Annual Report 2008

Hall Memorial Library18 Park Street, Northfield, NH 03276
www.hallmemoriallibrary.org
603 286-8971

Serving the towns of Tilton and Northfield since 1886

Trustees: Leif Martinson, Northfield. Chair, lifetime appointee

Eliza Conde, Northfield, Treasurer, lifetime appointee

Judy Sanders,Tilton, lifetime appointee through August

Nell Grant, lifetime appointee beginning September

Christine D’Amore, Tilton, elected through 2010

Tom Fulweiler, Northfield, Secretary, elected through 2010

Staff: Mary Ahlgren, Director

Kelly Finemore, Children's Services

Trudy Fletcher through August, Brittany Moore beginning September,

Young Adult services

Coral Theberge, Library Assistant, tech services

Hadley Barth, Library Assistant, interlibrary loan services

Heather Young, Substitute

Beth Crandall, Rachel Sibulkin, Kelsea Morrison, Pages

Volunteers: Nell Grant, Donald Bienvenu, Bonnie Randall, Mo, Eric and Renee Boudreau, Nicole LaPlante, Marge Rudolph, Ginny Timmons, Susan Nadeau, Beverly Green, Cheryl Geiger, Josie Nichols, Don MacDonald, Tricia Beauchesne, David Rodrique, Volunteers take care of our inside and outside plants, recycling, and homebound delivery among other things. They contributed more than 860 hours of their time to the library and we thank them all for their generosity.

The library produced 255 programs this year, ranging from weekly story times, to booktalks at the middle and high schools. We have experienced knitters who teach beginners to knit, and book discussion groups which stretch our reading habits by encouraging us to read beyond our normal interests. People play Scrabble and chess here on a weekly or monthly basis. There is always something happening within these doors.

We are your source for up to date information via the internet, on our databases, or within the covers of our reference materials. Down loadable audio books offer the newest popular titles and old favorites for you to listen to on your MP3. Magazines and local newspapers are available for to read here or, if they aren't the latest issue, at home.

Our building itself is a draw for locals and tourists alike. Nearly every week someone stops in to tour the library and hear about its history. Unfortunately the older structure has developed leaks in several places, and it is likely that the water is coming in because the bricks need to be re-pointed. The chimney, which is also original, must be rebuilt as the sandstone which forms its base has deteriorated over the last 120 years. Both of these repairs will require specialized and costly attention. We are applying for grants to help pay for these projects.

The numbers of materials that we circulate have been going up: in 2008 a total of 66299 items of various kinds were checked out at our circulation desk. That is an increase of nearly 10,000 since 2007. We order new books, DVD's and books on CD regularly to keep our patrons current and happy. We would like nothing more than to see you join, use, and enjoy the library in 2009.