Explore with RHPL Ask for a recommendation RHPL provides materials, displays, and programming for a better understanding of our community and our world. The identities, cultures, and heritages on display represent your neighbors, coworkers, classmates, congregation, community leaders, and the patrons who use this building and these collections every day. If this month’s display is not what you’re looking for, please ask a librarian for a personalized recommendation. Hispanic Heritage Month September 15–October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The span of dates over two months marks the independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Earth Day April 1 - April 30 First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day was created by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and activist Denis Hayes to draw attention to the environment and our impact on it. The first annual observance drew 20 million Americans to events and demonstrations and led to the creation of the EPA, and creation of laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Showcase Name View All Item Author Item Title Item Author Item Title Item Author Item Title Item Author Item Title Item Author Item Title Explore by month January February March April May June July August September October November Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service Martin Luther King Day was signed into law as a federal holiday in 1983 — 15 years after it was first proposed. The day is observed each year to recognize the accomplishments and contributions Dr. King made to American history and civil rights, and to honor his life of service to the American people. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Black History Month In honor of the nation's bicentennial, President Gerald R. Ford was the first to issue a proclamation marking Black History Month in 1976, encouraging all Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Adult & teen reads Youth reads Women's History Month First designated a week-long celebration in 1981 by Congress, Women's History Month did not become a 30-day celebration until 1987 after a petition from the National Women's History Project. It was not until 1995 that annual presidential proclamations were issued to formally designate March as Women's History Month. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Earth Day First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day was created by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and activist Denis Hayes to draw attention to the environment and our impact on it. The first annual observance drew 20 million Americans to events and demonstrations and led to the creation of the EPA, and creation of laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Adult & teen reads Youth reads National Poetry Month Known as the "largest literary celebration in the world," National Poetry Month began in 1996 and continues today with observations from publishers, professors, librarians, writers, students, teachers, and individuals throughout the country. Read or share your favorite poem to celebrate, or write your own to celebrate the art and beauty of poetry. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Arab American Heritage Month President Biden declared the first Arab American Heritage Month in 2022, calling for the nation to learn more about the history and achievements of Arab Americans and to reflect on the contributions Arab Americans have made to our culture and country. Over 2.2 million Americans have Arab ancestry, tracing their roots back to the 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa that make up the Arab world. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Autism Acceptance Month Created to promote acceptance and raise awareness, Autism Acceptance Month encourages people to celebrate differences by sharing information, honoring experiences, and supporting inclusion and connectedness. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Jewish American Heritage Month Established in 2006 by President George W. Bush, Jewish American Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the history and cultural traditions of Jewish Americans. Highlighing diverse perspectives and achievements, the month seeks to celebrate nearly 400 years of lived experiences and honor the contributions made throughout American history. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Asian American Pacific Islander Month Encompassing the entire Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month covers a broad spectrum of experience. The annual celebration became a month-long event in 1990 and highlights the important contributions Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have made to our culture and history. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Mental Health Awareness Month Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. In May, RHPL joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Libraries can help fight stigma, provide support options, and educate the public about mental illness. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Pride Month Pride Month is held in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a demonstration in which people gathered to protest the harassment and unfair treatment of LGBT Americans. Recognized annually since 1970, the month seeks to recognize the struggle, contributions, and history of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Juneteenth On June 19, 1865, two years after the 13th amendment abolishing slavery was adopted, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced to over 250,000 enslaved people that they were free. The holiday known as Juneteenth was celebrated annually as early as 1866 and was made a federal holiday in 2021. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Disability Pride Month July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Disability Pride Month celebrates the many achievements of the disability community and highlights the work that still needs to be done by all to support, honor, and remove barriers to access for people with disabilities. Adult & teen reads Youth reads International Day of Peace Established in 1981 by the United Nations National Assembly, the International Day of Peace serves to promote peace and reminds people and governments to work toward peace always. It encourages commemorations through education and observances throughout the world. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The span of dates over two months marks the independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Indigenous People's Day Officially adopted by 19 states (including Michigan) and formally commemorated by President Biden beginning in 2021, Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes the resiliency, history, and culture of Indigenous people. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Native American Heritage Month First established as a national heritage month in 1990 by George H.W. Bush, Native American Heritage Month commemorations go back as far as 1915. Each year the month recognizes the contributions and history of native people in the United States. Adult & teen reads Youth reads Veterans Day Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11 in honor of the 1918 armistice between Allied countries and Germany that effectively ended World War I. President Woodrow Wilson first recognized Veterans Day in 1919. The holiday calls our attention to the service and sacrifices of our veterans. Adult & teen reads Youth reads

