested readers should email Katharine at kegatcomb@cityofportsmouth.com to receive a detailed program plan each month featuring a book available on Hoopla.

Online Move and Groove Story Time
August 5
10 AM
Join us on Zoom to move and groove to stories, songs, and rhymes in this story time recommended for ages 2 – 6. Please be sure to register by following the link above.

Online Lap Time
August 6
10 AM
Join us on Zoom for a special story time for recommended for babies ages 0 - 1. Please be sure to register by following the link above.

STEAM Fridays
August 7
Follow our Facebook page to find fun STEAM Challenges each Friday. Interested families should email Mollie at memulligan@cityofportsmouth.com by Wednesday to pick up materials at the library on Friday.

Book Club Grades 3 + 4
Monday August 10
4 - 5 PM
This month’s book for discussion is Coo by Kaela Noel, which is available to download on Hoopla. Please register by following the link above.

Book Club Grades 4 & 5
Tuesday August 25th
5:30 – 6:30 PM
This month’s book for discussion is Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu, which is available to download on Hoopla. Please register by following the link above.

Registration required. Click on individual links above to register.

Teen & Tween Summer Events

No library card necessary!

Teen Book Club
Wednesday August 5
7 PM
Teen Book Club meets monthly on Zoom. This month's book is I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver. Please register by following the link above.

Teen Book Chat
Every Wednesday
7 PM
Join us every Wednesday for a teen book chat! We’ll talk about all things books – past favorites, current reads, upcoming book to movie adaptations, and more. The first Wednesday of each month is dedicated to book club discussion. Interested teens should email memulligan@cityofportsmouth.com for the Zoom information.

Online Tween and Teen Cooking Challenge
Thursday August 6
2 – 3 PM
Students in grades 6  - 12 can test their cooking expertise with challenges over Zoom. Supplies will be available for pickup at the library prior to the program. Please register by following the link above.

Middle School Book Club
Tuesday, August 11th
3 – 4 PM
Middle School Book Club meets once a month and is open to all middle school students in grades 6 – 8. This month’s book for discussion is The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais, an Isinglass Award nominee! Please register to receive Zoom information.

Tween and Teen Game Night
Tuesday August 11
7 – 8 PM
Students in grades 6 – 12 are welcome to join us on Zoom for an hour of virtual games. We will vote on what games we want to play, and all new ideas are welcome! Some games we have or know include JackboxTV, Trivia, Werewolf, scavenger hunt, and more!

Registration required. Click on individual links above to register.

Free Streaming Movies with Kanopy!

Portsmouth Public Library Card needed.

Watch award-winning popular movies, classic cinema, documentaries, and family films for free with a library card! We’re now offering Kanopy on a trial basis – give it a try and let us know what you think!

What is Kanopy?

  • Kanopy includes acclaimed movies and documentaries on-demand from award-winning filmmakers.
  • Browse the collection of over 30,000 popular movies, documentaries, classic films, world cinema, and films for children of all ages.
  • Stream films anytime, anywhere, on your preferred devices – there is a Kanopy app for most smartphones, tablets and smart TVs!
  • Watch up to four titles per calendar month. And bonus: during the lockdown, Kanopy is offering many films that do not count toward the limit!
  • Been meaning to watch Moonlight or Midsommar? Kanopy has the latest critically acclaimed films!
  • Love Cary Grant or Kurosawa? Watch cinema classics and films from the Criterion Collection!
  • Kanopy Kids offers full-length family films, shorts, and television – like Sesame Street and Arthur!
  • Looking to learn something new? Kanopy has the Great Courses series!
  • The library is offering Kanopy on a trial basis – give it a try and let us know what you think!

Visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/kanopy to get started.

Email us at libinfo@cityofportsmouth.com with questions or feedback!

Download Ebooks, Audiobooks, Magazines, and More

Portsmouth Public Library Card needed.

Missing that sweet stack of library books, ready to be read? Have you used Overdrive Libby or Hoopla Digital? What are you waiting for? 

