559 Brown Memorial Library, Bradford, New Hampshire

Today's challenge: share the lapTOP with the lapCAT. 

Let's get the year off to a good start by writing the second entry right now, today. The trip to Bradford was almost the same as the one to Warner, both the route and the weather. 

With signage like this, it's very easy to find the library. And the hours are very clearly shown.

There's plenty of parking across the street to the right, though I think it's shared with other buildings. This being New Year's Eve day, there was no competition for parking. I think that book return may be accessible from a car, though I didn't try. I wish my home library could provide a drive-up book return!

I think there is an accessible door around back, but I didn't look. The steps here were well cleared and the railing is sturdy and just the right height (though cold and wet). There is an elevator available, but when I was leaving I saw several patrons of my age, more or less, using these outdoor stairs.

The sign above the door ties the library to its geographic location. There is another sign to the right that I failed to capture, one that ties the library to its 1932 benefactor, James S. Brown, a painter from Manchester. [There is a very nice short history of the library on its website.]

Concrete-and-wood benches like this are found in parks everywhere. What sets this one off for me is the graceful curve of the top back slat. Just a nice little touch. I wasn't tempted to sit, however. Brrr!

This is the sight that greets you as you enter the library. I was immediately struck by how welcoming it is. The service desk is just a bit to the left, but the first impression is of comfort and warmth...and books. The walls hold photographs by a local artist, in a display that will change quarterly. 

Business can wait.

I first heard of "black out poetry" in the library in Zumbrota in southwest Minnesota. and here it is again. To see what they were doing with it (March 14, 2017), take a look at the entry for 440 Zumbrota.

The library was built in 1932 and had a major addition in 1999. The windows continue the classic look of the front door. If you look closely, you'll see games and puzzles ready for action on the bottom shelf.

Here's a puzzle. This book about gnomes was open on a small table near the entrance. I think I heard someone say "gnome" while I was there, but I didn't see any gnome and I didn't think to ask. Perhaps someone will leave a comment for clarification. 

Fiction lines the walls and non-fiction fills the very handsome wooden stacks. 

      

Not a grandfather clock but special all the same.

Computers are available. There seems to be more reliance on cleaning than on social distancing, though the cases are arranged to provide some separation. Perhaps I've become too accustomed to Plexiglass!

Children have space here on the main floor, not relegated to the lower level. [I didn't go to the lower level; I think the main thing there is a book sale.]

I always like to see a globe, especially in the kids' area. There are also crayons and coloring sheets. It's good to see these materials starting to show up after the strict pandemic policies.

Board books on the left, Beatrix Potter books on the right. And a small doll in her just-right bed.

On top of the Beatrix Potter books I spotted this book card. These are very unusual these days, so I checked some nearby books. Yes, indeed, every book has a pocket and a card! I had to ask about this, and I learned that in fact the library just changed over last year to a computer-based system. I realize now that I am home that I don't have a clear memory of how the card system works, though I certainly used it when I was a page in the Nashua, NH, library, back in the 50s!

I wish I had a way to collect all the pictures of children's chairs I've seen in the last decade!

As in all libraries, most toys are put away. But I like the idea that a keyboard and a phone are available for kids to play with. I used to volunteer in a kindergarten classroom where such (non-functioning) tools were available; they were very popular with the kids. It is odd to think that today's preschoolers will see these objects as antiques.

This is a great rug for a kids' area. It's a nice companion piece to the globe.

I noticed this card catalog when I first came in, but didn't get a picture. After talking to the librarian about the book cards, I had to return to the catalog where I discovered that it is full of cards. I should have asked more. This makes me think of the card catalog at the Philips Exeter library which has an enormous card catalog. When I was there (2013) I believe they maintained the catalog for material added up to a date in the 90s; from that time, the catalog was electronic. Perhaps the same policy will be used here?

A classic view of one corner. I believe that at least some of the books here are local history.

Not your everyday library picture.

A closer look at the history corner and -- of course! -- a grandfather clock!

In the vestibule on the way out I noticed these shelves of puzzles. It appears that these are "serve yourself." 

On the other side of the vestibule a sign above the basket encourages you to take some. I did. Just one.

Back in the parking area I took the opportunity to snap a picture of the addition from 1999.

And that completes my library collecting for 2021. The coming year will mark a decade since I began this project in June 2012.

