Hanover Town Reports

Library highlights: "On Jan. 1st, 1890, the law, requiring the town to furnish free text books and school supplies, went into operation, thus removing a heavy burden from many parents. This law is said to have operated successfully elsewhere, and will no doubt be a success in New Hampshire. While we live in the midst of books, they are not accessible to the majority of our scholars. In the school building we have a fair number of reference books, bought by the District, some miscellaneous books, donated by the school, and a few purchased with money raised by the scholars themselves. The school naturally develops a love for reading, but it is a question whether this is not a positive curse, if the reading is to be limited to the cheap and vile trash which so easily falls into the hands of young people. Let a taste for good reading be formed at school and the dime novel will loose its charm. We would recommend that a small annual appropriation be made for enlarging our school library, we are sure it would be a wise expenditure."

Hanover Annual Report, 1891 (School library mentioned on p. 27)

Library highlights: "At the last school meeting the district voted $20 with which to make the beginning of a library for the use of the school. The project for the establishment of such a library met with the hearty approval of the citizens, and to the books purchased many have been added by gift, and more have been promised. Nearly fifty volumes are now in the library, and that it promises to be of great service is shown by the fact that within a week after the books were placed in the school, all but one had been taken out by the scholars for reading. The privilege of having good books easily accessible cannot fail of a beneficial effect upon the scholars and the homes to which the books are taken."

Hanover Annual Report, 1892 (School library mentioned on p. 25)

Library highlights: "The library has received a very large addition by the gift of the old Stockbridge library and other volumes of value. A new and much larger case has been provided. The master of the schools, who takes charge of the library, reports that it is widely used, with great satisfaction and benefit by the scholars."

Hanover Annual Report, 1893

Library highlights: "You are hereby notified to meet at the Hall of Charles W. Hayes, in said town, on the second Tuesday of March next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, to act upon the following subjects: #10, To see if the town will elect a board of library trustees and appropriate the money necessary to secure the gift of one hundred dollars worth of books from the State.

Hanover Annual Report, 1894

Library highlights: A few years ago we asked for an appropriation of twenty-five dollars to lay the foundation of a school library, and two similar appropriations have since been made. The library has been increased by the gifts of the Stockbridge Library and by gifts of books from various persons. We have at present twenty dollars on hand, a gift from the ladies of the Hanover Book Club. The books purchased have been chosen with great care and the library has fully met the expectations formed in regard to it." - from the Primary School update

Hanover Annual Report, 1895

Library highlights: "In order to make further progress we must have a small laboratory for the sciences and a library room. Is it wise to keep putting off what we know should be done?" - from the Report of the Town School Board

Hanover Annual Report, 1896

Library highlights: "The school library has proved as useful and helpful as heretofore, as an auxiliary to the works of the schools. The small amount voted for its maintenance and enlargement confess benefits which cannot be expressed in money value." - Board of Education of District No.

"To the inhabitants of the town of Hanover qualified to vote in town affairs. You are hereby notified to meet at the Hall of Charles W. Hayes, in said town, on the second Tuesday of March next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, to act upon the following subjects: To see if the town will vote to establish a public library, accept the provisions of Chapter 8, Sections 21-26 of the Public Statutes, in such manner as to be entitled to one hundred dollars worth of books from the state ; raise and appropriate a sum not less than fifty dollars annually for the support of the library, and otherwise comply with the provisions of said Chapter of the Public Statutes."

Hanover Annual Report, 1897

Library highlights: "To the inhabitants of the town of Hanover, qualified to vote in town affairs, you are hereby notified to meet in the Hall of C. W. Hayes in said town on the second Tuesday of March, next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, to act upon the following subjects: To see if the town will vote to establish a public library, accept the provisions of Chapter 8, Sections 21-26 of the Public Statutes, in such manner as to be entitled to one hundred dollars worth of books from the state ; raise and appropriate a sum not less than fifty dollars annually for the support of the library, and otherwise comply with the provisions of said Chapter of the Public Statutes."

Hanover Annual Report, 1898 (School library report on p. 34)

Library highlights: "In previous reports your attention has been called to the value and importance of a good library. The present actual value of our library is less than it has been, owing to the fact that for the last year at least very few additions have been made to it. The books which we now possess have been so thoroughly read and used that most of our present pupils have, in a measure, lost their interest in them. The importance of a good library is recognized and urged by all of our teachers and another appropriation by the district for this purpose and gifts of books from friends would be of great benefit. We wish to hereby acknowledge and express our appreciation of some such gifts recently received."

Statement: Due town free library 151.50

Hanover Annual Report, 1899 (Library report on pp. 32-33)

Library highlights: "On motion—Voted to elect three library trustees, one for one year, one for two years, one for three years, which was done as follows : Library trustee for one year, Charles F. Richardson ; for two 3 years, Asa W. Fellows; for three years, Horace F. Hoyt." - Abstract from Town Clerk's Record

Library Trustee report: "The Hanover Free Library was opened to the public Feb. 4, 1899. More than fifty people were present on the opening day and the library has since been well patronized. The books belonging to the Etna library were consolidated with the books furnished by the town and state, making a total of about 400 volumes, with Thomas W. Praddex as librarian. The state donation consisted of one hundred well-chosen volumes, of an aggregate net value of one hundred dollars ; about fifty volumes, including the latest and most useful cyclopaedia, were purchased from the town appropriation and Mr. Edward P. Storrs generously donated books to the amount of ten dollars, besides enabling the trustees to purchase other works on very advantageous terms."

Hanover Annual Report, 1900 (Library report on p. 35)

Library Trustee report: "We are happy to report continued interest in the success of the Library on the part of the Citizens of the town. The library has been well patronized during the year. One hundred and sixty-nine volumes have been added by purchase, and thirty-eight by donation from Charles F. Richardson, 17 vols. Mrs. Louise B. Davis, 16 vols. Prof. Robert Fletcher, 4 vols. E. H. Wright, 1 vol. A catalogue of the books has been made and is now in the hands of the printer, which will add greatly to the convenience of patrons. We very much need a more convenient room for the better accommodation of the library and the patrons, but at present no such room seems to be obtainable."

Hanover Annual Report, 1901 (Library report on p. 35)

Library Trustee report: "On an average there has been about eighty volumes in circulation. A catalogue of the books has been published and distributed and the interest in the library seems to be maintained."

Hanover Annual Report, 1902 (Library report on p. 33)

Hanover Annual Report, 1903 (Library report on page 34)

Library Trustee report: "There have been added to the library during the year one hundred and forty-seven volumes : one hundred and twenty-nine by purchase and eighteen by donation, of which seven were from the state, one from J. H. Hyde, one from C. F. Richardson, one from E. P. Storrs, two from A. W. Fellows, and six from the Howe library. The average circulation remains about the same as last year.

Hanover Annual Report, 1904 (Library report on pp. 35-36)

Library highlights: "The plan for the library building has been accepted by the trustees and materials are being purchased with the intention of having the building completed and ready by September 1, 1904." - Horace F. Hoyt, Library Treasurer

Hanover Annual Report, 1905 (Library report on p. 34)

Library highlights: " To the inhabitants of the Town of Hanover, in the County of Grafton, in said State, qualified to vote in Town affairs: To see if the town will vote to raise a sum not exceeding six hundred dollars (in addition to the present building fund) for the purpose of enabling the trustees of the Hanover Public Library to erect a brick library building.

Hanover Annual Report, 1906 (Library report on pp. 32-35; library building expense on pp. 37-41)

Library highlights: After the vote of the town to build with brick there was $2,100 available, with interest accrued. In such a case an architect's fee and a contractor's profit would have taken too large a share of the amount; hence the trustees themselves made the plans and bought the materials and superintended the work. The best materials were procured, the workmanship is first-class throughout, and it is believed that there will be little or no need of repairs for years to come. The underpinning, although it has a three-inch cut chamfer, was secured at the price of plain stone, as it was originally cut for a building elsewhere. The brick was from an extra good lot at the Lebanon yard, and was laid by very competent masons. Cement was used to strengthen the mortar. The roof is covered with slate and copper, materials the most durable to be had for the purpose. The plaster, made from lime putty which had seasoned several weeks, was hardened by admixture with cement. The interior is 25 ft. by 33 ft., in one room, finished in hazelwood throughout and varnished. This includes the window casings, the vestibule and door, the shelving which extends entirely around the room, and a panelled ceiling overhead.

The brick walls are double, 8 inch and 4 inch, with a 2 inch air space, 14 inches total; there is also the air space behind the plastering; so that the building should be exceptionally dry and easily warmed. This end is further secured by having the floor of the cellar covered with a thick coat of cement-mortar and the cellar walls well pointed. 3° The fine cut granite steps and abutments and the portico were made possible by the gift of Mr. Henry C. Whipple in memory of the late Mr. Dodge of this town.

The vault, added by special vote of the town, is entirely outside of the building itself, and is as fireproof as brick and cement-mortar can make it. This feature is very important as affording a safe depository for town records, and any other documents or valuables of small bulk, such as church and society records, etc., which the custodians may wish to place beyond the risk of loss by fire. The interior dimensions of the vault are 4x9x8 ft., with another space about 4x5x4 ft., over the basement stairway.

