News and Views:  ROCHESTER HILLS PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWSLETTER Fall 2022

Angeline Boulley:
RHPL interviews author of Firekeeper's Daughter 

ROCHESTER AUTHOR FAIR: 4th annual fair features local writers 

LIBRARY BUILDING TURNS 30: Olde Towne Road location opened in 1992 

Page 2 NEWS & VIEWS

Cover: RHPL will host a discussion with award-winning Michigan author Angeline Boulley over Zoom on September 20. See page 4 for details. Photo: Amber Boulley. 


GENERAL 
INFORMATION 

Juliane Morian, Library Director 

juliane.morian@rhpl.org 

General ......................... 248-656-2900 
Adult .................................... 650-7130 
Youth ................................... 650-7140 
Outreach/Bookmobile ......... 650-7150 
TDD...................................... 650-7153 
Hours ................................... 650-7170 
Item Renewals ..................... 650-7174 
Friends Membership............ 650-7160 
Friends Events...................... 650-7176 
Friends Book Sales ............... 650-7178 
Friends Gift Shop................. 650-7179 

LIBRARY BOARD 

Madge Lawson........................ President 
Anne Kucher.................... Vice President 
Charles Stouffer.......................Secretary 
Robert Bonam......................... Treasurer 
Melinda Deel.............................. Trustee 
Julianne Reyes............................Trustee 


City of Rochester Liaison: Alice Moo 
Oakland Township Library Board Liaison: Michael Tyler 


The library board meets monthly on the second Monday. Meetings are open to the public. Reasonable auxiliary aids & services are available. 


NEWS & VIEWS STAFF 

Tiffany Dziurman Stozicki 
Editor & Public Relations Manager 

Michele Dimond 
Graphic Designer & Public Relations Assistant 

Contributors: Mary Davis, Rebecca 
LaFave, Betsy Raczkowski, Allison Sartwell 

REGISTRATION & LIBRARY 
CARD INFORMATION 

This icon indicates registration is required. Many programs 
require registration with an active RHPL card unless otherwise noted. To 
apply for an RHPL card, visit rhpl.org/ use-the-library/get-a-library-card. 


A LETTER FROM THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR 

There are many benefits when adults get caught reading. 
Recently, a survey conducted by the National Assessment of 
Educational Progress revealed that reading for fun among 
tweens and teens has steadily dropped over the past two 
decades and is at the lowest levels since the mid-1980s. 
Complementary studies show when parents, teachers, and 
caregivers model reading in front of children, those examples 
inspire a love and habit for reading in young people. 
The benefit of reading extends past the example set. While 
reading can be escapism in a practical sense, it also builds 
empathy and nurtures self-reflection. One way Rochester Hills 
Public Library supports young readers is through its certification 
and membership in Family Place Libraries™, which means RHPL 
staff has engaged in intensive, off-site training to learn how a 
child's brain develops and what parents and caregivers can do 
to foster strong vocabulary, reading skills, and comprehension in 
children. Modeling reading is one of the Family Place Libraries™ 
practices we encourage and promote at the library. 
This year, the library piloted a program that has received high 
praise and participation in its first year. “50 Books in a Year” 
encourages adults to set aspirational reading goals and track 
their progress for a chance to win prizes through Beanstack, 
the same online tracking platform used for the summer reading 
program. The Adult Services librarian team developed reading 
prompts to suggest new kinds of books patrons might choose 
to read. Reading categories range from “Journey through a 
Different Time” to “Conversation Starters,” with such activity 
challenges as read a book from the year you were born, or read 
a novel that blends genres like science fiction and horror. 
As we welcome acclaimed Michigan author Angeline Boulley to 
speak to our community in September, I hope you feel inspired 
to read big and bold this year and, of course, get caught reading! 
Juliane Morian 


ADULT 6 
YOUTH 14 
TEEN 12 
EUREKA LAB 13 
OUTREACH 10 
ADULT 6 
YOUTH 14 
TEEN 12 
EUREKA LAB 13 
OUTREACH 10 
FRIENDS
DUTTON FARM PRODUCTS 
ARE AVAILABLE AT THE 
FRIENDS STORE 

The Friends Library Store is proud to offer bath and body 
products by Dutton Farm through EveryBody Inc. These 
handmade bar soaps and lip balms don't contain parabens, 
phylates, SLS, or SLES and are for every body. The products 
come in unique natural fragrances, including Michigan Cherry, 
Peach, Lavender, and Fig, to name a few. 
The store supports EveryBody Inc.’s motto: “Beauty in Diversity. 
Strength in Inclusion.” Dutton Farm employs individuals of all 
abilities, supporting its mission of “empowering and supporting 
adults with disabilities to live a life of purpose, inclusion, 
and dignity.” For more information about Dutton Farm, visit 
duttonfarm.org. 


