613 Madison Public Library, Madison, New Hampshire

I've learned that three is an optimal number of libraries to visit in one trip It's enough to make the drive worthwhile and it's few enough that I can write the posts before I completely forget what I saw! In the early days of the blog, ten or 11 years ago, I might make five or six visits on one trip, but no more of that.

Enough chatter, Ellen. Get on with the visit.

The first trick was getting to the library. The road that passes the library was in the throes of resurfacing work, with flag-persons managing to keep one lane open at all times. It must have been an experienced crew, because everything seemed to be running smoothly. For a reason that I've now forgotten, I decided to make a left turn into a driveway...and I found myself in the library parking lot! That was better luck than management.

But I wasn't  in the clear yet. There were few kids putting books in the book return and letting off some steam in the parking lot. They let me know that the library opened at 2 pm. Present time: 1:50 or so. No big deal, and I then remembered why Madison was third on my list for the day: I couldn't visit until it opened, of course. Here's a picture of the library from partway up the driveway. The main parking lot is at the top  And right at the tick of two o'clock, the librarian opened the door and we all went in. (How had I missed her arrival? Tricky...she had parked in a separate small lot and entered by a door  on the lower level.)

This is where I got a little skimpy with the pictures, for no specific reason that I recall. But I did get this plaque. Libraries tend to be full of "thank you" and "in honor of...:"messages. I.ve visited a few libraries where everything is credited, shelves, the circulation desk, the restrooms.... I like to imagine the fundraisers that resulted in such bounty. Instead of "one size fits all," what I see is "something here for every budget."

I mentioned that some kids were waiting in the parking lot for the librarian to arrive, right? Well, this tree mural covered the whole end wall of the children's area, and this was the only sample I could get without a child in the picture. I'm guessing that the painting was done by someone local, or perhaps the librarian! It's really very attractive.

I came around a corner in the adult area of the library and found this wonderful nook. Cozy chairs (including a matching chair to the left), footstools, and views to the outdoors, what could be better?

What could be better is a second  area for reading or chatting quietly.

 And one special thing found in every New Hampshire library isa really cool telescope! These have been provided by the New Hampshire Astronomy Society, which seems like a very good idea. Since the telescope is here, it seems that nobody has checked it out to see the meteor shower this weekend. Just as well, since the rain is forecast to last all weekend.

 

10/11/2023

Where to next? I'm not sure. Perhaps a library I visited where I had a different kind of photo problem? It's near a bookstore I want to visit...and I know there will be extensive Halloween decorations., there and in nearby towns. I'll have to see what the weather is next week!
 

612 Chocorua Public Library, Chocorua, New Hsmpshire

 

Hello, it's good to be back again. If you read yesterday's post you know something of my recent camera woes. I thought all was well until I entered today's post from Chocorua. The issue this time: Didn't I take more pictures? My hypothesis is that the new camera has a different "feel" and sound when I take a picture, and I think I occasionally did not capture a picture that I thought I had. Done is done. If you have a feeling that this post is a bit slim, that may be why.

Mount Chocorua is an oft-painted mountain in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In my youth, any people (including my grandmother) had a painting of Mount Chocorua hanging over the sofa. At least, that's my memory.

But we're here to see a library. For starters, here's the guardian lion. Sadly, it has no name. The pair in New York City are "Patience and "Fortitude."

I should have asked about these figurines and why they have specific labeled places on the shelves. There must be a story behind these.

I just chanced to glance into a corner of the children's library and spotted a number of riding toys. This must be a lively place when the toddlers are in!

I'm always glad to see natural light  in a library.

That white blob is a plastic jar full of  slips of paper that are used to encourage kids to broaden their reading choices. I was reminded of a library in Wisconsin that maintained a jar of tongue depressors with a Dewey Decimal number on each. The challenge: take a wood strip (without peeking), then find the matching book--and read it.