12/31/2021
 

558 Pillsbury Free Library, Warner, New Hampshire

The end of the year is a good motivation for visiting a couple more libraries. I looked at my map, which has small stickers on each town I'm visited, and found a couple of close-by towns. Great, two in one trip! Next step, go on line to check library hours, addresses (for the gps), and any interesting details. What did I find? One library was open on Thursday, closed on Friday. And the other one? Closed Thursday, open Friday. Oh, well, neither one is very far from my home in Concord.

 I headed off for Warner.

It was a gray day but the roads were clear and the drive was pleasant. When I arrived at the library, one of the first things I noticed was a "Story Walk" based on "The First Day of Winter." Story walks are a relatively new phenomenon, but in five or six years they've gone from a pleasant surprise to "Ah, here's another one!" It's a nice blending of reading, physical activity, and environment. I've seen them on nature trails and in store windows; this one, I believe, involves a covered bridge!

I walked back a bit from the parking area in order to capture the entrance to the newer part of the library. The building opened in 1892, for adults only; a space for children was added later. A major remodeling in 1994 tripled the area of the building. Additional work was done in 2017. The site was donated by Nehemiah George Ordway, the building by George A. Pillsbury; both are common names in Minneapolis and St. Paul philanthropy.  I wonder if there was a Minnesota connection? 

Let's head inside.

Make a mental note of this curved construction; you'll see if from inside very soon.

This is not just any door. It clearly signals that something special is inside.

I had recently heard libraries discussed on a national radio program. Someone was suggesting that libraries no longer offer much in the way of services. Well, I've visited 558 libraries over the last decade, and that certainly isn't my experience. An example here is that WiFi is available from the parking lot. I've read about families in these days of Zoom schooling parking outside a fast-food place or a library so kids could complete on-line homework. And once in Canada I got out of a jam because I found a library that was closed, but had made WiFi available. If you hear people dissing libraries, please do a little checking before you believe what you are hearing.

This is a bit complex. In the background, you can see the gray stone exterior of the original building, now repurposed as an interior wall. In the foreground is one of the best stairs I've found in a library. Why the best? Well, grippable railings on both sides, risers that don't rise too much, and treads that provide plenty of support to my big feet!

    

Usually I can't show patron computers because at least one will be in use. I got lucky here. Notice that the wall above the computers displays historic pictures and maps.

Books of historic interest and value are displayed in these fine glass-fronted shelves.

We're now in the curved part of the building, on the upper level. As soon as I came around a corner from the stacks and caught site of the enormous beanbag seating, I knew I'd found the Teen area.

      

I almost walked past this plant with the merest glance; then I realized that it is a single large, thriving plant. Someone here has a thumb or two much greener than mine!

An iconic grandfather clock...

A pleasant place to read or study. I believe those are the periodicals on the far wall.

A handsome fireplace provides the focus for a couple of chairs that say, "Make yourself at home."

Stepping back for a longer view we can greet Mr. Pillsbury and thank him for his contribution.

I always look for signs. Here, I like the handsome carved FICTION sign, and also the small print reminding us that new fiction is on top of the low shelves by the windows.

Here in the stacks a window echoes the shape of the fireplace, a nice touch.

What was  your first clue that we are entering the children's area?

When I saw these shelves with the CHAPTER BOOKS sign, I realized that I rarely if ever have seen chapter books treated so respectfully.

More beanbags, for the kids this time, and plenty of natural light.

This collection is housed in a glass-topped table. I can imagine that kids enjoy poring over these, looking for their favorites. "Wow! Look at the shark mouth!"

The "1000 books before kindergarten" program encourages parents to read to and with their youngsters, setting them on the path to literacy. A similar program in Ontario encourages families to read, over time, a collection of fifty classic children's books that will put them on an even footing with classmates when they start school.

Libraries have done their best to maintain services for patrons of all ages during the pandemic. Some victims of Covid, however, are the manipulative toys that small children enjoy so much. This sturdy play table is ready to go as soon as the cars and dinosaurs can be used safely again.

While waiting for the cars and dinos, the littles tvisitors can rock on this wooden friend.

Periodicals are displayed on sloping shelves.

If I were more dedicated, I'd have walked up and around the corner to get a picture of the original building. But not this time.

My sloth was rewarded by the librarian sending me some pictures of the front of the library. Here's one of them...and thank you very much! Isn't this a handsome building?

12/30/2021