In the erection of the building acknowledgements are due to the following parties for the interest and goodwill manifested, as follows: To Mr. Hunter, Superintendent of Buildings, Dartmouth College, for allowing some of his help to come over at critical times, and for selling seasoned lime putty for the plastering; to Spencer Brothers of Lebanon for drafting the details of the finish; to Martin Merrill of Lebanon for prompt and personal attention to the delivery and placing of the stonework. In size the building is larger than was immediately needed for merely holding the books now in hand, and the shelf room is sufficient for an increase for some years to come. But it is believed that in these convenient quarters the library will have a more rapid growth, and that the room may be available at times as a reading room; also that here may be collected the portraits of some of the citizens now passed away, maps, documents and objects of historical interest, etc.

It is to be expected that there will be a growing interest of the whole town and patriotic home sentiment which will increasingly center about this library as the years go by. When the shelf-room now provided is outgrown, it will be possible to place bookcases so as to form alcoves on the north and south sides. The suitable furnishing of the building was not possible with the resources in hand; but loyal friends and citizens have generously stepped in and made such a substantial beginning that the building is already handsomely fitted for service. The donors and the gifts are specified beyond.

In connection with the planning and erection of the building the trustees had ten conferences altogether, in Hanover village, at the site, and at the shops in Lebanon. More than fifty other trips were made, involving a total travel of nearly 500 miles, by one or more members of the Board, to arrange for the work or to superintend it while in progress. One member freely gave the use of his team for this purpose; another prepared the plans and blueprints and made frequent visits; the local member closely supervised the work and gave much personal assistance day after day. For all of this there is no charge against the town. The Board thinks that the citizens should understand that only in this way —and in spite of the higher cost of materials, the difficulty of getting skilled labor when needed, the delays in receiving the woodwork, and other setbacks—has it been possible to turn over to the town at this time a commodious and thoroughly built structure at a cost far below what is usual for buildings of like size and quality."

Hanover Annual Report, 1907 (Library report on pp. 31-32)

Librarian report: "A good interest is still manifested and the number of books loaned is about the same or perhaps a few more than last year. The books that have been added this year comprise some of the best fiction, biographical and historical works, and also a fine selection of miscellaneous. In selecting much care has been taken to select good books that will interest all, and make the library as attractive and as pleasing as we can and at the same time keeping in view a higher and better class of educational reference and standard books." - T. W. PRADDEX, Librarian

Hanover Annual Report, 1908 (Library report on pp. 32-33)

Librarian report: "Your librarian is pleased to report that the library has had another useful and successful year. The number of books loaned is about the same as last vear, which goes to show that a good interest is still manifested in its use and in the principle of the educational value of a well selected and good collection of first-class books; and the people seem to appreciate the prize, and also of having so pleasant, commodious, and nicely furnished library room. There have been several portraits placed upon the walls, which not only adorn and help to make the room more homelike, but in the future years will be valued as old friends to the library and of the town." - Thomas W. Praddex, Librarian

Hanover Annual Report, 1909 (Library report on pp. 30-31)

Librarian report: "Your librarian in presenting his annual report of the condition and welfare of the library is pleased to state that the same interest is maintained as in the past years, and notwithstanding the population in this vicinity is not materially increasing in numbers, the number of books loaned still holds good, and is on the increase. We believe this is accounted for in the fact that the more the people of a community study and read, the more the tendency is to cultivate a taste and a liking for books. Therefore we are striving to place a good standard of historical, scientific, religious, agricultural, biographical, fiction, and all kinds of miscellaneous reading, that will help to improve, elevate, and benefit all who obtain reading from the library. The number of books in the library at this date number 1618 volumes. This does not include magazines, pamphlets, and the many kinds of reports that will accumulate in a library. There has been quite an amount of labor and expense laid out this year in grading the grounds, and in placing stone steps and concreting the walks to the approach of the library. This not only makes it more attractive and better walking, but is a substantial improvement." - Thomas W. Praddex, Librarian

Hanover Annual Report, 1910 (Library report on pp. 28-29)

Librarian report: "Your librarian in presenting his annual report of the welfare and standing of the library, would respectfully say the library has been well patronized the past year and the number of books in the library has been increased by placing several first-class standard works, and also by adding other reading and best reference books. The number of books in the library at this date number 1,704. This does not include magazines, pamphlets, and many reports that will accumulate in a library." - Thomas W. Praddex, Librarian

Hanover Annual Report, 1911 (Library report on pp. 27-28)

Librarian report: "Your Librarian in presenting the annual report of the condition and welfare of the Library is pleased to state that the same interest is maintained as in the past years. The number of books in the Library at this date is 1847 volumes. This does not include magazines, pamphlets, and the many kinds of reports that accumulate in a library." - Mrs. Nettie J. Praddex, Librarian

The death record of the first librarian of the Hanover Town Librarian, Thomas W. Praddex, is listed in this report. Mr. Praddex died on May 29, 1910, at the age of 72. His wife, Nettie Praddex, took over as Librarian after Thomas' death.

Hanover Annual Report, 1912 (Currently missing)

Hanover Annual Report, 1913 (Library report on pp. 26-27)

Librarian report: "Your Librarian, in presenting her annual report of the welfare and standing of the Library, would respectfully say the Library has been well patronized the past year. The number of books in the Library at this date number 2069. This does not include magazines, pamphlets, and many kinds of reports that accumulate in a library." - Mrs. Nettie J. Praddex, Librarian

Hanover Annual Report, 1914 (Library report on pp. 31-32)

Hanover Annual Report, 1915 (Library report on pp. 37-38)

Hanover Annual Report, 1916 (Currently missing)

Hanover Annual Report, 1917 (Library report on pp. 35-36)

Librarian: "Your librarian, in presenting the annual report, would respectfully say more volumes have been taken out each week the past year than the year before. The number of books in the Library at this date, 2,632. This does not include magazines or pamphlets and other reports that accumulate in a library." - Mrs. Nettie J. Praddex, Librarian

Hanover Annual Report, 1918 (Library report on pp. 32-33)

Hanover Annual Report, 1919 (Library report on p. 30)

Hanover Annual Report, 1920 (Library report on p. 34; 37)

Librarian report: "Town Librarian in presenting this report would respectfully say that the Library is gaining more and more borrowers every year. By having the Library open twice each week it gives the people a better opportunity for reading." - Mrs. Nettie J. Praddex, Librarian

Hanover Annual Report, 1921 (Library report on pp. 28; 32)

Hanover Annual Report, 1922 (Library report on pp. 31; 34)

Library highlights: "The following resolution introduced by Professor Charles F. Emerson was adopted by the meeting, viz : 'Resolved that the voters of Hanover in town meeting express by vote their sympathy to Horace F. Hoyt in his present illness, and consequent absence from his customary place on town meeting day, and also extend to him their hearty appreciation of his many services in town affairs so generously rendered in the past.'"

Hanover Annual Report, 1923 (Library report on pp. 31; 34)

Librarian report: "Books loaned since May 27 - 1,410; at the same rate, loans for the year would be about 2,100. Books in library at this time, 4,066. More of the young people and children seem to be interested in taking out books than ever before." - Mrs. Nettie J. Praddex, Librarian

Number of books loaned: 2,100

Hanover Annual Report, 1924 (Library report on pp. 41-43)

Library Trustee report: "During almost twenty years of use the building has needed very little repairing. A few slate which had fallen from the roof have been replaced recently. Repainting of the woodwork outside and revarnishing of the floor inside was done lately by one of the trustees in local residence. No bill has been presented for labor or material, and we are informed that there will be none. The fire-proof vault which was built originally for the safeguarding of town records, etc., has been fitted with proper shelving only during the past year under direction of the selectmen. Mr. Trumbell's bill for this, and for the repairs on the roof and restoration of the front walk, remains to be divided as to liability of the library trustees and of the town in adjusting the cost." - Robert Fletcher, Treasurer and Trustee

"The Trustees believe that it is necessary at this time to call the attention of the townspeople to the present status of the library, its history and need of more liberal support. It is well known to the older citizens that the building was made possible by the sale of the old town farm to the Hanover Water Works Co. The construction was carefully done under close supervision, giving a pleasing exterior and an interior which is conceded to be unusually attractive in appearance, and so well finished that there has been little or no deterioration in all the twenty years of its use. By careful management a fund of $500 for maintenance was reserved out of the proceeds of sale of the farm, and the same care on the part of Mr. Horace F. Hoyt, so long treasurer of the Board of Trustees, resulted in the gradual increase of this fund to about $700, so that this is now practically, although not necessarily, held by the town trustees as principal. In addition there is a fund of $100 given by the late D. T. Ross, the interest of which is available for purchase of books. Up to within a year ago the allowance available for the library, through the selectmen was about $220; but, under a new interpretation of the law, the apportionment was reduced to about $184, which is an abrupt reduction of about 14 per cent, or nearly one-seventh of an already inadequate amount for maintenance and purchase of books needed and demanded by the readers. It is self-evident that less than $250 (see treasurer's report) for operating this town library through an entire year is pitifully and ridiculously small, and constitutes a reproach upon the intelligence and interest of the people. It is true that the Howe library in Hanover village is available to all townspeople, but that is geographically in a corner of the town not conveniently accessible to a large part of the farming districts. Although all books that could be discarded have been removed from the shelves, these are now much overcrowded, and one or two new bookcases have been needed for more than a year. There is constantly an insistent call for more books, especially for those suitable for the young people. Selections are made only after advice from competent judges, or after scrutiny by one of the trustees." - Robert Fletcher, Irving P. Fitts, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Trustees