I think my intention here is to show you the handsome, and old, table and chair. Almost every library I visit has furniture or other objects that have some history behind them. And that reminds me: A few years ago I noticed that almost every library I visited had at least one quilt displayed and a grandfather clock, usually in working order. Three visits in a row and I don't think I've seen a clock or a quilt. Hmmm.

Another "always seen" in small town libraries is a collection of old books. There are usually categories for local and regional history and geography. I believe that this collection includes all or most of the books that formed the original collection. I found an interesting detail in the booklet "A History of Chocorua Public Library, 1888 - 1988. The library was funded by donations on the basis of what a person could pay. The prime fundraiser, Frank Bolles, wanted to "...make the library more than the project of a few affluent men." Fundraising resulted in 73 people subscribed a total of about $330. [No women were mentioned in the description of fundraising, but when it became time to staff the library, young ladies are busy "...covering marking, numbering and arranging the books..." One more tidbit from the history book, "Mr. Beck refused, for no satisfactory reason, to perform his promise to build the shelves."

When it comes to things that once ubiquitous in every library, here's the old card catalog. It's waiting for someone to have a vision of how it may be used. "Recipes" have been suggested.

Three more pictures; I will let you make up your own commentary

10/11/2023

611 Effingham Public Library

Well, it's been a long time since I've entered a new post. One reason was that my camera was left behind on a trip to Minnesota, so I had to get a new one. Found one on eBay that seemed to be identical, which it is, like my 2016 Prius is identical to my 2014. In other words, not quite. Two issues: 1) the new camera puts cute borders on pictures. I now know how to removed them, but I was too wrapped up in figuring out how to add the photos, I didn't want to go back to the beginning and re-enter new versions of the pictures. You only have to put up with them for three entries. The second issue, the new camera needs a special cord to link it with my laptop. No such cord came with it (Remember, eBay.) but Mary figured it out and found a cord on line, So I'm back in the blogging business,

 

I have moose plates on my car, but this is the first time I've seen a "Thank You" response. The fees for Moose Plates go to conserving natural, historical and cultural resources.

 

One thing most small libraries seem to have in common is the talent to use every bit of available space.

Many libraries have jigsaw puzzles to swap, to borrow, or to solve in the library. This is the first library where I've seen this adjustable, tilting, board. It's easy to work on; friction beats gravity to keep the pieces in place; and the whole thing can be folded up and put aside when necessary without losing any work.

Many years ago, Effingham had the first Normal School, a training school for teachers. Before the present building became the library it served as the Town Hall, with a stage for programs. Can you spot some remnants of that earlier life?

I was offered the chance to visit the upper level via the handsome curved stairway. My knees and a look at the narrow treads prompted me to say no. Sometime in the future I will be able to go upstairs on the other side of the building via ADA-compliant stairs or even a lift.

A large, bright corner of the building houses the children's library. I really like the "campfire" rug in the story corner.

As I started to drive away I realized that I hadn't shown the whole building. Here it is.

And I mustn't forget this sign, advertising a street dance coming up on the next weekend. But if you have a certain way of thinking, you may notice that there will NOT be an Effing Ham and Bean Dinner.

 

10/11/23

610 Hooksett Public Library, Hooksett, New Hampshire

 

I tried to visit this library once before, back when libraries were just starting to allow folks in during the pandemic. My gps and I were not working well together, and I never found the entrance. This time I had no problem and I can't imagine what my problem was before! The library sits high on a hill that it shares with a former school site, now condos.

The weather was not ideal, but I hadn't made a visit for about six weeks. Never mind the clouds, it was time to go!

The entrance has many great features. I like the spacious front porch with  assorted seating, including real chairs with padded seats. [I walk a lot, and I'm very fond of comfortable resting spots!]

What I really got a kick out of is something I saw fairly often in Minnesota--and nowhere since. Take a look at that splotch of color on the far left.

You can't readily tell from the picture, but this is a locker system that allows patrons to pick up requested books even if the library is closed. The request is made on line and the requested item is placed in the designated locker for the patron to retrieve. This can be a great convenience

when the patron's schedule and the library's schedule don't mesh. One that I recall in Minnesota was used to provide library service while a library was being built in a fast-growing exurb.

