592 Chesley Memorial Library, Northwood, New Hampshire

 When I took this picture I didn't know that the open house was to meet staff and trustees, learn about the Friends of the Library and see the new "library of things." That sounds like a busy couple of hours. I hope there was a good turnout.

The library was founded in 1954 and dedicated in memory of Alice Chesley Tasker's parents, George and Mary. In 1991 Joseph Grano provided a major grant for a new wing. 

Improvements kept coming. In 1995 the building was made ADA accessible and the lower level was prepared for the children's area. In 2007 Northeast Credit Union provided new shelves and in 2008 David Burton and Shawn Meyers created murals.

Oh how I wish we'd had a sign like this on the book return where I worked. I hope it does the job! It's very frustrating to bring in the returns at the start of the day and discover dozens of books from someone who surely knew that "gifts" were supposed to come in and be vetted by the staff. A lot of donated books just aren't of any use, even for the book sale.

The first area I came to was for teens. I can't tell you anything about that decorative pole, but I'm sure it is the work of young-adult patrons of the library.

Here's another view of the YA area. All of the tables (I think) were graced with these attractive cloths. A very nice touch, and we'll see it in other areas.

In the children's picture book area, the books are in bins that were built locally, and the bins are all on casters so the space can be readily reconfigured for programs.

These handsome bins are not cheap, and patrons were invited to make a donation of a certain amount and have a donor's plaque attached.

As you can see, this computer is for accessing the library catalog. And those colorful cards on the left represent the kids in the "1000 Books before Kindergarten" program.

I've seen manipulative toys many times, but never have I seen one that provides different activities on each side and the top! 

Here's an interesting idea. I didn't spot any of the purple dot books, but I like the idea of drawing attention to the usefulness of picture books for addressing difficult issues with kids.

Here's another idea I like, that I used with kids I tutored "in the way back times." Choose a book and start to read. If you get through a page with only one problem word, the book is too easy. Four or five problems, too hard. Two or three, just right. However, it's my experience that some kids will read "above their level" if the topic is compelling (dinosaurs?). And the best book for a kid is the book that kid will read!

I spotted this Lane cedar chest in what appeared to be a workroom. Looking around the library's web site, I learned that this is the dress-up chest. I got the impression that it would be going back into service soon.

In the adult stacks, books are shelved on the windowsills as well as the shelves. The wooden shelves are good-looking carpentry.

The chairs are classics...and there's another one of those attractive table coverings. 

I appears that adult programs are held in this area, and the extra chairs are "stored" right at hand at the end of each of the stacks. Smart, convenient, out of the way but ready to use.

Back at the beginning I mentioned the new wing built in 1991. It's in memory of Theodora Kalem Grano, as this handsome sign tells us.

The painted sign is supplemented by a more traditional plaque.

Oh, you just have to get tough when the subject is new DVDs! 

In the foreground, recorded books on CDs. In back, to the right, the cases hold CD versions of town documents, meeting minutes, and such. That's a new one to me. I hope there is a plan for when CD players go the way of the dinosaurs!

Pretty standard plea for a computer center, though many libraries allow "beverages with lids."

I think I've seen one of these at least once. Flags wear out, no matter how well they are maintained. What to do with them? Your best bet is to find a "flag drop box" like this. Whichever group maintains this box will ensure that your flag will be disposed of respectfully, usually by burning. I was glad to see a display of VFW guides to flag etiquette, and I took one. My grandmother had me pretty well drilled in this, but a refresher does no harm.

And here is the new "library of things" mentioned at the beginning. The one on the far right is a popcorn maker and the one on the far left is a technical Lego set. I'm not sure about the others.

Some genres of fiction (romance, mystery, sci fi) are familiar. I'm familiar with Spiritual Fiction as a genre with various names, but I associate it with the Midwest; think Iowa, for example. It's one more way that libraries meet the needs of their particular patrons.

Here's a quick look at the back of the library from the parking lot.

And this is one of the longest ramps I've seen, providing access to the lower level.

 

9/15/2022