The Many
“Libraries” Of “ Gilmanton
Submitted By Carolyn
Baldwin
A recent article in a local paper spoke of three libraries in the
Town of Gilmanton. In some sense that is true. Each
“library” has its own special place in the history and character of
the Town.
Unlike most towns, Gilmanton historically had not one but three
village centers - Gilmanton Corners, Gilmanton Iron Works, and Lower
Gilmanton. Still today these centers form separate entities,
separated by as much as 7 miles from one another. At a time
when travel between them on foot, or by horse and buggy, was a
significant outing, each village had its own amenities: schools,
churches, shops, post office, and indeed libraries.
The tiny library in Gilmanton Corners, housed in a former cobbler
shop, is an important feature in the Corners village, both
historically and aesthetically. The Gilmanton Iron Works
Library, built after the 1915 fire that wiped out much of the
village, is also an essential feature of the present day village,
along with the church, Old Town Hall, and other buildings that
survived the fire or were built shortly thereafter. It has the
advantage of being within walking distance of many homes in the Iron
Works village, but can be open only in the summer. ( Lower
Gilmanton, not too long ago, also had its own library, housed in a
private home.) Neither of the little village libraries host
such modern amenities as plumbing, nor could they be expanded to
serve the entire population of the Town with the needs of the 21st
century.
The third library is, of course, the Gilmanton Year Round Library,
sited on Route 140 across from the Gilmanton School.
Built entirely with private or foundation contributions, the
Year-Round Library was designed to provide the people of Gilmanton
with the services of a modern library - ranging from books and
periodicals, interlibrary loan and public access computers. In
addition it provides a place for community gatherings and events,
special activities such as twice-weekly story time for pre-schoolers
and after school events for school children, informational
presentations for adults, and much more.
Until the Year Round Library opened, Gilmanton had no library that
could meet the criteria of public library established in state
statute. RSA
202-A:2 I. “Public library’’ shall mean every library which receives
regular financial support, at least annually, from public or private
sources and which provides regular and currently useful library
service to the public without charge.
The Town recognizes and is grateful for the ongoing effort of
volunteers who maintain and operate the little village libraries
with small annual contributions from Town coffers. Each is an
essential feature of its historic community. Their
function is important, but should not be confused with the vital
services required of a Public Library in the 21st century and
provided by the Year-Round Library, available year-round and 5 days
a week to all of the Town’s inhabitants, young and old.
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