Teen Volunteering Sign up for our Senior Tech Telp program and other opportunities Learn more Test Prep Everything you need for test prep, from mid-terms to SATs Find Resources Teen Advisory Board Have a say in your library experience! Join TAB to share your opinions on RHPL Join TAB Teen Services 248-650-7140 Ask a librarian Suggest a purchase Teen Advisory Board All teens are invited to join the RHPL Teen Advisory Board! Through the TAB group you can: Earn volunteer hours by attending meetings Learn about current and upcoming volunteer opportunities Share your thoughts about teen programs, collections, and spaces Brainstorm ideas for the Teen Services department at the library Spend time with fellow teens outside of school TAB meetings take place every third Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m., September through May. Please reach out to the Teen Services Librarian if you are interested in joining. Join TAB 1 2 3 4 5 Special Collections New release video games, graphic novels, comics, Anime, and Manga. Graphic Novels & Manga Video Games Anime

Local History & Genealogy Digital Collections Greater Rochester History Online Greater Rochester History Online contains over 1,500 digital images and audio files, including photographs and postcards, oral histories, yearbooks, and views of recent Rochester history. View the GRHO Collection Digital Yearbooks Digitized yearbooks from Rochester High School, Rochester Adams High School, and Stoney Creek High School. Editions from 1978-present are available to view at the library. View Digital Yearbooks Online Databases If you need help with your local history or genealogy research, RHPL offers several free databases that come with your library card membership. Find Research Databases Physical Collections To view these items, please speak with a librarian at the second-floor reference desk. Local History Publications Includes titles related to the Ferry-Morse Seed Farm, local cemeteries and churches, the Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal, Downtown Rochester, Leader Dogs for the Blind, and the Van Hoosen Farm. Browse Materials Atlases Historical maps and surveys covering the late 1800s and the mid to late 1900s. View maps & surverys Serials Magazines and journals related to Michigan history, genealogy, and local interest. View magazines & journals Newspapers on Microfilm Use our microfilm machine to find articles about local events. Rochester ERA (selected issues, 1873-1949) Rochester Clarion (selected issues, 1931-1971) Rochester Eccentric (1972-2007) Detroit News (1961-2006) Obituaries and Vertical File Selected obituaries and clippings from local newspapers. Physical Yearbooks Rochester-area yearbooks spanning from the 1920s to present. Browse Physical Yearbooks Learn about your family history Explore our premium digital resources, including Ancestry.com Library Edition, Newspapers.com Library Edition, HeritageQuest, Heritage Hub, and MyHeritage. View all databases Get tips from our volunteer genealogist during Drop-in Genealogy Help once a month. Find an event Maps CLIO Find and explore historic and cultural sites around the US, including buildings and homes in and around Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township. Explore CLIO Sanborn Maps Created by fire insurance companies to document existing structures, Sanborn maps are a great tool for researchers exploring communities and buildings from the past. This digital collection is hosted by the Library of Congress and includes maps covering Rochester from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. View the digital collection Historical Topographic Maps Featuring an interactive tool called topoView, searchable maps showcasing physical changes to the land of a particular location from 1880-2010, from the National Geologic Map Database and maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey Explore the database Drop-in Genealogy Help View All Anderson, Chris, 1948- A genealogist's guide to discovering your Germanic ancestors : how to find and record your unique heritage Nelson, Lynn, 1957- A genealogist's guide to discovering your Italian ancestors : how to find and record your unique heritage Carmack, Sharon DeBartolo, 1956- A genealogist's guide to discovering your immigrant & ethnic ancestors : how to find and record your unique heritage Jonas, Linda, 1953- A genealogist's guide to discovering your Scottish ancestors : how to find and record your unique heritage Carmack, Sharon DeBartolo, 1956- A genealogist's guide to discovering your female ancestors : special strategies for uncovering hard-to-find information about your female lineage Additional Resources Rochester-Avon Historical Society See also Remembering Rochester , a searchable blog created by the Rochester-Avon Historical society featuring stories and images from the Rochester area’s past. Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm Explore the museum’s collections , newspaper archive , and local history articles on topics within the community. Oakland Township Historical Society Information on Cranberry Lake Farm , the Barn Survey Project, and much more. Rochester Hills Historic Districts Commission City of Rochester Historical Commission Genealogy Research at the Library of Michigan Search resources available through the Library of Michigan, including state census records, naturalization records, and death certificates.

