585 Milton Free Public Library, Milton Mills, New Hampshire

 There's usually a reason for my visit to any particular library. It might be a big reason, like I've been watching the library under construction for three years and it's finally opened (Calgary) or a small reason, like I've found two libraries and I'm looking for a third to make the trip at least a bit efficient. 

This time, an interlibrary loan book is the impetus. Last winter I put a book on request at my local library. In early July I looked at the details in the catalog and saw that it was due in January. Clearly, the book is not going to be returned, so I requested it through ILL. And when it arrived, I saw that it was from Milton Free Public Library. I know not to return the book there; it has to jump through the (necessary) outgoing and incoming hoops. But it was enough to put Milton Mills on my travel list.

I told this story when I returned the book to my library, and the staff person I told it to said that she remembered it; she was the person who put the request in for an ILL. I told the story again at the Milton library and again heard "I remember it! I sent it on its way." That was fun. Now let's visit.

This library was once a school, and some of the playground equipment is still in place. Bees were busy with the flowers.

Isn't this a great schoolhouse? I'm going to swipe a paragraph from the library website: "Built in 1875, Milton Free Public Library is located on half an acre in the center of Milton Mills, New Hampshire. The unique architectural style is known as French Second Empire, with a mansard style roof and dormer windows upstairs. No other buildings in town exhibit this same style, however it was popularly used in public buildings at the time of its construction. The Milton Free Public Library building was added to the New Hampshire Register of Historic Places in 2001."

I was tipped off that as much as possible was worked into the design when the school became a library. Perhaps this raised platform held the teacher's desk? 

Here's a general view from the service counter.

Although it's small, the library has a meeting room. But this is nothing compared to what is upstairs. 

The most  notable feature here, in my opinion, is that the renovations were finished on schedule. One reason for the 2019 renovations was to repair the bell tower!

There is quite a collection of The Great Courses on many topics. I listened to many of these courses while walking to the bus stop on my way to the University of Minnesota. A lot of them are very good.

Now we are clearly entering the children's area.

Here's a nice list of school "rules." I like the last line: Be kind -- be fair -- just do your best.

Did schools built in 1875 have radiators, or are these a later addition?

Several blackboards are still mounted on the walls. Perhaps all of them? I assume the chalk tray is out of sight at the bottom.

One thing that has definitely been updated is the wall clock. At least it's analog, not digital.

Yes! Here's a better picture of the blackboard with the chalk tray. And it's advertising the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.

I didn't ask about these. They appear to be stations for a science-themed program.

I did not tackle the stairs, but I did swipe another paragraph from the library's website. "In February 2016, Eagle Scout candidate David Bloser sanded the floor in  the large room upstairs, revealing beautiful floors. The Eagle Scout's  fundraising efforts resulted in enough funds to finish the floors AND  provide a volunteer effort to paint the room, resulting in a beautiful  new space for our creative play and summer reading programs." It is fairly common to find Eagle Scout projects connected to libraries.

These look like windchimes and they have a lovely sound. A mallet is attached to each set. I believe  Chesterfield has a similar set in their reading garden.

    

    

7/27/2022

584 The Goodwin Library, Farmington, New Hampshire

 We've arrived at the third library on my July mini-road trip. I say "mini" because for eight years, before I moved to NH, I made annual road trips between Minnesota and New Hampshire, plus other car trips: Glacier National Park, Bartlesville, OK, and around Lake Superior, for example. So a four-library trip is "'mini" to me. 

And now... the Goodwin library in Farmington! [Someone said that every state has a Farmington, and that does sound likely. I know Minnesota does.]

      

When I take pictures of plaques like these I generally figure that I'll be able to read them in the photo and in that way I'll know what they are all about. When I sat down to write this post, however, I ran into a puzzle. Part one on the puzzle is here: this is the Goodwin Library, but this plaque in the entry does not mention a Goodwin. Perhaps this will be clarified as I walk through? Keep reading!

Computers are available for patron use. Sign in with staff, and keep an eye on the wall clock.

Adults are invited to relax with crayons (and markers, on the other side of the box). 

The cabinets with doors hold material of local and historic interest.

Some of the items of interest are from the Goodwin Library Poetry Competition. The binders shelved on the left appear to hold entries from past years, including 2007.

Non-fiction stacks display  recent titles.

Thanks to the green arrow, we know where to find the TEEN area.

These unusual narrow shelves are being used to display books on fishing. This creates a link between adult books and the children's summer reading program theme.

Here's a chance to pick up a free magazine back issue or two; I resisted, this time.

Let's head down to the children's area, past a large ocean poster, "Oceans of possibilities."

Surprise! That yellow "Teen" sign we saw upstairs was pointing to the Young Adult area downstairs.

I'm always glad to see biographies emphasized.

I asked. Nobody could remember a specific reason for this sign, but we all agreed that signs do generally reflect a situation that has occurred at least once. If you read widely in the blog, you'll find many examples. And I hope you will!

