Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL) welcomes Dr. Arifa Javed, documentary filmmaker and sociology professor, on Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room to screen her film, The Season in the Mist: A Story of Sikhs in America.

This Michigan-made documentary interviews members of the Sikh minority among Indian immigrants and addresses the contributions Sikhs have made to American society. Dr. Javed’s cross-cultural experiences – first within India and then as an immigrant in America – drove her to seek a deeper understanding of such issues from a rational and neutral perspective. This film is not rated.

This program is open to the public. Registration is required. To register, visit calendar.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900. 

The Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library is getting the new year off to a big start with its winter used book sale set for January 25-29. The bargains are all in the upstairs used book sale room of the library at 500 Olde Towne Road in downtown Rochester. Presale opportunities for Friends members will be Wednesday January 25 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. New member sign-ups and renewals are available at the door.

The general public access is as follows (Note sale hours differ slightly from the library’s operating hours):

• Thursday, January 26, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 27, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, January 29, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Bag Day*

What’s for sale? Chairperson Ann Gruenewald says “We will have over 40,000 items, with a fine selection of books, both fiction and non-fiction, for adults and children of all ages. We also have a large selection of DVDs, CDs, puzzles and games.”

Aside from some Quality items that are individually priced, hardcover and large softcover books are $1, Small paperbacks and kid’s books are .50 cents.

*Bag Day is where all you can fit in a standard grocery bag goes for $5.

All proceeds go to support the library.

On February 2 at 7:00 p.m., the Rochester-Avon Historical Society will present “Citizens of the American Colonies: The Patriots” at the Rochester Hills Public Library located at 500 Olde Town Rd., Rochester, MI. 

Attendees of the program will have the opportunity to meet three Patriot Players from America’s Colonial past – Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, and Sybil Ludington. Everyone will tell their own story about how the roles they played in helping America develop. 

Larissa Fleishman has been a living historian for about 20 years. She has worked as a historic costumed presenter at Greenfield Village for over 25 years. She will be portraying Sybil Ludington in “Citizens of the American Colonies: The Patriots.”

Bob Stark has been presenting as Benjamin Franklin for nearly 15 years. 

Ken Giorlando has been a living historian for almost 20 years, and he has been presenting as Paul Revere since 2015. 

This program is free and open to the public. Please register in advance.

Rochester Hills Public Library welcomes Matthew Ball, the “Boogie Woogie Kid,” in concert on February 19, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

The Rochester Hills Public Library welcomes back Matthew Ball (aka The Boogie Woogie Kid) for another entertaining family concert featuring New Orleans songs, Boogie-Woogie piano, and Swing-Era favorites from the American Songbook. Ball performs classics like “In the Mood,” “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” “Basin Street Blues,” “It Had to be You,” “Glory of Love,” “Bumble Boogie,” and more.

This event is open to the public. Registration is required. To register, visit calendar.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900. 

Rochester Hills Public Library welcomes author John Wukovits on February 28 at 7:00 p.m. for his presentation “Hell from the Heavens” in the library’s Multipurpose Room.

Wukovits will discuss one of the most amazing World War II exploits featuring the crew of the USS Laffey in April 1945. Learn how his book on the subject became a major motion picture directed by Mel Gibson and about his role as film advisor.

This event is open to RHPL cardholders. Registration is required. To register, visit calendar.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900.

Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL) is pleased to announce that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners pledged to continue supporting the library’s Oakland Talking Book Service (OTBS) at their meeting on February 16. The service has been renewed for five years. 

OTBS is a county-wide program open to all county residents that provides essential services to those living with a vision or physical disability. OTBS is a lifeline for those who seek efficient and equitable access to assistive technology training, digital audiobooks and eBooks, talking books on cassettes, large print materials, and braille matter. This vital program provides local services critical for seniors and other citizens in Oakland County who wish to enjoy life to the fullest.

“I am pleased we could extend this contract,” said Oakland County Commissioner Marsha Gershenson. “This program offers residents free access to talking books, magazines, Braille options, and thousands of interesting reading materials.”

In 2022, OTBS circulated over 100,000 items to nearly 1,000 patrons throughout the county. RHPL staff provided 321 adaptive technology instruction sessions for visually impaired patrons, hosted 26 programs, and served 227 patrons who attended those programs in person or remotely.

“OTBS has been a lifeline for county residents who need vision and audio support,” said Juliane Morian, library director. “Providing these services in one local library rather than spreading them out to numerous libraries across the state or relying on services in Lansing, MI stretches tax dollars and creates a greater impact for each county community.”

