540 Kensington Public Library, Kensington, NH

 After my foray into Massachusetts, I headed home by way of Kensington, NH. Shortly before I moved to NH I read somewhere that Kensington would be celebrating its 125th anniversary. That was a good reason to put it "on the list." But shortly after my move, which was April 1, I learned that of course there would be no celebration in 2020; thank you, Covid-19. Through the year I kept watching this library and others, watching for signs that they were opening, and in early June I decided that it was time for a visit to Kensington.

Is there a library anywhere that doesn't have a fundraiser going on at all times? Here, it's tomato plants for sale, lined up along the front walk. Self-service: there was a box with assorted envelopes "for tomato plant money."

Books are displayed on the fireplace mantles, below the classical bas-relief.

I started in the children's area this time, and I was happy to see that at least some of the toys are back! I also spotted a neat toy for making marble tracks with runways on a whiteboard. The librarian told me that more STEM manipulatives are coming, thanks to a grant.

This is the first library in pandemic times where I've actually seen kids in the library. In this case, they'd already gone upstairs with Mom, but they were there. [I'm glad they had left, since they complicate picture-taking.] A make-and-take project here involves sun hats and markers. There are a few left, but I heard they are going fast.

I think this is a great "teaser" to encourage a reluctant kid to read. Look at that last sentence!

My notes came up short; I'm not sure what materials are displayed in the bright plastic bins..

Just a bit of bookish humor...

"Adult fiction with if you like this, perhaps you'll like ..." shelf notes.

Soon I'm sure that comfortable chairs and displays of browsing materials will look normal again.

Dewey is used, of course, but in the non-fiction stacks broader categories help begin a search.

The teen corner from another angle. I think it's always a plus when there are outdoor views and natural light in a library.

More teen books, I believe. If I've messed up what's what, I hope someone will leave a note so I can edit this.

The founder. I couldn't find his name on the Kensington web site, sorry. I know that the upper level of the building includes history material, but I didn't go up.

Many libraries still have card catalogs, but I've never seen one painted blue! This one seems to be full of cards; I didn't ask whether it is still in use.

Books for "curbside pickup" are tucked into these shelves, out of the weather, in labeled bags.

The ramp at the front door contributes to accessibility.

When looking at the Kensington Public Library site, I found a document I've not seen anywhere else. I'll copy a bit of it here, but I suggest that you track down the whole document. I didn't find a date, but dates for the American Antislavery Society were 1833 to 1870.

Preamble and Constitution of the First Antislavery Society of Kensington

Preamble

We the undersigned fully believing that reducing human beings to; or retaining them in the situation of slaves, is a most flagrant sin against the character of a just, and Holy God; and repugnant to every principle of righteousness, and honour, amongst men;

Honoring those from Kensington who fought in the First World War.

And now, home to Concord.

539 Amesbury Public Library, Amesbury, MA

I headed for the southeast corner of NH and northwest corner of MA, hoping to visit three libraries. A reasonable plan, but I was stymied by the first on my list. I know it's construction season, but my gps and I were unable to solve the Gordian knot of detours. I gave up, pulled over, and directed the gps to find the second on my list, Amesbury Public Library. More construction, but this time, with the help of a passing pedestrian, I found a parking lot and a short walking route to the library.

Normally I would start an entry here with the library sign, but this time I had a more urgent need. A key from the front desk and a careful trip down a vertiginous stairway...ahhh, now I'm ready to visit. I'll get the exterior pictures at the end 

The building dates to 1902, and has always been a library. Like many libraries from this era it resembles a Carnegie library, but it is not; it was the result of local philanthropy.

Library visits in the year of Covid-19 have shown the changes that have occurred. When I moved from Minnesota to New Hampshire in April 2020, libraries were shutting down everywhere. I managed to visit a few while they still had limited services. Now, over a year later, I'm finding libraries opening again, some tentatively and some vigorously. One sign of a library gearing up is the presence of newspapers and upholstered furniture, which disappeared at the height of the pandemic.

Older libraries were of course heated by fireplaces. Now that fireplaces are no longer needed or used, unless a library has generous spaces (most older ones don't) fireplaces become part of the background. [The newest libraries I've visited tend to have fireplaces again, but they are often high-tech and of very modern design. Regardless, we do like the warmth and a focal point that a fireplace provides.]

Every nook and cranny has a purpose.

It would be unusual indeed if I didn't find a grandfather clock in a New England library; they are ubiquitous. When I started this project it seemed that midwestern libraries "always" have quilts and New England libraries "always" have grandfather clocks. I've since seen that cherished clocks often made the trip to the heartland and east coast residents wanted the color and warmth of quilts.

The stairs are fine, but the handrail is designed for someone shorter than I am! 

It's been a while since I've seen a well-stocked "library of things." Among other possibilities here I saw yard games, a phonographic turntable, Kindle, a knitting kit, and books for coloring designs, with colored pencils included.

One end of the library houses media.

I saw on the Friends of the Library page on line that this library is one of 36 in the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium. This felt like home to me, since all of Minnesota is divided into such consortia. As in Minnesota, library card holders here can use the resources of all 36 libraries. This has a wonderful multiplying effect on the collections of each individual library.

More stairs... I rose to the challenge, because I always want to see children's areas in the libraries I visit.

The first thing I saw was a table with "take and make" material for kids. After a year of very limited in-person visits to the library, I've been pleased to see that almost every library I visit has made some provision to maintain reading and craft programs. In the upcoming summer, 2021, live programs will begin to reappear.

This really intrigued me. There's always something I haven't seen before. In this case, it's JB, for Junior Biographies. And it includes the large-format "picture books" that are issued these days, written about all sorts of people, especially minorities and others who have been neglected in the past. In most libraries, including where I used to work, these were shelved with "picture books" because many of them have the familiar large format of books for toddlers and preschoolers. But the concepts and vocabulary make them appropriate for school-age kids. I'm very glad to see these given their due here, and I assume throughout the Merrimack Valley Consortium.

This carpet is one I haven't seen before. It's cute, with the colorful footprints.

Two things caught my eye here. Audiobooks definitely are not cheating; they can be wonderful. And the electrical panel below the poster is a little blast from the past.

I like the clarification on the sign, letting me know that Intermediate Fiction means Easier Chapter Books. There seem to be more and more "categories" of children's books these days. I think patrons need all the help they can get. Though I hope  nobody is worrying too much about which shelves a kid selects from. I think the best book for a kid is the book that kid wants to read!

Those lumpy bags are kits of books and toys. Three titles I spotted are Construction, Families, Doctors and Hospitals. As you can see, there are many more.

My visit ending, I will now share the exterior pictures, the ones I was in too much of a rush to take when I arrived. I'll start with the looong ramp up from the parking lot.

The back is plain and utilitarian...but even so, note the arch!

Along the side of the building notice the large number of windows. Natural light was very important when this library was built.

The crosswalk has been painted appropriately. The closest title is especially apt.

I believe this front door is currently in use. I mention that because I've noticed that many libraries of this era do not use their historic front doors, for a variety of reasons.

    

I had to circle a couple of other buildings to get back to the parking lot and take this final picture featuring the looong ramp.

6/11/2021