Profile - Richards Free Library

Founded in 1888, the Richards Free Library serves as the public library for the Town of Newport, New Hampshire. The library is located in a 1899 house that is listed on the National Historic Register and sits across the street from the town common. The library provides public library services to the Town of Newport and the surrounding area, and meeting spaces on its second and third floors; one of them a restored ballroom. The entire facility has free wireless internet access.

In 1955 the library established the Sarah Josepha Hale Award which is given annually to honor writers with a connection to New England. Recipients have included Robert Frost, Arthur Miller, Jill Ker Conway and Ellen Goodman. The 2007 winner is New Hampshire’s own Tomie dePaola.

In 1967 the trustees established the Newport Library Arts Center as a gallery and studio space for the visual and performing arts in the former carriage house. Changing art exhibits, lectures and performances take place in the two galleries on the main floor and a basement studio equipped with kiln, pottery wheels, dark room and easels houses space for art classes.

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)

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 23, 2007

The Dunbarton Library will host a discusssion of Fahrenheit 451 at 6:30pm.

The Frost Free Library in Marlborough will host a discussion of Fahrenheit 451 led by Dr. Marianne Salcetti of Keene State College at 6:30pm.

Michael Brien will lead a discussion of Fahrenheit 451 at Barnes & Noble in Manchester at 7pm.

Discussions of Fahrenheit 451 will also begin at 7pm at Pease Public Library in Plymouth; at the Hills Memorial Library in Hudson; and at the Howe Library in Hanover where Laura Rubenis will lead the discussion.

"Civil Liberties vs. Security in Post 9/11 America" at Tracy Memorial Library 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 20, 2007

At the Silsby Free Public Library in Charlestown the CHAOS (Culture, History, and Other Stuff) Book Group presents a Big Read film presentation and community discussion on "What Book Would You Save?" beginning at 1pm

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

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.

Events - October 9, 2007

The Kearsarge Area Council on Aging Breakfast Book Club meets at 9:30am to discuss Fahrenheit 451. This group is sponsored by the Tracy Memorial Library (New London).

Baker Free Library (Bow) will be hosting discussions of Fahrenheit 451 at 12:30pm AND 6:30pm.

The Howe Library’s Dystopian Worlds film series continues with a showing of the film version of our Big Read book at 7pm.

One Mother, Two Fathers with Jeanne Cavelos at Keene Public Library at 7pm.

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.