377. New Richland Public Library, New Richland, MN

I made the first picture extra large so you can see the NEW RICHLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY sign above the door, and get a good look at this interesting building. Perhaps you are savvy enough to know that the three oval links above the center window tell us that this was once the Odd Fellows Hall. Architectural interest continues in the lobby with pressed-tin wainscoting.

Now, if you look in that front window, or the window in the picture below, you'll see a welcoming area with seating and a place to build with Duplo blocks...which two small boys were doing. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that I'm always looking for things I haven't seen before. In this case, what I found was a seating piece that came from the Odd Fellows days. Three "thrones" with cushioned seats are joined into a single piece of furniture. I couldn't get a picture because one of the seats was in use, but it's very unusual.

Anything else unusual here? Well, there's a wooden "car" in the kids area, large enough to seat two young readers and with space in the back seat (or trunk?) for books. A very nice example of a two-sided reading table with a sloped surface, with cushioned stools pushed underneath. A display of movie memorabilia featuring a "studio picture" of movie stars, dated 1948-49. I'm sure I would have recognized a few of them if I'd looked closely, but I did spot Lassie in the front row, and there is a key with all the names. I learned that a gentleman installed this display and said he would leave it "for a while;" I gather that quite a while has passed, and he has not returned.

There are non-fiction books, mysteries, westerns, large print, and young adult, as well as "regular" fiction and books for kids. A rebound book caught my eye, since nobody seems to rebind books any more. It turned out to be Sinclair Lewis's "Main Street." I think there are about five Internet computers for patron use.

The librarian on duty when I was there was very friendly and knowledgeable, and fun to talk to.

The library's website is http://wasecalesueurlibraries.com/locations/ and you can find it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/newrichlandlibrary/?fref=ts.

1/4/2016