Peterborough Town Library in Peterborough, New Hampshire

This library proudly states that it is America's first publicly supported library.  From its founding in 1833, it was housed in a number of locations in town.  However, in 1893 it finally found a permanent home in  the simple but classic brick building shown here.  For more on this library's history, check out this link: http://www.libraryhistorybuff.org/peterborough.htm
With the growth of the town, the library undertook a number of additions beginning in 1957, with a second large addition completed in 1978.  Since then there were a number of more recent improvements, including the creation of a parking lot and the addition of an air-conditioning system.

The 1978 addition offers a large, open-plan space, with the children's area contiguous to the main desk and periodical reading area.  To give you the idea,  I took this photo with my back to the main desk, looking toward the children's area.  As you can see, the walls are painted a warm red and the new section is lit by large windows.  There is a window seat in the children's area which provided a welcoming spot for young readers.

The noise level in such an open space can be a challenge and I was impressed with an original solution that served to kill two birds with one stone.  The librarians told me that the activities in the "art area", an exhibit and craft space, were conflicting with the needs of those who wished to read in adjacent areas.  They found an interesting fix by carpeting the walls of the art area both to absorb noise and to provide a very flexible gallery space which allowed exhibitors to nail things to the wall without the surface showing any visible holes or dings.  The effect was lovely, as you can see here.

It's always fun to see how a library might take a structural feature such as a post and transform it from impediment to asset.  This charming games table is a perfect example.

Before leaving, I had to take a photo of one of the most unique features of this library - its own book shop.  The next door property was left to the library in a bequest.  In a very smart move, they used this lovely building to house an ongoing book sale which, at least in my view, must be the envy of every librarian who has ever struggled with the space required for those important fund-raising book sales.

Thanks to Assistant Director, Linda Kepner and Children's Librarian, Lisa Bearce for taking time out from a busy day to show me around.  And congratulations to the Library Director and my former Vermont colleague, Michael Price, for his leadership of this fine library.