580 James J. Tuttle Library, Antrim, New Hampshire

 This library was a bit hard to find. How can that be, since it's right there on the hillside, with a nice big sign on the building? Well, I somehow ended up looking on the wrong side of the street; I'd written the wrong number in the gps. I asked a boy on the sidewalk and an adult at a teen center before I got myself sorted out. And here I am.

This is a great place for a bench!

I've had people tell me that Little Free Libraries are competition for town libraries. Not at all! In fact, I've been seeing more and more instances where a LFL is right on the library grounds, as this one is.

I was advised that this is a "one-room library." Technically, that's correct, but it's a large room and is clearly divided into recognizable spaces. Here are the new books on their tall rack.

I have never used the Cricut system, but I am slightly familiar with it from working with teachers. My recollection is that it's a rather pricy system, so it's great to have it in the library, available to all. And this is the first library where I've seen one!

When I see a coffee station in a library, I know that it must be a place that welcomes people to sit and read or visit for a while.

This "library of things" specializes in equipment for crafts...

... as well as toys, games, and electronics.

Plenty of space to spread out your research project.

One end of a shelf holds some relics of library practices past. Some of us remember the need to be sure the date stamp was current before the library day began.

Here's part of the media collection.

Thanks to the New Hampshire Astronomy Society, just about every library in New Hampshire has a quality telescope and accessories in its lending collection.

I took this picture simply because I like the idea of a bright red rug in the adult section of a library. Sometimes it seems that kids get all the color!

Even when fireplaces are no longer used as intended, they provide an attractive focal point and remembered warmth.

The subtle colors and wood floors give this library a sense of classical calm.

Of course, you can have both classic features and modern media equipment.

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I especially like the woodwork here. That's the service desk to the left.

3D printers are becoming more common in libraries. A boy was working on the program for something he was designing. And a scene that I failed to capture held a number of dinosaur figures that have been printed. Amazing; I'd like to try this some day.

One neat thing about libraries is the presence of high-tech, like the three-D printer, and all-time classics, like this doll house and the games in the background.

Yes, there are plenty of books and games, but take a look at the top of the picture. What do you think that is?

I guessed correctly, and a librarian very kindly ran the train a few feet forward and back. The last place I saw a train running on tracks high on a wall like this was at Old Broadway Pizza in Minneapolis.

You can see a bit of the children's area at the end of this window seat. I thought I had more pictures, but I guess I got wrapped up in what was going on and forgot to keep clicking. I believe the librarian said that "The books are downstairs." But I just kept going. Perhaps I'll be back.

Remember the gazebo in 

Stoddard? There will soon be one here, too.

It's time to head for home.

5/25/2022

579 Davis Public Library, Stoddard, New Hampshire

 

So, why this particular library? Well, first and mostly, it's on my route home from Chesterfield. But also partly because I have a grand-nephew named Davis. And now that I think of it, I once in Minnesota made an unplanned stop at the library in Byron, Minnesota, for my nephew Byron, Davis's dad. OK, here I am.

I parked in the paved lot near the road.

The library in Stoddard dates to 1892 when the town voted to invest $100 for books. In 1946, Louise E. Davis, who had been the librarian for 20 years, died and left $5000 for a library. The town accepted, and added $2000.

After 1990, public buildings had to become accessible. I'm going to guess that this led to the addition of the ramp at the side of the building. [I don't always guess accurately; please let me know if I should revise this very condensed history.]

 

Once inside, the overall sense is cozy and welcoming. The teen area is in the corner by the windows; see the "Young Adult" arrow? And you may remember that the sign outside said that the "Teen Meet-Up" is on Mondays at 6 PM.

A couple of computers are standing by for patron use.

These books are labeled YGN, indicating graphic novels for youth. I don't recall seeing this designation before, but it makes sense.

A pair of chairs stand ready for readers. I don't usually interact with patrons, but in this case a gentleman had heard me talking to the librarian about being sure I had no people in my pictures. In a first, he got up from a chair and stepped to the side, allowing me to get the picture. Thank you, sir; chivalry is alive and well in Stoddard!

I asked something about the age of the library and the librarian very kindly pulled up the information that I mentioned earlier. As she did that, I happened to turn to the fireplace, where I saw a plaque with the date. 

Sorry about the glare. The plaque honors both Louise and Edward Davis. Now I'm left wondering about why he date I had earlier (1946) differs from the date on the plaque.

So much for history mysteries, and on to the cheerful children's area.

      

I didn't see any vehicles; it would be smart if they are stored away until we get Covid behind us. When they are again available, this clever rug will be ready for traffic.

I didn't realize when I took this picture that the scale would look so odd. And now I can't even trust my eyes and memory: little-kid sized,,,or dollhouse sized? I don't recall seeing a dollhouse, so I'm going to place my bet on kid-sized.

