Rice Public Library

06/03/2026

Come "check out" our newest Kid Librarians display!

06/03/2026

A Walk Through Time: This Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

We're finally getting a sunny Saturday, so why not join former Town Council member Jeff Thomson for an historic walking tour of the Kittery foreside?

Register on our website: https://ricepl.librarycalendar.com/event/walk-through-time-historic-kittery-walking-tour-9120

06/03/2026

Ann Beattie brings the fascinating history of Star Island's Oceanic Hotel to the library tonight!

Join historian and educator Ann Beattie for a special limited lecture series exploring the rich history of the Oceanic Hotel as we celebrate its 150th anniversary!

Three communities. Three opportunities to attend!

📍 Tuesday, June 2 at 6 p.m. — Rye Public Library, Rye, NH
📍 Wednesday, June 3 at 6 p.m. — Rice Public Library, Kittery, ME
📍 Thursday, June 4 at 11 a.m. — Moffatt-Ladd House, Portsmouth, NH

Learn the fascinating history of the grand Oceanic Hotel on Star Island - one of New England’s last remaining Victorian-era resort hotels.

Discover the clever scheme that sparked its creation and the spirited rivalry with the famed Appledore House just across the harbor, as hundreds once packed their trunks to summer at the Isles of Shoals.

Hear how devastating fires destroyed both hotels, and marvel at the ingenuity that led to the Oceanic’s rebirth, preserving its legacy on storied Star Island.

These events are free and open to the public. We hope to see you there for “150 Years at Sea: The Oceanic Hotel”.

06/01/2026

For the month of June we are making rainbow suncatchers to hang in the library windows. We invite those of all ages to stop by the Youth Services Floor to make one!

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Yesterday, House Republicans introduced a bill that includes national book banning called House Resolution 7661 (H.R. 7661). This bill uses the "same vague language used in numerous states across the U.S. to ban books from public schools and public libraries." (-Book Riot) We ask you to ACT NOW and contact your House Representatives to say NO to H.R. 7661. Say NO to this proposal of a federal-level book ban, and attack on our First Amendment Rights!

“It isn’t a stretch to see a bill like this used to outright ban all books by or about LGBTQ+ people under the guise of it being “sexually oriented.”” - Book Riot

To keep up to date with the latest information about this federal attack on the Freedom to Read, be sure to follow Book Riot, American Library Association or PEN America.

Learn more here: https://bookriot.com/hr7661-book-ban-legislation/

05/26/2026

Come and learn about this fascinating piece of Seacoast history Wednesday, June 3 at 6 p.m!

Join historian and educator Ann Beattie for a special limited lecture series exploring the rich history of the Oceanic Hotel as we celebrate its 150th anniversary!

Three communities. Three opportunities to attend!

📍 Tuesday, June 2 at 6 p.m. — Rye Public Library, Rye, NH
📍 Wednesday, June 3 at 6 p.m. — Rice Public Library, Kittery, ME
📍 Thursday, June 4 at 11 a.m. — Moffatt-Ladd House, Portsmouth, NH

Learn the fascinating history of the grand Oceanic Hotel on Star Island - one of New England’s last remaining Victorian-era resort hotels.

Discover the clever scheme that sparked its creation and the spirited rivalry with the famed Appledore House just across the harbor, as hundreds once packed their trunks to summer at the Isles of Shoals.

Hear how devastating fires destroyed both hotels, and marvel at the ingenuity that led to the Oceanic’s rebirth, preserving its legacy on storied Star Island.

These events are free and open to the public. We hope to see you there for “150 Years at Sea: The Oceanic Hotel”.

05/20/2026

Wow! Anthony has read 800 books so far in our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge! We are so proud of you (and your grown ups for fostering your love of reading!)