527 Public Library, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

The Wolfeboro library has a new addition and looks very spiffy. They've just reopened to the public. All that's missing now is a LIBRARY sign...I walked around to the "old front" and didn't see one, but there's always a chance that I missed it.

I like the differing heights of the bookshelves here. I find this visually interesting, and it's neat how it allows space for art to be displayed. The area to the right of the picture  displays new books.

Looking the another way across the same space gives an idea of the spaciousness. Of course, some of that spaciousness is because the library is "trimmed down" in response to the pandemic.

From another angle, you can see the handsome grandfather clock. Many families have found that the public library is just the place for a precious family heirloom like this that no longer fits into their home.

The new part of the library includes a couple of glass-walled study rooms. Glass rooms are pretty common these days, as they allow privacy for quiet study but not for monkey business.

A wide range of periodicals address many patron interests. Hand sanitizer is on the table, ready for use before and after handling the magazines.

Turning a corner, I was surprised by this wall of windows, with pairs of comfortable chairs and small tables. The flowers are a nice touch.

Arrows on the floor direct traffic, minimizing social contact. That's a sad way to say it., but that's how it is these days. 

At the end of the window wall there is one more chair, a special one, with a reading lamp. I wonder if there is a story here?

Books of old maps are displayed behind glass. There is a genealogy and local history room nearby, but it was closed when I was there.

I had a very nice view of the open pattern of rafters on the ceiling and the full length of the library, but I goofed and got a person in the picture. I always promise not to do that. I'm sorry you don't get to see it.

This is the children's librarian's office with a good view of the action in the kids' area. The curved desk at the left is actually the check-out desk from the original library. It was saved and refinished; one of these days it will be back in service as a checkout desk for the kids. It's been cut down from the original height to make it accessible for youngsters.

This is a great collage of nature photographs.

One of these days it will be possible to have story time in person instead of virtually. When that time comes, the rocker and the two-step seating will be ready.

Isn't this a nice set of light-weight seating that kids can move around?

There's a sizable collection of books for the school-age crowd.

There must have been a contest or perhaps just a challenge, resulting in this miniature dwelling. I wish I had asked.

The other end of the shelf shows a different take on the project. And now I'm ready to head up the road to the next "-boro" on my trip.

9/15/2020
 

526 Wilmot Public Library, Wilmot, New Hampshire

 Greetings, reader. If you've been following along, you may have seen that my last library visit resulted in a time-consuming adventure. Because that adventure took so much time, I went home instead of making my third planned visit. Yesterday (Saturday) morning I had nothing planned for the day--and then I remembered that one of the libraries I'd been looking at recently had Saturday hours. A bit of exploring and I found it: Wilmot. I collected my notebook, pencil, camera, and gps and headed out on what turned out to be one of the prettiest drives I've made in a long time.

When I pulled up to the Wilmot Public Library, the first thing I saw was a volunteer tending to the flowers that enhance several buildings on the site.

I always look for interesting signs. In this case, the topic is donated books. I know first hand from my library days that people tend to think that they have a fantastic collection of books and any library should be thrilled to receive them for a sale. Or, what many donors think, for the library collection. In many cases, they are correct. And in many cases they are not. Anyway, many of the libraries I visit have a sign similar to the one shown here. What sets this one apart, though, is the clear statement "Please do not leave book donations on the doorstep. They will be taken to the dump."

The library is run by volunteers during the Saturday hours. I had a great time talking to that day's volunteer. I think it would be great to be a library volunteer and be "in charge" for a day! Two patrons came in for brief visits while we were talking, which was fine as the occupancy rule (thank you, COVID-19) is currently six. Eventually I tore myself away to look around and take pictures. I started by walking to the back of the long rectangular space and taking in the view out the large windows. And for some reason, not taking a picture of the view.  What I got instead was a look at the books for sale. I can be so easily distracted!

Returning up the ramp from these books, I was fascinated by a collection of "Harmonograph" drawings created by a local resident, John Moto, using a special guide for a writing implement. I once, long ago, had a small, similar device; mine was made of plastic and was called, as I recall, a "Spirograph." It was harder than it looked to do well, maintaining even pressure and moving smoothly. The second picture below is an example of what Mr. Moto is able to create.

I truly thought I had a picture of the next corner, but either the camera or I goofed. I am the most likely culprit. I'll chalk the lapse up to my distraction on realizing that I was looking at a collection related to Donald Hall, one-time poet laureate of the United States and a long-time resident of Wilmot until his death in 2018. You can get just a glimpse of the Hall/Kenyon Collection at the left of the picture below.

The Friends of the Wilmot Library are very active, and I strongly suggest that you google "Wilmot nh public library" to check out the site, including a listing of their newsletter archive.

Here's a fuzzy picture of the fiction stacks. The chairs with their "Scrabble" cushions are handy for browsers and easily movable to provide seating for programs. I really like those cushions.

Every library, no matter the size, has a technology center with at least a computer and printer.

And of course, a library will have a collection of media to loan out.

A central portion of the library provides space for the children's collection, with comfortable seating for browsers and a very large braided rug. 

In the children's area I enjoyed seeing the wicker chair with scaled-down Scrabble cushions, and a child-sized desk.