Rotary Gateway Park Location Description Donor A Bill & Tina Lins A Paine Webber Rochester MI A The Cerame Family A Kaitlyn Hamilton A 97 Brewster Ross Company A Mr. & Mrs. John M. Trumbull A R & B Terepin A Jillian & Ellen Gassen A Eugenia & Roger Bajorek A Gary and Ann DePouw & Jonathan, Mason, Sara, Graham, Ross, Caitlin, Ian A Lindsay Hamilton A Ronald F. and Lisa Guyett A Arthur R. & Patricia Cox A Gary & Marilyn Hanson A The Donald C. Lamont Family Page 1 of 129

Library Hours Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm Sunday 1pm–6pm We're always open online! Explore digital reads and resources 24/7 > Location 500 Olde Towne Road Rochester, MI 48307 Dates Closed 2026 January 1 January 23 (Early closure, 4:30 p.m.) April 5 April 25 (Early closure, 4:30pm) May 23–25 July 4 July 17 September 5-7 November 25 (Early closure, 6pm) November 26 December 23 (Early closure, 6pm) December 24 - 25 December 31 Find us on the road! RHPL's bookmobile visits over 20 locations throughout the community so you can browse, pick up holds, and return items where it's most convenient for you. Find a stop

Friends Board Summary Ron Meegan President Ron is a retired GM Powertrain Engineer. He has lived in Rochester Hills with wife Theresa for 45 years and has been an active volunteer at the library since 2009. He also volunteers for the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm as a photo archivist and is on the board of Michigan Christian Campus Ministries in East Lansing. William Kroger Vice President Bill Kroger and his wife Jean have resided in Oakland Township for 46 years. Bill retired from ThyssenKrupp Budd Company 20 years ago after working for them for 40 years. In addition to the Friends, Bill has been active with the Oakland Township Historical Society and the OPC Quarterly Newspaper, “Vintage Views”. Sandy Tabacchi Secretary Sandy is a Detroit native, migrated to Southern California for 12 years and has been a Rochester Hills resident for the past 30+ years. She is a retired teacher and school librarian totaling almost 40 years in education with the last 20 in the Avondale School District. Sandy began volunteering at the library about 20 years ago. Sandy is an avid reader, knitter, golfer and loves to watch soccer. She is the mother of two handsome sons. Kimberly Matis Member At-Large Kimberly is very involved in the Rochester area community and frequently volunteers for and supports programs at the library, among various other community programs. She is a former adult literacy tutor with the Oakland Literacy Council. Kimberly works as a legal assistant in a Bloomfield Hills law firm supporting estate and trust planning as well as civil litigation in all state and federal courts. She attended Macomb Community College working full time while going to school. Kimberly lives in the Rochester area with her husband Jeff, and their two cats, Lucky and Jasper. Connie Dowe Member At-Large Connie Dowe is a CPA who retired from a management position at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in 2009. In addition to serving on the Board of the Friends, Connie is the accountant for the Friends gift store and ticket chairman for the Holiday Home Tour. Connie also serves as treasurer for the Rochester Area Democratic Club. Tom Asmus Member At-Large Tom has a PhD in chemistry, as well as an engineering degree, and spent 30 years at Chrysler as a researcher on engines - winning many awards including 12 patents. He was also a Peace Corps volunteer for two years in a small village in Honduras, working to provide clean water to the villagers. He volunteers with several groups in the local area including the Oakland Township Historical Society and is a member of the Rochester Rotary. He lives in Oakland Township with his wife Mary. Vickie Baker Member At-Large Vickie has been a volunteer in the Friends gift shop since 2015 and is currently responsible for training new volunteers in the gift shop. She worked for General Motors and Electronic Data Systems for 20 years in Corporate Logistics. Vickie returned to school and became a licensed psychotherapist, working in that field,for 20 years. Her love for reading and books motivates her to enthusiastically support the library. Mary Harlan Treasurer Elect. Mary Harlan was born and raised in Detroit. She moved to Rochester Hills with her husband and two daughters in 2000. She retired in 2020 from Michigan Ear Institute as the financial coordinator after more than 30 years. She enjoys gardening, her dog, and of course the library. Ronda Karney Tax Coordinator Ronda Karney is a CPA who retired after 20 years with Metzler Locricchio Serra & Co. P.C., a local firm in Troy. She was actively involved in serving clients in the not-for-profit sector; assisting them with their accounting and tax reporting needs. Ronda and her husband Mark have lived in Rochester Hills since 1996. They enjoy outdoor sports, motorcycling and spending time with their two children and grandchildren. In addition to the Friends, Ronda volunteers with Bible Study Fellowship as a small group leader. Download the Friends Roster

