Stowe Free Library in Stowe, Vermont

 Stowe has been a magnet for tourists since before the Civil War.  In fact, the Stowe Free Library was founded with a donation of 51 books from a group of summer hotel guests who used proceeds from an art sale to fund the purchase of this founding collection.  It was supplemented by a town appropriation of $100, making Stowe the first town in Vermont  to appropriate a sum of money for library purposes under the state law of 1865.

The classic Greek Revival building where the library is now located was originally built as a school in 1863.  The building was abandoned in 1974 and slated for demoliton when a new high school was constructed outside town.  Thanks to a bequest from Helen Day Montanari and the diligent work of local preservationists, the old schoolhouse was restored in 1981 to house the Stowe Free Library and the Helen Day Arts Center.

I worked at the Stowe Free Library from 1987 through 2000, and I'm proud to have been part of a small team that worked to expand the library in 1993-94.  The design of the lovely addition was by Montpelier architect, Barbara Conrey.  Thus, this visit was particularly enjoyable as I caught up with many old friends and colleagues.  There have been some changes and improvements over the last number of years which I'll point out as we go.


To the right is the library lobby.  The built-in display cabinet makes great use of the lobby while providing excellent security for items displayed.  You will note that decorative molding on walls and doors throughout the library supports the neo-classical theme of the building - and at minimal cost.

The front desk faces you as you enter.   Like the circulation desk at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, the higher shelves enhance the available work space behind the desk.  The central part of the desk is low, making it accessible both to children and to people with disabilities.  Again, note the molding which ties the desk in with the rest of the building.  Here's a glimpse behind the desk.

The dark wood shelving in the library was made by local craftsmen and gives the library a cozy feel that patrons enjoy.  Note the book supports that were added to the end of the shelves for display purposes. 

Effectively lighting public libraries is both challenging and important.  Here, additional lighting was added later as new shelving was built and dark spots needed to be addressed.  Note both the track lighting as well as the globe lights.






Here is an example of some of the original fluorescent lighting.  Note the unusual rectangular pattern in the ceiling lights. This setup offers more flexibility if the shelving layout is changed in the future.   I always liked the molding around the fixtures which minimized the intrusiveness of having modern fixtures in an older building.

Here's another view of the stacks and the lighting above.

The periodical reading room was originally placed adjacent to the children's area in an open plan system.  The reading room was later walled in to provide a quieter space. However, the French door and large windows preserve the light and airy feel of the original space.

Because libraries are the focal points of their communities, bulletin boards are in great demand for postings of local events.  The rear entrance of the library provides ample space for posters (note the two bulletin boards).  The pamphlet holders on left of photo have been very useful as space for additional library and community information.

A local interior designer took the functional walls of the library's meeting room and gave them visual interest as well as a thoughtful quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

I want to thank the outgoing Stowe Free Library Director, Stephanie Chase, for a great visit.  She has done a magnificent job and I wish her the best of luck in her new position.  I also want to thank all of my former colleagues at the Stowe Free Library, as well as the library board (past and present) for their years of commitment to this important institution.   It has been nothing short of an inspiration to see how far the library has come since I first arrived!

Bradford Public Library in Bradford, Vermont

Each library visit brings its own share of surprises, but I admit to being unprepared for what an extraordinary structure awaited me in Bradford.  The present library was erected during the "golden age" of Vermont library construction in 1895.  As stated in the address at the library's dedication, “Two sentiments dominate the day — loyalty to the nation and love of learning...."   In fact, Bradford showed an interest in libraries as far back as 1796 when it became the first town in Vermont to charter a public library.

Like Hardwick's Jeudevine Public Library, which I visited earlier, this library was designed by the great 19th century Vermont architect, Lambert Packard.  Although both library buildings are adapted from the "Richardsonian Romanesque" style, they are remarkably different inside.  In Bradford, the architectural centerpiece is the round reading room (a kind of polygon) which you can see in the exterior shot above.