The library is lined with windows for plenty of natural light. Here it is shining on a caterpillar-and-alphabet rug for the picture book crowd.

Children haven't had many chances to visit the library since last spring. The large chalk board is ready for their return, and I'll bet it is popular.

On my way out I stopped for a picture of the flowers and the blue table, placed in honor of September 11, which was the day before. 

After more chat with the library volunteer and the woman who had been working with the flowers, also a library volunteer, I headed back home, an even better drive since I was able to avoid the Interstate. I prefer the back roads when possible, but it's hard to explain that to a gps!

When I got home to my laptop I found an email titled "You didn't ask about out tiny libraries." Well, that's because I wasn't aware of them. The note writer provided a link to an article in the Concord Monitor, which you might access here:  https://www.concordmonitor.com/wilmot-tiny-library-11611867

If that doesn't work, google "wilmot tiny libraries"

Also, go to the Wilmot Library site and scroll down under the Friends of the Library (FOWPL)

When Little Free Libraries s(LFLs) started popping up everywhere, people would sometimes ask me if I thought they would be competitors for library business. They didn't understand why a library might have a LFL nearby...or even on the library grounds. These people need to know that it's not a contest. The idea is to get books into the hands of as many people as possible, to enhance literacy, not to be exclusive.

Stepping off soapbox now.

9/12/2020

525 Hall Memorial Library, Northfield, New Hampshire

This was a rather unusual library visit. I had the impression from the website that the library was a bit more open than it proved to be, and that led to a long afternoon. I had a pleasant, scenic drive to Northfield, over-riding the gps a few times since I'm a bit familiar with the area. I found the library without any trouble, parked, sorted out the things I would need (notebook, pencil, camera) from the jumble left on the passenger seat after the Boscaven visit, and headed for the door. That's when I revised my idea about openness; a sign and a push button convinced me that the library was not open except by appointment. Well, darn; but I had one more library lined up in my notebook, so no big deal.

No big deal, that is, until I returned to the car and saw my keys and phone lying on the passenger seat. And of course the car was locked. Well, even without an appointment I needed to find help. Mainly, a phone to call AAA. Am I glad I renewed my membership last week? Yes, I definitely am.

So I rang the bell, confessed to not having an appointment, and asked to borrow a phone. Fortunately my  wallet with the AAA membership card and phone number was in my pocket. This was about 1 pm, based on the time stamp on the first photos. The AAA person was very nice and said someone would come to help me "no later than 3:35." Two and a half hours! [My sister has pointed out that I could have called her and she could have been there in about half an hour. Great idea, but I don't know her number. Modern phones with their "Contacts" lists have overridden any skill I ever had at remembering phone numbers. Anyway, I'd recently payed for that AAA membership.

At this point I returned the phone. I was very kindly allowed to use the restroom, and I got permission to take pictures. I ended up with a rather strange set of pictures, because I was distracted by my circumstances and was snapping photos rather randomly. Also, it hadn't really sunk in that I had a 2.5 hour wait ahead of me. Let's look at some pictures.

Normally I'd get information about the building's age, some facts about the Halls (this is Hall Memorial Library), and other tidbits. And if I'd asked, I probably could have done this. But I felt rather odd under the circumstances. Three staff seemed very occupied with their jobs. So I wandered and snapped and left to wait for AAA.

Fancy window and periodicals

Old books in the historical section

History, architecture

More old books, in a glass-front case

A large screen and conference table

Ah, here's something specific, fiction stacks with cards showing where each author last name initial starts. Clever, and helpful.

Desk and upholstered chair; surprising to see upholstery!

A collection of odd figures

More figures

I especially like the cat, of course.

Chairs are not for sitting.

A nice computer setup, with plastic covers on the keyboards and a Plexiglass divider between work stations

At this point, I left to wait for AAA and wandered around taking pictures. It still hadn't really sunk in that it wasn't even close to 3:35 yet.

Until I moved back to NH after 50 years in MN, I hadn't realized that things like sign posts and curbs are made of granite here. Well, it is the Granite State.

It really is a handsome building...

...from any angle.

Now it's 3:35. No AAA. 3:45, still no AAA. I buzzed the buzzer, was allowed in again, and borrowed the phone again. "He should be there in 15 minutes. No, wait, let me call him and check. Umm, make that 45 minutes." Thanks. I'll wait. And thanks, kind librarian, for the use of the phone. I went back outside. At least the temperature was pleasant and it wasn't raining.

The one place available for sitting was a bench dedicated to a former children's librarian.

I sat here quite a while, peeling bark off sticks. No reason. Just something to do.

After I saw this sign, I wondered of a cop would show up and tell me to move on. Reading those paving stones filled some of my waiting time.

There is a time capsule buried near the building. It was buried in 1980 and is due to be opened in 2080. This suggests that it will be exhumed by those who are young kids today. I find it hard to be very optimistic about whether that will really happen. I hope it will.

The time capsule is looked over by the gargoyle shown here. I'd have missed this, but for the librarian telling me to look for it. I'll trust it to be a good protector.

 9/9/20

PS: The AAA fellow showed up eventually and used special tools to get into the car in about 5 minutes. I decided to save the third library on my list for another day, and went straight home.