Ebooks & Audiobooks with Overdrive Libby

  • Vast selection.
  • Newest books!
  • 2 week checkout period.
  • Some items may have hold lists and waiting periods.
Download the Libby app for your mobile device, or visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/download-e-books-audiobooks to find out more.
 
Ebooks, Audiobooks, Comics, Music, Movies & TV with Hoopla Digital
  • Everything is instantly available!
  • Hoopla has a great collection of older titles.
  • 12 checkouts per calendar month (while library is closed - up from our usual 8!)
  • Ebooks, audiobooks, and comics check out for three weeks.
  • Music checks out for one week.
  • Movies and TV shows check out for three days/72 hours.

Download the Hoopla app for your mobile device or smart TV, or visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/download-movies-music-more to find out more.

New! Ebooks & Audiobooks with TumbleBook Libraries
We are happy to announce the addition of TumbleBook Libraries to our online resources through August 31, 2020 thanks to a free trial! TumbleBook includes the following collections:

  • AudioBookCloud - An all ages audiobook database with books in all genres as well as Spanish audiobooks.
  • RomanceBookCloud - A huge collection of Romance novels for adults in ebook format.
  • TumbleBookLibrary - K-6 children's ebooks, readalongs, videos, games, graphic novels, and more.
  • TumbleMath - K-6 math ebook database including quizzes and picture books.
  • TeenBookCloud - Teen book database including ebooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, and National Geographic videos.

Visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/tumblebooks to find out more.

Magazines with RBDigital

  • 63 magazine titles available.
  • Download individual issues and keep them for as long as you like!
  • No holds or wait times.

Download the RBDigital app for your mobile device, or visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/download-magazines to find out more.

Learn a New Craft, Language, or Technology Skill

Portsmouth Public Library Card needed.

Art & Craft Classes with Creativebug

  • Over 1000 video classes on everything arts and crafts: from knitting, crochet, sewing and quilting, to baking, home décor, painting and drawing.
  • Videos are self-paced, with something for every crafting skill level. 
  • Creativebug is for all ages. You will find classes to suit all skill levels and classes geared specifically for kids and their adults.
Visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/creativebug to find out more.

Computer Skills with Lynda.com
  • Online video training library with over 3,000 self-paced training classes on a wide range of computer skills for beginning, intermediate, and advanced users.
  • Topics offered include: the entire suite of Microsoft and Adobe products, website development, business skills, design skills, audio and video tools, creative inspirations, and much more.
  • All of the courses are taught by expert instructors and have fully searchable transcripts.
Visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/lyndacom to find out more.

Language Courses with Mango Languages
  • Online language study tool that allows you to learn at your own pace.
  • Grammar explained in English and conversation examples provided by native speakers.
  • Appropriate for ages 7 and up, depending on reading skills.
  • Over 70 languages to choose from, including English for speakers of 20 different languages!
Download the Mango Languages app for your mobile device, or visit connect.mangolanguages.com/portsmouth/login to find out more.

Test Prep, Job Skills, and more with Learning Express
  • Sample tests and test prep for college admission tests such as GRE, ACT, SAT, CLEP, and TOEFL, as well as GED and high school equivalency materials.
  • Sample tests and test prep for occupations (including nursing, law enforcement, cosmetology, plumbing, firefighting) along with military entrance exams, such as ASVAB.
  • Resume and cover letter builder that is targeted towards using industry keywords.
  • Information on many careers and a skills and interest matcher to help find a field.
  • College and scholarship finders with filters.
  • US Citizenship resources.
Visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/learningexpress to find out more. 

Need a Library Card?

All Portsmouth residents are eligible for a free library card.

If you've had one before but your account has expired, just call us during business hours at 603-427-1540 and we'll get you renewed. You can also call us if you've lost your card. 

If you’ve never signed up, don’t worry - you can get a library card online!

Click here to register! 

Be sure to enter your current Portsmouth address and correct contact information.

A library staff member will contact you promptly to give you a library card number and verify your information! You’ll then be able to use the library’s online resources.

When the library re-opens, you will need to show proof of ID in order to extend your account.

Copyright © 2020 Portsmouth Public Library, All rights reserved.


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