Presented by the library’s Special Collections staff and members of the Ranger Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), these events are free, open to the public, and appropriate for all levels of interest and experience. All levels will learn something new!

Tour the Portsmouth Athenaeum
with Tom Hardiman and Peggy Hodges

Calling all genealogists! Have you visited one of Portsmouth’s greatest institutions for local history and genealogy? If you haven’t, now is the time!

Join us for an evening of haunted stories of the New Hampshire Seacoast told by Roxie Zwicker of New England Curiosities! Roxie is the author of Haunted Portsmouth and the New Hampshire Book of the Dead. Roxie has been conducting tours and events for over 20 years, and in so doing has researched and explored many haunted places, and heard many an eerie tale. Will you believe?

Roxie will be signing books after the talk!

Registration is required. You may attend in person or online via Zoom. 

Brave Shakespeareans, we venture into the cool mists of autumn as courageously as the fierce general of Athens’ Golden Age! If you’ve not guessed it by now, it is with deepest pride that we announce our group’s premier discussion of Pericles!

Pick up a video recording of the play to view at your leisure, and then join us on the last Tuesday of the month at 4 PM to discuss your experience with this merry production. Be not perturbed of your knowledge of Shakespeare’s works, for we encourage fellows of all ages, areas of interest and expertise to attend!

The Portsmouth Public Library is creating a new Strategic Plan and we have received over 2300 responses to our recent survey which will help with the planning.

We will hold  three community forums to  tease out some questions through a discussion with the community.

Please register to help us plan for the forum. Thank you.

The Portsmouth Public Library is creating a new Strategic Plan and we have received over 2300 responses to our recent survey which will help with the planning.

We will hold three community forums to tease out some questions through a discussion with the community.

Please register to help us plan for the forum. Thank you.

Have you ever gazed over the river and wondered about the historic Portsmouth Naval Shipyard? Do you have relatives who may have worked there, or served on a submarine stationed there for repairs? Have you ever been curious about the naval prison? Would you like to see the Russo-Japanese Peace Treaty signing room?  This month we are taking a tour, and look forward to hosting this exciting event with the staff of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard!

Reception & Presentation with Elissa Von Letkemann
Windows of Portsmouth, Hand Drawn Digital Illustrations:
A Selection from her ongoing series of hand drawn digital illustrations of windows in and around Portsmouth

Exhibit on view in the Levenson Community Room September 7 through October 7.

Reception/Presentation Sunday, September 17th 2-4 in the Levenson Room.

We are pleased to announce a SPECIAL GUEST coming this month – author and illustrator David McPhail will be at the library reading from his latest book, Truffle and doing some live drawing as well as answering questions!  Mr. McPhail has authored and/or illustrated dozens of books including some of our storytime favorites – check out his books in the library or place some on hold today by clicking the link below!

David McPhail Books

Asteroid City
2023. Rated PG-13. Runtime 105 minutes

In an American desert town in the mid-fifties, the Junior Stargazer Convention attracts stargazers of different ages. A group of students and their parents visit the town to attend the event. What follows is an unexpected exchange of ideas and experiences that lead to eye-opening revelations.

Films at the library are open to the public and FREE. All films will feature subtitles where possible.

Guitar Sundays are back! This month's performance features classical guitarist, Colin Davin at Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC). Due to the Thunder Over NH Air Show, the September performance will begin at 6 PM.  

"Precision, musical intelligence and passion" are words that have been used to describe guitarist Colin Davin. He has been hailed as "the real thing; a player with a virtuoso's technique, a deeply expressive musicianship, and a probing imagination" (American Record Guide).