Story Time Gazebo
Thanks to a generous donation, the Etna Library has the opportunity to construct a gazebo in Hayes Farm Park, a structure that would enable the library to serve the community in new ways.
The Etna Library Director and Library Trustees have been working with the donors and the Town of Hanover on preliminary plans. At this point in our planning, we wanted to reach out to the community to explain this project and to solicit feedback.
Purpose:
To honor the memory of Pietie Birnie, longtime resident of Etna, NH, with a gazebo designed to offer new library experiences, and designed for the general enjoyment of Etna residents. The Story Time Gazebo will offer Etna Library staff an additional place to hold gatherings, an especially important benefit given the library’s small building and current dearth of programming space.
Programs and crafts that are linked to an appreciation of nature would be a perfect fit to hold in the gazebo. The Etna Library already capitalizes on its beautiful backyard of Hayes Farm Park and the King Bird Sanctuary with our ever-changing Story Walk and special programs like this past summer’s Bug Safari. The added space of a gazebo would make such events easier, having a central spot to gather and store items needed for the event. Having some protection from inclement weather during such gatherings would also be very useful.
The hope is also that, aside from its use by the library, residents would also gain much enjoyment from the gazebo as a place to gather, sit and chat, and rest and recharge after strolls through the fields.
Design specifics:
A) Size: 14 feet wide by 20 feet long
It is believed that a size of 14’x 20’ would satisfy most of the library’s goals for the gazebo (such as hosting outdoor library programs) while also having a small enough footprint so as not to distract from the beautiful views and open spaces of Hayes Farm Park.
B) Oval Shape
An oval shape would be the most conducive to both types of proposed activities–those with a central focus (children circled around a librarian reading a story), and those more spread out, with a librarian circulating to different tables where kids are working on craft projects.
C) Vinyl Material
Most gazebos are made with either vinyl or wood. Because of its significantly superior durability and less need for maintenance, vinyl has been strongly recommended.
Location:
Please see the map included below for the gazebo's proposed location. Primary considerations that determined the recommendation of this specific location were as follows:
A) Accessibility
The goal is to have the Story Time Gazebo accessible to all, ADA compliant, and easy for the library staff to utilize (close enough to carry materials needed for events to, for instance).
B) Visually pleasing and non-obstructive
We wish to have the gazebo be a seamless part of the natural beauty around it. Our proposed location ensures that the view into the hills of Hayes Farm Park is minimally obstructed, and that the location of the gazebo respects the privacy of surrounding homeowners.
C) Surrounded by nature
We want the gazebo to be in a spot that is aesthetically pleasing to those using the gazebo – to feel like they are out in nature while enjoying the gazebo.
D) Feasibility
Locations considered needed to meet conservation considerations, and were examined to make sure that the soil and slope of land were suitable to build upon.
Feedback:
The Etna Library Director, the Library Trustees, and the donors are all very excited about the prospect of bringing this new resource to the Etna Library and to the larger Etna community. We can't do it without you, however! We want to make sure that we've considered all possibilities and have heard from everyone before moving forward.
Please complete the form below to share your thoughts. After hearing initial feedback, the plan is for the library to host Q&A sessions with interested community members to further discuss plans and consider options. Thank you for your support with this process and we look forward to hearing from you!
