Can Word, Language, and/or Poetry be Possible Pathways to Compassion?

This question is being explored in an event taking place on Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. at the Brooks Memorial Library as a part of the Compassionate Brattleboro discussion series.

If we look closely at the words we are bringing together within the title of this discussion, compassion has its Latin roots com- together with + pati to suffer which means suffering together. A poet, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, a poet is: “writer of verse distinguished by particular insight, inspiration, or sensibility, or by remarkable powers of imagination, creativity, or expression…” There are many key words, one of them being sensibility from sensibili or the French etymology, both linking to the senses and feeling.


Know Your Rights in the Era of #MeToo

At 6 pm on Wednesday, March 27th, join the Women’s Action Team and the Women’s Freedom Center at Brooks Memorial Library, for an open community conversation: Know Your Rights in the Era of #MeToo.

The #MeToo Movement has clearly changed the cultural landscape. But how do we know if it’s safe to speak about our experiences of harm, especially in public?


The Weapons of Fraud: Con Artists, Fraud, Scams

Join Elliott Greenblott from AARP on Wednesday, August 22 for The Weapons of Fraud: Con Artists, Fraud, Scams. This program is designed to provide Brattleboro residents of all ages with comprehensive educational services in order to help them avoid victimization by scammers. This event is free, accessible, and open to the public.


Lemonade With a Librarian

Join Reference Librarian Jeanne Walsh on Wednesday, August 15th at 7 pm for a discussion about library services in a time of rapid social and technological change. Jeanne will share insights and questions from Library Leadership in a Digital Age, a professional institute she attended at the Harvard School of Education in the spring. All listeners, talkers, introverts, and extroverts are welcome. Lemonade and light refreshments will be served!


Candidates Night: Library Edition

Join us on Wednesday, July 25th at 7 pm, as candidates who are on the ballot for Vermont State Senate and State House of Representatives discuss their favorite books. They will share everything from their childhood favorites to contemporary titles, and explain how those volumes helped to form their world view.

The list of candidates is: Becca Balint, Mollie Burke, Wayne Vernon Estey, Emily Kornheiser, Valerie Stuart, Tristan Toleno and Jeanette White for this unique perspective and a lively literary discussion at 7 pm, Refreshments will be served!