Partner: Pease Public Library

Pease Public Library, originally constructed in 1990-91 with funds donated by Charlotte Pease, was expanded and renovated in 2011.  It provides recreational and informational material to patrons of all ages and backgrounds.  The library is partnering with Plymouth Public Library and the Young Ladies Library Association for this year's Big Read.

Partner: William D. Weeks Memorial Library

Lancaster Public Library was created in the late 1800s after a series of small reading groups and subscription libraries.  In 1906 John W. Weeks gave the town a new building in memory of his father William Dennis Weeks to house the growing library's collections, and at that point the library's name was officially changed to the William D. Weeks Memorial Library.  An addition tripled the space of the library in 1998, and the present collection is now greater than 60,000 items.  The mission of the library has three parts: (1) to celebrate and foster recreational learning through activities, technology, and programs for persons of all ages, (2) to serve as a public warehouse (repository) of ideas, a place where information can be shared from print, audio-visual, and on-line sources with the help of trained specialists who organize and make these resources accessible, and (3) to be the hub of our community where information, knowledge, culture, and history interface with people.  The library's current membership is approximately 3000 persons and includes not only residents from the town of Lancaster but also individuals from a thirty mile radius in New Hampshire and neighboring Vermont.  Of particular notice is the library's large and growing New Hampshire and genealogical collections. They are partners with White Mountains Regional High School and Lancaster Elementary School on this year's Big Read.

Partner: Effingham Public Library

The Effingham Public Library is located at 30 Town House Road, in a section of the town historically known as Drake’s Corner. Effingham is a small, rural community with a population of around 1400, surrounded by the towns of Freedom, Ossipee and Wakefield, NH, and Parsonsfield, ME. The mission of the Effingham Public Library to provide a center for the community that promotes education, leisure and creative pursuits by providing a means to access information and resources.     “In the early 1800's, inhabitants of Effingham on Lord's Hill pooled their resources and started a library. Books could be borrowed and were to be returned the first Monday in September, December, March and June. In the 1860s a library was kept in the home of Josiah Dearborn.  “Books in these libraries were primarily non-fiction, serious books, which were popular in those years, such as history, essays, commentaries, and the like.  “In the town meeting of March, 1893, it was voted to have a town library and $30.00 was raised to start it. The state library had offered to help if some conditions were met and this offer was accepted.... A board of trustees was set up, consisting of twelve members; John L. Demeritt, R.M. Fulton, John M. Drake, James M. Leavitt, John P. Glidden, James M. Champion, J.N. Marston, O.J. Avery, Josephus L. Drake, Cyrus P.Keay, Charles L. Miles, and Francisco Barker.... What was ... the recitation room of the Charitable Masonic Institute was papered and painted, fitted with shelves, and adapted for the library.  “Dr. Albert N. Gould was the first librarian. He served until his death about 1916.... The library has grown over the years. The report for 1896 showed 761 volumes....” (Source; "Tales of Effingham,", by Lawrence P. Hall, 1988, Freedom, NH  From that modest beginning, the Effingham Public Library has expanded to fill the entire first floor of the historic Masonic building, and boasts a collection of over 11,000 items. The Board of Trustees now consists of five members. The library has a paid staff of three, assisted by a team of energetic and dedicated volunteers, and is open 24 hours per week.

Partner: Somersworth Public Library

The Somersworth Public Library, established in 1841 as the Manufacturers and Village Library and reorganized as the public library in 1899, provides the citizens of the City of Somersworth access to the materials and services necessary for their informational, cultural, educational, and recreational needs.  To meet this obligation, the library supplies books and e-books, large print books, audio books in cassette, CD and downloadable formats, magazines, videos, DVD's, museum passes, databases and paperbacks. The reference collection assists the public and the librarians with research. The library’s Somersworth history collection offers access to local history and genealogy sources. The Summersworth Historical Society and Museum is a valuable partner in preserving the city's history and assisting genealogists and researchers. The Friends of the Somersworth Public Library host an annual author's evening in the fall and sponsor four book sales during the year to benefit the library. The Children's Room, moved from the main library into the basement and opened in 1988, offers books, videos, audios, magazines, and DVD's for children up to grade six. Librarians conduct weekly story and craft programs for children of all ages throughout the year. The library participates each June in the annual Somersworth International Children's Festival that began in 1981 and attracts over 30,000 visitors to the community.  They are partners with Somersworth Public High School on this year's Big Read.

