Profile - Portsmouth Public Library

The Portsmouth Public Library serves the informational, educational and entertainment needs of the citizens of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Their new building -- which was dedicated in January 2007 -- was the first municipal building in New Hampshire to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification

Tonight at 7pm the library will be hosting a Big Read panel discussion, Media and the Soul of the Citizen. Please join us!

Events - October 30, 2007

As part of their Big Read programming the Kelley Library (Salem) will host a screening of the film version of this classic novel beginning at 6pm with a discussion to follow

Free Speech in a Free Society at Sandown Public Library at 6:30pm

Media and the Soul of the Citizen begins at 7pm at the Portsmouth Public Library

Events - October 29, 2007

Hampton Falls Free Library will host a discussion of Fahrenheit 451 beginning at 7pm

Surveillance in the Post 9-11 World at 7pm at Madbury Library

"Civil Liberties in a Fahrenheit 451 World" at Philp Read Memorial Library (Plainfield) at 7pm

Ray Bradbury's remarkable account of life in a thoroughly repressive society was written in the midst of the "McCarthy Era" in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Many government officials and agents regarded communism as a sufficient threat to justify the suspension of civil liberties. To
accomplish that objective society had to be persuaded to suppress those who spoke and acted to protect those liberties. Bradbury's account relies on that pattern to construct a society which accepts the destruction of books (and one assumes, all other forms of art and literature) as an appropriate and necessary means of assuring "happiness." Those who do not accept that formula suffer a cruel fate. Are we living through a contemporary version of Fahrenheit 451 or have we insulated ourselves from that form of oppression? We will examine the trends in our society following 9/11 to take our temperature and determine how close we are to Fahrenheit 451.

Events - October 25, 2007

Discussions of Fahrenheit 451 will begin at 6:30 at Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham (led by Christina Healey) and at Barrington Public Library (led by James Weber).


The Colonial Theater in Keene will show Fahrenheit 451 starring Oskar Werner and Julie Christie at 7pm. This event is in cooperation with the Keene Public Library.


Discussions of Fahrenheit 451 will begin at 7pm at Lincoln Public Library (led by Mark Brien); at Nesmith Library in Windham; at Pillsbury Free Library in Warner (led by Mark Cronin); at East Kingston Public Library; and at Orford Social Library, 573 Main Street, Orford (603-353-9756)

Media and the Soul of the Citizen

In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury envisioned a culture where people have lost interest in reading and in interacting with others and with the world around them. They are anesthetized by wall-size televisions that spew an endless stream of dumbed-down reality programs that don’t require them to think, read, or act. Sound familiar?

What is the role of the media in this age of infotainment, YouTube and the never-ending news cycle? What responsibility do citizens have in navigating the brave new world of new media?

A panel of journalists will address these questions at "Media and the Soul of the Citizen" on Tuesday, October 30 at 7 p.m. at the Portsmouth Public Library.

Aine Donovan, Executive Director of the Ethics Institute at Dartmouth College, will moderate the discussion. Dr. Donovan's research emphasis and publications are in the areas of moral education, applied ethics, professional ethics, and philosophy of education. The panelists will be Andrew Merton, reporter and UNH professor; political correspondent for the Boston Globe James Pindell; and award winning journalist Annmarie Timmins of the Concord Monitor.

This Big Read event is co-sponsored by the Portsmouth Public Library and was organized by the New Hampshire Humanities Council.

Events - October 24, 2007

As part of their Big Read NH Reads Fahrenheit 451 programming Rye Public Library will show the film version of this classic novel beginning at 1pm.

Discussions of Fahrenheit 451 will begin at 7pm at Derry Public Library, Kelley Library in Salem (led by Joan Fardella), Weare Public Library, Durham Public Library (led by James Webber), Canaan Town Library, and at the Masonic Hall at 18 Pleasant Street, Bristol (discussion will be led by Elizabethada Wright and hosted by the Minot-Sleeper Library which is next door).

"Civil Liberties vs. Security in Post 9/11 America" at Weeks Public Library in Greenland at 7pm As the federal government continues to address new national security issues in the wake of September 11, 2001, the uneasy balance between security and civil liberties is receiving renewed attention. This lecture by Richard Hesse, Franklin Pierce Law Center, explores the important trade-offs and considerations facing citizens and non-citizens alike.

Events - October 22, 2007

There will be discussions of Fahrenheit 451 hosted by the Abbott Library in Sunapee (held at the Methodist Church Meeting room) beginning at 6:30pm and at the Somersworth Public Library beginning at 7pm.

Events - October 21, 2007

Water Street Bookstore hosts a book group discussion with Liz Whaley held at the Loaf and Ladle one Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. This month's book selection is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. The Loaf and Ladle is located at 9 Water Street, Exeter, NH.

