Exeter Public Library Newsletter May 4 - 9, 2026 |
Exeter Public Library Newsletter May 4 - 9, 2026 |
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Multi-Instrumentalist and world fusion music pioneer Randy Armstrong taught patrons about the benefits of drumming on Saturday, April 25.
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Exeter Public Library Long Range Plan Surveys
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These surveys for adults and teens are anonymous and will be used for the 2026-2031 Exeter Public Library Long-Range Plan. Your voice really matters in planning what the library will look like in the next five years! All opinions are appreciated, even if you have never visited the library.
Click the button below to view the survey page on the library's website. Questions? Please call the library at 603-772-3101 or email exeterpl.ref@gmail.com. |
| Long Range Plan Surveys
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| THIS WEEK'S EVENTS |
| Blue = Adults
Green = Teens Red = Children's Purple = Friends of EPL
Maroon = 250th Celebration | |
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Monday, May 4
ALL WEEK Space Scavenger Hunt ALL WEEK Migratory Bird Day
ALL DAY Teen Gaming 10 AM Reading Classics Book Group
1 PM Taiwanese Mah Jongg 3:30 PM Teen Writing Group
3:30 PM Nifty Knitting (Ages 8-12)
5 PM Taiwanese Mah Jongg
5:30 PM Pinochle Group 6 PM Knitting Group |
| Tuesday, May 5
10 AM All Ages Story Time 1 PM Movie Showing
2 PM 2 over 1 Bridge Lesson 3 PM Teens Celebrate Star Wars Day
3:30 PM Gamers Guild (Ages 6-8) 5:30 PM The Wandering Cook
5:30 PM Trustee Committee Meeting: Building, Grounds, and Tech Committee | |
Wednesday, May 6 ALL DAY Teen Gaming
10 AM Ages 3+ Story Time 12:30 PM Spanish Table
1 PM American Mah Jongg 2 PM Book Talks: 277 Water Street
3:30 PM Graphic Novel Book Club (Ages 7-8) 6:30 PM Nonfiction Book Group |
| Thursday, May 7
10 AM All Ages Story Time 10 AM American Standard Bridge
10 AM Nations Apart Book Discussion 3:30 PM Teen Anime Club
4 PM D&D: Prime Suspects (Ages 11-15) 5:30 PM French Table
7 PM Dare to Read with Colin Woodard at Exeter Town Hall | |
Friday, May 8
9 AM - 4 PM Children's Open Art 3 PM Refreshing Fridays |
| Saturday, May 9
9 AM 6th Grade Book Group 10 AM 7th Grade Book Group
10 AM Italian Table 10 AM Cribbage with Friends of EPL
10 AM - 1 PM Alewife Festival in Founder's Park 11 AM 8th Grade Book Group
12 PM High School Book Group | |
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Join the Friends | Interested in making new connections? Looking for volunteer opportunities? Consider joining the Friends of Exeter Public Library.
To join, contact friendsofexeterpubliclibrary@gmail.com or through their Facebook page @FriendsofExeterPublicLibrary. | |
 | May Artist
Don Jalbert | |
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Consider donating non-perishable food items to support St. Vincent de Paul of Exeter or usable eyeglasses to help Lions Club International. Exeter Rotary Club is also accepting donations for old hearing aids. Donations will be used to help others at the Rotary Hearing Clinic in the Dominican Republic.