Number of books loaned: 2,194

Hanover Annual Report, 1925 (Library report on pp. 41-42)

Library highlights: "As noted in the report of 1924, the building, after twenty years of use, has needed only trifling repairs. One of the trustees residing nearby has personally looked after the matter. The only renovation now demanding attention, is the bulkhead door opening into the basement stairway. The new bookcase is an important addition to the equipment. Its capacity is about 700 books." - Robert Fletcher, Treasurer

Library Trustee report: "A year ago the trustees called the attention of their fellow townspeople to the need of a more liberal support, of their town library. On conference with the trustees of the town funds the ruling was made that the surplus above the principal of the library fund might as well be applied to the immediate needs of the library. What some of these needs were appears in the report above: a new bookcase, renewal of the fire insurance policy, repairs, care of buildings, etc. This surplus is now practically gone, and the income from all invested funds yields less than $50 per year. The entire allowance, by law, from the town is only $184.00 per year. No one will deny that an up-to-date library should have the best of the new books published, at least two or three leading periodicals (we now take the Literary Digest, The National Geographic Magazine and Hanover Gazette) and provide all reasonable facilities for readers. We have insistent calls for more books for the young people; and adults constantly inquire for the more noteworthy books before the public. We try to select the best. Deducting the amount of the temporary note, we expended last year about $460.00, and but little more than $100 was available. This is not giving our people the benefit which they should derive from their library in the way of entertainment and instruction. The trustees feel that the library should have more generous treatment." - Robert Fletcher, Irving P. Fitts, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Trustees

Hanover Annual Report, 1926 (Library report on pp. 44-46)

Library Trustee report: "The trustes have repeatedly called the attention of their fellow townspeople to the need of a more liberal support of the town library. It will be noted in the financial report that only about one-third of the money received was available for the purchase of books. There has been a more insistent call for more books for the young people, to which the trustees were unable to respond. We have a model building, unusually attractive as to its interior finish. In all the years since it was built the expense for repairs has been almost negligible; showing the value of the best of material and workmanship which went into it. Attention is called to the change made in the heating. At a meeting of the trustees in September, by a mistaken reading of the trustees' report on town funds, it was supposed that there would be money available for moving the stove to the basement and enclosing it in a sheet-iron casing, and thus secure in effect a pipeless furnace, for which a proper opening was made through the floor. This was done and it is believed to be desirable improvement. More room is secured in the library and the need of bringing fuel upstairs is avoided. When it appeared that there were no funds for this, the treasurer made a personal loan of $100 at the bank to cover the expense. The appropriation for the coming year should include this item to repay the loan." - Robert Fletcher, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Hanover Annual Report, 1927 (Library report on pp. 46-49)

Library Trustee report: "The Trustees feel called upon again to raise the question,—how much interest are our fellow townsmen taking in their library?—Let no one forget that the allowance receivable from State funds was fixed, about two years ago, at $184, and the income from funds in charge of the town trustee is shown in this year's report as $25.50, total $209.50 If that were all we might as well close the building,—for a glance at our report shows that the running expenses (omitting payment of last year's note) was about $195.00. At last town meeting the meager $209.50 was supplemented by an extra voted sum of $75.00, giving us a total of $325, plus interest from trust funds. The estimate for the ensuing year, submitted herewith, includes insurance, bills now due and running expenses, leaving only $140 for new books, periodicals and rebinding. Surely this is a very small sum to meet the demands, throughout an entire year,—which are constantly made for the best of the new publications.—We have been obliged to deny ourselves the purchase of some which would have been valuable additions to the library. It may be said that there is abundance of literature of the highest class in the library, and that some of it is too much neglected. Be that as it may, the trustees are not responsible for the preferences of the readers, and we respectfully submit that an allowance of $200 over and above funds allowed by law and the investments, is a modest request made in the interest of all concerned." - Robert Fletcher, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Hanover Annual Report, 1928 (Library report on pp. 43-46)

Library Trustee report: "The Trustees have to report that the library has been open regularly two afternoons each week throughout the year. The allowance voted by the Town has permitted the purchase of a few more books than during the preceding year, but the increase was not as much as expected because of more extensive work on the chimney than was anticipated. Some trouble had developed from the smoking of the chimney especially when the wind was from certain quarters,—due to the ridge of the roof being higher than the chimney-top. Therefore the chimney was extended upwards enough to gain better draft. This is the first repair job going beyond occasional small items, since the library was built, about twenty years ago. The insurance premium paid was a considerable part of the appropriation and its absence this year leaves a larger margin for books, which is no more than needed to meet the demands of the readers. However, the trustees have reduced the total estimate a little below that of last year. The trustees held one meeting, in the fall, to discuss ways and means to make the most of the resources at command. In the estimate presented it is assumed that the small extent of woodwork will need repainting and some of the interior woodwork revarnishing. Again our fellow citizens are reminded of the value of such a building so thoroughly built that it stands today almost if not quite as good as new." - Robert Fletcher, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Librarian report: "The Library has the Child's Magazine for the year, and the National Republic taken for the year. 1,628 books loaned the past year." - Mrs. Nettie J. Praddex, Librarian

Hanover Annual Report, 1929 (Library report on pp. 42-44)

Library Trustee report: "Books bought by the treasurer number about 132. By request of the teachers of the town schools and arrangement with the librarian, thirty books,—more or less,—were selected especially for use in prescribed courses of reading by pupils of the various grades. In general a considerable proportion of all the books purchased have been chosen in the interest of the young folks. In fact this proportion has been increasing during several preceding years. From the readers in general, whether older or younger, the demand for fiction prevails, rather than for the more instructive and matter-of fact quality of literature. The greater part of the mass of books now offered to,—indeed almost thrown at,—the public has so little worth as literature,—being not only trashy but often very much worse, that the task of sifting and choosing what is wholesome and self-improving is not easy. Right here the trustees have been favored by the advice and active cooperation of Miss Kingsland, librarian of the Howe library. Her experience and knowledge of books have afforded welcome aid in choosing that which is suitable, either for entertainment or instruction ; at the same time having regard to getting the most and the best from the limited funds which the voters allow us. A system of loans of books in small lots from the Howe library to readers in Hanover Center indicates what is possible as an extension of the facilities offered by said library for the benefit of more distant readers. Attention should be called to the periodicals received by the library. The Hanover Gazette, of course, has interest only week by week. The National Republic Monthly has been reported as merely placed on file. But its value should be recognized by both old and young as a medium of instruction in American History and Biography, a promoter of love of country, and as presenting the romance and hard facts in the development of these United States. Really it should be in every family, as a means of making better Americans. It is published in Washington, D. C, by those in close contact with the departments of our national government. St. Nicholas magazine and Child Life serve the young people especially. To these have been added lately the weekly Literary Digest, requested by the teachers as an aid to pupils in making reports on current events. Finally the American Nature Magazine, also published in Washington, a monthly which gives authoritative instruction and information for old and young about the world of Nature out of doors. This is made more to the purpose by a wealth of high class illustrations. After faithful service of nineteen years Mrs. Nettie J. Praddex retired as librarian. We may recall right here that the library building was completed in 1906 at a total cost of about $4,000. It was built from the proceeds of the sale of the town farm to the Hanover Water Works Co., for the sum of $4,500. The balance of about $500 was held as a fund for maintenance. Mr. Thos. W. Praddex served as librarian to and including 1910. Mrs. Praddex has been in charge until October, 1929. It is noteworthy that the construction of the building was so thoroughly done, under close supervision, that repairs have been quite negligible, probably within $100 altogether."- Robert Fletcher, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Upon Librarian Nettie Praddex's retirement, Trustee Etta F. Emerson is listed as Librarian in this year's town report.