Partner: Somersworth High School Library

The Somersworth High School, one of the first public high schools in New Hampshire, currently serves students in grades 9-12 from the Somersworth and Rollinsford school districts. The goal of the Somersworth High School Library media program is to ensure that students and staff at the Somersworth High School and Career Technical Center are effective users of ideas and information and to implement the Somersworth High School community’s mission, which is to foster intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and literacy in students while developing respectful, responsible and articulate global citizens. They are Big Read partners with the Somersworth Public Library.

Partner: Rye Public Library

The Rye Public Library opened on September 6, 1911, for the circulation of books every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Gifts to the Town of Rye, both land and building funds, were donated by Miss Mary Tuck Rand. Miss Rand formally presented these gifts as a memorial to her family in a day of ceremony on June 22, 1911. “I wish it to do good and be of much benefit, a store-house for books,  for information and knowledge, a mine of good, a fountain of help,  lasting. I hope it will help you gloriously onward and upward  through the journey of life and also those following after. This is my  sincere wish. Please accept this Library building and site from me.”  Excerpted from a speech delivered by Mary Tuck Rand, Rye Public Library Benefactor,  at the dedication of the Rye Public Library on June 22nd, 1911.  In 2011, both dates were commemorated during our Rye Public Library Centennial Celebration.   Rye Public Library was a relative latecomer in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, due to the dissolution of an earlier bequest to the town to build a public library. In years since, however, RPL has emerged as one of the most energetically supported and appreciated public libraries in the state. The tremendous response to our 2011 Centennial Celebration speaks volumes in illustration of this point.  The RPL facility has grown from its initial dimensions with three sequences of expansion. Two earlier additions, in 1967 and 1980 were augmented by the most recent expansion begun in early 1998 and opened to the public on January 16, 1999. Through the dedication of the Rye Public Library Board of Trustees who garnered wide community support, this expansion effort resulted in the wonderfully balanced and attractive building we now enjoy.  Rye Public Library Vision Statement  The vision of the Rye Public Library is to be the cultural heart of Rye by facilitating the free flow of ideas and information for all members of our community.  Rye Public Library Mission Statement  The Rye Public Library will be a friendly and inviting place providing unrestricted access to an array of materials, programs, and technologies that inform, educate, and entertain. We will promote the value of reading and encourage the quest for knowledge and experience to enrich lifelong learning, discovery, and creativity. The Library will be a mine of good and a fountain of help in the guiding spirit of our original benefactor, Mary Tuck Rand.  They count Rye Junior High School and Rye Public Library Book Discussion Group as partners in this year's Big Read.

Partner: Gale Library

The Gale Library is the public library for the Town of Newton, NH.  The library was founded in 1892 and was set up in the Town Hall.  In 1908, the library was moved to an antique one-room school house, now located on Route 108 and known as the "Marion Hatch Building".  Since 1978, the library has occupied its present site, a former elementary school building.  A capital reserve fund was started in 1982 to save and plan for future alterations to the library building.      The Gale Library assembles, preserves and administers a collection of print and non-print materials of value and use to the community.  Library materials, services, resources, and programs provide access to ideas and information to support clients in their personal, cultural, educational, recreational and civic interests.  The library adheres to the principles of the American Library Association's Library of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement.

