Editorial: National Friends of Libraries Week

Dear Editor, October 20-26, 2013, is the sixth annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries week making it a good time to publicly thank the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library who contribute so much of their time and expertise to significantly enhance our services. Our Friends group began in 1961 and over the course of the past 53 years they have donated over $2,000,000 to cover the costs of children’s programming, special collections, and equipment. They also provided the … [Read more...]

Take part in National Friends of Libraries Week at the RHPL!

The Rochester Hills Public Library will be spending the entire week of October 20-26, 2013, celebrating its Friends of the Library group as part of the sixth annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week according to a press release sent out. The Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library were established in 1961and have raised several millions of dollars for the library to date. Currently over 800 community members contribute annually to the Friends and nearly 500 of these … [Read more...]

Rochester Hills Public Library construction to begin week of July 14

Construction on a 6,600-square foot expansion of the Rochester Hills Public Library will begin the week of July 14and should be compete in six months. The main focus of the project is to make the drive-up window and return chutes easier to access. “Currently you can return materials from your car, but this is difficult due to the number of 90-degree turns,” said library director Christine Lind Hage. “In essence we will pull the south edge of the building out so you will approach the service … [Read more...]

Library Store Seeking Volunteers

The Friends’ Library Store, located in the lobby of the Rochester Hills Public Library, is looking for volunteers who might be willing to work a regularly scheduled two or three hour shift each week. The store is run by volunteers who are responsible for the selection and display of merchandise and for staffing the store. “The Friends’ Library Store raises about $15,000 a year for the Library and we appreciate the effort of the 40 volunteers who currently work in the store,” said Library … [Read more...]

Libraries continue role as transformative institutions

The American Library Association just released the 2014 State of America’s Libraries report.  As libraries continue to transform to meet society’s changing needs, 90% of the respondents in an independent national survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project said that libraries are important to the community, and 76% said that libraries are important to them and their families. Some of the key findings of the national were detailed at the 2014 American Library … [Read more...]

Work on RHPL terrazzo stairs continues

The installation of terrazzo on the Rochester Hills Public Library’s main staircase should be complete by Friday, March 7th. While the construction work is done, the public will be required to use the elevator to get to the second floor. “Library visitors have been comfortable using the elevator to get to the second floor,” said library director Christine Lind Hage. Ginger Olson, who manages the checkout desk at the library said, “There certainly is more noise, but the project is very … [Read more...]

Rochester Library begins work on terrazzo stairs

Starting on Wednesday, February 19 installation of terrazzo on the Rochester Hills Public Library’s main staircase will begin. The project should be complete by Friday, March 7.  While the construction work is done, the public will be required to use the elevator to get to the second floor. “We’ve had carpet on the stairs for the past 22 years and have had to replace it every 5 years or so,” said library director Christine Lind Hage. “With about 2,200 people per day visiting the library and … [Read more...]

Register for Wine, Wit, & Wisdom at the RHPL

Registration is now open for the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library’s Wine, Wit & Wisdom fundraiser which will take place on Saturday, March 8 at the library. Tickets are $45 per person and are available at the library. The event will run between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. and attendees will hear two great talks, enjoy wine, craft beers, appetizers and dessert. “The event will be based on the popular TED Talks (www.ted.com) and each speaker will repeat their talk once” said library … [Read more...]

The Gift of Reading Together

The Rochester Hills Public Library wants to encourage parents to read with their children. “Being involved in what your kids are reading helps them in school while also reinforcing the joy of reading,” said library director Christine Lind Hage. And reading together doesn’t have to stop once your kids can read on their own. Reading anything—comics, poems, graphic novels, magazines or books—out loud together is a great way to spend time with older kids and teens. click here Get a free library … [Read more...]

More renovations planned for RHPL

At its October board meeting the Rochester Hills Public Library Board of Trustees decided to continue with improvements to the library building.  Earlier this year new flooring was installed and reupholstering of furniture in the public areas of the building is almost complete. The next project will be the installation of terrazzo on the library’s main staircase. “We’ve had carpet on the stairs for the past 22 years and have had to replace it every 5 years or so,” said library director … [Read more...]