July 5th – August 18th, 2023
This summer, celebrate kindness, friendship, and community with Rogers Free Library Summer Reading Program: All Together Now! Beginning July 5th, log your reading, participate in library programs, and win fantastic prizes!
Pick up your Passport to Reading to start logging your reading. Also participate in library programs and writing reviews to earn raffle tickets that can win you fantastic prizes! If you have any questions about summer reading please call or write to August Thompson: 401 253 6948 ext. 315, athompson@rogersfreelibrary.org
We also have a program for children! To learn more visit our Children’s Summer Reading Program webpage.
How it Works
Step 1: Pick up your Passport to Reading and your Raffle Tickets from Rogers Free Library.
Step 2: Read books and attend library programs, filling out a ticket every time you do.
Step 3: Bring in your tickets and drop them in a raffle bucket. Win prizes!
Weekly Drawings and Grand Prize
We will hold weekly drawings and a Grand prize will be announced at the end of the summer!
Click each heading below to see the programs happening in each category
Bristol Writing Group
Every Tuesday, 5:30-7:00 pm
Upstairs Conference Room
Check the website for updates
Do you like to write fiction, nonfiction, poetry, letters to the editor, or very detailed grocery lists? Would you like to join a community of writers who write together and share work with each other? Become a founding member of the Bristol Writing Group today! We will meet for weekly sharing/critique and co-writing sessions.
All levels of experience are welcome.
Registration is not required.
Book Chat
Wednesday, August 9, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Upstairs Conference Room, unless otherwise specified
Join us for an informal meeting to chat about a book (or two) that you have recently read that you would like to recommend to others. There’s no assigned reading for this group! Simply come prepared to summarize your book selection and explain why you would recommend it. It can be fiction or nonfiction.
Optional: If you have time to locate an excerpt to read aloud to the group – that would be welcome.
This program is also offered via Zoom for those who register: Click HERE.
American Sign Language Classes (6 sessions)
Thursdays, until August 17, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Herreshoff Community Room
American Sign Language – an introduction.
In this 6-day course, you will learn the foundation of ASL based on the handshapes – the pronunciation – of the language. You will learn the alphabet/fingerspelling; numbers 1 – 99; some colors; animals; food; verbs; family; feelings and more. You will learn how to form questions and engage in brief conversation.
Manuel Martin has been teaching ASL for 30 years. He wrote the curriculum that will be used. He has developed college programs, trained teachers of ASL and interpreted for a president of the United States. Some former students are now teachers of the Deaf, interpreters or work in their field using ASL.
Chess Club
Every Wednesday, 5:30 – 7:30 pm and Every Saturday, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Upstairs Conference Room
This event is for anybody who loves a good game of chess. We are a fun group of players. We like a competitive match, but we are not too serious!
People of all levels are welcome.
No registration is necessary.
Chess Competition
Wednesday, August 2, 5:00 – 8:00 pm and Saturday, August 5, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Upstairs Conference Room
Teens and adults are invited to compete in the 1st Annual RFL Chess Championship.
16 people will compete for the title and a brand new chess board! The first round is on Wednesday, and finals are on Saturday. ALL PLAYERS looking to participate MUST register HERE.
Bring your best game and good luck.
RIDE Healthy School Meals Sign-Up
Friday, August 18, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Upstairs Conference Room
Do you need help to complete your application for free or reduced-price meals for school year 2023-2024? See if your child qualifies to receive free or reduced-price meals at school during the upcoming school year. Come to our application event on the third floor where the team from RIDE will assist you!
All information is confidential and is not shared with anyone outside of the staff member(s) that need to know this information to provide your child(ren) with free or reduced-price meals
No registration is necessary.
End of Summer Reading Banquet
Friday, August 18, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Herreshoff Community Room
Join members of the community to celebrate the end of the summer! As a thank you to everyone who participated in the Adult/Teen Summer Reading Program, we invite you to grab your Passports and join us for a banquet with light refreshments, book giveaways and the Grand Prize drawing.
Registration is required. Click HERE to register.
See you there!
What are the “Black Ships”?
Tuesday, August 8, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Herreshoff Community Room
Dr. Matthew C. Perry of Bristol will speak about his ancestor Commodore Matthew C. Perry. Commodore Perry established friendly relations with Japan in 1854 after abruptly entering restricted waters in Japan with his steam-powered “black ships.” The Commodore was born in Newport and his brother Raymond married the daughter of James DeWolf, developing a strong connection with the Perry family and Bristol.
Learn more about the the historic event that ended 200 years of Japanese isolation, by re-establishing trade and discourse between Japan and the western world.
Dr. Perry is from Bristol, where as a child he obtained an early interest in his ancestor, Commodore Matthew C. Perry, who negotiated a treaty of peace and amity between Japan and the United States in 1854. He is a retired wildlife researcher for the US government, and presently is an emeritus scientist. He remains active as an author of wildlife conservation history.
Night Sky Canvas Painting
July 31 at 6:30 pm
Herreshoff Community Room
Join Pop up Art School for a fun canvas painting event. Follow along step-by-step to create a magical star-filled night sky with silhouettes of a hillside and trees. It’s amazing what you can create with four colors and some simple brush techniques!
Registration required, click HERE.
For all ages.
Japanese Paper Fans
Monday, August 7 at 6:00 pm
Herreshoff Community Room
Use origami, cutout art, calligraphy, or flower paper to make your beautiful paper fan! Bring your fans to Saturday’s Cultural Festival and celebrate with the Japan-America Society of Rhode Island.
This craft is geared towards Teens and Adults, but all ages are welcome! Please register HERE.
There will be a children’s craft for Japanese Paper Fan Making on Tuesday, August 8 at 11:00 am in the Children’s Room.
Tie-Dye Butterflies
Monday, August 28 at 6:00 pm
Herreshoff Community Room
Turn a simple coffee filter into a gorgeous tie-dye butterfly.
All ages are welcome.
Please register HERE.