FRIENDS FALL USED 
BOOK SALE 

The Friends Fall Used Book Sale begins with a Members-
Only Night on Wednesday, October 19, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. 
Nonmembers may purchase a Friends membership at the door. 
Public sale hours are: 
Thursday, October 20, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 
Friday, October 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Sunday (Bag Day), October 23, 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 


Call 248-650-7178 to learn more about used book sales. 

GIVING TUESDAY 

November 29 is Giving Tuesday, a global 
day of generosity that encourages people 
to do good deeds and make a difference. 
This year's Giving Tuesday, consider 
making a donation to Friends by visiting 
rhpl.org/connect/visit-friends-of-rhpl. 
Every donation supports the library. 

QUALITY SALE 

Friends’ Quality Sale features a fine 
collection of donated items that make 
great gifts. Shop this popular sale in the 
library’s Multipurpose Room. Sale dates 
and times are: 
Thursday, December 1, 3-8:30 p.m. 
Friday, December 2, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 
Saturday, December 3, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 


HOLIDAY HOME 
TOUR RETURNS! 

Holiday Home Tour will return after a two-
year hiatus! Five homes will display festive 
decor for the tour on Sunday, December 
11, from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets go on sale 
in November. Visit rhpl.org to learn more. 
If you would you like to include your home 
on next year’s tour, call the Friends event line at 248-650-7176 and leave a message. 


4 NEWS & VIEWS 


An Evening with 
Angeline Boulley 

Photo Description: The cover of Aneline Boylley's book Firekeeper's Daughter

Michigan author discusses her book, 
Firekeeper’s Daughter, why she writes, and what inspires her 

Angeline Boulley is a novelist and a Native American education advocate. She is an 
enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and a storyteller 
who writes about her Ojibwe community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her debut 
novel, Firekeeper's Daughter, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. The novel 
earned the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children's Literature and the 
William C. Morris YA Debut Award. Firekeeper's Daughter was also named an American 
Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book. 

NEWS & VIEWS 5 

In Boulley’s groundbreaking novel, the main 
character, Daunis Fontaine, is a biracial, unenrolled 
tribal member who feels out of place in her 
hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. 
After she witnesses a shocking murder, Daunis is 
drawn into an FBI investigation over a lethal new 
drug. Reluctantly, she agrees to go undercover, 
using her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe 
traditional medicine, to track down the source. But 
finding the truth is more complicated than Daunis 
imagined and she must learn what it means to be 
a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and 
determine how far she will go for her community. 


What led you to a writing career? 

Photo Description: Angeline Boulley, a darkhaired indigenous woman.

AB: Both of my parents are voracious readers. 

My mother took us to 
the public library every 
Saturday. We could read 
anything we wanted to 
haul in our library tote 
bags. I loved reading 
mysteries like Nancy 
Drew, the Hardy Boys, 
and the Dana Girls series. 
Authors Robert Cormier, 
Shirley Jackson, and Lois 
Duncan sparked my love of dark stories that reveal 
unpleasant truths. I was a high school senior the 
first time I read a book with a Native American main 
character. But it wasn't a positive experience; the 
author perpetuated harmful stereotypes, and it 
made me want to tell a better story! 


Where did the idea for Firekeeper’s Daughter originate? 


AB: The idea came to me when I was 18 years old. 
My friend at a different school told me about a new 
guy she thought I’d be interested in. I was intrigued 
until a few weeks later when she told me he didn’t 
play sports and hung out with the stoners. I played 
four different sports in high school, so he wasn’t for 
me. At the end of the year, there was a drug bust, 
and it turned out that the new guy had been an 
undercover officer! I remember thinking what might 
have happened if we’d met and liked each other? 
Or what if it wasn’t that he liked me but that he 
needed my help? The story grew from the question: 
Why would an undercover investigation need the 
help of an ordinary Native American girl? 
You have referred to Firekeeper’s Daughter as an 
indigenous Nancy Drew. What is it about mysteries 
that inspire your writing? 
AB: Mysteries tap into two of my strongest attributes: 
curiosity and tenacity! I love a 
well-crafted puzzle that requires effort to solve and still manages to 
surprise me. As a writer, I try to reverse engineer the 
mystery. Since the reader knows everything at the 
conclusion, I plot the story backwards to determine 
what information should be revealed and when. 
You often discuss connecting with your cultural 
identity. What has that journey been like for you? 
AB: I've always been connected to my culture but 
had experiences growing up where I questioned 
whether I was "Native enough." At a certain point, 
I realized my identity was mine to claim instead of 
a label bestowed upon me by someone else. Once 
I reclaimed my identity as an Ojibwe woman (Nish 
kwe), I felt peace and strength. This journey is 
mirrored in Daunis' story. 
Join RHPL and Boulley on Tuesday, September 20 at 
7 p.m., online over Zoom for an engaging interview 
and discussion about her life, writing career, and 
becoming a bestselling author. Boulley will also give 
insight about adapting the novel into a Netflix series 
with President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s 
production company, Higher Ground. The RHPL 
interview is open to all but requires registration. Visit 
calendar.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900 to register. 
Firekeeper’s Daughter is available in print, large print, 
and digital and audio formats at RHPL. Large print 
editions are located in Outreach Services. 
Firekeeper’s Daugther was published in 2021. The 
cover was designed by Rich Deas, Senior Art Director 
at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, with 
assistance from artist Moses Lunham (Ojibwe) from 
Kettle & Stony Point First Nation. 
ADULT 

