Ongoing Programs at the Portsmouth Public Library
- 2011-2012 Adult Book Discussion Titles
Featured Programs at the Portsmouth Public Library
- Winter Film Series
Our Thursday night Winter Film series starts up on January 12th. All movies begin at 7PM in the Levenson Room unless otherwise noted.
January 12th: Midnight in Paris - 94 minutes
January 26th : The Guard
- 96 minutes
February 9th at 6:30pm: The Help - 146 minutes
Rated PG-13. Starring Emma Stone and Viola Davis. An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960's
decides to write a book detailing the African-American maid's point of
view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they
go through on a daily basis. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Kathryn Stockett. Learn more about this film at IMDB.
February 23rd at 6:30pm: Glory - 122 minutes
- Celebrating Black History Month
Every year, during Black History Month, America celebrates the invaluable contributions that the African-American community has made to the culture and history of our nation. The library is joining in this celebration by offering two programs of relevant historical interest. Both events will be held in the Levenson Room and begin at 7PM. These events are free and open to the public.
Wednesday, February 8th: Sandra Clarke's One Woman Show
Sandra Clarke, founder of the Jukwaa Theatre Company, will perform her new one woman work based upon the lives of the Delaney Sisters.
Clarke will depict the sisters during the days of Jim Crow and legal segregation, based upon stories from their book, Having Our Say: the Delaney Sisters’ First 100 Years, by Sarah and Elizabeth Delaney with Amy Hill Hearth. This performance is sponsored by the library and the Seacoast African American Cultural Center (SAACC).
Wednesday, February 15th : Jeffrey Bolster presents Black Jacks
 On Wednesday, February 15, Jeffrey Bolster will present Black Jacks: African-American Seamen in the Age of Sail. Reconstructed through years of painstaking research, this richly illustrated story explores the rise and fall of black seafaring and the critical role sailors played in helping forge new identities for black people in America.
Prize-winning author Jeffrey Bolster, a resident of Portsmouth and long-time member of the UNH History Department, will talk about the challenges of writing accurate history that crackles with drama. This event is made possible through the University of New Hampshire Speakers Bureau.
- Music at the Library
Both events will be held in the Levenson Room and begin at 7PM. These events are free and open to the public.
Thursday, March 29th: Eli Elkus
Eli enjoys playing and writing acoustic music ranging from folk and
old country styled Johnny Cash all the way to contemporary John Mayer
sort of stuff. With a soft and smooth quality to his voice, his indie
twist to popular music reflects his style of writing as it appeals to a
wide variety of listeners, but at the same time is far from customary as
it has a certain unique sound about it. Eli will take you all over the
place as no song he writes sounds even remotely close to the next.
However, from “Monsters” to “Beautiful”, they all seem to tell their own story and group together quite nicely. Live, Eli enjoys telling you the uncut true story behind each of his songs.
Thursday, May 17th: Curt Bessette & Jenn Kurtz
 Join us on Thurday, May 17th at 7pm for songs and stories of World War II performed by Curt Bessette and Jenn Murtz. Their show titled "A Few Seconds With Our Fathers" features Curt's original songs about WWII and stories about his Navy veteran father and veterans who returned home and never spoke of what they had done or seen.
Curt has performed all over the USA in concerts, clubs, hotels and
schools. He has released four CDs of
his original songs. Known for his engaging stage presence and sense of
humor, Curt has been a "regular" on the New England music scene.
Jenn has returned to Maine after a 17 year love affair with the Pacific Northwest. She is thrilled to be realizing a lifelong dream of performing fulltime on stage after years in the social service arena. Jenn has a passion for singing harmony and connecting with the audience. She is an avid hiker, Reiki practitioner and outdoor photographer.
- Let's Play Board Games

The Portsmouth Public Library and the Seacoast gaming organization, Sages of RPG, are teaming up to offer something new this winter –‘Let’s Play Board Games’. The public is invited to join us for intentional gaming with board, card, and dice games, from 1:00-3:30 on Saturdays, January 28 and February 18. Many games will be available at the library but feel free to bring along your favorite to share.
The mission of Sages of RPG (role playing games) is to promote face to face interaction, education, and family togetherness through intentional gaming with board, card, and role playing games.
Wayne Moulton Jr., founder of Sages of RPG, will be facilitating the gaming afternoons. He has been gaming since he was a child and continues to share his passion for gaming by running successful community gaming events.
- Knit-Wits Knitting Group

- Portsmouth Network for Good Community Fair, 3/24
The Portsmouth Public Library and the the Portsmouth College Women's Club are seeking participants for the first annual ‘Portsmouth Network for Good’ Community Fair, an event for small non-profits. The fair will assist small Portsmouth-based community organizations in promoting their mission and introduce the wide variety of volunteer-based organizations in Portsmouth. The date of the fair is Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 1-4 pm in the Levenson Room of the Portsmouth Public Library.
Registration is first-come/first-serve and a maximum of 15 organizations will be showcased. For more information and to register for this event, contact Johanna Lyons, Vice President, of the Portsmouth College Women’s Club at pcwclub@gmail.com. Registered participants will be notified of an organizational meeting to be held in early March.
For more information, download this press release.
Adult Book Discussion Titles
2010-2011
2009-2010
2008-2009
2007-2008
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