Every Library I Can: 529 Public Library, Moultonborough, New Hampshire

Here we are at the third stop of the day. Like so many libraries I've visited, this one has been added to over time. Here we see the old front door, which is no longer in use. There is a brick sidewalk down to the street, Four chairs tempt you to walk up and sit for a while. If you do, be careful and stick to the bricks; I tried a shortcut up the steep grass, and it didn't go well.

One casualty of the summer of the COVID-19 quarantine was the children's summer reading program. Every library I've been to has found a way to keep in contact with young patrons over the summer, and this is one of the best. The summer theme was about tales and imagination. Since kids couldn't come into the library during the summer, the children's librarian created an activity that combines fairy tales and fitness, Fairy Tales in Motion. There are about 20 "stations," each with a physical activity to be done. This one tells you to make silly faces in the mirror. That's the only kind you can make, since the mirror is the warped funhouse type. The fairy tale tie-in is the witch in Snow White.

Another sign : "The tortoise says, "Walk very slowly to the next stop." There are many more, but I'll spare you. They include running in place, touching your toes, and other child-friendly choices to "get the wiggles out."

A patio near the children's area has chairs for small people. I didn't see them, but I did spot the sign. The wording here suggests to me that there is a very easy relationship between the librarians and the patrons, allowing for some gentle teasing.

The highlight of this walk around the building is a Hobbit Hole. I talked to the children's librarian about this. If I understood her correctly, the space behind the door is lower than the ground in front, allowing a program leader to stand upright and open the door to talk to kids sitting on the hillside.

The children's area inside displays many natural items, safely out of reach of little hands but readily available to an adult (staff, I assume) to take down and discuss.

There was so much to see in the children's area, I almost missed the castle!

This assortment of furniture is "quarantined" in one corner of the library, waiting until it is deemed safe to allow use of upholstered chairs and children's toys. The less you have out in the library, the less cleaning is needed.

This imagination-inspiring mural spreads across two corner walls.

Can a quilt be a mural? It can try! The quilt reflects the local lakes, notably Lake Winnipesaukee, and mountains. I don't believe flamingos are native to New Hampshire.

Now for the adult part of the library. As best I could tell, it is comprised of a couple of additions to the original building. As you enter and move to the right, you go back in time. Here's an area with a classic look. But we're not in the old section yet.

And here is a modern look. Alternate computers are out of service this summer.

In New Hampshire I've learned that each library is a separate entity, quite unlike Minnesota where just about every library is part of a consortium, mainly based on counties. This is the first exception I'm aware of: A windowsill of DVDs that are rotated among a group of libraries. I don't know how often the collection moves, but there was a sign saying that if you see something you want to watch, you'd better get it now, because it might not be back here for two years!

Anyone who invested in Plexiglas back at the first of the year must be doing very well these days. It's used in many ways in libraries (and all sorts of businesses, of course). Here it forms a protective barrier for someone working on a table.

I believe we are now in the oldest part of the building. Clearly this room is set up for meetings, but none are being held here these days.

Social distancing should work in this room. Just keep those chairs back from the table!

Recognize this? Now we are inside the door, looking out at the brick sidewalk and the chairs.

Another view of an old room. My notes say that a corner room in this area holds periodicals and puzzles. I remember seeing them, but I guess I didn't get a photo.

I think biographies should have their own section, as here. The library I worked at cataloged them and shelved them by topic. So a biography of Darwin would be shelved with natural science. This works for many readers, but not the sort of person who simply likes to read biographies.

A somewhat formal corner for relaxing and reading.

This is rather nice. We're in the adult non-fiction stacks. A sign nearby suggests that if we're having trouble finding what we want, the computerized card catalog is nearby at the end of a row. I've seen this practice a few times, usually in rather large libraries. It puts the information right where you are likely to need it.

Lots of media...

Another casual reading space.

This display was near the entrance. It's from a summer program that encouraged families to work together to create a sculpture from pool noodles. The dragon or sea monster on the bottom shelf took first prize.

I think the tall skinny figures are also from the contest.

Hours changed over the summer and with the current re-opening. someone went to some trouble to create a sign that gives the new hours and fits the permanent sign.