Hanover Annual Report, 1930 (currently missing)

Hanover Annual Report, 1931 (Library report on pp. 39-42)

Library Trustee report: "The large balance of February, 1930 was due to the fact that bills of the preceding year had not been presented before the account was closed, as the treasurer was out of town, five weeks before town meeting. The balance to next account should always be enough to make payments during the interim before receipts from the taxes of the year are available. The periodicals subscribed for, for the current year, 1930-31 are: The National Geographic Magazine, Saint Nicholas, American Nature Magazine, Child Life, Literary Digest, American Magazine, National Republic and Hanover Gazette. It will be noted that the insurance for another term of three years had to be renewed. Attention is called to the bequest of the late Mrs. Ella Dewey Merrill of one hundred dollars to the library fund. This will increase the total of trust funds for benefit of the town library from $700 to $800, as will be seen by referring to another page. The trustees wish to acknowledge the co-operation and assistance of the librarian of the Howe library in perfecting the card catalogue of the town library and giving advice in the selection of books. This aid is particularly valuable because of the increasing difficulty of selecting wholesome, worthwhile books from the great mass of undesirable and even distinctly harmful books recently published. It will be noted that the children and grown-ups are about equally favored in the selection of magazines subscribed for. The aim has been to have the same policy in the choice of books. The librarian of the town library is always ready to receive suggestions concerning new books. However the readers should be aware that the quality of a good book cannot be judged by the title only. Some titles repel a right-minded reader at once. For others the reputation of the author is a fairly safe guarantee of good quality. The library has been increasingly used during the past three years both by general readers and the young people of the schools. An annual appropriation of $400, at least, is needed for regular service and contingencies. There should be a better appreciation of the older books on the shelves, both fiction and more serious and informing reading. Surely some of the old favorites of our fathers and mothers and of our own earlier years have not lost all of their interest. There were thrillers then as now. Why not look over the shelves occasionally before insisting upon having one of the most recent books." - Robert Fletcher, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Hanover Annual Report, 1932 (Library report on pp. 41-43)

Library Trustee report: "After twenty-five years of use with very little deterioration the library building received its first general re-varnishing and painting. The latter item related chiefly to the portico as there is but little other woodwork exposed outside. The interior finish, which has almost the fine quality of cabinet work, showed the need of renovation, especially around the window-casings where exposed to the hot sunshine of summer. The need for more adequate lighting through the afternoons of late autumn and the winter season, had become so great, that the trustees felt called upon to equip the building permanently with a system of electric lights. A light of sufficient power is set in each corner, and a central light over the center table and desk. The amount of current used incurs only the minimum charge of one dollar per month. This improvement makes it possible for visitors to linger in the library, even into twilight hours, and become better acquainted with the books. Again acknowledgment is due to the librarian and assistants of the Howe Library for advice in the selection of books and typing cards for the card catalogue. The clerical work of keeping the card catalogue up to date cannot be done for the town library in the time at command of the librarian. An increase in the appropriation is needed for perfecting the classification and arrangement of the books, so that the card catalogue will aid in quickly locating any book by title or author. While the amount spent for books is less than that spent in the previous year, the number bought (not far from 100) is hardly less, because many excellent books, written to hold the interest of both young people and their elders, are now available at moderate prices.—And right here must be mentioned the addition of a case of much needed double shelving to hold the increasing number of volumes properly arranged. Before that many had to be spread on window-seats or piled on top of the wall-cases. This occupies almost the last floor space available for book cases. The proposal to install a small oil-heating equipment similiar to some used in the kitchens of the village, was postponed in order to burn the firewood left over from last year. The advantage of the oil heat is that the building could be kept constantly at a moderate temperature of 50° to 60° during severe winter weather, and so avoid the extremes between penetrating "frost" and the slow process of heating the great room to be safely comfortable for the visitors and librarian during two afternoons in the week." - Robert Fletcher, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Books added by purchase: 116

Number of bound volumes in collection: 9,462

Number of books loaned: 3,002

Hanover Annual Report, 1933 (Library report on pp. 40-42)

Library Trustee report: "The proposal to adopt oil heating for the library was abandoned after a trial with the stove in use. The cost of new equipment would not be justified for the few hours per week that the library is open; and considerations of economy led the trustees to continue the use of fuel produced here in the town. The electric lights have contributed much to the attractiveness and convenience of the library during the winter months, and at a cost not exceeding seventy-five cents per month, under the adjusted rates, less than ten cents for each day in use. As heretofore, the library has had the benefit of advice and co-operation from the Howe library, in the selection of books, and offering facilities for extension service beyond the village precinct. Probably never before today was there a time when good books on so great a variety of subjects could be bought at small cost. Since the librarian's report was sent in purchases have been made which bring the total up to 119. By reference to the treasurer's report it will appear that the average cost per volume was but little more than $1.50. Adding the cost of the periodicals (which have many readers) the total expense for new reading matter is found to be quite one half of the total income at the disposal of the trustees. The periodicals taken are : —monthlies : American Magazine, National Geographic Magazine, Nature Magazine, National Republic, Child Life and Good Housekeeping; the weeklies: Literary Digest and Hanover Gazette. Additions to the books of reference include a large Atlas of American Historical Geography, a History of American Railroads with over 400 illustrations, and books of the character of cyclopedias, relating to developments of modern science and nature study. These should be useful to older pupils in the grammar and high schools, as well as to their elders." - Robert Fletcher, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Hanover Annual Report, 1934 (Library report on pp. 40-42)

Library Trustee report: "Some work has been done on the card catalogue during the year, but the entire usefulness of the library will not be realized until the card catalogue is quite complete and every new book has its card promptly entered. Only thus will it be possible to answer inquiry for any book and find the book without delay. The usual annual convention of librarians of the State was held last September in Littleton, and it was believed to be for the interest of our library to have the librarian attend. There is no doubt that these meetings of the librarians are helpful to all who participate. About 57 books have been added to the library, perhaps more than half fiction ; but a good number by religious teachers, and a fair proportion for the young people. Nine periodicals are now regularly received, including Hanover Gazette. It is a matter for satisfaction that strangers who have visited the library have expressed commendation for the wide range of subjects covered by the books; for the discriminating selection of authors ; and the sufficient variety in lines of literature,—fiction, biography, history, geography and books of reference. A modern writer has said: 'From the hour of the invention of printing, books, and not kings, were to rule the world. Weapons forged in the mind, keen-edged, and brighter than a sunbeam, were to supplant the sword and battle-axe.'" - Robert Fletcher, Mrs. E. F. Emerson, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Hanover Annual Report, 1935 (Library report on pp. 40-41)

Library Trustee report: "In June 1934, Prof. Robert Fletcher resigned his position as a member of the Trustee Board. Your present chairman and treasurer was appointed by the Selectmen to fill out his unexpired term of office. A word of appreciation should be spoken for the devoted interest and splendid service rendered by Prof. Fletcher on behalf of the Town Library. His name appears on the written contract for the building of the Library, which goes back to 1905. During these long years he has served faithfully and in a capacity which has helped to make the Library what it now is. Many books were added during his term of office and the variety and selection was such, that a wide scope of reading material on many subjects may be found on the shelves. Thirty-seven (since- June, 1934) new books have been added. Gifts of books are gratefully acknowledged from Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Prescott and Mr. and Mrs. Harley Camp. The books purchased have been nearly equally divided as fiction and non-fiction in classification. Most of the children's and young people's books have been purchased directly from the Junior Literary Guild of America. Ten magazines are received monthly ; The Hanover Gazette is received weekly. Our property is in good repair. Some few minor repairs may be necessary in the near future. The annual cleaning has been done, including the varnishing of the floors and large table. The Library is well patronized and seems to be thoroughly appreciated in the community. It has been said that, 'a good book is a good friend.' If this be true, then there are many good friends in our Library for the residents of Etna." - Rev. L. Morse Merrit, Mrs. Etta F. Emerson, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Number of bound volumes in collection: 9,743

Number of books loaned: 3,320

Hanover Annual Report, 1936 (Library report on pp. 38-40)

Library Trustee report: The past year has been one of change and activity in our library work and program. The position of Librarian was made vacant on September 25, 1935 by the death of Mrs. Frank G. Emerson who had served in that capacity since 1929. We have also lost two other loyal friends in the library in the deaths of Professor Robert Fletcher, trustee since the origin of the library in 1905 until his resignation in 1934; and also Mrs. Nettie J. Praddex, librarian from 1910 to 1929. We are deeply indebted to these three, for all their devoted interest in the work of our library. They have left us a sacred trust; may we be faithful to that trust. On October 8, 1935, Miss Kathrina Spencer of Etna, N. H., was appointed to fill the vacant position of librarian. Mrs. L. M. Merritt was appointed as the assistant librarian. The vacancy on the Trustee Board has remained unfilled, awaiting action by the voters at the annual Town Meeting. On October 18, 1935, Miss Dorothy Annable, Secretary of the Public Library Commission at Concord, paid us a visit and sat in on a meeting with the trustees and our newly appointed librarian. Her counsel and suggestions on various matters were valuable and deeply appreciated. Miss Pratt, Field Worker of the Public Library Commission, spent parts of three days with Miss Spencer late in October, assisting her in sorting and re-arranging the books in their proper classification on the shelves. Miss Spencer and Mrs. Merritt continued with this work during the Fall. There is more to be done before this task is completed. Miss Pratt also gave our librarian much help and instruction in the more modern and practical methods of library administration. A new card system for circulating the books has been introduced. This has greatly added to the efficiency of the library as well as for the convenience of the borrowers. Miss Spencer gave some time and thought to the observance of Book Week in November. This was especially helpful to the school children. The largest number of books circulated on any one library day was one hundred and five. The average for each library day through the year was thirty-six. The magazines are popular with the reading public and always in demand. We hope to add some others in the coming year. The Hanover Gazette is received weekly. Some new equipment has been added. A new nine drawer card catalogue has been purchased to replace the four drawer one which we have outgrown. The gift of an interior bulletin board, made and installed by Mr. Harley Camp is deeply appreciated. Our property is in good repair; the annual cleaning, and varnishing of the floor and large table was done in June. An experiment has been in progress for the past few months. That is, having the library open one night a week. This has never been done before, but had been requested by some, so it seemed advisable to give it a try. Thus, the privileges of the library have been made available to a group of residents who are away all day and found it impossible to ever spend any time in the library. The results have been gratifying, and it seems advisable to continue with this plan, on Wednesday evenings from seven to eight-thirty o'clock. The library is well patronized and seems to be appreciated in the community." - Rev. L. Morse Merrit, Adna L. Camp, Trustees