Events - October 18, 2007

Join the staff of the Barnes & Noble in Newington at 3pm to discuss “What book would you save?”

Beginning at 7pm there will be discussions of Fahrenheit 451 at Barnes & Noble in Salem, at the Gilford Public Library, at the Exeter Public Library, at the Colby Memorial Library in Danville, and at the Leach Library in Londonderry. James Webber will lead the discussion in Exeter and Mark Cronin will lead the Londonderry discussion.

At 7pm the Mill Pond Center for the Arts in Durham will host a screening of the original 1966 movie version of Fahrenheit 451 starring Oskar Werner and Julie Christie and directed by Francois Truffaut. This program is presented in partnership with the Durham Public Library, the Madbury Library, and the Lee Public Library.

Imaginate That! in the Youth Program Room at the Keene Public Library 3:30 to 5:00pm
Share your favorite science fiction stories. Create your own alternate universe and populate it with the people and animals you design. Make extraordinary other worldly crafts. Discover strange and unusual science “facts.” This program is for children in grades 4-8.

Events - October 17, 2007

A Brown Bag Book Discussion of Fahrenheit 451 begins at noon at the Somersworth Public Library

Beginning at 7pm there will be discussions of Fahrenheit 451 at the Philip Read Memorial Library in Plainfield (with scholar Laura Rubenis); at the Richards Free Library in Newport; in the meeting room at the Wolfeboro Public Library; and at the Weeks Public Library in Greenland (led by Christina Healey).

Events - October 16, 2007

James Webber will lead a discussion of Fahrenheit 451 at Exeter Public Library beginning at 10am


Beginning at 1pm there will be a discussion of Fahrenheit 451 in the meeting room at Wolfeboro Public Library and at Portsmouth Public Library

Hills Memorial Library in Hudson will begin their discussion of Fahrenheit 451 and "What book Would You Save?" at 1:30pm

Sandown Public Library will host a discussion of Fahrenheit 451 at 6:30pm


As part of their Big Read NH programming Manchester City Library will show the film version of this classic novel beginning at 6pm


Richard Hesse on "Civil Liberties in a Fahrenheit 451 World" at the Richards Free Library in Newport at 7pm
Ray Bradbury’s remarkable account of life in a thoroughly repressive society was written in the midst of the "McCarthy Era" in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Many government officials and agents regarded communism as a sufficient threat to justify the suspension of civil liberties. To accomplish that objective society had to be persuaded to suppress those who spoke and acted to protect those liberties.
Bradbury’s account relies on that pattern to construct a society which accepts the destruction of books (and one assumes, all other forms of art and literature) as an appropriate and necessary means of assuring "happiness." Those who do not accept that formula suffer a cruel fate.
Are we living through a contemporary version of Fahrenheit 451 or have we insulated ourselves from that form of oppression? We will examine the trends in our society following 9/11 to take our temperature and determine how close we are to Fahrenheit 451.

Disussion led by library staff and local teachers of "What Book Would You Save?" at the Chesley Memorial Library at 7pm

Adult and YAttitudes Book Discussion Group will talk about Fahrenheit 451 at the Rye Public Library at 7pm

"Surveillance in the Post 9-11 World" at Tilton School beginning at 7:30pm

Events - October 15, 2007

At 7pm the Mill Pond Center for the Arts in Durham will host a screening of the original 1966 movie version of Fahrenheit 451 starring Oskar Werner and Julie Christie and directed by Francois Truffaut. This program is presented in partnership with the Durham Public Library, the Madbury Library, and the Lee Public Library.

The Portsmouth Public Library will host a discussion of Fahrenheit 451 beginning at 7pm.

Events - October 11, 2007

Surveillance in Post 9-11 World at Dunbarton Library at 6:30pm

Manchester City Library will host a Book Discussion on Fahrenheit 451 at 7pm

As part of their NH Reads Fahrenheit 451 programming Nesmith Library (Windham) will show the movie version of this classic Bradbury novel beginning at 7pm.

Memories Scrapbook Program at 6:30pm at the Weeks Library (Greenland)

As part of the New Hampshire Big Read Grace Murphy Forrest of Stampin' Up! will help us create a trendy paper bag scrapbook. The cost for supplies is $10. Class is open to teens and adults. Call 603-436-8548 to register. Space is limited.

Movies

As part of their Big Read: NH Reads Fahrenheit 451 programming, many libraries around the state are showing film versions of this classic novel. View a video clip from this film here.

10/4 (2pm) Tracy Memorial Library

10/4 (7pm) Portsmouth Public Library as part of Cinema Science Fiction.

10/9 (7pm) Howe Library
This is part of the Dystopian Worlds: The Future Viewed from the Past film series.

10/11 (7pm) Nesmith Library

10/13 (1:30pm) Derry Public Library

10/15 (7pm) Mill Pond Center for the Arts in Durham, in partnership with the Durham Public Library.

