569 Lane Memorial Library, Hampton, New Hampshire

 I've been to the libraries in Hampton Falls and North Hampton; now it's time for the library in Hampton, which is known as the Lane Memorial Library.

At first glance I would guess that this is a Carnegie library. Not a bad guess, but in fact Mr. Carnegie and the people of Hampton were unable to come to an agreement of terms. A local resident then stepped up and offered to build a library in honor of his father, Joshua A. Lane. For the details, go to the library website and check out the Hampton History tab.

A private lending library became Hampton Public Library in 1881. The building dates to 1910, with an addition in 1985.

The broad stairs suggest the source of knowledge set upon a hill. 

An accessibility ramp is to the right.

During the days of strict Covid-19 pandemic policies, borrowed items at libraries had to be returned to specific spots so that they could be sanitized or quarantined. This sign indicates that in this respect, things are back to normal, and all material, books and media, go in the book drop. Please!

I don't know whether the limitation on the teen room is related to the possibility of
general chaos or social distancing.

Policies for the teen room are very specific and spelled out clearly. 

These are two policies that I have not seen in any other library. It's quite possible that they exist but I've not seen them posted so clearly. They seem sensible. Though they are posted near the teen area,
I assume they apply to the whole library.

The collection of Young Adult or Teen books is quite extensive.

I like the way the category signs extend over the aisles in the non-fiction stacks. I've seen these before, but it's been quite a while.

This is a larger print collection of reference works than I've seen in a while. Out of the picture to the right there is a sizable collection of Chilton automotive manuals!

Did you see the last post, number 568, with the sign that says if you bring a puzzle, you must take a puzzle? Here's another solution to the too-many-puzzles problem (if it is a problem): All of the bottom shelves in the stacks display puzzles. I like this because I've spent too much time shelving books on bottom shelves. Not a pleasant task for a tall old lady with bad knees!

There is an impressive assortment of recorded books.

This sign caught my eye for several reasons. I'd never heard of this author, although I worked at a library for eight years. And I wondered why his books would be in storage. I didn't see other signs like this, though I admit I didn't look very hard. In any case, I have taken out one of his books from my local library. I've started it, and so far, I like it. 

The telescope is ready to be checked out, along with its yellow backpack. I've  learned that the Astronomical Society started this program in New Hampshire in 2008, and it's now in effect in more than 300 libraries in 20 states.

It's much easier to browse music CDs on front-facing racks like these than on shelves 

where one must try to read titles on the narrow spines.

It's not unusual for rooms with historical collections to have limited access.

But it is a bit unusual for a room with the door standing open to have "no access."

Just what I needed...a reminder that I must to finish up my taxes. 

I  always try to remember to "look up" before I leave a library. In this case, it paid off when I spotted a couple of flying animals. I believe they had something to do with last summer's reading program. And they were brought out again for Twosday, 2/22/2022. Two animals wearing two-twos (tutus). I like the way these people think!

OK, we saw the flying animals, but something is missing from my visit: the children's area. The stairway has a delightful mural all the way down. Animals on land...

...and animals under the sea.

The Reading Nook is behind the librarian's desk and the murals continue.

I was told what is in the backpacks, but I've forgotten. I believe that there are others that normally hang on the wooden pegs. Puppets, perhaps? Those cushions look more inviting that carpet squares, though I do my best to stay off the floor. 

There are a lot of these World of Reading kits. My guess is that these would be very appealing to emerging readers. I've never seen kits like this before. I googled them and saw that they are strong on superheroes.

Once those emerging readers have emerged, there are plenty of books to keep them reading.

 What happened? That's it for the children's area? The truth is that I got chatting with the librarian and then...it was time to leave. I basically forgot that I hadn't finished my tour. My bad. Perhaps I'll be in the area again and can finish up properly.

3/18/2022