Number of books loaned: 2,491

Hanover Annual Report, 1937 (Library report on pp. 38-40)

Library Trustee report: "We are glad to report a year of growth and progress in our library work for Etna. In June the District Meeting of Neighborhood Librarians was held in our library with an attendance of 35. The program started with dinner served at noon in the church vestry by the Ladies' Aid. Following the dinner hour, the meeting opened at the Library when greetings were extended to the guests by our Librarian, Miss Spencer. The guest speakers of the afternoon were Prof. Stearns Morse of Dartmouth College and Miss Grace Blanchard of Concord, N. H. Their messages were interesting and helpful to all. The meeting closed with a period of open discussion on library problems and administration. Mr. T. P. Bailey of Maiden, Mass., representing Gaylord Bros, of Syracuse, N. Y., paid us a very profitable visit, and conducted a book craft demonstration meeting. His practical information and instructions in the care and mending of worn books, was very helpful and most welcome. Some of the High School Girls have assisted Miss Spencer in repair work, using the methods taught by Mr. Bailey. Sixty-five books have been added by purchase. The World Book Encyclopedia has been purchased and we feel that this set of books make a fine and up to date addition to our reference division. Two magazines ("Fact Digest" and "Popular Science") have been added to our subscription list. In September, Miss Spencer attended the N. H. Librarian's Association annual meeting which was held at New London, N. H. The Trustees gratefully acknowledge a legacy left to the library by the late Irving P. Fitts. Mr. Fitts was a public spirited citizen and was keenly interested in our library. His kindness in remembering our work is deeply appreciated. The Trustees wish to commend Miss Spencer for her faithful performance as Librarian. We also express our thanks to any who have given books to the Library." - Rev. L. Morse Merrit, Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Trustees

Number of bound volumes: 3,800

Number of books loaned: 3,716; Number of magazines loaned: 610

Hanover Annual Report, 1938 (Library report on pp. 28-31)

Library Trustee report: "The work and program of our library has been carried on in the usual way during the past year. The library was open (Wednesday and Saturday afternoons 2-5; Wednesday evenings 7-8:30) on ninety-nine library days, making a total of approximately four hundred and fifty hours. During this period two thousand eight hundred and eighty nine books were borrowed, as well as many magazines and other periodicals. The largest circulation for a single day was eighty-six books; the smallest number being one book on a very stormy day in December. The average circulation for each library day was twenty-nine books. January saw the largest number of books loaned in one month; the month of August showed the smallest number of books loaned in a single month. During the year thirty-five books came from the State Library at Concord, which were loaned sixty times to nineteen people. These books have been on various technical subjects and have provided helpful and interesting supplementary reading. We have added a good selection of new books, and have tried to divide the number for adult and juvenile readers. Fiction continues to be in the greatest demand. However, some non-fiction books of value and importance have been purchased. These have become a valuable part of our reference division. A number of gift books have been received, coming directly from the publishers, with the compliments of the authors. Some industrial descriptive booklets have also been received, which prove interesting and especially helpful to the school children who seek information along these lines. We have added 'World Horizons,' a new magazine for young people, to our subscription list. This is proving to be a very popular addition to our magazine section. Miss Spencer has encouraged the children to do definite reading projects, and has given rewards to a number who have successfully completed this work. These rewards have been framed pictures, which have presented interesting studies in animal life. Miss Spencer attended the district Librarian's meeting held at Lyme last Spring. These meetings, which are held at stated intervals, prove very helpful in the exchange of ideas concerning library administration. Miss Pratt, from the Public Library Commission at Concord, paid us an official visit in July. She reported favorably on the work and organization of our library. She gave valuable assistance to Miss Spencer in helping to classify and re-number some of the books after the Dewey Decimal System. Her interest and help is greatly appreciated by our librarian and trustees alike. Our property is in good repair and has not necessitated any expenditure of money. We do need a new stove as the one now in use has served its purpose, and become much the worse from its years of service. This is a matter which must be taken care of before another winter. The trustees appreciate the interest and effort which Miss Spencer puts into her work as librarian. Her care and thought in many matters, make our library of a larger service to the community. We also wish to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to some who have given books to the library during the past year. The library is well patronized and meets a real need in our community. We would like to invite and encourage any of the community who are not borrowers, to make use of what we have for their enjoyment and culture." - Rev. L. Morse Merrit, Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Trustees

Loans - magazines: 471, adult books: 1,758, juvenile books: 1,131

Hanover Annual Report, 1939 (Library report on pp. 32-34)

Library Trustee report: "The library has been open on one hundred library days during the past year. There has been an encouraging increase in the general circulation. The average for a single library days was an output of thirty eight books. On one day there were more than one hundred books loaned. A total of three thousand five hundred and thirty-two books were borrowed. This number includes the adult and juvenile books circulated. Apparently, folks read more for recreation than education, as fiction continues to be in more demand. A selection of the better and more popular non-fiction books have been purchased. The reading public will be glad to know that books on any subject, which are not in our library, are procurable through the State Library and Public Library Commission at Concord. Miss Spencer is always glad to get your requests for this special service. More than one hundred books have been received and circulated through these two agencies during the past year. Some books have been given to the library. The trustees take this opportunity to say "Thank you" to those who have contributed. Our magazine subscription list has been changed some. "World Horizons"has not been renewed, as it has failed to be in demand. "Newsweek" has been substituted for "Time." Some issues of "Time" were very objectionable, because of the extensive liquor advertising. Miss Spencer attended the annual Fall meeting of the District Librarians held at Enfield in October. Miss Pratt from the Public Library Commission has visited our library. Her suggestions and help are always appreciated. The assistant librarian has been working with Miss Spencer in continuing with the work of re-numbering, classifying and cataloging the books. This is somewhat of a task, but will make a very fine improvement in our library in every way. The trustees have requested the Finance Committee to include a sum of money in the annual budget as a special appropriation for the purchase of a new stove. This new heater is badly needed. This is the first time since the library was built in 1905 that the town has been asked to spend money for heating equipment. The one in use was given by interested friends and was second hand at that time. The regular work of varnishing the floors and cleaning has been done, which keeps the interior of our building looking well. The library and librarian are here to serve you and help you. It is your privilege to take advantage of this service. Library hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2-5 P.M. except on holidays. Wednesday evenings, 7-8:30 o'clock." - Rev. L. Morse Merrit, Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Trustees

Number of volumes in collection: 4,173

Loans - magazines: 439, adult books: 1928, juvenile books: 1473, State Library books: 69, Public Library Commission books: 62

Hanover Annual Report, 1940 (Library report on pp. 29-31)

Library Trustee report: "The work of the Hanover Town Library has been carried on in the usual manner during the past year. The library has been open on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, and also Wednesday evenings. The book circulation was about the same as last year. Ninety-six books were purchased and fifty-one books given, some by individuals and some were complimentary copies from the publishers. The Trustees take this opportunity to express their appreciation to those who have given books to the library. Outstanding among our book purchases, were a set of adventure and travel books for the Juvenile section. We have also added a Funk and Wagnalls Standard Unabridged Dictionary, which was very much needed. An effort has been made to divide the book purchases between fiction and nonfiction. However, fiction continues to circulate best. We continue to use the privileges of the State Library and the Public Library Commission at Concord. Miss Spencer will be glad to secure books on any special subject from these sources. Two new magazines have been added to the subscription list; "Jack and Jill" a children's magazine and "Open Road For Boys." The Trustees held several meetings and discussed the question of a new stove for the library. After several communications with the Finance Committee, a plan was worked out, where-by the much needed stove was bought and installed. This has been a splendid addition to our equipment and is proving satisfactory. Miss Spencer has done considerable work on the card catalogue and classification of books. Collecting book fines is one of our great problems. Some children who felt they couldn't pay their fines, have worked them out, under the supervision of the librarian. The librarian trys to consider the circumstances about the fines, but if all are to be treated fairly, it is absolutely necessary to enforce the book fine rule. We would urge a better spirit of co-operation with regard to the fine problem. Careful attention to the "due date" stamped in each book taken out, would do much to help along this line. The fine money is used for new books. Miss Spencer co-operates with the requirements of the Public Library Commission in trying to make the library more efficient to the community. She has recently received her Librarian's Certificate from the Commission. This is your library and it is here to serve you. The Trustees will welcome constructive criticism with regard to serving Etna better. Library hours: Wednesday and Saturday, 2 to 5 P.M. with the exception of holidays; Wednesday evenings, 7 to 8:30 o'clock." - Rev. L. Morse Merrit, Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Trustees

Loans - magazines: 501, adult books: 2181, juvenile books: 1252, State Library books: 117, Public Library Commission books: 75

Hanover Annual Report, 1941 (Library report on pp. 31-33)

Library Trustee report: "The Hanover Town Library has been open on ninety-seven days during the past year. There has been a total book circulation of three thousand, six hundred and thirty-one, or an average of thirty-seven books each library day. Outstanding among our book purchases has been "My Book House," a set of twelve children's books. The treasurer has tried to buy a good selection of the better non-fiction books with the fiction group. We have added two new magazines to our subscription list: "Hobbies" and "The Country Gentleman." The big thing accomplished in our library work this past year has been the cataloguing. This is a big job and is not yet quite all done. The assistant librarian has been working on this. No more work can he done until funds are made available from the budget for the coming year. The librarian, assistant librarian, and one member of the trustees attended the district library meeting held at Lebanon last Fall. The Bookmobile from the N. H. Public Library Commission has paid us several visits. We appreciate this service, which makes possible the circulation of books not allowed for purchase from our funds. We also continue to use the services of the State Library for supplemental books. Twenty-five books have been given to the library this past year. We take this opportunity to express our appreciation for these gifts. The librarian and trustees are anxious to serve the community in regard to their reading needs. We solicit your suggestions for better library service." - Rev. L. Morse Merrit, Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Trustees

