There are four public computers, a large-print corner, a table of books that are "A gift to us from Quest books," and best of all, a three-ring binder labeled "Library Humor Book" full of library-related cartoons! A note in the front asks patrons to accept it in the spirit intended; after all, a certain amount of library humor pokes gentle fun at patrons. The pages are in plastic sheet protectors, and I think every library should start a book like this.
A grandfather clock reminded me that I think there has been at least one such clock in every library I've visited in NH.
The children's area has a United States puzzle (every children's library should have one, in my opinion) and an old school chalkboard in a frame that turns in its wooden stand. Large sidewalk chalk is abundant, and I can imagine children "playing school" here. Art materials are available on a table for "passive programming" and the smallest books are kept in small bins on a low shelf.
Downstairs, a meeting room runs the width of the building. Glass-fronted bookcases run the length of one wall, probably the collection of the founder (I forgot to ask) and an exhibit of local art graces the opposite wall. There is a grand piano, and just off this room is a small kitchen.
There are several other rooms and alcoves, one housing a book sale and piles of magazines. A sign states that the magazines are free, and encourages visitors to "take a whole pile." So I took a year's worth of Saturday Evening Post, which I didn't even know was still published. After I look at them, they will go to the Friends' Bookstore in Minneapolis for further recycling.
The entrance to the library holds a colorful "book house" (see below) with a sign inviting one to "take a book, bring a book--or not."
Learn more at http://www.gordon-nash.org/.
6/4/2013, car, with Jean
Thank you for including the Gordon-Nash Library on your tour!
ReplyDeleteCome back again someday!