Partner: Milton Free Public Library

The Milton Free Public Library (“Little Red School House”) is located on half an acre in the center of Milton Mills. The architecture is French Second Empire style with a mansard style roof and dormer windows upstairs. The foundation is brick. The style is unique to Milton Mills - no other buildings in town have the same style - however it was popularly used in public buildings at the time of its construction . There have been no significant exterior renovations other than maintenance (i.e., painting and replacing rotten boards). It contains two rooms downstairs which currently operate as the library. As one enters the building, the first thing seen is a beautiful staircase that branches off in two directions. The upstairs consists of one very large room, and a bell tower with a functioning bell. The floors are hardwood and the walls are plaster.
The Little Red School House remains a unique feature of Milton Mills; with its unique architecture of the "Second Empire" style, its bell tower and its central location. The library is partnering with Nute Middle and High Schools on this year's Big Read.

Partner: Madison Library

Madison Library is the public library for Madison and Silver Lake, New Hampshire.  Our mission is to provide a cultural and recreational resource for Madison, to support the schools in their educational mission, and to keep the community informed with up-to-date news and reference resources.

Partner: Kingston Community Library

The Kingston Community Library offers the Kingston community informational, recreational, educational, and cultural enrichment.  They are partnering with Sanborn Regional School District and the Historic Museum Committee on this year's Big Read.

Partner: Jackson Public Library

The Jackson Public Library is vibrant public library located in the picturesque town of Jackson, NH. Our local population hovers in the mid-800s, but we are supported also by residents in local communities and our large number of second home owners. We have been in existence since 1879, and located from 1901-2010 in a lovely shingle-style building in the center of the Village designed by William Ralph Emerson, a architect from Boston. When our collection reached the 10,000 mark and computers started taking over the limited amount of space, the Library Trustees started the process of finding a new space for the Library. In 2008, we had a 4,000+ square foot design ready to present to the town, when the bottom dropped out of the nation's economy. Rather than dropping our hopes and dreams, we regrouped and partnered with the Jackson Historical Society to make use of a historic barn from the town built in the 1850's. The "Trickey" barn was re-erected and became the new home of the Jackson Public Library on December 7, 2010. We now enjoy bathroom facilities, increased collection space, four times the number of public access computers, a dedicated children's area, and a large and beautifully designed circulation desk that can accommodate more than one staff person at a time. We have an extensive collection of books on New Hampshire and the White Mountains, and collect a larger than normal amount of books on weather due to our proximity to Mount Washington - Home of the World's Worst Weather, a large collection on knitting books, thanks to our monthly knitting group, and dozens of puzzles donated by White Mountain Puzzles, located in Jackson.  They will be working with Jackson Grammar School on this year's Big Read.

Partner: Jackson Public Library

The Jackson Public Library is vibrant public library located in the picturesque town of Jackson, NH. Our local population hovers in the mid-800s, but we are supported also by residents in local communities and our large number of second home owners. We have been in existence since 1879, and located from 1901-2010 in a lovely shingle-style building in the center of the Village designed by William Ralph Emerson, a architect from Boston. When our collection reached the 10,000 mark and computers started taking over the limited amount of space, the Library Trustees started the process of finding a new space for the Library. In 2008, we had a 4,000+ square foot design ready to present to the town, when the bottom dropped out of the nation's economy. Rather than dropping our hopes and dreams, we regrouped and partnered with the Jackson Historical Society to make use of a historic barn from the town built in the 1850's. The "Trickey" barn was re-erected and became the new home of the Jackson Public Library on December 7, 2010. We now enjoy bathroom facilities, increased collection space, four times the number of public access computers, a dedicated children's area, and a large and beautifully designed circulation desk that can accommodate more than one staff person at a time. We have an extensive collection of books on New Hampshire and the White Mountains, and collect a larger than normal amount of books on weather due to our proximity to Mount Washington - Home of the World's Worst Weather, a large collection on knitting books, thanks to our monthly knitting group, and dozens of puzzles donated by White Mountain Puzzles, located in Jackson.  The library has partnered with Jackson Grammar School for this year's Big Read.

