Every Library I Can: 564 Minot-Sleeper Library, Bristol, New Hampshire

1've been visiting many libraries in New Hampshire in the last few months, and the basic experience is to drive through fields of crops (or snow) and expanses of trees (or snow) and long views of hills (or mountains, sometimes with snow, culminating in my arrival at a town square with white buildings, one of which will turn out to be the library.

My experience of Bristol was a bit different. I drove past fields and trees and had some nice views of hills. Then I came to the last bend in the road and instead of white clapboards I was greeted by ... bricks!

Please understand, I have nothing against bricks. Many of my favorite buildings are made of bricks! I was simply surprised.

And it was a nice surprise, since as well as being made of brick, the library is brick with a lot of attention to design details. You can see some of them here: the covered walkway, the little touches at the roof peak, and the neat windows, which you will see better inside. Let's go in.

The book sale is on these shelves in the entry. As I understand it, a patron made possible the handsome wooden shelves, making this one of the most attractive library bookstores I've seen. Her picture is close to the center here; can you spot it?

Here are some of the details that make this library so interesting and attractive. The ceiling soars and the lights evoke an earlier era. The Gothic windows are another unusual feature. I know they are special to the staff and patrons, because someone made sure that I noticed them. Not that they would be easy to miss!

Here's another view.

Computer carrels are in this hexagonal array. As seen most places these days, signs ensure that patrons will use alternate computers, for social distancing.

As I entered the children's area, the first thing I saw was this versatile padded bench-and-storage unit.

The table and chairs are in the children's area. Is it my imagination, or do the curved legs evoke the handsome windows? It's a beautiful set of furniture.

All sorts of things are ready for play time. The computer has a piece on the side (a dongle?) that I assume makes it only usable for approved programs.

These corner shelves hold a rich and deep set of books for parents.

This is the first transportation toy I've seen in two years that actually has the vehicles out and clearly played with! The natural light coming in here is pleasant but doesn't help picture-taking!

I like the whimsical quilt with the "jars." This is part of the junior non-fiction collection. Signs on the walls above the shelves guide the user to the desired topic.

Many (most?) libraries have a set of book card drawers, large or small. I'd guess that this 12-drawer piece is about medium. It leads a varied life; I learned on the library web site that the seed collection is housed here. At least one drawer has old book cards. And at least one is empty.

This could go on one of those Facebook pages that challenges you to identify an old object. I'm sure that those of you reading this recognize a hot-air register set into the floor. I don't know whether there is a furnace below here. but at one time there would have been. As a kid in Nashua I had one of these, much smaller, in my bedroom. Not much heat made it to my bedroom...but I could listen to conversations in the kitchen below!

Here's another interesting set of furniture for the younger set.

Libraries often provide display space for local artists. These panels are done in ink, I believe. I didn't get the artist's name into my notes; if someone would like it to be added, leave a message for me.

As a lover of owls, I like this set best!

This is a large room that seems to serve many purposes. There is a large projection screen, suggesting movie nights. The colorful rug hints at programs for little kids.

Here's the almost-obligatory grandfather clock, with an extra twist. First, there is a book and a bit of information about the book, "The Clock Book." The notice directs you to look around--and find the very clock that is described in the book.

Here's the book...

...and here's the clock. How cool is that?

These are New Hampshire town histories. I didn't see one for Nashua, though I know one was written by a librarian whom I worked with when I was in high school. I'll have to look around and see if I still have it. Those bottom shelves hold puzzles.

This is the Minot-Sleeper library, remember? Here is Mr. Josiah Minot. I googled around a bit and couldn't determine whether there is a connection between Josiah Minot and the many Minots out in Minot, North Dakota.

This is Mr. Sleeper. What a name to have to grow up with! I did some light googling and couldn't find anything about him. But he must be special to the library, or his name wouldn't be on it. Right?

These shelves hold local history books, plus games and puzzles.

I couldn't get a clear picture of this Reading Challenges poster because there were a couple of folks back and to the left, and my rule is "no people in the pictures." At any rate, there are a set of challenges. I think one of the challenges was to read more difficult books than usual. It seems like a great program.

Oh, I wish this was my library! And I'd like to tell myself "It's not you, it's technology!" I could use this program, starting with "How do I use my iPad?" It's possible that my current library has a program like this and I just haven't found it yet.

And speaking of frequently asked questions, at least one of them has been anticipated by this note: "Hello. I'm an air purifier." Thank you, I was wondering.

This is a great idea for those authors who write book after book after book. When I moved to New Hampshire from Minnesota and had to quarantine for a long time, I made myself a project to read some of my favorite authors, end to end. Going in order was important because my favorites always develop characters over time. Having books numbered so clearly would have been wonderful. [Except, wait, in those times patrons could not visit the library in person. Well, it's a helpful system under normal circumstances.]