602 Andover Library, East Andover, New Hampshire

After speaking sternly to my GPS and receiving words of wisdom from the librarian, I set forth to visit a second Andover library and found it without difficulty. Whew! And I did, as directed, see the historic farm and the view from the height of land.

The library shares this building with the town offices. I parked below and walked up the driveway. No, I didn't use the ramp!

The book return is at the bottom of the steps, and I'm sure that caution sign is well advised. I'm glad to see and use the sturdy railing.

After introducing myself, I was told that the library was in a bit of a disturbed state. It seems that the books were playing a library version of musical chairs: Large Print moves over here so that Mysteries can move over there, and so forth. Even in a small library, this is quite an undertaking. I wandered off to see what I could see, and first spotted this array of historical books. It's a rare library that doesn't have a collection of books related to the town and the people.

There are many large plants on the tops of shelves. It's hard to believe that I only captured one (and a smaller one in the next picture). When I suggested that these plants must take quite a bit of time and effort, I learned that they are on their winter holiday. They are mainly outdoor plants, but the owner doesn't have room for them inside her home in cold weather. So they hang out at the library and the owner comes in as needed to handle all their maintenance. I wish I had more pictures, since there really are a lot.

There's one more of the plants. We also see here some empty shelves, part of the big book-moving project.

In my post about the Bachelder library I mentioned Blind Date with a Book and regretted that I had not captured a picture of the books on the mantle. This library is doing the same program, and here are some of the wrapped books displayed on shelves near the service desk.

This corner of the room is the children's library. I really like how it is set apart with the silhouettes of trees. Before I got to this corner a couple of small kids had been building with Duplo blocks.

There is also a regular LEGO program.

A Strega Nona poster caught my eye. The library in Newport, NH, 

has a connection with Tomi de Paola, too.

Do you see the rope hanging from a hole in the ceiling? I learned that the library building used to be the town school, and there is still a working bell! It is used sometimes, I think with summer programs, when the belfry can be opened to let the sound out. I'd like to hear that!

[Small aside: My Mother attended Mt. Pleasant School in Nashua, NH. She was a student there when the building was razed to make room for the school that I attended on the same site. I believe students were allowed to ring that bell as a farewell.]

2/2/23

 

601 W A Bachelder Library, Andover, New Hampshire

 Finally, another visit. Again my GPS was playing games with me, making me think we were seeking Brigadoon, but once I mastered the zigs and zags, there it was, a compact library with classic touches. Something to know about Andover is that there are FOUR libraries: this endowed library, the town library, the elementary school library and the prep school library. When we're through here we'll visit the town library. The other two don't fit my definition of "public" libraries.

When I arrived, the librarian was going the extra mile with "Blind Data with a Book," not only wrapping books but putting each in a decorative bag and lining the bags up on the fireplace mantel. I totally intended to take a picture of that bedecked mantel and the fireplace, but the librarian and I got talking and, well, I sort of forgot. I do that.

The collection has some of everything plus access to the whole New Hampshire library collection. One can also get audio books and e-books which add greatly to the virtual collection through an active, statewide Interlibrary Loan program. 

Aside from the disclaimer above, notice that there is a sizable collection here, filling several stacks. For some people "browsing the stacks" is a central part of a library  experience.
And there is the ubiquitous telescope!

The children's area seems aimed mostly at the preschool crowd, which makes sense as the elementary school library has an excellent reputation.

Pete, Piggy, and the elephant encourage reading. Does the elephant have a name? I just realized that I don't know!

We talked briefly about the growing puzzle collection. Since Covid, more and more libraries are offering items from the "library of things," either for lending or swapping. The day I visited was full of warnings of hazardous cold weather coming up; perhaps that's why a patron had just been in to leave two puzzles and pick up two new ones!

 And so I start a new year and new "century" of blog posts. I hope you'll stick around.

2/2/23