My second stop on this "library collecting" trip was at Hampton Falls. I associate "Hampton" with "beach," but I think the only time I went to Hampton Beach was on the only day I played hooky from Nashua High School. Got a horrible sunburn for my punishment. Boy, that was a long time ago!
Here in the Granite State, the main library sign is granite...
...but the sign that is really great to see is the one that says the library is open. Limited hours, yes, but OPEN!
The entrance to the library includes an enclosed space with protection from weather. In one of the last pictures we'll see that it has had another important use lately.
I walk a lot, though not on this trip, and one of the most welcome sights is a bench with a back!
When I saw the hearts on the door I recalled seeing a note about this on the library website. Patrons were asked to express their love for the library and cover the door with decorated hearts. They're off to a good start, I'd say.
There is a generous collection of new books for young adults and school kids. What does the "J" stand for? It varies from place to place. It used to be pretty consistently "Juvenile," but "Junior" is more common now Even if a collection has gone more to "New Readers," "Graphic Novels," and other descriptive titles, you're likely to see "J" on the spine of older books.
Here's an example: "Early Readers." The upside-down chairs, of course, indicate that patrons are not welcome to use the tables...OR the chairs. That will change, eventually.
Perhaps half of the libraries I've visited have some version of this sign in their children's area. From my experience, and from what I've been told, the sign helps perhaps half of the time. Basically, there are those who put away, or encourage their kids to do so...and those who don't.
Seeing a gorgeous puppet theater like this really makes me long for normal times in libraries.
My first glance at the number signs in the children's area made me think of Dewey and his decimals. Then I realized that it is part of the "1000 Books Before Kindergarten" program. I wonder what impact the COVID-closings have had on that program?
It's not just the kids who are prevented from sitting at a table to work.
This large telescope can be checked out by patrons. This is the first entry in the "Library of Things" that I've seen since I re-started visits in January.
Upholstered chairs! I was told that two gentlemen make it a habit to come in when the library is open and sit in these chairs to chat. Newspapers are also available. I haven't seen periodicals, even papers, available in libraries lately. Here you are advised to use the provided hand sanitizer before and after handling such material.
More lonely tables and chairs, waiting for researchers and schoolwork-doers to give them a purpose again.
Signs like this are really helpful to people who run out of books by a favorite author and are in search of a new favorite.
Another list of this type that I've seen shows all of the books by a single author, in order of publication. One thing I've done during the stay-at-home days is read (often re-read) in order the books by Louise Penny and Archer Mayor. Now I'm working on Robert B Parker. This is fun for more than the stories. Parker's books, for example, date back to the 70s, and the cultural changes are interesting. So often I find myself thinking, "Wow, they wouldn't get away with that these days!"
We're now all accustomed to plexiglass barriers in many forms and uses. This custom A-frame barrier was made by a patron.
And now it's time to leave via that nice enclosed door. The entry way is now used for "curbside pickup" with patrons' material waiting snuggly in plastic bags.
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