219. Tucker Free Library, Henniker, NH

This handsome building was erected in 1903 and has been serving as a library since then. A large room to the left of the entrance houses historical material that belongs to the library, including many historic photographs and old books, a great fireplace, and an amazing dollhouse, built by sixth graders in 1913-14. This school year is therefore the centennial year for the dollhouse, and library staff are trying to learn more about its history. It's a very long shot, but if anyone reading this has any tips, please contact the Tucker Free Library. Seriously!

On the other side of the entrance hall is a quiet room with books and public computers. Directly ahead is the circulation desk and the adult fiction and nonfiction stacks. The circulation desk looks totally at home in the library, although it is very new; it was built by a local craftsman, who did an excellent job of both design and execution.

The children's area is down a flight of stairs at the rear of the building; there is also a more direct entrance from a rear parking lot. The walls here are mostly brick, warmed by light from many windows, bright colors, and cheerful, friendly staff. A large room holds picture books for the youngest patrons, shelved topically. Down another five steps is a similar room for school-age children including teens. Standard metal shelving has been brightened by strips of color on the front-facing edges, bright purple, green, and yellow. Signs invite reading: "It's vacation. Pick a book you want to read." "Cool new reads. Brand new young adult books." There is a flat-screen TV and an X-Box for gamers.

Staff upstairs and down were pleasant, informative, and fun to chat with. Their pride in the library is clear. Congratulations to the Tucker Free Library as they enter their 110th year of serving Henniker residents!

For more about this library, have a look at http://tuckerfreelibrary.org/.

12/26/2013   bus, plane, car