Loans - magazines: 689, adult books: 2234, juvenile books: 1397, State Library books: 162, Public Library Commission books: 167

Hanover Annual Report, 1942 (Library report on pp. 31-33)

Library Trustee report: "The Hanover Town Library has been open one hundred days during the year beginning February 1, 1941, and ending January 31, 1 942. The total number of books loaned is smaller this year. Some of our borrowers have gone to camp and others are too busy for their usual leisure reading. The Bookmobile visits the Village School now and this reduces our circulation of juveniles. The treasurer has selected new books which are worthwhile because of their interest and bearing upon topics of the day and which will be of permanent value to the library. A set of up-to-date and most readable nature books has been added. Our big job of cataloging is nearly complete. Subject cards for the non-fiction volumes are yet to be added. The librarian attended the district meeting at Hanover during the Fall. She was much pleased to find that a good number of the books recommended for small libraries were on our shelves. The Bookmobile has visited us several times and books are still being borrowed from the State Library. Reference to the Librarian's report shows how popular this feature is. Miss Pratt from the Public Library Commission has visited the library and has given the librarian much needed assistance. A closing paragraph from last year's report: "The librarian and trustees are anxious to serve the community in its reading needs. We solicit your suggestions for better library service." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Trustees

Loans - magazines: 510, adult books: 1651, juvenile books: 838, State Library books: 139, Public Library Commission books: 357

Hanover Annual Report, 1943 (Library report on pp. 33-34)

Library Trustee report: "The library has been open the usual number of days during the year. The number of adult books loaned is not as large as usual but the juvenile circulation shows no diminution. The new books that have been purchased are circulating well. A set of collective biographies is proving to be quite popular with our young teen-age borrowers. Two innovations have been introduced: the library is now being used Thursdays for making surgical dressings. This brings the meeting place nearer the center of the village, a help in these days of gas and tire shortage. The second is the registering of borrowers. This custom is followed in many libraries and the librarian began this work at the beginning of the library year, February first. The trustees and the librarian will welcome any suggestions that will make the library of greater use to the public." - Rev. L. Morse Merrit, Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Trustees

Volumes in library: 4,100

Loans - magazines: 629, adult books: 1741, juvenile books: 1157, State Library books: 48, Public Library Commission books: 281

Hanover Annual Report, 1944 (Library report on pp. 32-34)

Library Trustee report: "The Hanover Town Library has been open ninety-seven days this year. The number of books loaned has been slightly smaller this year. This fact is not surprising when we realize the extra amount of work everyone is called upon to do in these days of war. The library is still being used every Thursday for the work on Red Cross surgical dressings. Miss Pratt from the Public Library Commission met with the trustees and librarian early in the year and gave advice and many helpful suggestions concerning the administration of the library and the selection of books. The number of new books purchased this year has been less due in part to the advance in price of books. It has been the endeavor of the trustees to purchase adult fiction and non-fiction books which are of particular interest at this time and also of value to the library for future use. Two aims of the trustees for the coming year: Chief of which is to enlarge the number of books needed for the use of grade and high school age readers. The second is to purchase adult fiction and non-fiction which will be of greater instructive and recreational value to all adult borrowers. Any suggestions and help in this work will be very welcome." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Martha T. Fuller, Trustees

Loans - magazines: 586, adult books: 1292, juvenile books: 974, State Library/PLC/Bookmobile books: 341

Hanover Annual Report, 1945 (Library report on pp. 52-53)

Library Trustee report: "The library has been open all the regular days during 1945. We have been continuing the program of increasing the number of our school-age books which we planned in 1944. Among these are volumes of picturesque Tale of Progress and a new World Atlas. The outside of the building has been painted and glass replaced in several windows. There has been nothing done to the inside of the building for several years. It is badly in need of a thorough cleaning and reflnishing. The floor is in very bad shape and should be sanded, refinished and waxed. We hope that this can be done during the year 1946." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Martha T. Fuller, Trustees

Loans - magazines: 735, adult books: 1,318, juvenile books: 1,009, State Library books: 29, Bookmobile books: 208

Hanover Annual Report, 1946 (Library report on pp. 41-42)

Library Trustee report: "The Library has been open all the regular days this year. The output of juvenile books has been considerably increased. Among the new books purchased this year is a large Funk and Wagnall's dictionary which we have needed for some time. Three volumes of travel for juveniles have been added. The repairs on the building have not been as extensive as we had hoped. Lack of labor was the main reason for this. The interior walls and the entrance have been painted. The steps and walk need repairing badly. We hope this year to get the ceiling cleaned and the floor refinished." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Martha T. Fuller, Trustees

Librarian report: "The card catalogue is in the process of revision. The juvenile books have been classified according to the Dewey Decimal System. The library has received some valuable gifts. Mrs. E. M. Hopkins of Hanover gave four bound volumes of the Youth's Companion. Mr. W. L. Webber of Newton, Mass., gave us some choice volumes which are an addition to our reference department. The librarian visited the upper grades in our village school during Book Week, showed books and told stories. Every book was borrowed and the children came to the library for more." - Kathrina Emerson Spencer, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 871, adult books: 1,312, juvenile books: 1,123, State Library & Bookmobile books: 612

Hanover Annual Report, 1947 (Library report on pp. 38-40)

Library highlights: "The Trustees of the Howe Library have requested the town to include a separate article in the Warrant to raise and appropriate $4,000 for the Howe Library. The citizens of Hanover have enjoyed the unique facilities and services of the Howe Library for almost half a century without any cost to themselves. The Library has operated with a deficit during the past two years and the estimated deficit for 1948 is $4,000. This is due to the reduced income from endowment and the constantly increasing costs of many items in the Library budget. If this expenditure is not approved, the services of the Library will have to be curtailed. The Committee believes the voters should make the decision, although it approves the appropriation. If the article relative to the Howe Library is voted at town meeting, the tentative town rate given elsewhere in this report will be increased by six cents." [First mention of the Howe Library in a Town Report].

Library Trustee report: "There seems to have been a slight decrease in the number of books loaned this year. This may be due to the smaller number of new books purchased. It was necessary to buy less in view of the fact that a big repair job on the floor was anticipated. The floor was thoroughly sanded and refinished with cero-seal which we hope will withstand hard usage and be waterproof. The librarians' pay was increased to compare with the amount paid librarians in libraries of the same size. At a recent meeting of the trustees and librarians, it was voted that the library be closed Wednesday evenings. After a careful study they found that only a few used the library Wednesday evenings, and it was possible for those few to come during the afternoon. We are very grateful to those who have so kindly given us so many books this year." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Martha T. Fuller, Trustees

Librarian report: "During the year several books were borrowed from the State Library. Some of these were books on special topics and were borrowed by request. From the Regional Library at Littleton (Bookmobile) 268 books have enriched our circulation. Our library has received some valuable gifts. Our old Encyclopedia Brittanica (1872) has been replaced by a much newer edition in twenty-four volumes, the gift of Mrs. Hawes of Hanover. With this came a fine hardwood table which is much used in our young folk's department. Professor and Mrs. Donald Stone of Hanover gave us a twenty volume set of the Book of Knowledge and eleven volumes of Thornton Burgess's animal stories. The last are extremely popular with our children. Other givers- have presented some fine books for adults. Dr. Gile and one or two others have remembered us with books. All the books in the library which are on the Junior and Senior High School reading lists are properly arranged in one corner where our young folks find them readily accessible. Through the summer vacation the village children came to the library Wednesday afternoons for a story hour." - Kathrina Emerson Spencer, Librarian

88 books purchased

Volumes in library: 4,550

Loans: 1,961 books

Hanover Annual Report, 1948 (Library report on pp. 40-42)

Library Trustee report: "We are glad to note a slight increase in the number of books loaned during this year. The purchase of a new set of American Educator books to replace our out-dated World Book increases our reference material. We appreciate the increased interest and fine cooperation from the local school teachers and pupils and hope we may be able to be of greater service to them in the coming year. The insurance on the library has been reviewed this year and in- creased to cover the present valuation of the building and contents. Certain repairs are needed and we hope to complete them during the coming year." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Martha T. Fuller, Trustees

Librarian report: "During the year the Bookmobile has visited us four times, bringing 260 books, which 75 borrowers have read 574 times. Later in the school year the Cowboy Club of Etna was launched, a summer reading club for young folk. A credit was given for each book read and a written report was submitted. The Club disbanded December 15, when diplomas were given to Rosalind Syvertsen and Glen Hart for having completed the required work. About twelve boys and girls read from three to eighteen books each. A friend of the library who wished to remain anonymous has enriched our collection by fifty books, among them a valuable set of Bible Commentaries and twenty-four volumes of biography." - Kathrina Emerson Spencer, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 605, adult books: 909, juvenile books: 1,096, Bookmobile books: 574

