531 Public Library, Chester, New Hampshire

Leaving Raymond, I had another scenic ride to Chester, where I found their library fresh from a recent renovation. It's great to find so many libraries that are either new or updated. Not all, of course, but the trend where I have travelled is clearly to support and modernize community libraries.

Note that the font here is normal. From this point, Blogger takes over and applies the font of its choice. There is a pull-down menu with several choices of format, but after the first picture there will be formats intended for headings. Even though I highlight the text and choose "Normal" from the menu, they remain headings. If anyone knows of a fix or a work-around, please let me know.

As I came into Chester, I began to notice --well, one could hardly miss them--various figures standing about. Not scarecrows, but, well, take a look. I learned that these are a fall fundraiser for the local history society. One person creates the heads, then local folks buy them (that's the fundraiser part), complete them, and stand them up around town. I was here in late September and I understand that their numbers will continue to grow, until they are all taken down at the end of October. Most are humans: a wedding party, historical figures, etc., but several are book characters, as you see here.

It's always nice to see a library sign announcing "We Are Open!" Hopefully, with the steps that are taken (hand sanitizer, masks required, social distancing in effect, plexi barriers strategically placed) they will be able to remain open.I didn't track down the rest of the pictures, but it appears that a storywalk has been installed.

Libraries often provide opportunities to give back to the community. I spotted these baskets, collection points for the SPCA and the local food shelf.

This glass-fronted book shelf holds Chester town reports dating back to 1843.

It's not just blogger; my camera also has a mind of its own. Once in a while it decides that a picture should be in portrait mode although I take the picture in landscape. There is a fix, but I need to apply it while the picture is still in the camera, and in this case, I missed one. This is the browsing and periodical area.

Here's a corner of the children's area. I believe this is in the newest part of the library. It's a bit unusual to find an upholstered chair these days. It is not unusual to see that all toys have been put away.

Here's a long view of the children's area. One of the books displayed in the foreground was so intriguing, I jotted down the title and got it from my local library. The title is "This Way, Charlie," and it's about the friendship between a goat and a horse. Since I no longer have a kindergarten class to read to, I read it to the cats. They appeared to like it.

I once thought that every New England library has a grandfather clock and every midwestern library has at least one quilt. I've since discovered too many examples that bely the generalization. And look: the format is normal. No, I don't know why.

DVDs and recorded books are available, of course. And here we are again with the format.

It's always fun to spot a stereopticon. When I was a kid growing up in Nashua, Miss Manning had a few stereopticons and bunches of cards; when she was in a good mood, she'd set these out in the children's room and we would enjoy this forerunner of the Viewmaster. Actually, if you do something with your eyes, which I can do but can't explain, you can get the stereo effect without a device.Teens get special attention here with a "Make and Take" craft involving duct tape. I often see make and take activities for younger kids; this provision for teens is quite unusual.

I spotted this sign about an Escape Room. These are increasingly common, but I'm not at all tempted. I'm sure that I would never be able to solve the puzzles and get out! Or, not solve the puzzles and feel stupid.

Here's a longer shot of the teen area. Clearly, someone here is paying a lot of attention to this age group. Good for you, "Someone!"

A guide to the upper level:

These days, patrons are not encouraged to linger in most libraries. But it's nice to see that space for lingering is still available.

The desk in the corner is c. 1830, almost 200 years old..

Two reasons for this picture. First, I like the iron book stand. Second, I like Dewey Readmore Books, the abandoned kitten from Spencer, Iowa, who grew up to be a famous Library Cat. I never met Dewey; he died in 2006 at age 19. But I visited the Spencer library a few years ago as part of this project.

9/24/2020