Partner: Exeter Public Library

Exeter Public Library’s vision is to be the informational hub for the Exeter area, a vital institution that attracts and stimulates a vibrant community with a mission to promote a literate, enlightened citizenship by providing equal access to a range of media, services and programs to meet the informational, educational and recreational needs of the community; and to encourage the discovery and evaluation of ideas and information, especially recognizing the library’s responsibility as a place for children to discover the joy of reading. Exeter Public Library was established in. An addition was built in 1942 adding space for a children’s room. In 1986, the library was moved to its present location at 4 Chestnut Street and the old library building was taken over by the Historical Society. Today the library is a very important part of the Exeter community. A nine-member, elected Board of Trustees oversees the library’s policies, personnel, and budget.  They are partners with Exeter Area High School and Exeter Historical Society on this year's Big Read.

Partner: Barrington Public Library

The mission of the Barrington Public Library is to provide current materials, services, programs, and technology to meet the educational, informational, and recreation needs of community members of all ages.    We shall provide a place that is conducive to learning and recreational reading, as well as an area for meetings and programs that foster literacy and community.    We shall strive to meet all statewide standards for libraries, and we shall provide service hours and staff sufficient to serve the community needs.     We shall reach beyond our own resources to gain access to materials that we do not own, and we shall lend to other partnering organizations for the same purposes, thus building cooperative ties that will benefit our community at large.

Sponsor: Barnes & Noble, Salem

 

 The Center for the Book at the NHSL would like to thank
Barnes & Noble, Salem for their contribution to our Big Read!

Partner: Conway Public Library

Since we opened our doors in 1901, the Conway Public Library has played a vital role in the lives of those residing in the Town of Conway and the greater Mt. Washington Valley community.  From the beauty of our building to the dedication of our staff, we invite you to come in and discover the world of opportunity that awaits you at the Conway Public Library.

Partner: Philip Read Memorial Library

The Philip Read Memorial Library is a vibrant community center in a the small rural town of Plainfield. We offer patrons information from all types of media, public computer/WIFI access and programs for all ages. The library is the center of our village.  Big Read activities at the Philip Read Memorial Library in Plainfield are being supported by a grant from the Claremont Savings Bank. The grant will pay for a theater performance and a presentation by the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, both related to the Poe theme. The Big Read project was a huge factor in obtaining this grant.  They plan on working with either Plainfield Elementary School or Kimball Union Academy on this year's Big Read.

Partner: Richards Free Library

The Richards Free Library is located in Newport, a community of 6500 people that boasts an Arts Center and an Opera House, three covered bridges, and the oldest continuous town Winter Carnival in the country.  Built in 1899 as a home, the library is on the National Historic Register and comes with a ballroom on its third floor.  Annually, since 1956 the trustees of the library have presented the Sarah Josepha Hale Medal to prominent writers with a connection to New England.  The list of recipients begins with Robert Frost and includes Arthur Miller, Robert B. Parker, Ellen Goodman and Henry Louis Gates.    The Richards Free Library mission is to assist people in their search for reliable information, self-education, greater understanding, and intellectual enjoyment by providing a spectrum of materials, services and programs.  The library also provides space for the gathering of people and ideas to enrich themselves and the community.  They will be working with Newport High School on this year's Big Read.

Partner: Dunbar Free Library

The Dunbar Free Library was established in the beginning of the 1900s when Lorenzo Dunbar offered the town land and money to build a library in honor of his deceased wife.  The first librarian, J. Madison Howe, and his daughter, Bernice M. Howe, covered the job until 1974. Our mission is to provide opportunities for life-long learning and cultural enrichment to the entire community.  We will partner with the Parks and Recreation on this year's Big Read.

Partner: Fiske Free Library

Samuel P. Fiske established the Fiske Free Library in 1873 with 2,000 volumes from his personal library and $5,000 for the purchase of additional books. Housed first in Stevens High School, the library moved in 1877 into the Bailey Block to provide more room and easier access. By 1902 space was again tight and local leaders approached Andrew Carnegie to fund a new building. In 1903, with $15,000 in funding from Carnegie, ground was broken for the present building. An addition in 1922 and a full renovation in 1966 expanded the entire building for library use.  They are partnering with the Off Broad Street Players on this year's Big Read.