609 Fobes Memorial Library, Oakham, Massachusetts

Many of the libraries I visit are chosen quite by chance. Perhaps a library is close to another one; I like to visit two or three in a day trip. Never (rarely) more because the writing part gets burdensome. Perhaps I see an item in the paper about a library doing something interesting or new, and I put a day trip together from that beginning. In the case of Fobes Memorial, a picture in a book was the inspiration. The book is Libraries in New England, written by Margaret Haller and published in 1991. I'd never heard of Oakham, Massachusetts, but MapQuest solved that.  So far, so good. Other libraries close by? Yes indeed. And finally, are all three open on the same day of the week? Yes!

Why did this library catch my eye as I paged through the book? The stones! It's just such a great stone building. But wait...the book was published 32 years ago. Would the building still be there? Would it still be in use as a library? Google time. Great, the Oakham library has a web page. Based on a picture, the handsome stone building is still in use as a library; there is a street address for my GPS. And best of  all, it's open on the same days as the other two chosen for this trip. Let's go!

I once took a course in architectural design for non-architect types, and the one thing I remember is the importance of a sense of entry. This is a great example.

The interior looks just as I hoped it would. It's attractively furnished,

has a quilt and several fireplaces,

and has a wooden train set to keep the littles entertained while the adults do adult stuff.

This corner holds a computer for patrons to use. If memory serves, the three colors 

on the screen represent three general functions:  catalog, searching, and ? It seems that memory does not choose to serve at the moment.

The stacks are standing by for browsers.

We'll visit the lower level shortly, but not via this great curved stairway.

I remember just once in my life that I made a call on a phone like this. There has been some research that says humans are hard-wired to see "faces" everywhere. This phone is a great example.

Here's a classic view of the main level. Books, tables, natural light from the large windows.

Since my knees quailed at the thought of the stairs, I rode down in this elevator. It is very slow and very quiet. If you look closely you can see a black switch just beyond the yellow switch. To go down, you have to hold the black switch down. This is definitely a candidate for my (imaginary) hall of fame for things I've never seen before.

This building set at the botton of the stairs is a castle, very popular with the kids. I wonder if they think of the library building as a castle, with its round tower and all? Surely they do!

I know from the sign that there are new books here. But I don't recall anything about the bottles. Somebody, help! Use the comments and help me out here.

A classic puppet theater is waiting for young puppeteers in the children's area.

There is a collection of STEM kits to borrow. I spotted labels on two, Early Coding and Volcanoes.. Just about every library I visit is doing something with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. When I discuss this with library folks, it seems that these materials are coming from grants. Along with everything else, a librarian needs to be a talented grant-writer!

These other loanable kits are called "Sensory Kits." I'm not sure what that means. I did a bit of googling and figured out that they are hands-on activities, no screens involved. More grant writing, I'm sure.

Before leaving I snapped this picture of the staircase. I think my knees would have done just fine, as the steps are deep and not too high and the railings are great.

The library website has a nice history of the library. It was built in 1907 but was active long before that. So my concern that it might not still be standing was quite unfounded. It's well along in its second century. 

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Almost forgot this neat little music-maker. Each petal has a very nice tone. This will go well with the playground that in the works for this summer.

 

608 Levi Heywood Memorial Library, Gardner, Massachusetts

 

I was surprised by the size of Gardner, and even more surprised by the size of the library. A collection of one-way streets sort of funneled me to a library parking lot, and I entered by the door on the left in the picture.

There's nothing frivolous about this entrance to the library. To the contrary, it tells us that serious stuff goes on here. But I'm sure there is ample joy and fun as well.

I hadn't gone far when I saw these steps heading off to the right. A sign says that they lead to the Reference and Children's areas. We'll see those later.

This is a pretty good view of the overall layout, with various tables, chairs, and lamps. The main floor is very open, and a balcony skirts the entire upper level.

