Celebrating National Library Week

Libraries across New Hampshire will be holding special programs as part of National Library Week, April 14 - 20. This year’s theme, “Communities Matter @ Your Library,” highlights the important role New Hampshire’s libraries play in communities throughout the state.

New Hampshire libraries provide a wide variety of services to their patrons. Internet access, downloadable audio books and eBooks, genealogy information, newspaper and magazine databases, displays by local artists, lectures, children’s programs, discounted passed to museums and public meeting spaces are just some of the ways that New Hampshire’s libraries serve the needs of our communities. Books, magazines, newspapers, movies, and music are available as well.

“New Hampshire has known since its earliest days what important resources libraries are as centers of both knowledge and community,” said Michael York, state librarian. “Libraries continue to be vibrant – and vital – parts of our towns, cities and villages.”

Here are some interesting facts about New Hampshire libraries:

• The New Hampshire State Library was founded in 1717, making it the oldest state library in the United States
• Peterborough Town Library, founded in 1833, is the oldest tax-supported library in the world
• 29 New Hampshire libraries and former library buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places
• In 2011, New Hampshire had 780,318 registered library patrons
• Also in 2011, New Hampshire public libraries held 38,392 public programs; 644,229 people attended them
• Portsmouth Public Library’s new building was the first LEED-certified building in New Hampshire and one of the first LEED-certified municipal buildings in New England
• Kilton Public Library in West Lebanon is the first gold LEED-certified library in New Hampshire

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. To find out about National Library Week events happening in your community, contact your local library.