ADULT PROGRAMS 


Register online at calendar.rhpl.org or scan the QR code using the camera on your mobile 

device. Questions? Call the Adult Reference Desk at 248-650-7130 or send an email to 
adult.reference@rhpl.org. Registration opens one month before the programs begin. 

HEALTH & WELLNESS 

My Amazing Journey with Autism (Registration Required)
Thursday, September 8, 7 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Ron Sandison, author, speaker, and mental 
healthcare worker, shares his journey of autism. 

Living with Dementia Part III (Registration Required)
Thursday, September 15, 7 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Vicki Klanke, RN, CDP, explains the Positive 
Physical Approach to dementia in this third 
program of her series on dementia care. 

Ascension Health Talk: The Gut/Brain Connection (Registration Required) (Community Partner)
Tuesday, October 18, 7 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Dr. Issam Turk M.D. of Ascension Providence 
Rochester Hospital discusses the brain/gut 
connection and how one affects the other. 

Secrets to Surviving Your Children’s Love Relationships (Registration Required)
Thursday, October 27, 7 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 

In this engaging and fun presentation, Dr. Terri 
Orbuch (a.k.a. The Love Doctor®) shares her 
secrets to happy relationships. 

What is Music Therapy? (Registration Required)

Saturday, November 5, 4:30 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 
Dr. Theresa Merrill, retired professor of music 
therapy, explains this unique therapy and how it 
benefits overall health and well-being. 

Be SMART for Kids (Registration Required)
Thursday, November 10, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room. 

In this updated presentation, Be SMART helps adults 
normalize conversations about gun safety. Adults only. 

A Child's Journey Through Grief (Registration Required) (Community Partner)
Thursday, November 17, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room. 
Presented by SandCastles and Rochester Area Youth Assistance (RAYA), 
this workshop explores techniques to address grief and loss with children. 

HISTORY, ART & CULTURE 

An Evening with Angeline BoulleyTuesday, September 20, 7 p.m. Zoom Meeting.
Don't miss RHPL’s Zoom chat with Michigan author Angeline Boulley, a Young 
Adult novelist and a Native American education advocate. 
Her debut novel, Firekeeper's Daughter, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. 
See our feature story on page 4. 
Van Gogh in America: Special Exhibition (Registration Required)
Tuesday, October 11, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room.
Experience around 70 authentic Van Gogh works 
from around the world and learn the story of 
America’s introduction to this iconic artist in an 
exhibition only at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Page 7

Honoring Your NaNo Journey (Registration Required)
Tuesday, November 1, 7 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Working on your great American novel? Join 
Melissa Lucken, a creative writing professor 
at Lansing Community College, to learn 
how to honor your writing journey during 
National Novel Writing Month by defining 
and managing expectations, brainstorming 
ideas, structuring scenes, and more! 

Our Island Jewel: Detroit's Belle Isle Park (Registration Required)
Tuesday, November 15, 7 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Often called the crowning jewel of Detroit’s 
riverfront, Belle Isle has a long and storied 
history. The park has hosted world-class 
sporting events, musical performances, 
and family parties. It has also witnessed 
massacres, riots, and military incursions. But 
for a few twists of fate, this beloved island 
might have been a much different place. 
4th Annual Rochester Author Fair 
Saturday, November 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 
Hosted by RHPL and Rochester Writers, the 
Rochester Author Fair is an opportunity to 
discover local writers who are traditionally 
published and self-published and represent 
many genres. Registration is not required. 


SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT 

Birdwatching & Birding 
Thursday, September 29, 7 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 

If you love the outdoors, join Greg Bodker 
for an in-depth look at birds and the joys of 
birding in your backyard. This program benefits 
the novice and aspiring birder alike! Bodker 
has led birding trips for Michigan Audobon. 
Image Description: Smart Towns logo featuring a lightbulb with pixels coming out of it.
Smart Towns is a lifelong learning program 
for everyone in the community led by 
Rochester Hills Public Library, Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, 
Oakland University, Rochester University, Rochester-Avon Historical Society, and the Rochester Hills 
Museum. 
This unique series of programs explore one theme for two years. The 2022/2023 theme is "Revolution, 
Reaction & Reform." Visit smarttowns.rhpl.org for more programs and program locations. (Registration Required)
Brain Health: Injury orTrauma 
Thursday, September 22, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room.
Dr. Jessica Matyas, Associate Professor of Physchology 
& Department Chair, Rochester University.
China’s Past & Present 
Tuesday, September 27, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room. 
Dr. Joy Jiang, Associate Professor of Management, 
Oakland University.
Advancements in Cardiovascular Care 
Tuesday, October 4, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room.
Dr. Nishit Choksi, MD, Ascension Providence Rochester 
Hospital. 
Science, Ethics, and America's Struggle to 
Promote Public Health through Vaccines 
Thursday, October 6, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room. 
Dr. Mark Navin, Ph.D., HEC-C, Professor of Philosophy 
& Department Chair, Oakland University.
Advancements in Radiological Care 
Tuesday, November 8, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room.
Presenter tba, Ascension Providence Rochester 
Hospital. 
What Social Movements Can & Cannot DoTuesday, November 29, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room. 
Dr. Joe Reger, Professor of Sociology Department Chair, 
Oakland University.

Page 8

FALL CONCERT SERIES (Registration Required)
Autumn Serenade 
Sunday, September 18, 
2 p.m. Multipurpose Room. 
Spend an afternoon with 
Kelly and Darryl Roenicke in 
a performance of classical 
favorites and standards, 
featuring works by American 
composers Amy Beach, Clara 
Schumann, and George 
Gershwin. 

Image Description: Darryl, a man in a blue shirt and tie sits with a Kelly, a woman in a black shirt holding a violin.

Detroit Flute Guild
Sunday, October 30, 2 p.m. 
Multipurpose  Room. 
Image Description: A group of seven older adults post with flutes
Experience the ethereal and graceful sounds of woodwinds with 
the Detroit Flute Guild, an ensemble dedicated to 
outstanding musical performance. 

Odyssey 
Sunday, November 13, 2 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 
Image Description: A group of 12 men and women stand in a circle and smile down in at a camera
Enjoy the a cappella voices of Odyssey, a Southeast Michiga nbased 
musical group that offers interactive performances for audiences of all ages. 

TAKE & MAKE (Registration Required)
Register for the programs below to reserve 
supplies, pick up your kit on the date listed, and 
take it home! Kits will be available for pick up at 
the Adult Reference Desk. 

Crochet Gripper Pad 
Tuesday, September 13. 
Use basic crochet to make a gripper pad for those 
hard-to-open jars. 

Spiderweb Wreath 
Tuesday, October 4. 
Add some spooky spirit to your house with a 
spiderweb wreath, complete with mini spiders! You 
supply scissors. 

DIY Pressed Fall Leaves Art 
Tuesday, November 15. 
Want to celebrate the beauty of fall? Make 
decorative pressed art to hang on your walls using 
real leaves. 

WRITING & BOOKS 
Books on Tap 
Mondays: September 12 & November 14, 7 p.m. 
Main Street Billiards, VIP Room. 
Meet at Main Street Billiards (215 S. Main 
Street) for a casual book club in a relaxed 
setting. Talk about books and enjoy delicious 
food and drinks (purchased on your own). 
Copies of the books are available at the Adult 
Reference Desk upon registration or download 
an eBook edition using the Libby app. 
September 12: Disability
Visibility by Alice Wong Image Description: The cover of Disability Visibility which features multicolered geometric shapes 
November 14: Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia Image Description: The cover of Deaad Deaad Girls featuring an illustration of a Black female in formal attire framed by black
Page 9

RHPL’s Writers Group (Registration Required) 
Tuesdays: September 13, October 11 & 
November 8, 6:30 p.m. Conference Room A. 

Join other writers in a workshop-style session once a month. Space is limited! 
Image Description: A sketch of a hand holding a feather pen


Scribes Writers’ Workshop 

Wednesdays: September 14, September 28, 
October 12, October 26 & November 9, 1 p.m. 
Conference Room B. 

Do you love to write? Then join this workshop 
and write on a given topic or thought-starter, and 
give and take positive feedback. Registration is not required. 

Between the Lines (Registration Required)

Tuesdays: September 20, October 18 & 
November 15, 2 p.m. Conference Room A. 
Thursdays: September 22, October 20 & 
November 17, 7 p.m. Conference Room A. 

Join RHPL’s lively monthly book discussion! Pick 
up a copies of the books at the Adult Reference 
Desk or download audiobook editions using the 
Libby app. Space is limited. 