Donate your soda tabs to help the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. Items can be placed in the boxes on the table next to the Adult Information Desk. |
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Check out the library's newest collection: Playaways! These devices make listening to audiobooks even easier. All you need is the preloaded device and a pair of headphones to listen to your book. The collection includes Adult fiction and nonfiction, plus a few Children's titles. Borrow one from the New Shelf today! |
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Join us at Founders Park (or Exeter Town Hall for bad weather) for a free and family friendly environmental festival celebrating the annual migration of our river herring. Please click the button below to learn more. |
| Alewife Festival 2026
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Exeter water restrictions remain in effect. |
| Learn More at Exeternh.gov
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Peter Vorkink, Chair of the Religion Department, Emeritus, at Phillips Exeter Academy, will lead a discussion on the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and "The Grand Inquisitor" by Fyodor Dostoevsky on Monday, May 4. New members welcome! |
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A no food cooking class. Come talk and learn about food from different cultures, techniques, and share recipes. | |  |
Just by eating a delicious meal you will be supporting a great cause: 10% of sales will go to the Friends of Exeter Public Library. | |  |
Michael Skinner will share from his newly released memoir and reflect on lessons learned in healing from trauma, abuse, and mental health challenges, alongside vital statistics and personal insight. The presentation will include a short reading, music woven throughout, and time for conversation and questions.
This event is designed to be trauma-informed, choice-centered, community-focused, and best suited for adults. | |
 | Blood Drive at the Library
Friday, May 22, 10 AM to 3 PM Schedule your appointment by clicking the button below and enter EXETERLIBRARY or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
If you are an eligible type O, B- or A- donor, consider a Power Red donation – red blood cells are the most needed blood component. Save time on the day of your appointment by completing RapidPass at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass. |
| Blood Drive Appointment Page
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Join Gale Carey as she talks about her journey across the John Muir Way, a 134-mile walk that traverses volcanic fields, windswept beaches, and foxglove-laden forests. It beckons curious walkers to explore the Antonine Wall, the Falkirk Wheel, and The Kelpies. |
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We’re proud to host a livestream of TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures on
Saturday, June 13, 2026.
This daylong symposium features 15+ brand-new TED Talks focused on the evolution and
future of democracy, streaming live from Philadelphia during America’s 250th anniversary.
Join us for big ideas, thoughtful conversation, and a shared civic moment. | |
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From now through May 7, you can check out Familia by Lauren E. Rico with no waitlists or holds in the Libby app.
A baffling genealogy test connects two young women across cultures and class and sets in motion the events that might unravel a decades-old crime at last. |
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The party event of the year for Seniors (or us over 50, to be precise)! Get fancy, come as you are – but make sure you come to the Senior Soiree at the Rockingham Ballroom, presented by Exeter Parks & Recreation. To register, visit the Exeter Multigenerational Community Center during business hours, call 603-773-6151, or click the button below. |
| Senior Soiree Registration
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Each spring, the Lamont Younger Poet prize winners are invited to read their poems at a Phillips Exeter Academy Library event. On Tuesday, May 19 at 7 PM, they will be joined by visiting poet Dzvinia Orlowsky in Rockefeller Hall. A reception will follow the event. |
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Join the Exeter Senior Council for a Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 20 from 11 AM - 2 PM, hosted by Exeter Parks & Recreation at 10 Hampton Road in Exeter. Visit with local service providers, explore resources in Exeter, and more! |
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U.S. Independence 250th Celebration
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Nations Apart Book Discussion | Thursday, May 7
at 10 AM | Exeter Public Library, 4 Chestnut Street |
The library will host a book discussion group on Nations Apart: How Clashing Regional Cultures Shattered America at 10 AM with special guest Joe Pace, Executive Director of the American Independence Center. |
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Dare to Read with Colin Woodard | Thursday, May 7
at 7 PM | Exeter Town Hall, 9 Front Street |
Join celebrated author Colin Woodard to discuss his groundbreaking work on how the regional political cultures of the United States pull us apart – and how we might pull together again. Books are now available at Water Street Bookstore and Exeter Public Library. |
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Exeter Town Hall 9 Front Street, Exeter, NH |
Exeter Area General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Exeter Public Library, and Sheryl Faye present Abigail Adams – Liberty & Legacy.
Abigail Adams was a fearless political thinker, advocate for women’s rights, and moral compass during the American Revolution and the birth of a nation. This performance will bring to life a beloved historical figure and educate all who attend. |
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Couldn't make it to US @ 250: The Big Watch at the library? A complimentary online event will take place on Friday, June 26 at 5 PM. Please click the button below for more information. |
| US @ 250 Online Event
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Join the Exeter 250 Celebration Commission at the June 29th Exeter Brass Band Concert for free popsicles and patriotic giveaways.
