606 Baxter Memorial Library, Sharon, Vermont

 I arrived at the library in Sharon, Vermont, without any muddy adventures, although some well-graded gravel was involved. [If you are wondering how gravel got into the story, you can discuss that with my pesky GPS.] Let's get on with the visit. The library is small, as you can see, with classic touches in the doorway and the roof edges. 

The first thing that caught my eye was the "OPEN" flag. The message is standard, the design is not. Could this be a hint that something special is inside?

Next, I spotted a "story walk," this one based on "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?" I wonder if parents ever walk their kids here at bedtime to read a story in the fresh air? And I admire the sturdy mountings in metal frames. Someone took some trouble with this installation.

I didn't do the whole story walk. What else is there to see?

The library has a "back yard" with a picnic table and a gazebo, as well as the continuation of the story walk. It looks like a very flexible outdoor program space when the weather is a bit warmer and drier.

Inside now. I was talking to the librarian when I got my first look at the plethora of art here. Art of many types. For example, the climber on his or her way up the doorframe, unaware of the wolf waiting at the top. I learned that this was created by a high school student; there are other examples to be spotted, as well as some art by her mother. A real family affair!

One display of art I did not capture is a traveling display of European children's art from the Fermata Arts Foundation, I would not have been able to do it justice in any case. The foundation has an extensive website where I learned that quite a few libraries in Vermont, New Hampshire, and other New England states host these exhibits. Now that I'm aware of them, I'll watch for them in other libraries I visit. I'm not sure why I've never come across them before.

Here's another example, painted to look like a creature dipping toes into a stream that appears to be coming from the wall. Fun!

Historic books are protected in glass-fronted cases that probably date to the original library.

More special shelving. The quilt here reminds me of an observation I made when I lived in Minnesota, having to do with quilts and grandfather clocks. In the first one or two hundred libraries I visited it seemed that Eastern libraries always had at least one grandfather clock and midwestern states have quilts. It seemed to make sense; transporting a tall clock would be difficult, and quilts are definitely portable. Continued observations have convinced me that both artifacts are found everywhere.

 

I have not done justice to this delightful small library and its librarian. This tends to happen when I'm having a fine time discussing the library, art, and ... all sorts of things. Then I forget to take adequate notes, and when I get home I have trouble remembering the significance of the photos I've taken. If there are things that should be added here, let me know. I'm (almost) willing to make revisions.

4/19/2023

484a Royalton Memorial Library, South Royalton, Vermont

 I don't often revisit libraries; heck, there are so many libraries and so little time...  But I've been waiting five years to visit this one. My first visit, in August 2015, was part of a special road trip. A nephew was driving "the aunties" -- me and my two sisters -- to visit a couple of libraries. [Isn't he a great guy?] I had requested this for one visit because I saw a library fund-raiser at a roadside rest stop on I-89. That struck me as very enterprising, and that's just the sort of thing that sends me traveling.

The visit was great, and I learned that the community was debating whether to remodel a handsome, classic library, or build a new one. I suppose I could have called and asked, but Royalton is only a couple of hours from my home in Concord, and I was ready for a little trip. 

 I started by walking around to the front to get a view of the early library and a reminder of how it looked when I first saw it.

Here you can clearly see the original building to the right and the addition to the left. The entrance is now on the lower level.

The original library was at the top of a challenging set of stairs. At one recent library, I climbed stairs like these and found a sign saying that I was at the wrong door. Here, a sign let me know at the bottom of the stairs that I should not waste my time climbing. Nice touch!

A bench near the door tells us that "A book should teach us to enjoy life or endure it." An interesting message.

I wish that I'd asked about the blue cart. Perhaps some kind person will leave a message with an explanation.

The book return is on the left, and an image of yours truly is in the glass of this handsome door.

On the first floor, a nice room for a small meeting.

You can't really tell from the picture, but this sink is toddler-height. What a smart idea, because we're about to enter the children's area.

 

I once had a dog like this, an animatronic fellow. I got it at a thrift shop on one of my Minnesota trips. It was amusing for a while; the cats were somewhat amused and a bit freaked. After a few months, I re-homed it at a different thrift shop. I wonder if this dog gets to come out and play?

I'll bet that at least a third of the libraries I've visited have some sort of tree motif in the children's area. Here, I think the "trunk" is probably a supporting member of the building, and the leaves are painted on. It's very effective.

Picture books are shelved (binned) topically which is great for browsing and "shelving," not so great for finding that one specific book someone has requested.

Great light fixtures, yes? I was told that the meeting rooms added during the remodeling are very popular with the community.

On the way up the stairs, this display honors those who supported the remodeling. And please notice the railing; the stairs to the upper level deserve a picture of their own and somehow I missed it. The treads are nice and wide, the risers are consistent and not too high, and there is an easy-to-grasp railing on each side. 