September 20: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 
September 22: Life Undercover by Amaryllis Fox

October 18: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray 
October 20: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson 

November 15: Life Undercover by Amaryllis Fox 
November 17: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

Image Description: The cover of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo which features the lips and midsection of a woman wearing a green dress; 
The cover of Life Undercover, a read book with a black and white photo of a woman in motion with text that reads "Coming of age n the CIA";
The cover of The Personal Libraian that shows a woman in a long red dress standing on a large staircase;
The cover of Black Cake that has multicolored abstract lines that create the image of a face

POP CULTURE & GAMES 

Hey, Remember That Movie ... (Registration Required)
Fridays: September 16, October 21 & November 18, 7 p.m. Adults Only. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Embrace the spooky season with an after-hours 
movie night for grown-ups! Popcorn provided; 
bring your own (non-alcoholic) beverage. 

September 16: Poltergeist 
October 21: Underworld 
November 18: Gremlins 

Image Description: An illustration of an old video camera
Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament (Registration Required)
Saturday, September 24, 1 p.m. Multipurpose Room. 
If you love solving puzzles, join RHPL for the annual 
jigsaw puzzle tournament! Teams of up to six will 
compete to see who finishes a 1,000-piece jigsaw 
puzzle the fastest (or who can complete the most in 
three hours). Enjoy refreshments and prizes provided 
by the library. 

Know-It-All Trivia Smackdown! (Registration Required)
Monday, October 10, 7 p.m. 
Main Street Billiards, Solarium. 

Know a little bit about everything? Meet at Main 
Street Billiards (215 S. Main Street) with your team 
of up to six people and see if you have what it takes 
to be crowned champions! The top team will win a 
prize. Food and drinks are available for purchase. 

NaNoWriMo Come "Write In"! (Registration Required)
Saturdays: November 5, 12, 19 & 26, 
10 a.m.-3 p.m. All Ages. Conference Room B. 

If you're trying to hit 50,000 words in 30 
days for National Novel Writing Month 
(NaNoWriMo), we have a spot for you! Drop-
in every Saturday in November to join other 
NaNoWriMo participants for encouragement 
and support. New to NaNoWriMo? Register for 
our program "Honoring Your NaNo Journey," 
scheduled for Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. 

Page 10

Behind the Scenes 
Library Tours
September 21, October 13, 10 a.m. & November 9, 3 p.m. 
Have you ever wondered how a library 
works? Join library director Juliane 
Morian for a behind-the-scenes look 
at the inner workings of RHPL. Space is 
limited. Registration is required.

Celebrate Poetry! 
Sunday, October 16, 2 p.m. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Join the Rochester Poetry Society to 
learn more about this unique form 
of writing. The program includes an 
open mic opportunity for local poets 
to read their work. Registration is not required. 
Free Magazine Day at RHPL 
Saturday, November 12, 
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Multipurpose Room. 
Do you love to collect magazines or are you looking 
for a past issue? RHPL is cleaning out the 2021 magazines to 
make room for new issues. Last year’s magazines are free on a first come, 
first served basis and there is no limit on the number of magazines each 
person may take. This is the only day and time the magazines will be offered. Unclaimed 
magazines will be recycled. 

OUTREACH SERVICES 

Register online at calendar.rhpl.org or scan the 
QR code using the camera on your mobile device. 
Questions? Call Outreach Services at 248-650-7150 
or send an email to outreach@rhpl.org. 

ELL Book Club: Murder on the Orient Express 
Thursdays: September 15-November 17, 
10-11:30 a.m. Conference Room B. 

Meet with Rebecca and other English 
language learners to read a book and talk 
about it in a friendly setting. Copies of the 
book will be available at the first meeting. 
Questions? Send an email to rebecca.lafave@rhpl.org or call Outreach 
Services at 248-650-7150. 
Image Description: The cover of Murder on the Orient Express, featuring a train with red circles coming out to represent smoke
English Matters: ELL Conversation Group 
Tuesdays: September 13-December 6, 10-11:30 a.m. 
Thursdays: September 15-December 8, 7-8:30 p.m. 
Saturdays: September 17-December 10, 10-11:30 a.m. 
Conference Room A. 
Conversation groups are a time to come together and discuss 
hometowns, food, hobbies, jobs, and other informal topics. 
Joining a group will introduce you to new friends for a great time! 
(Note: No classes the week of the Thanksgiving holiday). 
American Culture 
Mondays: October 3-31, 10-11:30 a.m. Conference Room A. 
Join Mariano for an informal group discussion. This group is open 
to all ELL students and newcomers. The group will discuss and 
share experiences and observations regarding the customs and manners of American culture. 

