The Rochester Public Library provides all members of the community with free access to information and materials that can be used to fulfill their educational, intellectual, cultural and recreational needs. The library is divided into three main departments: Children's Services, Adult Services, and Reference Services. Each department provides books, videos, CDs, audiocassettes, electronic databases, Internet access, assistance in finding the right information or materials, programming, and more. The library also provides meeting rooms and display space to individuals and organizations who can help the library fulfill its mission of providing access to
information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the library's hours?
9 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Thursday
9 AM to 5 PM Friday
9 AM to 4 PM Saturday
What are the library's phone numbers?
Main Desk: 603-332-1428
Children's Services: 603-335-7549
Reference Desk: 603-335-7550
Fax: 603-335-7582
How do I get a library card?
The library offers several types of cards: Resident, Children's, Organization (or Business), and Non-Resident.
Resident Card: This card is issued to any resident of Rochester, East Rochester, or Gonic over the age of 12. The patron must bring in some form of identification with their name and street address on it. Types of identification we accept are: driver's license or photo ID, car registration, utility bill, checks, or school ID. Resident Cards need to be renewed every year. City Employees who do not live in Rochester can bring in their pay stub to get a card.
Children's Card: Resident children may get their own card at age 5. Parents may use their own cards to borrow materials for children under 5. Registration in the public schools is considered proof of residency; otherwise we ask to see the parent's driver's license (or other identification). Children's cards need to be renewed every year.
Organization Card: These are cards for businesses or organizations located in Rochester. The person applying for the card must be the owner or manager of the business and will need to bring a rental or tax receipt with the business or organization name on it to obtain a card. Organization Cards need to be renewed every year.
Non-Resident Cards: These cards provide a household with access to all library services, including children's programs. The cost is $30.00 for a six-month card or $50.00 for a one-year card.
How long can I keep the books and videos I check out?
Books, periodicals, CDs, books on tape, and audiocassettes are checked out for 3 weeks. Entertainment and non-fiction videos, as well as a small collection of current fiction called "Fast Reads" are checked out for 1 week.
Can I renew items I have checked out?
Most materials can be renewed for three weeks. Videos can be renewed for 1 week. Items on Reserve for another patron, and "Fast Reads" cannot be renewed. Items can also be renewed online.
Do you have a web site?
The library's web address is: www.rpl.lib.nh.us . You can access the online catalog to see what is in the library collection, or look to see what you have checked out and when it is due. You can then renew items, if desired. You can also find information on our adult and children's programs, the Library's Book Discussion Group, get directions to the library, access the EBSCO magazine databases, or access links to other Rochester sites of interest.
What kinds of programming for children do you have?
The two major programs for children are Story Times and the Summer Reading Program. All programs are free to residents. Non-residents must purchase a non-resident card.
Story Times: During the school year the Children's Room offers Story Times for children 2-6 years old and Toddler Time for 12-24 month olds. There are a variety of meeting times during the week, including evenings. Each Story Time includes several stories, a couple of "fingerplays", songs, or games, and ends with a craft.
Summer Reading Program: This is a non-competitive reading club for children aged 2 and up designed to encourage reading during the summer months. Children set reading goals and earn prizes as they read toward their goal. Special activities include storytellers, puppeteers, and craft workshops. The program ends with an outdoor party for all participants.
Do you have museum passes?
In the Children's Room the library has the following passes:
- Portsmouth Children's Museum
In the Adult Department the library has:
- Strawberry Banke, Portsmouth
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
How do I Borrow Museum Passes from the Library?
Go to the Children's or Adult Desk to sign up for a particular day. You can only sign up for the current month or the next month. Maximum family use is once per month per pass. You cannot check out passes if you owe fines over $5.00. Passes can be picked up one day before the actual day of usage. Passes are due back the same day they are used. (Return box of passes in book drop.) Late fines are $5.00 per day, with a maximum of $50.00.
Do you have any rooms my organization can use for meetings?
One large meeting room, which holds up to 75 people comfortably, and one smaller meeting room, which holds up to 10 people, are available on a limited basis during regular library hours. Meetings held at the library must be free and open to the public. Groups interested in using the library's meeting rooms need to read the Rochester Public Library Meeting Room Policy and fill out a Meeting Room Registration Form. For more information call the Adult Circulation Department at 332-1428.
Do you have public Internet access available?
The library currently provides computers for the public to access the Internet. Use of the Internet is free, but users must agree to abide by the library's policies. Users under the age of 18 require a parent's signature on the Internet User Registration Form. Sign up for Internet use at the Main Desk, or call 332-1428 for more information.
I need to type a letter. Do you have a typewriter or word processor I can use?
There is both a typewriter and word processor available for the public to use. Call 332-1428 for more information.
I need information on a specific topic. Can someone help me?
Whether its a health question, a local history question or a difficult school assignment, our staff of trained reference librarians will assist you to the best of their ability. If the information you are seeking cannot be found in one of our reference books, we will assist you in searching for magazine articles using the library's online databases, or by searching the wide resources available on the Internet.
Are you housebound or short for time? Call the reference department at 335-7550 and our librarians will try and find the answer for you and either call you back or have material ready and waiting for you to pick up.
I'd like to research my family genealogy. Where should I start? Do you have anything at the library?
The Rochester Public Library has many resources for genealogists, both for beginners and for the experienced researcher. There are general books on how to do research, how to find materials online and how to send for vital records and other information both here in the US and abroad. The library provides access to Ancestry Plus, one of the largest and best organized online resources for genealogical research. We also have Rochester city directories going back to the 1890's, the City of Rochester Annual Reports, which included the records of births and deaths from 1892 to 1951, histories of Rochester and many other New Hampshire towns, and collections of bound periodicals from both the DAR and the New England Historical and Genealogical Society. In addition, thanks to the efforts of one of our volunteers, many of the
records in the annual reports and articles in the Rochester Courier are now indexed.
TO GO TO THE ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY WEB SITE!
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