10/16 (6pm) Manchester City Library

10/18 (7pm) Mill Pond Center for the Arts in Durham, in partnership with the Durham Public Library.

10/20 (1pm) Silsby Free Public Library in Charlestown
This film is being presented by the CHAOS (Culture, History, and Other Stuff) Book group and will be followed by a community discussion on "What Book Would You Save?" Call 603-826-7793 for more information.

10/24 (1pm) Rye Public Library

10/25 (7pm) The Colonial Theater in Keene in partnership with the Keene Public Library

10/30 (6pm) Kelley Library

11/7 (6pm) Frost Free Library

QUESTION: How do you think the film version compares to the novel?
Click on the comment link below (you don't need an account of any kind to leave a comment, but please sign your comment) and share your thoughts.

Discussions -- What Book Would You Save?

In his classic novel Fahrenheit 451, author Ray Bradbury created a futuristic society that burned books. The main character, Guy Montag, finds a group of men who have formed a loosely organized rebellion to save books. Their plan is to “keep the knowledge we think we will need.” The group saves books that represented “bits and pieces of history and literature and international law. Each man had a book he wanted to remember, and did.” Which book do you remember best? Which book touched your soul, opened your mind, and changed the way you see the world? If you lived in a society that burned books, what is an important book that you would want to save from the fire?

There will be several discussions on this Big Read NH theme:

• 10/6/07 (2pm) at Toadstool Bookshop, Keene in partnership with Keene Public Library
• 10/13/07 (1:30pm) at the Derry Public Library following their film screening
• 10/16/07 (7pm) at Chesley Memorial Library (Northwood)
• 10/18/07 (3pm) at Barnes & Noble, Newington
• 10/18/07 (6:30pm) Dunbar Free Library will host a potluck and discussion at Grantham Town Hall
• 10/20/07 (1pm) at Silsby Free Public Library following their film screening - the library is located at 226 Main Street, Charlestown, NH. Call (603) 826-7793 for more information

There will also be other activities related to this Big Read NH theme:

• Frost Free Library (Marlborough) is inviting their patrons to enter a drawing for a $25 gift certificate from Toadstool Bookshops by contributing their book to save title when they visit the library. Visit the Frost Free Library for more details
• During October the Weeks Public Library (Greenland) will have a Books to Save display in the library
• The Center for the Book at the NH State Library has a Books to Save display in the NH Author's Room

Events - October 4, 2007

Barrington Public Library will host Surveillance in the Post 9-11 World beginning at 6:30pm

As part of their NH Reads Fahrenheit 451 programming two libraries will show the film version of the classic Bradbury novel: the movie starts at 2pm at the Tracy Memorial Library (New London) and at 7pm at Portsmouth Public Library where it is part of Cinema Science Fiction.

Events - October 2, 2007

Richards Free Library (Newport) will host a luncheon book discussion of Fahrenheit 451 beginning at noon.

There will be discussions of Fahrenheit 451 held at Madbury Library and at Tracy Memorial Library (New London) beginning at 7pm.

Dystopian Worlds: The Future Viewed from the Past, begins tonight at 7pm at Howe Library (Hanover). This is a three film series.

Surveillance in the Post 9-11 World

In Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury imagines a world where the government protects us by burning books. In 1984, George Orwell imagined a totalitarian world where even thought was controlled; hero Winston Smith did not triumph. Is Big Brother watching us now, or are we simply taking wise precautions against real threats?


David Mackey of Plymouth State University will present this program at several locations during our Big Read:

• Barrington Public Library, 10/4/2007 (6:30pm)


• Dunbarton Library, 10/11/2007 (6:30pm)


• Tilton School, 10/16/2007 (7:30pm)


• Madbury Library, 10/29/2007 (7pm)

This program is part of the NH Humanities Council's Humanities-To-Go catalog.

Profile - Madbury Public Library

Our library began just a few years ago with several hundred books in a closet at our Town Hall. The library was legally established in March of 2001. We moved to our present location in 2003 and are just down the street from the Town Hall. We serve the Madbury community, a town of about 1750 people. As a young library we are always looking of ways to involve the community in lively, meaningful and creative discussions and events.

The Big Read is one way to bring us all together and to encourage us to discuss issues which never seem to go away. Our book group, and others, will meet to discuss Fahrenheit 451 on October 2nd. On October 29th at 7 p. m. Dave Mackey will lead us in a thoughtful discussion of “Surveillance in the Post 9-11 world.” We invite residents of Durham and Lee to join us that evening. We have several other events, hosted by Durham or Lee, which will also encourage participation by residents of the three communities.

Madbury Library is located at 9 Town Hall Road, Madbury, NH 03823. Phone 603-743-1400

Contributed by Nancy Bergeron, Director, Madbury Library