Community Bookmobile Schedule 
RHPL's Community Bookmobile holds over 3,000 popular items 
for all ages, including books, DVDs, music CDs, video games, 
and more. Each week, the bookmobile visits 24 locations in the 
community to serve patrons where they live. For a complete 
bookmobile schedule with dates, times, and locations, visit 
rhpl.org/departments/community-bookmobile. 

LIBRARY BUILDING TURNS 30; RECEIVES DDA HONOR 

Image Description: A photo showing the current RHPL building with a blue sky
Cutline: The RHPL building, October 1993. Credit: RHPL Collection. 

Image Description: A black and white photo of a group of people walking in the street. Two women carry a banner that reads "Rochester Hills Public Library"
Cutline: The opening day festivities included a parade from the 
former library to the new location. Credit: RHPL Collection.

Image Description: A letter with blue letterhead from the Rochester DDA
On July 20, 2022, the Rochester DDA acknowledged the 
library building’s 30th anniversary with a special framed commemoration.


With a bit of fanfare and nearly 3,000 people, Rochester 
Hills Public Library opened the doors to its new location on 
Olde Towne Road on Sunday, November 1, 1992. The day 
began with a parade from the former library building at 
University and Pine Streets to the new location across from 
the post office. Marching bands from Rochester and Adams 
high schools led the parade, along with members of the 
library board. 

After an official ribbon cutting by library director Christine 
Hage and library board president Priscilla Hildum, the 
public was invited to tour the 70,000-square-foot building. 
Library visitors enjoyed musical entertainment, costumed 
characters, refreshments, and activities throughout the 
following week. 


According to the Rochester Eccentric, the new library 
building was made possible through a 1988 voter-approved 
bond. During the 1980s, it became apparent that the 
community library needed a bigger space to accommodate 
a growing population. The Olde Towne Road site was 
purchased with assistance from the Rochester Downtown 
Development Authority (DDA). 


Located on the edge of Rochester’s central business district, 
the library property is bordered by the Paint Creek and 
Paint Creek Trail to the north and east. Bay windows on 
the north side of the building take advantage of the scenic 
views of Paint Creek. Designed by TMP Associates, Inc. and 
constructed by Frank Rewold & Son, Inc., the building's 
exterior design and use of stone and red brick recall the 
architecture of the mills in Rochester’s early days. 

In honor of the new building, 
the Rochester branch of the 
Woman's National Farm & Garden Association purchased a 
camperdown elm tree and planted it in front along Olde Towne Road. 
The tree's distinctive shape comes from grafting the root system to the top of the tree. The original camperdown elms at the 
former library building could not be moved without the risk of destroying them. RHPL continues to showcase the tree in its official logo. 
Image Description: The Rochester Hills Public LIbrary logo that shows a camperdown elm tree emerging from an open book. 

Page 12

TEEN PROGRAMS


Register online at calendar.rhpl.org or scan the QR code using the camera on your mobile device. Qestions? Call the Adult Reference Deesk at 248-650-7130 or send an email to 
teen@rhpl.org. 


TEEN ADVISORY BOARD (TAB) 
Wednesdays: September 7, October 5 & 
November 9, 7 p.m. Conference Room A/Discord. 

Share your ideas about teen programs and other 
library matters at these fun meetings (now holding 
hybrid meetings online and in person). Fill out a TAB 
application by clicking on the Teen Volunteer tab 
under Teen Services at rhpl.org. Questions? Contact 
RHPL’s teen librarian at teen@rhpl.org. 

RHPL PLAYER'S GUILD (RPG) 
Wednesdays: September 28, October 12 & 
November 30, 7 p.m. Conference Room A. 

Come to the library to play tabletop games, 
including board games, card games, role-playing 
games, and more! Interested in becoming a 
dungeon master for D&D or leading a specific board 
game? Send an email to teen@rhpl.org for more 
information.

Image Description: A table with various cards, chips, and a game board. A woman reaches for a deck of cards.  


TEEN CRAFTERNOON (Registration Required)
Wednesdays: September 21, October 26 & 
November 16, 7 p.m. Eureka Lab. 

If you enjoy being creative, join other teens to make 
unique items in RHPL’s Eureka Lab. 

VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENT 
Wednesdays: September 28 & October 12, 
7 p.m. Multipurpose Room. 

Show your skills in one of our monthly video 
game tournaments! 
Image Description: A Nintendo Switch sits on a table with the screen on and two games sitting in front of it.