Hanover Annual Report, 1949 (Library report on pp. 35-36)

Library Highlights: "To meet the total proposed expenditures, therefore, the amount to be raised by the Town property tax is $40,154.00 or $2,122.47 more than was raised by taxes in 1949. Although this is not an inconsequential increase, it should be noted that one of the factors that made possible an increase of only $2,122.47 was the unexpectedly good financial showing of the Howe Library. There are elements in that fortunate showing, however, that are not recurring, and it is evident that the requests of the Library to the Town in years to come will again be for $4,000 rather than the $2,000 that appears in the budget this year. The Finance Committee, then, recommends this budget of the Town and commends the officials for their careful conduct of the Town's financial affairs." - Finance Committee

Library Trustee report: "A comparison of the Librarian's report for 1948 with the one for 1949 shows a decrease in the number of books circulated. Miss Spencer attributes this to the fact that the Bookmobile has discontinued its service. However, the decrease in circulation seems to be in the juvenile department. We have been trying to build up this section of our library and are sorry to note this fact. Possibly the fact that the fifth and sixth grade school children are being transported to the Hanover school may account in part for this decrease. It is our aim to give the best possible service to the community and we would welcome any suggestions from teachers and friends as to how we may increase our service. New walks have replaced the old ones and the steps have been repaired. We need more shelf room and hope to purchase one new stack this year." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Martha T. Fuller, Trustees

Librarian report: "The library has been open ninety-nine days. The librarian acknowledges gratefully the recent gifts of books. About 150 volumes have been received from several friends. One donor gave us a complete set of Samuel L. Clemens' (Mark Twain's) works, thirty-seven volumes, a valuable addition. These books cover a wide range of subjects. Many fine books for the younger readers have been added. The books are in circulation but not all have been catalogued. The Bookmobile no longer brings adult reading, which explains the drop in circulation. The young folk have a reading club, The Eager Beavers. Credits are given and the number of books read by individual members is posted daily in the library. On February 23 the library celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Twenty-one guests were present. Light refreshments were served. The Howe Library Corporation sent flowers. On June 1 the library gave the young folk an anniversary party with fifty-seven guests. Refreshments were served by two junior hostesses." - Kathrina Emerson Spencer, Librarian

New books purchased: 93

Loans - magazines: 583, adult books: 1,092, juvenile books: 764

Hanover Annual Report, 1950 (Library report on pp.)

Library Trustee report: "The Trustees find, in comparing records of previous years, that the number of books circulated during 1950 decreased. Eighty-six books have been purchased. We have had several books donated, as well as five dollars ($5.00) from a friend in Hanover. We wish to thank all of these donors, and let them know how much their interest and gifts mean to us. Miss Haslett, and her staff from Howe Library, have been very helpful. She spent one library day getting acquainted. It was a very cold, stormy day, and Miss Spencer was ill. There were few visitors, because of the weather. However, she did have a chance to get acquainted with the building and books. She has helped select many of the new books in the absence of Miss Spencer. We are very grateful for her help, and would like to return some of this kindness to the friends of Hanover. There may be books on our shelves which are not in Howe Library, or which are in such demand that another copy might be welcome. Please feel free to call on us any time and borrow. This is Hanover Town Library, not just Etna Library. We have needed no repairs this year, but a problem will soon confront us. Our heater is in very bad condition, and has proved inadequate to heat the building. There are two possible solutions either purchase a different type of heater, or keep the building heated continually, not just Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Continuous heat would be the better solution, since the building is high posted, and requires much heat." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Martha T. Fuller, Trustees

Librarian report: "The library has been open ninety-six days, from January 4, 1950, through December 27, 1950. The circulation has not been as large this year. Some of our best borrowers have left town. More of our children are being transported to school in Hanover. The village school is borrowing heavily from the Bookmobile and Howe Library. All these factors explain the drop. The Bookmobile has visited us regularly, and now brings adult non-fiction. Eighty-three books have been borrowed from it and the State Library, which have been loaned one hundred and twelve times, to thirty-four different people. Miss Pratt, assistant state librarian, has visited our library once. She came to examine the law books in our vault. She also discarded some of our out-of-date adult non-fiction. Owing to ill health, the librarian has been absent since October 1st. The assistant, Mrs. Pearl Gray, has served in her place." - Librarian report

Loans - magazines: 538, adult books: 1,153, juvenile books: 623, Bookmobile books: 112

Hanover Annual Report, 1951 (Library report on pp. 42-43)

Library Trustee report: "A comparison of the year 1951 with 1950 shows a slight increase in circulation. There seems to be a greater interest in non-fiction books. Eighty-nine new books have been purchased and two new magazines have been added. Mrs. Stimson of the Howe Library staff took over the duties of librarian when Miss Spencer was absent because of illness. We wish to thank her and the Howe Library for their willingness to help us in times of need. You will notice that there is a balance in the fuel allotment. We were fortunate in having enough coal left from last year's supply so that it was not necessary to buy any this year. There have been no repairs this year, and we foresee none for the coming year, except the possibility of some new heating arrangement. As we indicated in our report last year, we are faced with the problem of doing something in regard to a better heating system. We think we can get along this winter by keeping more continuous heat. However, we feel that some solution must be found before another winter." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Martha T. Fuller, Trustees

Librarian report: "The Town library has been open ninety-eight days. As the statistical report shows, adult fiction leads in the number of books circulated. On library afternoons, during the summer, the librarian has read to the small patrons. A few pages read from an interesting book usually ends in some youngsters asking, "May I take that book?" The librarian has her problems. Her major one is how to interest more people in the library resources. We have a good library with hundreds of interesting and instructive books for all ages, from pre-school tots up to their grandparents. Non-fiction from the state library is available at no cost to the patrons. Another smaller problem is the collection of delinquent fines. A future project is furnishing vocational guidance for our young folk. To that end, the librarian is collecting a list of our teen-agers and their preferences to use as a basis for selecting proper books." - Kathrina Emerson Spencer, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 595, adult books: 1,092, juvenile books: 649

Hanover Annual Report, 1952 (Library report on pp. 44-46)

Library Trustee report: "It is encouraging to be able to report that the circulation of books and magazines has increased 10% over that of last year. We reported in 1950 and 1951 that the problem of heating the Library would soon arise. Since then, we have been studying the problem. Last winter the grates of the heater were in bad shape, but we managed to have them repaired so that we might get through the winter. It required a lot of time by the janitor to keep the fire going at all. This Fall we purchased a heater for $20.00 which we hoped would get us through this winter. This arrangement is not proving satisfactory. The building is not warm enough, although Mr. Camp spends most of the day stoking the fire. The books in the stacks in the rear of the room are really too cold to handle. We have coal enough for the winter, but feel that some change must be made. We have consulted two dealers in heating equipment who have given us a figure of $750, which will cover the expense of purchasing and installing an oil burning furnace. This amount covers the furnace with thermostat, at least one cold air and three hot air registers, a tank for oil, and all other expense connected with the furnace and installation. They felt that $20.00 a month is a fair estimate for operating with oil. We have put the amount of $140 in the budget for fuel. This may prove to be too big a figure, but we have no exact amount to submit at this time." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Trustees

Librarian report: "The Town library has been open ninety-six days. As the statistical report shows, adult fiction leads in the number of books circulated. The trustees have bought sixty-nine new volumes during the year, with adult non-fiction predominating. This includes a nineteen volume set on child guidance, five being manuals of patterns for handicraft work, and general suggestions for the use of the books. Invitations were mailed to all the mothers within the library's range to come in and examine the books and borrow them. A few mothers have come in. Many books have come to our library, gifts of friends who are interested. We are grateful, indeed, for these. One valuable gift has been a recent complete set of the children's encyclopedia, "The Book of Knowledge." - Kathrina Emerson Spencer, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 809, adult books: 904, juvenile books: 579

Hanover Annual Report, 1953 (Library report on pp. 44-46)

Library Trustee report: "An oil burning furnace was installed in the library last spring by S. W. Farnham Co., and has proved a great convenience and comfort. The floor of the library was varnished and waxed in October. Repairs were made on the roof, where slates were broken, in November. Now, new roofing is needed over the front vestibule. Kathrina Spencer, who has been our librarian since October 8, 1935, has found it necessary to resign from her position. She has served over this time with great interest and devotion." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Trustees

Librarian report: "From January 3, 1953, through December 26, 1953, the Town library has been open ninety-three days. The bookmobile has visited the library four times. Two hundred nine books have been loaned three hundred twenty-nine times to fifty-seven patrons, of whom thirty-four were juveniles. When Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fuller changed their residence to another town, Mrs. Fuller could serve no longer as a member of the board of trustees. Mrs. Fuller was always an efficient and interested trustee. At the March Town meeting, Mrs. S. J. Stebbins was elected to fill the vacancy. The other trustees immediately chose her as chairman of the board. Mrs. Stebbins is doing much to improve our library. The new heating system is the greatest improvement since electric lights were installed. Friends of the library have been most generous with gifts of books. These have greatly enriched our library. Thanks are extended to these thoughtful friends: Mr. and Mrs. Millet Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler Berry, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Stebbins, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Keene, Mr. W. H. Moore Miss Hurlbutt of the Howe Library, Miss Effa Johnston also to Professor Eric Kelly and Mr. Armstrong Sperry for autographed copies of their books. In September Mr. Maurer, regional librarian from Keene, helped Mrs. Stebbins and the librarian discard many out-of-date books." - Kathrina Emerson Spencer, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 664, adult books: 915, juvenile books: 597

