2011 - Town of Warner

Pillsbury Free LibraryIn August the library celebrated the 120 th anniversary of its October1891 dedication with a program that included the Pillsbury family,Warner Historical Society, and author/historian Jack Noon. Much ofthe program was based on Larry Sullivan’s 2011 book, “19 th CenturyLibraries of Warner, N.H.” which is available at the Library and WarnerHistorical Society. We thank Larry for his donation of the book rights,to both organizations. In 2012 we celebrate the 120 th anniversary ofthe library’s first year: it opened February 6, 1892. Meanwhile, thelibrary continues to change with the times, to fulfill the important roleenvisioned by Mr. Pillsbury that “all the people of Warner, old and young,the rich and the poor alike may realize all the benefits that a free publiclibrary can give.”In this decade, providing “all the benefits” means finding ways to offermore materials and resources online and in digital form, while alsoproviding ways for the less affluent to access these resources, and yetcontinuing to provide traditional print materials. There is ever-increasinguse of our computers, as well as DVD and audio book collections, onlinemagazine access, and the downloadable audio books and eBooks. Weare also paying for the two genealogy resources that the NH State Libraryused to provide to all of NH.Other library functions that are highly used and greatly appreciatedinclude programs, meeting space for adults, children and home schoolfamilies, and tutoring. Some programs for both adults and childrenare now held at Town Hall due to high attendance. The communityevents calendar hosted on the Library website lists events held by mostgroups in Warner. The 50" plasma TV funded by Warner Fall FoliageFestival and other donors is available in the Frank Maria meeting roomfor programs or events.In addition to the weekly children’s story hours and activity classes,children’s programming this year included a Great Stone Face votingparty, a new 10+ Book Nook reading group, and the summer readingprogram “One World, Many Stories”. Summer programs included aperformance by Odds Bodkin (200 attended!), and Liz Charlebois demonstratedAbenaki dances. Warner children read 1,582 books this summer!Programs for adults, hosted or cosponsored, included talks onTilapia farming, a local foods book discussion, a film series, a RaptorProgram, Native Pollinators, Tech Talks on voice commands for computers(Joe Bourke), GPS mapping (Tom Bourgoine) and online Libraryresources (Nancy Ladd), and two NHHC programs (Susan B. Anthony,and Wacky Songs), a Valentine treasure hunt, National Game Day, two84