557 Whipple Free Library, New Boston, New Hampshire

Many libraries in New Hampshire are right on the town square, or close by. In New Boston, I found a stealth library hiding in plain sight. Turn off the main road and drive down a hill to a cluster of buildings. Ah, not the library; these are, I believe, town offices. Make another turn, go down another hill and across a bridge, and yes, I have found the library. [Thanks to a tip, I now know that the library used to be in the center of town. The current building was erected in 2010, and the original is now the home of the Historical Society. An example of Yankee recycling.]

Next to the official sign is a special sign that both identifies the library and honors the blue heron that hangs out around here. This sign was created by Girl Scouts; I understand that in addition to making the sign, they took the feathers/tiles to a farmers' market and gave folks a chance to add a personal message before the final assembly. Nice job, Scouts!

I walked back the way I had come in order to get a picture that puts the library in context.

I was walking across the parking lot, prepared to head inside, when I spotted this sign: MILLRACE PATH ON THE SOUTH BRANCH. I was in no rush so I went a bit further...

...and found this cluster of log "chairs," Two sizes and backrests: perfect!

And here is the beginning of the path. If I'd had a trekking pole with me I might have given it a try. Instead, it's now time to look at the library.

See the cupola on the left end, with three small windows on each side? Let's look a bit closer.

Yes indeed, a wind vane in the shape of--what else?--a blue heron!

[Slight diversion: there are two solar panel arrays. They are between the town buildings and the library. I forgot to ask which buildings they serve.] 

The entrance to the library has some classic touches on a thoroughly modern building. Those bits of yellow are left behind by whoever put the fall treatment on the grounds. I'm happy to report that none of the chemicals listed on the form were checked; instead,, "Organic" was written in and checked at the end of the list.

After "checking in" and getting permission for pictures, I headed left and discovered the children's area. There is room for plenty of supplies and projects, and it appears to be designed for easy clean up.

Nearby there is tiered seating for the youngsters who come here for programs. [We'll see later that there is also space for larger programs.]

There are many quilts of different styles throughout the library.

Nothing but felt, some padding, and buttons are needed to make this little tree.

I was amused by an exhortation to turn off the TV and read a book...right next to the shelves of media.

Masking to limit Covid exposure was still in effect here, as was the practice of using alternate computers for social distancing. We're in an awkward time in this pandemic, with policies changing from week to week and place to place.

I remember a program in a Minnesota library with the Okey Dokey Brothers leading 50 or so kids in a rousing chorus of the Alphabet Song. The musicians challenged the kids to "Sing it so everyone in the library can hear you," and they certainly did. Not everyone was happy about it. We could have used a sign like this one. After reminding us that "Our library is a bustling community center. And sometimes it gets NOISY," it suggests that if you need a quiet place, speak to the staff and they'll see what they can do to accommodate you.

In the heart of the adult area there is a delightful "living room," nicely decorated for the holidays.

A fireplace and a grandfather clock are common features of library décor. I once thought that grandfather clocks were endemic to New Hampshire, but you'd be amazed how many survived the difficult trip to the Midwest, including Minnesota.

That lineup of classic books is matched on three other shelves, I believe.

This is a look at teen space. The white table to the left holds sign-up sheets for a variety of book clubs for different ages.

The blue object on the table is a plastic backpack with books and "toys" for teens.  I looked on the library website and didn't find any info about this. Would someone like to make a comment at the end of the post, please?

The teen area has two computers, but as in the adult area, only one is available for use.

I'm heading back out now. These glass-fronted display cases hold LEGO creations by kids on the left and Nutcracker figures on the right.

I had barely glanced here when I came in, but now I'll take a look at the community meeting space.

What caught my eye this time was a cat quilt. I must be a genuine "cat lady," since I spotted this across the length of the room!

Back in the children's area I said we'd see another "program space" for kids. Well, here it is, with a large rug and some chairs. I was told that a program had just ended before I arrived. This strikes me as a good idea, a rug that can be rolled up and moved to where it is needed. This allows for smaller programs in the kids' area and the use of the larger space when it is needed.

More quilts, created by various groups. When I got to the one on the right, with the flag, I learned that quilts were made to commemorate New Boston's 250 years, 1763 to 2013

      

A smaller meeting room is available down the hall. The blue-paneled features along the far wall appear to be some kind of special storage.

Past the meeting rooms, staff room, restrooms, into the vestibule, and I'll be on my way back to Concord.

Something very rare occurred after I published the post: a librarian very kindly provided some additions and clarifications. Thank you so much...and Read On!

"The pictures are wonderful. Thanks for sharing them with us. The cluster of buildings near the library are the Post Office and some local businesses - Pizza Place, Beauty Salon and a local photographer's studio.

The solar panels are for the library. The blue bag in the Teen Nook is a Teen Peace Pack which is part of a traveling collection from the New Hampshire State Library. We have had it for 2 months and it is time for it to move on.
The biggest quilt in the community Room is commemorating the 250th anniversary of New Boston and is protected by safety glass. The others quilts in that same area were donated by a local teacher who did them with her Kindergarten classes over the years.
The quilt in the Children's Room is one of a set of four, one for each season. The set was made by the fourth grade classrooms in 2016 through an "Artist in Residence" program with a local quilter. The fourth grades chose to donate them to the library where they could be enjoyed by the whole town.
Lastly, the blue-paneled features in the smaller meeting room house our collection of New Hampshire town histories. Barb Ballou, Children's Librarian

12/13/2021