This handsome gazebo is not only an attractive feature. It's also a source of wi-fi connections, and I was told that it is often used that way.

Before I leave, two more pictures. This is an example of a library that sort of sneaks up on you. I arrived on this long, empty road to the left...

...and I departed on the same empty road as it heads out of sight to the right. Be assured, we're not really in the middle of no place; there are buildings up ahead, not too far down the road. But this library did sneak up on me!

Oh, I mustn't forget! In addition to the Teen Meet Up, book clubs and discussion groups for men and women are in the works. If I gave marks, which I don't, this library would get high marks for energy!

5/25/2022

578 Chesterfield Public Library, Chesterfield, New Hampshire

How, you might wonder, do I decide which libraries to visit? Well, in this case I heard or read somewhere that the Chesterfield, NH, library was making a splash on something called "Tik Tok." I'd heard of this TikTok thing. Hey, I don't hang out under a rock. But I'd never partaken. So this morning I dipped in, just a bit, found videos by the Chesterfield staff, and think I will probably be back. In the meantime, I had a beautiful drive to the far southwest corner of NH. The library sign let me know I was definitely in the right place.

The first thing I noticed here is that the building is made of very handsome, rather unusual stone. I don't recall seeing any other stone library in my travels, certainly not in NH.

 

And the library is not alone; other buildings in the center of town are constructed of the same stone.

OK, in we go. After chatting at the desk about this blog and about Tik Tok, the first sign I spotted advertised STEAM kits that can be checked out. The sign suggests that you "check out all four;" I'm going to assume that you would do that one at a time--don't be greedy!

One sure sign of the teen area in a library is the high table with matching stools. I like the computer setup that looks very grown up, like it means business.

Junior Fiction is for the school-aged crowd.

This large alcove invites a group to gather.

I was slightly puzzled by the blue tape on the carpet. Then I saw the sign and discovered that this is part of the current scavenger hunt: Find out how many steps you walk in 30 feet. This reminds me of Ridgedale Library in Minneapolis, where a long staircase is labeled from 1 to 30 going up and 30 to 1 going down. Great counting practice for kids. [I think Ridgedale has been renovated since I was last there, so I have no idea whether the steps are still numbered.]

     

Moving along toward the adult collection, we're urged to read local history. Good idea!

I call this the rocking chair space, and I'm quite smitten by the brown chair on the right.

After a bit of Googling I determined that this is a Vermont Folk Rocker. I sat in it: it's very comfortable. I checked the price: it's not in the budget. This is a chair that just begs to be copied by other woodworkers, I think. I'd expect to find a lot of (not cheap) rip-offs. This company has enough confidence that it displays a dozen or so similar chairs from other companies and individuals, with comments about the variations in design and no badmouthing.

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My notes say that the current building is 25 years old. Here's a model

The library provides drop-in tech support on Wednesday afternoons. On alternate Tuesdays you'll find this corner occupied by the Knit Chicks.

A good idea to put the G-rated movies together.

These totes near the media collection hold bagged sets of books and audio.

There are, of course, several workstations for computer use.

This seems to be a games corner. I don't recall any indication that it is for a specific age, which is nice.

This is Chester, the library mascot. THe whole community was involved in selecting his name. He participates in scavenger hunts, is happy to cuddle, and this month (May) he is drawing attention to books about mental health. Chester wants you to be sure not to confuse him with Dewey, a cat that once lived in Spencer, Iowa. All they have in common is their color and their charm.

I put in my notes that these are "Totes to Go," but I didn't make a note of what is in them. Fortunately, the Library Director saw the post and filled me in. The totes-to-go kits are themed collections of books, games, and activities for young children and families to enjoy together.

The table and chairs are sized for young children. I like the rug!

Big windows, natural light...my favorites!

These constructions look like fun. I had a similar set many, many years ago. It was called Rig-a-Jig and was advertised in the back pages of Children's Activities. If that made any sense to you, look out: you might be getting old!

The butterfly pictures were made by school children. They will soon be replaced by art that will be posted during the summer. The local school is one of the lucky ones in that kids can visit the library on walking field trips, the schools are that close.

Now I'm heading out.

The entry is lined with two-sided glass showcases. I took an architecture class once at the U of Minnesota. The only thing I remember is the importance of "entrance." I think that this, with the objects displayed and the glimpse into the rooms beyond, has a very special sense of entrance.

Once outside, I discovered a a children's garden, a work in progress. Plantings including ground cover are planned and a fence will be installed. What really caught my eye was this colorful vertical "xylophone." I believe there is a mallet right there. When this area is completed it will be a wonderful and unique addition to the library.

These metal flowers also create sounds.

      

What a great visit! Now I must find a way to keep up with the Tik Tok videos!

5/25/2022