Computers are available to younger patrons.

I took a step away from the service desk and startled a bit when I realized what I was standing on. This is a plastic "sandwich" with liquid that moves around when you step on it--like a horizontal Lava Lamp. There are at least a couple more that I spotted. The first place I saw these was in Brookings, SD, at their brand-new library. Minneapolis Central has something similar. Interactive features are always a nice surprise.

Pulling out all the stops for an "Oceans of possibilities" display.

Coloring and activity sheets for kids. I like the bowl of shells; to me, it suggests that one could draw or color anything, not just the samples. But hopefully not the shells!

This fancy octopus, Octavious, is playing a central role in this year's summer reading program. For every five books a kid reads, one more link will be added to the octopus's arms. And when I read the online library newsletter I discovered that the plot thickens: Farmington is competing with another library for the most books read. I'm thinking that another road trip needs to happen soon...I want to see how the other guys are doing!

This bright mural adds fun to a short hallway. It was created as an Eagle Scout project.

 

Do you remember the plaque at the entrance, the one that doesn't answer the question Why the Goodwin Library? Here's where I thought I would get an answer. But no, this classic room with a picture and a plaque honors the memory of Isaac E. Pearl, 1857 to 1895, who founded the Farmington Public Library in 1890 and was its first president. 

 

So I still don't know where the name Goodwin comes in. Perhaps someone reading this post will leave a clarifying note, and I will update it forthwith.

7/27/2022

583 Berwick Public Library, Berwick, Maine

 

After my visit to Rochester, I crossed the state line into Maine, to the town of Berwick. I chose Berwick in honor of a cat I adopted from Marlee Shelter in Wells, Maine, about 25 years ago. Combining the name of the town where she was rescued and the town where the shelter was located, I called her Wellsie Berwick and took her home to Minnesota.

OK, enough cat history! Here we are at a bucolic site, very different from our urban last stop.

There is an area that looks somewhat like a community garden with a sign indicating the start of a hiking path. I didn't see the path, but I didn't look very hard.

This is one of two tables and umbrellas located near the entrance creating a very welcoming vibe.

The entrance with glass-paneled doors continues the welcome.

I checked in at the service desk and got my usual permission to take pictures (with no people). Then I noticed these bright red nature backpacks provided by Maine Audubon. There are three hooks, leading me to guess that one backpack is out. That's good news because I often see such science kits where there is no sign that they are ever used.

Assorted seating marks a corner for periodicals.

What to do with back issues of periodicals? Give them away! I helped myself to a very recent magazine from Harvard. I'll pretend I'm an alumna when I read it.

This shelf houses a modest collection of research tools for history and genealogy.

I'll bet that at least a third of the libraries I've visited have a grandfather (or grandmother) clock. It is clear that when it is time to re-home the large family heirloom, everyone thinks of the library.

Some unusual art with found objects was displayed. The one on the left is based on a sort of antique clipboard and the one on the right is an homage to the famous red shoes.

      

I should have inquired about this. I think it has something to do with a scavenger hunt. I saw a related signs throughout the library.

The collection is not huge (nor is the library) but it is augmented by a very effective interlibrary loan program that gives patrons access to the entire state's collection. Oh-oh, I wrote that and then realized that we are now in Maine. A quick search reassured me that a similar program is available in that state, also.

This fancy chess set looks ready to go.

This picture is a partner to one of the first pictures above. (Note the position of the flag.) The difference? A patron left, leaving the site open for a picture.

Here we are in the children's area. The bins with shelves below for picture books are similar to such furniture found in many places. What sets these apart is that they appear to be locally made. They are well designed and colorful.

I suspect that this has something to do with the presumed scavenger hunt.

Here's a better view of the picture book displays. Notice that each one has a different design on the top. 

 

Well, in this case I am confident that we are looking at a scavenger hunt, but not the same one!

Could you have a children's room without a story-reading chair? Of course not! Another feature to look for, and I wish I had a better picture, is the chair on the "teacher's" side of the red table. Unlike the other chairs, it has wooden spindles with a fancy paint job. Fun!

This speaks for itself. What a great art project for the second graders!

     

Here is a larger view of the mandalas, along with more art.

Art is clearly important here, to display children's work and use intriguing found-object examples. to inspire children, like these 

New books on display.

The swirly blue rug makes this space POP!

I was happy to see biographies getting special attention. And including what look to me like picture books in the YA Biography area strikes me as fully appropriate. Books I've seen lately look like picture books, but their content is totally appropriate for older kids.

      

I don't know a whole lot about TIKTOK but I can see that this display is suggesting books that are popular on the app. Does the display work? Well, I just put one of those titles on request at my home library!

Lego weekly challenges are very popular at libraries this summer.

I imagine that many readers of the blog can identify the yellow and white books on these shelves.

I surprised myself by figuring this out. How about you?

And with that challenge we'll leave Maine and head back to New Hampshire, continuing this four-library Odyssey, Come back soon!

7/27/2002