There's a neat bit of trompe l'oeil here: Look very closely and you can see the dividing lines for the drawers that hold the requested books!

I found an old post with a picture of the book lockers in a suburban location in Minnesota. This one is in the lobby of the city hall.

After I checked in with staff to ensure that I could wander around and take pictures, I started toward the children's area. The children's library has several parts. First there is this large collection of "J" fiction books. If you walk through this section, you come to a large window facing a program room. A few kids were starting to work on projects and I think I saw a sign indicating "Messy Projects."

Later I found a similar room at the other end of the children's area. We'll see it later.

I really like the strong colors throughout the library! The picture below is a long look from the J books out to the main desk.

Here's something new to me: many LEGO kits in plastic bins. Most libraries I've visited have LEGO, but they are usually in large tubs for general building. I like this system. Individual kits are pricey, and once you've built one, then what? This way a kid can build one, then get another to work on without breaking the family budget. The kits are shelved near the main desk, which probably minimizes any problem of attrition. 

The Library of Things has made a leap from "once in a while" to "everyone is doing it." What's unique here is the "clothesline" with a card for each "Thing," making it clear which are out (back of the card showing) and which are available. I first saw "things" available for borrowing, specialty cake pans, in Nashua, Iowa.

We're now in the adult area of the library near the shelves of media. In the past ten years I've seen libraries that are full to the brim with media and holding onto their VHS tapes as long as the tapes continue to work. Now I sometimes have to look around a bit to find the media collection.

The stacks fill one side of the large adult area. Non-fiction is here in the foreground...

...followed by fiction. I didn't think to look for genre collections. At one library I visited recently I was surprised by a large collection of Westerns. I say "surprised" because they are very popular out in the heartland but not here in the East.

I believe I saw something on the library website about a program to share cuttings. By the looks of these windowsills, the program has happened and has been very well received. The adult area is a lot of a bit unusual in that there are a lot of one- and two-person "spots" spread across a large area. And it just occurred to me that I don't recall any of the "living room" groupings that I'm accustomed to seeing. Perhaps I missed them?

 

Speaking of media, as we were, this is the music CD collection. The attribution sign surprised me.

      

This is the Teen area. It looks very dignified and attractive. Tall tables and chairs are a sure sign of a Teen or Young Adult area; I don't know why. In YA areas broadly speaking, I've spotted various choices, from beanbags on the floor to diner booths and everything between.

I was pleased to see that the library is collecting plastic bags of all sorts. I gave up saving mine a while back because I wasn't aware of anyplace where I could take them. Now I know...

With a quick jump across the lobby, we're now back in the little-kids area, with a bit of the librarian's office in the foreground.

More strong colors here, and a great message spread across the wall: The Library puts the "Unity" in "Community."

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Shelf signs guide you to subject areas in the junior non-fiction area. [I try to remember to note how book levels are assigned in each library. For example, does J stand for Juvenile or Junior? Or something else entirely? Is non-fiction shelved by Dewey numbers or subject (bookstore style)? Are all levels of non-fiction shelved together?]

This Hooksett Fire Truck is a good replica of the real thing, right down to the signage and lights.

Ah, we've come full circle now. Do you remember that we were able to look into a project room at the other end of the children's area? Here is the other room that I mentioned there. It seems like a great idea to have two rooms that can be used for various projects with mid-sized groups.

Here's a bit of programming that requires little or no adult supervision. Just "HELP US COLOR THE WHITE LETTERS."

OK, we've done a tour of this handsome and very active library. I enjoyed every bit of it, and as usual feel that I didn't do it justice. I even got to meet the Director and Assistant Director, a rare treat!

I strongly suggest that when you're traveling you stop by any library you come across. Virtually every town has one! After 600+ libraries I'm still finding things I'd never seen before. I'm sure you can do the same.

6/27/2023