Lush, literate, grown-up / young-spirited rock from David Rosane & The Zookeepers. Words of hope, celebration, and wonder from Vermont's Poet Laureate, Chard di Niord. Tasty guitar by the stunningly talented Owen Nied. The powerful-yet-fun pairing of lifelong poet and muse Verandah Porche and accomplished musician Patty Carpenter. An inventive multimedia performance from World Under Wonder cast members.They're all coming together in a performance fundraiser for the Rockingham Free Public Library this Saturday, September 31, at Stage 33 Live, 33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls. Door opens at 6:00 PM, the show starts at 7:00 sharp. Seating is limited to 40, and then it's standing room — advance ticket holders will have chairs reserved for them, front and center. You can bring your own portable chair if you wish, just in case you need it.Tickets are available in person at the Rockingham library (during their normal hours)... or online at www.stage33live.com (until the day of show)... or at the door. Suggested minimum donation per ticket is $20, more if you can. 100% of the money raised supports the library.The event caps off the annual library tour by David Rosane & The Zookeepers (2019 Tammie Award winner for best Vermont rock album), who deliver humor, intellect, and drama in equal doses.This summer, libraries across the country have been celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing and America's achievements in space research. Library professionals chose the slogan "A Universe of Stories" for their summer reading programs to inspire people of all ages to dream big, believe in themselves, and create their own story.Also this summer, David Rosane & the Zookeepers — whose latest album, "Book of ZOO", won the 2019 Tammie Award for best Vermont rock album — have been playing in support of rural libraries in a tour they've dubbed "Across the ZOO-niverse: a 2019 Library-Space Odyssey and Benefit Tour, Rockin' Vermont for Literacy, Democracy and Free Speech."The band's frontman, David Rosane, said, "What started out last year as a grassroots effort led by a trio of crazed bookworms has blossomed. We now have the full-fledged support of the Vermont Department of Libraries, lots of media attention, a recent appearance at the Vermont State Legislature, a bunch of local business sponsors, and towns inviting us to play for them!”The band's first library-fundraising tour received considerable media coverage, which helped shine a light on the issues facing libraries as these legendary institutions see their revenue decrease across the country at a time when they are becoming increasingly crucial to the public interest. The tour caught the eye of the Vermont Department of Libraries, which helped the band reiterate and expand their efforts.The concert in Bellows Falls will be the last stop on the Zookeepers' 2019 Library Benefit Tour. This year's tour also included Burlington, Cabot, Enosburg, Rochester, Peacham, Bradford, Derby Line, Barre, Middletown Springs, Weston, Groton, Marshfield, Hardwick, Chelsea, and East Fairfield."All donations raised at the door of each show go to the local library and their programs and needs”, said Rosane. "In addition to fundraising, we really want to draw attention to the role that libraries play in our towns and villages. They aren't just a place for books — they're community centers, an open space for public events and life-long learning. Or people can just hang and socialize... a cool place for the lonely, the elderly, and special populations."Band member Jennifer Grossi adds, "The collective awareness on how vital libraries are to our lives and liberty is growing. In many communities in Vermont, libraries are the only places some people can access the internet — imagine how crucial that factor can be in making voting decisions, for example, or even getting inspired to vote."Vermont has the highest number of libraries per capita in the United States, and all of them are pillars of the common good; a place to gather and network, access ideas and resources.In raising funds for libraries, the Zookeepers help answer needs ranging from the purchase of new computers, facility improvement, financing kid's programs involving health awareness and event-based citizen science, to the purchase of environmentally friendly materials. As frontman Rosane says, "A little help can go a long way."