Get a Library Card Apply now View the policy Library Card Policy Eligible residents, students, and business owners can apply online for immediate digital access Community Members People who live or own property, in Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township Students Students at Oakland University, Rochester University, public K-12, and private K-12 schools within Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township Businesses Business owners or people who work in Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township Non-residents Non-residents may be eligible to check out materials using the MiLibrary and TLN reciprocal borrowing programs and agreements. So Much More than Books Your library card gives you free access to all physical materials and eBooks, eAudiobooks, and streaming platforms for movies, TV, and music Consumer Reports, Morningstar, Ancestry.com , and over 100 research and enrichment subscription databases Local, national, and international news sources Adaptive and assistive equipment and technology Meeting and Study rooms Lectures, concerts, enrichment and entertainment programs A Makerspace Tech, tools, and equipment from the Innovative Items Collection Laptops and WiFi hotspots MAP for free admission to local museums, attractions, and parks

Computers & Printers Computer Use Internet Access Library Policies Review our policies for computer use and internet access before connecting. Print from anywhere using your computer or mobile device Printers accept cash or card at the machine. You can send a print from a library computer or personal device by using the options below. Black and white printing : 10¢ per page Color printing : 25¢ per page Print to the 1st floor Print to the 2nd floor Technology check outs RHPL offers laptops, hotspots, and other tools and technology for check out with a valid RHPL library card. See what's available One-on-One Technology Help RHPL offers one-on-one technology assistance. Use your RHPL library card to book a 45-minute appointment and bring your personal device with you. Follow the link below or call 248-650-7158 to make an appointment. Schedule technology help Help you can find at the Tech Assistant Desk Using a search engine to find a website Finding “how-to” videos for a program or website Printing, copying, scanning, and saving to flash drives Uploading documents to an email account or cloud storage Extending computer time (so long as no other patrons are waiting) Basic help with library-provided software Help you can find at the Reference Desk or with a tech help appointment All assistance given at the tech assistant desk, plus: Getting started with an email account or updating a password Getting started with a social media account Navigating digital library resources and library-provided software Navigating the library catalog and website Downloading and using library resources on a personal device Finding resources to help with resumes or job searches Directing patrons to resources for assistance that library staff is not able to offer Help that RHPL Staff is not able to offer Typing, taking dictation, or filling out forms for patrons Reviewing sensitive or private documents or information Interpreting instructions for forms or applications Reading or interpreting legal, tax, financial, or other sensitive or official information Giving advice regarding legal, medical, financial, or other personal information Proofreading Fixing or repairing personal devices If you need help that RHPL staff cannot offer, a librarian may be able to point you to resources or organizations that can. Computers are available for public use with your RHPL card in Youth, Outreach, and Adult Departments. Guest passes are available on the second floor if you do not have a library card. Get a Library Card

Makerspace 248-650-7170 Contact a specialist Make an appointment You're the maker, we're the space RHPL has tools, equipment, and technology for people of all ages to create, craft, do-it-yourself, and play Hours Monday: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wednesday: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed Take A Tour Visit the Makerspace on the second floor for a quick overview or schedule an appointment for an in depth tour. Get Inspired Not sure what to make? Try searching for a topic you’re interested in and a tool you want to use. Example: “Dragon Laser Engraving” Make an Appointment Go to calendly.com/makerspace to schedule an appointment and bring your projects to life. Makerspace Policies Before making an appointment or submitting a 3D print request, please review the Makerspace Policy and release form. View the Makerspace policy Makerspace Release Form Makerspace Equipment Request a 3D Print Please upload your .stl or .obj file for printing. If your file is above 250 MB, you may bring your file on a USB drive or email. Request a 3D print FDM/Filament 3D Printer Best for general 3D prints and multiple colors. Request a 3D Print Learn More SLA/Resin 3D Printer Optimized for printing highly detailed or small models such as figurines, DND characters, etc. Request a 3D Print Learn More Sublimation Printer Print with specialty ink that can transfer onto various surfaces such as fabrics and ceramics Learn More Laser Cutter Cut and engrave wood, cardboard, rubber, cork, acrylic, and other materials. Engraving is also available for metal, glass, and stone. Learn More Conversion Station Convert photos, audio, and video to digital keepsakes Learn More Smart Cutter Cut paper, cardstock, and vinyl into letters, numbers, and shapes. Learn More Button Press Make buttons and magnets with your own art Learn More 3D Scanner Scan physical objects and generate a 3D file for printing. Learn More Die cutter Cut paper and cardstock using letter, number, and shape die-cut templates. Learn More Vacuum Former Heat and form plastic sheets to create custom molds. Learn More General FAQ How can I come use the Makerspace? The makerspace is open during our typical hours of operation for tours and brief questions. With the exception of dropping off media to be digitized, submitting 3D prints or laminating, all other use of the makerspace requires an appointment be made through Calendly Your appointment ensures you are reserving the makerspace, equipment and staff for your project, and prevents multiple patrons from competing for use of the same resources. I want to make a custom t-shirt, what do I need to know? In the makerspace, we have two different basic options for custom t-shirts or custom other fabric: Sublimation and Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV). Sublimation permanently affixes the art to the shirt whereas HTV doesn’t last as long (about a couple dozen washes). To use sublimation you will need a white shirt (or whatever) that is 100% polyester. You CAN go down to about 75% polyester, but the color won’t be as vivid. All we need for this process is an image file that you want to be on the fabric. This is the better option if you don’t mind searching for 100% white polyester. Using HTV allows us to put the art or text on a much wider amount of fabrics. Within HTV we have two options: Single Color HTV and Printable HTV. Think of Single Color HTV as a one color sticker that gets cut out, heated up and affixed to your fabric. If we are using Single Color HTV, you can either design your file in Cricut Design Space or create a SVG of your design. Please note that if you are using Single Color HTV and creating your own SVG that the cricut struggles with extreme detail. If we are using Printable HTV, all we will need is an image file. Printable HTV is basically printing an image onto a sticker that gets affixed to the fabric with heat. The drawback of using Printable HTV versus Sublimation is if the image is large enough, it can feel like you have taped a piece of paper to your shirt if you use Printable HTV.