Regular readers know that I'm always on the lookout for signs. In this sheltered corner a sign on the tables exhorts us that...

THIS TABLE IS FOR ADULT USE ONLY (over 21)

Here's another sign:

Here's the reason behind that sign. Those are really high shelves. I'm six feet (well, I used to be six feet) and that top shelf would be challenging for me.

I hadn't seen a collection of Westerns in a very long time. Wisconsin, Montana, northern Minnesota and the Dakotas, Westerns everywhere. Prideful displays of the complete (or nearly) works of Zane Gray! I bet there is a story behind this collection; would someone share it with us, please?

This area is for teens and young adults.

I somehow got the idea that what is new here is the YA area itself, but the sign may be referring to new books and media.

Here's a view from the balcony level.

And here are more tall stacks. We're now upstairs and clearly in the non-fiction section. There must be some children around here somewhere.

This is one of the largest reference collections I've seen. What interests me is that space has been provided for reference material in this new (2004) building. It's clearly not an afterthought for miscellaneous books.

Always remember to look up! Here's another oculus! Two in one day!

This table is unusual in that it is a sinle square, not a pair of rectangles put together. You could probably seat a dozen littles at this table.

One of the stricter policies about food and drink. Other libraries vary from free coffee and tea to "beverages with lids," to full-on coffee shops. In Minneapolis I once had my wrist slapped (not really) for nibbling M&Ms very quietly.

In the week since my visit, my brain has forgotten what these materials are. Some kind of reading material in kits? Please, someone help me out here.

Here's a long view of part of the children's area.

Here's a nice comfortable corner where adults and children can snuggle together on the chairs, or a kid can be independent in the rocker.

After a quick visit to the rest room, I headed out to the parking lot. The what? Where is my car?

I took me a couple of minutes to realize that parking has two levels. I had entered the library on one level (fiction, media) and left on the other level. Take a couple of deep breaths and let's get going. There's one more library to visit.

607 Beals Memorial Library, Winchendon, Massachusetts

 Here we are on another road trip. This time I was looking for a trio of libraries, close to each other and close to Massachusetts. That's right, I crossed the border! The town of Winchenden was a likely candidate, so I checked out their website and found a surprise: The library was nearing the completion of an "infrastructure project" that would make the building fully accessible. 

A sign directed me to an entrance around the left side and I let myself in. As I entered I found a ramp running the length of the room. This is when I realized that the library was not really "open" yet. This is the ground level. There was a desk but no visible staff. I tried a tentative "Hello?" and a person appeared and greeted me. I explained my mission and proceeded to get a tour. This was a case when a tour was welcome, even essential, because of the in-progress state of the building. And it turned out that my tour guide was the library director! I  understand that the library was scheduled to open in two weeks, which would be one week after I post this entry.

I've waited too long to write this up, so I know I'll miss some details; I hope that I won't embarrass myself too much. Please feel free to comment with suggestions. Everything is scheduled for a fresh coat of paint, including the dome and oculus. There was so much to see, I took fewer pictures than usual and chose them more randomly. But at least I did remember my rule to "always look up."

The stacks are a world unto themselves, waiting for patrons to return.

I did get a picture of these handsome curved wooden shelves, original to the library.

At one point, I dashed back from one room to another to capture this good-looking fireplace.

My guide laughed when he saw me pause for this picture.. I seldom take bathroom pictures because they are seldom that interesting. What really caught my eye here was the very small radiator! I imagine that this bathroom is very warm in heating season.

This stage is in the upper room. While my guide discussed a problem with one of the workers [Is it missing? No? Yes? Maybe...] I wandered around to find a point of view that would not include any worker. It's fun to think of all the programs and meetings that will be held in this great space.  [No, it was not missing, but it was a close call. Phew!]

The people of Winchenden have a real gem here. I seldom do re-visits: so many libraries, so little time, you know. But if my wanderings bring me to this area again, I may not be able to resist.

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