Exeter Brass Band concerts: Monday nights in July at the Bandstand, Downtown Exeter. See this Exeter institution each summer on Monday evenings at the Bandstand, intersection of Front and Water Streets. An Exeter tradition since 1847. |
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| Teen Activities Join us for All Day Gaming on Mondays and Wednesdays, Teen Writing Group on Mondays at 3:30 PM, a new event every Tuesday at 3 PM, Anime Club on Thursdays at 3:30 PM, and Refreshing Fridays every Friday at 3 PM. |
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Teen Book Groups
| Teens can join Book Group by picking up a book to borrow from the Adult Information Desk. The next group will meet on Saturday, May 9. |
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6th Grade at 9 AM | Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve |
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7th Grade at 10 AM | Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen |
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8th Grade at 11 AM | The Fifth of March: A Story of the Boston Massacre by Ann Rinaldi |
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High School at 12 PM | Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson |
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Stop by or call the Children's Room at 603-772-6036 to register for our clubs, including Art Club, Dungeons and Dragons, Gamers Guild, Music Makers, Nifty Knitting, and our book clubs!
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Monday, May 4 |
Nifty Knitting meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 3:30 - 5 PM. Children ages 8-12 are welcome to join Nifty Knitting to learn how to knit coasters, coin purses, or work on your own project surrounded by other fiber artists! |
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Tuesday, May 5
| Gamers Guild: Ages 6-8 meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. Children can play all manner of video games and compete against each other, or work together, in a safe and welcoming environment. |
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Thursday, May 7 |
Dungeons & Dragons: Prime Suspects (Ages 11-15) meet on the 1st Thursday of the month from 4 - 6 PM. Children can sign-up for D&D to work together as a team to complete quests, slay monsters, and achieve personal and group goals within the game. |
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| Children's Book Groups | Stop by the library to borrow your book group read! The groups will meet at 3:30 PM. |
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Graphic Novel Book Club (Ages 6-8)
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The First Case by Felix Gumpaw |
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Graphic Novel Book Club (Ages 9-11)
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Buzzing by Samuel Sattin |
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Movie Scene
|  | Tuesdays at 1 PM |
Tuesday movies start at 1 PM. Enjoy a movie on the big screen! Click below to see what's playing next. |
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Nonfiction Book Group | May 6 at 6:30
The group is reading The Art of War by Sun Tzu. |
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Evening Book Group | May 13 at 6:30
The group is reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. |
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Morning Book Group | May 20 at 10
The group is reading Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne. |
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Want to learn how to play a game? Want to make new connections in town? Join any of the many gaming groups at the library!
Groups are open to all experience levels – beginners to experts. There is someone willing to teach at each group. |
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Interested in teaching a language? We are always looking for teachers or native speakers willing to start a language table. If you're interested, email exeterplprograms@gmail.com.
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Society of St. Vincent de Paul Exeter
| 53 Lincoln Street Providing food and emergency assistance to residents of Exeter, Stratham, Newfields, Brentwood, Kensington, and East Kingston. |
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Lamprey Health Care has partnered with St. Vincent de Paul of Exeter to make weekly visits to the Community Assistance Center at 53 Lincoln Street on Fridays from 9 AM - 12 PM. Walk-in registration – no appointment needed!
Click the button below for more information about Lamprey's Mobile Health Services and to view the van schedule. |
| Mobile Health Services Schedule
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| St. Vincent de Paul Exeter Website
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| Keep in Touch with Your Community! |
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Email Alerts from Town of Exeter, NH
For more information and to sign up, click the button below. |
| Email Alerts Sign Up
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* All programs at the library are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. *
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CONTACT US |
4 Chestnut Street | Exeter, NH 03833
www.exeterpl.org
Main Phone: 603-772-3101
Children's Room: 603-772-6036 |
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