Sublimation Printer Sawgrass SG500 sublimation printer Print a specialty ink on special paper that when heated allows us to transfer designs of photographic realism onto various surfaces such as fabrics and ceramics. Cost : $1.00 per 8.5” x 11” paper Print size : 8.5" x 11" (letter size) paper File type : .jpg, .jpeg, and .png work best, but other filetypes will work as well. Color : Full color (no white ink) Make an appointment What materials can be sublimated? Only specially coated materials can be sublimated on. We have noticed a few distributors online claim their products are able to be sublimated on when this isn’t the truth. If you ever have any questions, please email makerspace@rhpl.org . What sublimation materials do you keep in stock? The only sublimation material we keep in stock is 11oz mugs. Due to slower turn around time for these products, you may only buy one or two from the makerspace. If you want to do more, please email makerspace@rhpl.org and we will send you a link to buy your own. What fabric can I bring in to sublimate on? White 100% polyester fabric results in the best quality of sublimation transfer. Lesser amounts of polyester in the material (or lighter colors that aren’t white) lead to lower quality transfers - the colors are a bit faded. Dark colored fabric cannot be sublimated on. What file format do I need? You can bring in any image format but we have found it useful to just have jpeg, jpg, or png. You may bring the image on a flashdrive or email it to makerspace@rhpl.org ahead of your appointment. Cricut Mug Press Use this Cricut Mug Press with sublimation mugs and printer to create one of a kind, dishwasher and microwave safe mugs! Check it out Cricut Joy The Cricut Joy machine is ideal for cutting vinyl decals to use in a variety of projects Check it out Creativebug Discover new crafts with more than 1,000 award-winning video classes taught by design experts and artists. Vist Creativebug Find Inspiration

Donations we can accept: Hardcover and paperback books CDs and vinyl records DVDs and Bluray Books on CD Software CDs Encyclopedia sets in very good condition and fewer than 25 years old Textbooks that are fewer than 10 years old Donations we cannot accept: VHS tapes Cassettes Magazines, including National Geographic and Readers Digest Condensed Books Textbooks over 10 years old Donation Guidelines for Physical Materials Per our donation policy , RHPL makes the final decision on acceptance, use, or disposition of all materials, donations, or gifts and retains unconditional ownership of same. The staff will consider donated materials for possible addition to the library’s collection using the same selection criteria as purchased materials. Materials not added to the collection or gifts may be given to the Friends of the Library for their used book sale. Proceeds from Friends’ book sales go to support the library. All materials must be in reasonably good condition. We cannot accept books that are dirty, moldy, musty, or smelly. If you have a large donation and need help unloading it, please call the library before coming to make sure there is a volunteer available to help you. Volunteers are generally here Monday through Friday in the morning. For other arrangements, call 248-650-7178.

Button Press Make buttons and magnets with your own art 1” buttons with magnetic and pin backs $0.15 2.25” buttons with pin backs – $0.15 You may also supply your own materials and use the button press for no charge. Make an appointment Creativebug Discover new crafts with more than 1,000 award-winning video classes taught by design experts and artists. Vist Creativebug Find Inspiration