Show Notes
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dover Public Library Director Denise LaFrance about the library's upcoming move back to its renovated building after operating out of temporary space in the McConnell Center for most of 2025 and into 2026. LaFrance announces that the move begins April 20 and will take approximately six weeks, with a grand reopening set for June 5. During the transition, library services will be significantly scaled back, with a small browse collection of newer books, Chromebooks, printing, and museum passes available in Room 306 of the McConnell Center. Hours will be limited to Mondays from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holds on newer books will continue, but the broader collection will be in transit and unavailable. The three-week checkout period remains unchanged, book drops stay open, and the digital library through Libby and OverDrive has been expanded with additional purchases to help bridge the gap. LaFrance notes that story time and some book groups will continue during the move, and staff are both excited and anxious about the transition. The first two days — June 5 and 6 — will serve as open houses, giving the public a chance to tour the entire building, including staff spaces. Room bookings for the new community room will be available online roughly two weeks before reopening. Regular operations resume Monday, June 8. LaFrance encourages patrons to check out items sooner rather than later and to visit the library's website for updates.
In This Week in Dover History, we learn the story of Lucy Lambert Hale, a Dover native and daughter of abolitionist Senator John Parker Hale. Lucy was a sought-after Washington socialite whose admirers included Robert Todd Lincoln, but she secretly became romantically involved with, and possibly engaged to, John Wilkes Booth. When Booth was killed after assassinating President Lincoln on April 14, 1865, a photograph of Lucy was found on his body. Her family subsequently moved to Spain, and Lucy later returned to New Hampshire, married future U.S. Senator William Chandler, and lived quietly until her death in 1915.
More from Dover Download
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dian Maruca, executive director of the Dover Housing Authority, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits and social service agencies. Maruca, who has led the authority since March 2026 after joining as deputy director in 2023, shares how a teenage landscaping job at the Newmarket Housing Authority grew into a career in subsidized housing. She says that hands-on experience shapes her respect for her maintenance and administrative staff.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Planning and Community Development Donna Benton about the FY28-33 Capital Improvements Program, presented to the City Council and Planning Board on Oct. 7.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Media Services Mike Gillis about September's board, committee and commission meetings.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Margaret Joyce and Jed Allen of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce about the 42nd annual Apple Harvest Day. What began as a small craft fair on Orchard Street with about a dozen crafters has grown into a signature event often described as Dover's homecoming, with roughly 250 vendors, two food courts, a road race, an apple pie contest and entertainment on two stages. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the 5K road race starting at 8:30 a.m.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Kathy Beebe, executive director of Haven, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits. Haven is the Seacoast's domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and support agency. It was formed through the merger of A Safe Place and Sexual Assault Support Services. Beebe explains that the new name was chosen deliberately to make clear its services are for anyone affected, including men, teens, adult survivors of childhood abuse, and family members.