NEED AN ITEM? 
Does RHPL own an item (book, DVD, game, etc.) 
you would like but is currently unavailable? Then 
place a hold on it using the online catalog and 
your library card. If RHPL doesn't own the item, 
check MeLCat (Michigan eLibrary Catalog), a 
statewide library catalog accessible from rhpl.
org, and request the item using your library 
card. Materials are from MeLCat libraries across 
Michigan, and they are sent to RHPL for you to 
borrow. If neither RHPL nor MeLCat owns the 
item, RHPL may still be able to obtain it for you. 
Simply fill out our request form at rhpl.org and 
select the department or collection that can 
fulfill the request: Adult, Outreach, Youth, Teen, 
or Innovative Items. 
Image Description: A similar illustration of a laptop on a desk with a lamp, mug, and planted cactus

Page 13
EUREKA LAB 


Register online at calendar.rhpl.org or scan the QR code using the camera on your mobile device.
Questions? Call the Adult Reference Desk at 248-650-7130 or send an email to adult.reference@rhpl.org. 


Personalized Drink Glasses (Registration Required)
Wednesday, September 7, 6:30 p.m. 

Embellish a drinking glass with a fun twist using 
special vinyl that changes color when cold! 

Personalized Totes!  (Registration Required)
Wednesday, September 28, 6 p.m. 

Design a personalized tote bag for everyday use. 

Python Coding Class (Registration Required)
Mondays: October 3, 10, 17 & 24. 6 p.m. 
Grades 6-8. Eureka Lab. 

Join the McMath-Hulbert Astronomical Society 
for a four-week introductory course on learning 
Python Coding Language. 

DIY Trick or Treat Bags (Registration Required)
Wednesday, October 12, 6:30 p.m. 

Make your own funny, scary or sweet trick-ortreat 
bag and enjoy it for years! 

Book Page Pumpkin (Registration Required)
Wednesday, October 5, 6:30 p.m. 

Have fun upcycling old books by making fun paper 
pumpkins to add to any decor! 

Image Description: Book pages that have been manipulated into the 3D shape of a pumpkin

Paper Leaf Wreath 
Wednesday, November 9, 6 p.m. 

Learn to use the Cricut machine to make a fun fall 
wreath! 


Sublimation Keychains 
Tuesday, November 29, 6 p.m. 

Learn how to transfer a design onto ceramic using 
heat and ink and make fun, personalized keychains. 


Innovative Items Collection 
RHPL continues to provide patrons with resources 
to inform, educate, enlighten, and entertain 
through the Innovative Items Collection (IIC). This 
collection includes non-traditional library items like 
tools, household items, equipment, technology, 
and more. Visit rhpl.org/services/innovative-items. 

Image Description: A woman in a brown sweater sits facing a sewing machine, working with brown material
Page 14

YOUTH  
Register all children attending with the child’s RHPL card (if required). See page 
2 for information on how to sign up for a library card. Register online at calendar.rhpl.org or 
scan the QR code using the camera on your mobile device. Questions? Call the Youth Reference Desk at 
248-650-7140 or email youthreference@rhpl.org. Registrations for youth programs open one week before the programs begin. 

Authors in April Kickoff 
Wednesday, September 7, 7 p.m. All Ages. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Celebrate the "Authors in 
April" kickoff and discover the 
mystery author! Registration is not required, and the 
public is welcome to attend. 

Image Description: Authors in April logo that is made of a book with stars and dragonflies flying out.


Free Play Saturday! (Registration Required)
Saturdays: September 10, October 8 & November 12, 10 a.m. Ages 1-5. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Join Ms. Wendy for a fun-filled hour of play-based 
learning for toddlers and preschoolers. Each date has a 
separate registration. 


Fall Story Groups (Registration Required)
Mondays: September 12-October 17. 

In-person, indoor story groups return to RHPL! The Fall 
Story Group session will begin on Monday September 
12, and continue for six weeks. Different groups are 
offered during this session; detailed descriptions and 
registration information on each one is available at calendar.rhpl.org. 

Evening Family Storytime (Registration Required)
Wednesdays: September 14, October 12 & 
November 9, 7 p.m. All Ages. 
Youth Story Room. 

Enjoy a special monthly themed storytime 
and project for the whole family with Ms. 
Wendy. Each date has a separate registration. 

Villain Crafts (Registration Required)
Saturday, October 1, 10 a.m., 
11 a.m., 12 p.m., or 1 p.m. 
Ages 9-14. Multipurpose Room. 

Have a favorite Villain? Make cool 
crafts featuring your favorite villain characters. 
Image Description: A cartoon of a man with a suspicious smile, a black tophat, and a large handlebar mustache

Sight-Word Bingo! (Registration Required)
Monday, September 19, 6 p.m. Ages 4+. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Do you have a child who is learning sight 
words? If so, then sight-word bingo for the 
whole family is perfect for you! Have your 
lucky bingo charms ready when you arrive. 
This program starts promptly at 6 p.m. 