Because of the light flooding in from the many windows in the reading room, it was very difficult to get an interior photograph that could fully capture the grandeur of a space which invites the visitor to pursue "a love of learning".

The focal point of this grand room is a large fireplace flanked by two lions.   Notice the built-in teacup warmers to the left of the hearth. 

As in other historic libraries I've visited, the librarians have a challenge to meet: while maintaining the integrity of a beautiful 19th century structure they must also serve a 21st century public.

For example, note the track lights tucked along the beams of the striking ceiling of the reading room. 

 

The librarians at the Bradford Public Library do an outstanding job of marketing the library collection to the public.  Displays can be difficult to position in a building such as this, but they are prominent and well thought-out.  For example, on a table in front of the shelf of "patron picks" is a do-it-yourself coffee-maker.  Because the display, of necessity, was tucked into a corner, the librarians used the presence of a coffee machine to draw attention to it!

Another challenge presented by the 19th century architecture was the mezzanine, which now houses the library's non-fiction collection.  Because the librarians found that people did not realize that they were able to go upstairs, they posted multi-colored signs directly underneath the balcony and behind the main desk to draw attention to the subjects which could be found in the upstairs collection.

Here's a view of the mezzanine above the desk.

Like the nearby Blake Memorial Library in East Corinth, the Bradford Library moved its children's area downstairs in order to give its collection more space to grow.  In this large space, the walls were painted in brilliant, cheerful hues.

In one section of the children's area there is a large post which supports the reading room above it.  This has been boxed in and the  surfaces display children's artwork.  In yet another example of how one can turn a potentially disruptive architectural feature into an asset, seating and storage have been built in around the post.

I want to end my visit by thanking Library Co-Director, Debra Tinkham, for the top-to-bottom tour of this architectural treasure.  I was impressed by her energy and good ideas and want to congratulate her and her Co-Director Gail LaVaude, for making this such a vibrant community library.  It is well worth a visit.

Blake Memorial Library in East Corinth, Vermont

In 1949 this building was erected to replace the town's original 1902 library which was destroyed in a fire.  For more on the Blake Memorial's history, check out the website at http://www.blakememorial.org/.   I was told by librarian, Ken Linge, that the original building was a grander structure.  However, while the 1949 building is simple it is also harmonious, practical and pleasing.



On the main floor I found an interesting take on shelving, with bookshelves built above a counter and cabinets below, almost as you'd find in a kitchen.  I've never seen anything quite like this in a library, but the staff has made good use of the counter as display space.  The cabinets below the counter probably provide convenient storage for library supplies.

When the library began to outgrow its existing space on the main floor, it was decided to finish the basement and to move the children's area downstairs in order to give the book collection room to grow.  The photo on the right shows the staircase from the main floor.  Note the rabbit, painted by Vermont artist, Peggy Watson, at the foot of the staircase.

Above that, going up the staircase, is an illustration dedicated to the library's youngest patrons by well known children's author, illustrator and local resident, Gail Gibbons.  For more on Gail, see her website at: http://www.gailgibbons.com/

The rabbit above isn't the only example of Peggy Watson's wonderful work.  This mural, a Vermont farm scene,  transforms the children's area.
It feels almost like walking directly into a child's picture book.   


The ground floor also doubles as programming space. In the photo on right, note the free art prints obtained by the librarian through Picturing America, a program from the National Endowment for Humanities.  To learn more about this initiative, you can go to the website at http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/. These prints provide visual interest, while the comfy sofas and folding chairs offer both an informal reading area and a good space for library programs.  This photo doesn't show how large and flexible this area actually is, but it could hold a very respectable crowd!

 While the Blake Memorial Library is beginning to outgrow its 1949 building, the existing space is used most imaginatively and is appealing to the public.  There is good attention to aesthetics and to the marketing of the library's collection. The fact that there appears to be very strong community involvement with the library attests to its importance in the life of the town.  I want to thank Librarian, Ken Linge, for showing me around and for taking time to chat with me.  He is doing impressive work.