Oakland County is a destination for older adults to age in place with a suite of social services that positively impact their lives. OTBS at RHPL provides a number of programs, resources, and personal assistance to county residents living with a disability. Essential programs include assistive technology training, book clubs, low vision expos, on-site workshops, large print mail order service, books on digital cartridge, digital talking book machines, books in braille, described videos and DVDs, and more.

“Reading is a gift often taken for granted,” said Justin Wilcox, an OTBS patron. “Learning to read braille with my fingertips allows me to see the words again. Thank you to OTBS for giving me a valuable skill.”

RHPL hopes to sustain OTBS indefinitely as long as patrons find value in it and appreciate the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ foresight in continuing to subsidize this essential program.

Rochester Hills Public Library welcomes author and hiker Celia Ryker on April 4 at 7:00 p.m. for “Hiking Michigan Trails” in the library’s Multipurpose Room. Ryker will share stories about the trails she’s hiked throughout Michigan and will read excerpts from her book, Walking Home: Trail Stories.

This program is open to the public. Registration is required. To register, visit calendar.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900.

Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL) Board of Trustees elected new officers at the beginning of the year. The board voted Madge Lawson as president and Melinda Deel as vice president. Anne Kucher was elected secretary, and Robert Bonam was elected the board’s treasurer.

The library board is governed by an elected six-member board of trustees representing Rochester Hills. The board’s responsibilities include legal compliance, strategic planning, policy making, and budgeting. The City of Rochester and Oakland Township receive library services through a contract and are represented by a non-voting liaison at board meetings. Alice Moo is the board liaison from the City of Rochester, and Michael Tyler, president of Oakland Township’s Library Board, is the township’s liaison.

Lawson has served on the library board since 1999. and has a professional background in marketing and public relations. Deel was elected to the board in 2021 and is an attorney with a law practice in Rochester Hills. Kucher was elected to the board in 2010 and is a retired elementary school teacher. Bonam has served on the board since 1984 and manages an accounting and tax practice. Chuck Stouffer, a commercial photographer, and Julianne Reyes, human resources professional, continue to serve as board trustees.

“From RHPL’s founding in 1924 to today, community members see the library as a trusted and important institution where all in the community are welcome,” said Library Director Juliane Morian. “I look forward to our continued work with the board to ensure we preserve public trust in this community asset.”

Among this year’s tasks for the RHPL board of trustees is planning the library’s upcoming centennial in 2024. RHPL has formed a centennial committee and the board of trustees is excited to be working on the 100th-anniversary celebration throughout the year.

Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL) welcomes Lorenzo Lo Piccolo to discuss “Mushroom Foraging & Safety” on April 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the library’s Multipurpose Room. The presentation will cover mushroom anatomy, identification, and collection. Enter the wonderful world of edible (and non-edible) mushrooms.

This event is open to RHPL cardholders. Registration is required. To register online, visit calendar.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900.

It’s time to get ready for one of the Rochester area’s annual prime social events — The Friends of the Rochester Hills Library’ s Wine, Wit, and Wisdom.

Set for Saturday, April 29 from 6:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at the library’s downtown location at 500 Olde Town Road, the evening consists of entertaining and informative speakers, beverages and food, as well as a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Because alcohol will be served, guests must be 21 or older.

Each guest will have the opportunity to:

• Attend two 45-minute presentations by choosing from the six options.
• Enjoy a buffet dinner and beverages (wine, beer, soft drinks). 
• Bid on an array of silent auction items and enter to win a 50/50 raffle prize.

Ticket Prices are $80 per person when purchased through April 16. After April 17, the price is $90 per person. Sales close April 24. Tickets will be sent to email address listed on registration form. 50/50 Raffle Tickets: 1 for $10, 3 for $20, cash only, and you must be present to win. Suggested attire is Smart Casual.

Tickets can be purchased online. Or print out the paper registration form and bring it to the front desk at the library.

The six presenters at a glance:

• Car Design: From Sketch to Reality by Darby Barber, a Rochester resident and General Motors car designer.
• Home Vintner: How to Make Your Own Wine by Michael Gerstenlauer, Rochester home vintner.
• Never Stop Growing: In Pursuit of Low Maintenance Gardening by Janet Macunovich, gardening expert.
• The Dockporter: Life on Mackinac Island by Jim Bolone and Dave McVeigh, co-authors of a book about their experiences on the legendary resort island.
• A Walk Across Michigan: Oscoda to Empire by Will Swartz, who’ll conduct a virtual hike across Michigan’s hidden hiking trails.
• Selfridge Air Force Base: at the Beginning of American Military Aviation by Steven Mrozek. The Executive Director of the Selfridge Military Air Museum will discuss the origins of powered flight and military aviation.