Bad Art Night (Registration Required)
Thursday, September 22, 6 p.m. Ages 9-12. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Can you make bad art? Find out using your 
imagination and RHPL’s art supplies! Artists 
will be given challenges and awards for the 
most terrible works of art. 


Kaboomistry (Registration Required)
Friday, October 7, 1 p.m. All Ages. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Why do things explode? The Michigan 
Science Center will be here to talk about 
the relationships between pressure, 
temperature, and fuel to explain why things 
go KA-BOOM! This program will be a loud, 
visually-stimulating presentation. 

Monster Pumpkins (Registration Required)
Thursday, October 13, 6 p.m. Ages 7-12. 
Multipurpose Room. 


Paint a little pumpkin into any type of monster 
you want. 



T-Rex Tea Party (Registration Required)
Thursday, October 20, 6 p.m. Ages 4-8. 
Multipurpose Room. 


You are cordially invited to a roaring good 
tea party! Come dressed in either dinosaur 
or tea time attire for T-Rex crafts and games. 
Image Description: A cartoon illustration of a greren tyrannosaurus rex wearing a bowtie and holding a tea cup

Spy Training Camp (Registration Required)
Tuesday, October 25, 6:30 p.m. Ages 5-10. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Calling all recruits! Train to be a spy at the library 
with morse code crafts, invisible ink, and more! 

Scissor Challenge (Registration Required)
Saturday November 5, 2 p.m. Ages 3-7. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Test your scissor skills and find out if you can 
complete tricky cutting crafts. 

Big Fun in the Big Room (Registration Required)
Mondays: November 7, 14, 21, 28 & 
December 5, 10:30 a.m. 
Wednesdays: November 9, 16, 23, 30 & 
December 7, 10:30 a.m. 
Ages Birth-5. Multipurpose Room. 


Read stories, sing songs, and enjoy active play 
and movement with your favorite Youth librarians 
in the big room where we’ll have some big fun! 


Parent Child Workshop (Registration Required)
Tuesdays: November 8, 15, 22, 29 & 
December 6, 10 a.m. Ages 1-3. 
Multipurpose Room. 


Do you look forward to family time? Families can 
relax, make friends, and talk one-on-one with child 
development specialists in this fun, play-based, 
five-week workshop with Ms. Wendy. 

Portraits like Picasso (Registration Required)
Tuesday, November 8, 2:30 p.m. Ages 4 & Up. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Cubism is an art movement created by artists Pablo 
Picasso and Georges Braque. Visually, it’s an intense 
use of geometric shapes over forms. Learn a bit more 
about this interesting art and create a portrait in the 
Cubist style. 

Turkey Book (Registration Required)
Monday, November 4. 
All Day. Ages 6-12. 
Take & Make. 

Love turkeys? Learn how to turn an old book into a 
turkey with this neat craft! 

Image Description: Book pages that have been rolled and folded to look like a turkey with a large feathered fan

Battle of the Books Kickoff (Registration Required)
Wednesday, November 9, 6 p.m. 
Grade 5 & Caregivers. Multipurpose Room. 


Discover this year’s 12 battle titles! Battle of the 
Books is a reading competition for all fifth graders 
who live in Rochester, Rochester Hills, or Oakland 
Township. Students form teams of three-to-five 
students, read the assigned list of books as a team, 
and battle in March (answer questions about the 
books). Team registration runs from November 16 to 
February 4. This event will be livestreamed. 

Princess Pandemonium Storytime (Registration Required)
Friday, November 18, 10:30 a.m. All Ages. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Let’s read books about a few amazing, non-Disney 
princesses! Make sure to come dressed in your 
favorite princess garb! Be ready to help save a 
baby dragon and cross a dangerous moat. Princes 
welcome! 


Battle of the Books Coach Meeting 

Saturday, December 10, 11 a.m. Adult Coaches. 
Multipurpose Room. 

Learn everything you need to know to run successful 
battles. Registration is not required. This meeting will be livestreamed. 


 

SERVING ROCHESTER, ROCHESTER HILLS, AND OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 

LIBRARY HOURS 

Sunday…............1 p.m.-6p.m. 
(after September 4) 
Monday-Thursday…….............9 a.m.-9 p.m.
 Friday-Saturday……..................9 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Visit rhpl.org for hours & holiday closures. 


SIGN UP FOR EMAIL 
COMMUNICATIONS 

Did you know you can receive 
News & Views 
directly to your email inbox? Visit rhpl.org/ 
community-programs/news-views and sign 
up with a valid email address. You can also 
sign up to receive our new e-newsletter, 
RHPL Monthly Current, which is sent out on 
the first Friday of each month. 


500 Olde Towne Road 
Rochester, MI 48307 


248-656-2900 
www.rhpl.org