The plaque honors Virginia B Newman. 

At the top of the stairs we find the Teen or Young Adult area. Often the mark of teen territory is high stools or diner-type booths. I think the variety of seating here looks like much more fun.

April is a "Library Month." It appears that there are several library months. This time I came upon a drop-leaf table with a display of books about libraries. There were three that are new to me, and I now have them on reserve at "my" library.

The upper level, the original library building, has maintained its handsome features.

I like these fixtures a lot.

Cushioned seats are in front of every window. They are nice places to sit, and the consistency of their design and fabric draw the various spaces together.

A fireplace with comfortable chairs is always an effective focal point.

Most libraries are not complete without a collection of local history books and other special volumes.      

And so my curiosity about the plans for this library has been satisfied. I even got to chat with a person who had been on staff when I visited five years ago. 

A very satisfying road trip and visit. [And no muddy roads.]

4/19/2023 

605 The G. H. Stowell Free Library, Cornish Flat, New Hampshire

Continuing the March 30 mud season saga I had one more possible stop on my list for the day, in Cornish, New Hampshire. I'd sort of given up and decided to head home when I suddenly found myself across the street from a classic, attractive, library.  Hmmm, no cars nearby. Check my notes and discover that this library doesn't open until 3 pm on Wednesday. I knew that. Despite all the mud navigation and the extra roads (I think some of them were extra) and chatting with helpful people, I was still an hour early. And rather ready to be done for the day. Dry up the roads, finish up the library, double-check the opening hours, and I'll be back.

 

604 Meriden Library, Meriden, New Hampshire

 I've often mentioned my gps, without which I wouldn't be able to pursue this blogging hobby. It's a quirky bit of technology. Quirk #1, it  does not say "recalculating" when I miss a turn or otherwise go astray. Instead it quietly does the recalculating and sends me on a corrected route, often without me noticing. Quirk #2, it avoids highways. I taught it to do this; in most situations I don't care for highway driving. But this leads to Quirk #3, I'm unable to teach it to avoid unpaved roads. New Hampshire has a lot of unpaved roads. They can be tricky; they start out paved, or at least solid, and suddenly schlooop ..... it's mud season. All that to tell you that I had quite a time getting to Meriden!

Once there I found an attractive building that looks as if the exterior is almost complete; I saw someone leave, so I guess that interior work is being completed.

I took a few pictures, then headed to my next stop. I. headed along the way I had been going and quickly found...more mud! This time I was lucky, as a woman was in front of her house. In fact, she was the person I'd seen leaving the Meriden library minutes before. I explained my predicament and she first had me turn 180 degrees, back the way I had come. [Thank you, gps...not.] Then she dictated several steps and landmarks, and I got back on firm ground and was on my way.

I'll be back for a real visit when the new building opens...but not in mud season!

3/30/2023

603 Phillip Read Memorial Library, Plainfield, New Hampshire

 

It's been a while since I've been out on a library collecting trip. The last time I found myself in a town with three libraries; this time, I discovered that what I thought was two is actually a library and a branch. Since one is under construction, I'll start with the other, Philip Read Memorial Library in Plainfield.

My first approach was to the older building. A passing bicyclist kindly set me on the right path.

Not this one but you can glimpse the newer building on the right.

Getting closer...

And now I am inside and I have chatted with the staff, There was extra chatting here because I'd  learned that a high school classmate of mine who died recently. Meriden Library, the next one I'll visit, is the one Anne patronized. It is now under construction, So I delivered a gift and a photograph of Anne as a high schooler. We weren't friends, exactly. Anne was one year ahead of me in school, lived near my grandmother, and had a HORSE and a JEEP. Oh, the envy!

.With those preliminaries' tended to I begin my walkabout in the periodicals section of the newer building.

As I recall, the books on display here are about New Hampshire.

I'm always impressed with the large windows in older libraries.  Then I remind myself how much they would have relied on natural light. Then I remind myself to figure out how to light this sort of space for a photograph.

This is the Maxfield Parish reading room.  I failed to ask staff about the connection, and some googling didn't clarify.It's a very nice room, with a handsome fireplace.

My guess is that the gentleman in the overcoat is Mr. Parish. If I'm wrong, please leave a comment so I can make any needed correction.

More light, and thorough use of wall space.

DVDs present a challenge at any library. I like the solution here, with guidance provided for each set of shelves, and clear guidance about appropriate borrowing.

      

The final corner of my "tour" brings us to the children's area. The centerpiece is a roofless playhouse with cushioned seats on each side. Put this on the "things I haven't seen before" list. Very cute, and just right for the preschool crowd.

Various items are displayed above the books, including this detailed model ship.

With an admiring look at the children's library rug, I'll now head off to see if I can get exterior pictures of the library under construction., 



3/30/3023