Hanover Annual Report, 1954 (Library report on pp. 42-43)

Library Trustee report: "Mrs. Corliss Greenwood has served competently as librarian since the resignation of Kathrina Spencer last January. The library has run in much the same manner this year—well used by a few, but not exactly over-crowded. The walls and ceiling were scrubbed last Spring to remove a long accumulation of coal dust. This brightens the room. The new oil-burning furnace is a pleasure to all concerned. A large number of the adult book loans seem to be recent novels, mystery stories, or Western stories which go out only a few times. For this reason it has seemed wise to supply most of these through the Bookmobile which comes from Concord every other month with a large selection of books to borrow. We have been fortunate to have been given many books. Second-hand, and even pocket books have been purchased for adult reading. Children's books go out more often and have harder wear. More emphasis is being made on building up a good collection of permanent books in this corner. Painting and repairs around the front vestibule will be necessary this year. Also, it is hoped to provide a box for returning books when the library is not open." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Trustees

"From January 2, 1954 through December 29, 1954, the Town Library has been open one hundred and two days. Eight hundred and ninety-eight adult books and six hundred and thirty-six juvenile books were loaned. This is an increase over the preceding year. The Bookmobile has visited six times. Two hundred and sixty books were borrowed and went out to our readers two hundred and seventy-two times. There have been some changes made during the year. We now have a children's corner which was much needed. All the books in the library have been rearranged for more convenience to borrowers. A good number of books and victrola records have been added through purchase and by gifts from friends and from the Howe Library. Grateful thanks are extended for these gifts." - Edith Greenwood, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 518, adult books: 898, juvenile books: 636, bookmobile books: 272

Hanover Annual Report, 1955 (Library report on pp. 51-52)

Library Trustee report: "This year the appearance of the library has been brightened by the painting of the outdoor trim, pillars and the front door. There is now a box near the entrance where books may be returned when the library is not open. The roof of the vestibule has been repaired and is now in good condition. The Bookmobile continues to be a great help in adding variety to the choice of books. We have had many second-hand books given to us and have purchased second-hand books as well as new ones. There seem to be no major jobs ahead for next year. The floors should be waxed, the furnace should be cleaned, and a step should be put in from the bank to the road." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Trustees

Librarian report: From January 1, 1955 through December 31, 1955, the Town Library at Etna has been open one hundred and five days. Seven hundred and fifty-six adult books, four hundred and eleven juvenile books, and three hundred and seventy-two periodicals have been loaned. This shows a sharp decrease over the previous year, due, I believe, to the increase in Television sets. The Bookmobile visited five times. Two hundred and ten books were borrowed and loaned to our readers one hundred and eighty-eight times. A goodly number of books have been given to our library this past year by the Howe Library and friends. We gratefully thank these donors." - Edith Greenwood, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 372, adult books: 756, juvenile books: 396, bookmobile books: 188

Hanover Annual Report, 1956 (Library report on pp. 49-50)

Library Trustee report: "This year, even more than others, we have relied largely on the visits of the Bookmobile for new reading material rather than purchasing many new books. This seems a happy solution for a small library with only a few regular borrowers. A new granite step-up from the road to the library bank was installed in the Fall by Trumbull-Nelson and makes the approach to the library much easier. This coming year the library will be open only on Saturday afternoons. As there have been but few visitors on Wednesdays it does not seem that this will be too great an inconvenience, and it will save money for heat and services." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Trustees

Librarian report: "From January 2, 1956 to December 29, 1956, the Town Library has been open one hundred and four days. Three hundred and twenty-three adult books and four hundred and twelve juvenile books were loaned. The Bookmobile has visited six times. One hundred and eighty-eight books were borrowed from the Bookmobile. One hundred and twenty-nine of these were loaned to our readers. Some new books have been purchased. A goodly number of books were given by friends in Hanover and Etna; also by the Howe Library. Our grateful thanks to these donors." - Edith Greenwood, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 257, adult books: 323, juvenile books: 412, bookmobile books: 129

Report of the School Board: "We are to have a good library room in the new building. A well equipped and a well run school library can make a tremendous contribution to the whole school program. Our present library is practically useless, not only because it has to be used as a study hall, but also because the books in it are few in number and for the most part obsolete and of little value to a modern school program. I sincerely hope that in the future we may have an excellent collection of books and a full time librarian to administer the very worth while contribution that a library can make."

Hanover Annual Report, 1957 (Library report on pp. 48-49)

Library Trustee report: "Even more than before the Trustees have felt this year a wide difference between the enthusiastic and ambitious beginnings of the library as the "Etna Library and Debating Society" from these hurried days. The Bookmobile and the State Library still seem to be the most sensible way to acquire books for such a small number of borrowers. We hope to do more this year in trying to find specific books wanted before the Bookmobile comes and making more use of the State Library. There were a few story hours on Saturday morning with Mrs. Amos Hoyt. We hope to do more of this sort of activity this coming year. We regret that Mrs. Corliss Greenwood has resigned as librarian. She has worked faithfully and with interest in this position since the resignation of Katherina Spencer. She has another job at the hospital and feels she cannot continue with both. We feel most fortunate to find an able successor, Mrs. Richard Abbott, of Rudsboro Road, who will take over the duties in a few weeks." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Trustees

Librarian report: "From January 1 through December 31, 1957, the Town Library has been open 52 days. The Bookmobile was here five times. Seventy-one (71) adult books and ninety-nine (99) teenage and juvenile books were borrowed from the Bookmobile. Quite a number of books have been given to the library. Some books have been purchased by our trustees. We want to thank the people who have been so generous with gifts of books. They are: Mrs. Howard Randall, Margaret Day, Mrs. Schuyler Berry, and Howe Library. As can be seen by the following statistics our young people have been our best borrowers." - Edith Greenwood, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 163, adult books: 263, juvenile books: 323, bookmobile books: 170

Hanover Annual Report, 1958 (Library report on pp. 55-56)

Library Trustee report: "We are very happy to see the interest and good attendance at the regular Saturday afternoon story hours this year and very grateful to all those who have given their time and talents to make them successful. For anyone who still uses a 78 RPM record player, we have a very complete and exciting selection of recordings to borrow gifts from friends. The big tree in front of the library building will have to be removed this spring because it has become old and dangerous." - Adna L. Camp, Helene H. Poland, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Trustees

Librarian report: "This year we have borrowed 349 books from the bookmobile. We received gifts of records from friends in Hanover; one included 5 1 albums. We were given two large donations of books. We were guests of the local radio station and as a direct result, we received several games and some people offered to take charge of a story hour. We averaged ten at these gatherings. We covered such fields as Australia, The World's Fair and other interesting places. We studied these foreign places with records, movies and speakers. We have a record player and two easy chairs that were given this year. We had base plugs installed to allow us to show movies." - Elizabeth G. Abbott, Librarian

Loans - magazines: 115, total books: 1,100

Hanover Annual Report, 1959 (Library report on pp. 47-48)

Library Trustee report: "The affairs of the library have gone along this year with very little change. The tree which was to have been removed is still standing and it is our hope that it can be taken down soon. Again we have relied mainly on the Bookmobile and gifts from friends to enlarge our selection of books."

Loans - magazines: 194, total books: 1,313

Hanover Annual Report, 1960 (Library report on pp. 54-55)

Library Trustee report: "In the fall of 1960 Mrs. Richard Abbott resigned as librarian to accept a full-time job. In October Faith Stanley, a senior at Hanover High School, replaced her. In October Miss Stanley and two of the trustees attended a meeting in Piermont sponsored by the State Library on books for "teen-aged" people. The tree in front of the library has finally been removed —a relief to many who worried about its condition. Dr. Harry C. Storrs bought, refinished and donated to the library three tables which improve the appearance and comfort. In recognition of this year observing the bi-centennial of the chartering of Hanover it is hoped to hold meetings at the library to discuss some aspects of local history. The first of these was led by Mrs. Artemas Packard on some of the older houses of Hanover Center and Etna. It is planned to paint the walls a bright new color in the spring." - Adna L. Camp, Jean H. Storrs, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Trustees

School library, Superintendent's report: "The library, as expected, is becoming more and more the heart of the school. It is getting ever increased use from the students and the teachers. We are getting some very valuable volumes and these have been utilized by our students for needed research. As yet, however, the library falls far short of standards for a school of our size. I hope that we can accelerate the improvement of the library and in particular as to the number of volumes until it does come closer to meeting these standards. One function of the library that is very important is in connection with educational periodicals that are circulated to the teachers. This is doing much to alert the teachers to interesting curriculum development and improvement."

Loans - magazines: 215, total books: 1,377

Hanover Annual Report, 1961 (Library report on pp. 63-64)

Library Trustee report: "Once again we have changed librarians. And, once again, we have gone to the High School to find a student for the position. Faith Stanley resigned in September because she was going away to school. Marilyn Thompson, a junior at Hanover High School, has taken her place. The library is open three hours weekly, Saturday afternoon. The Bookmobile with excellent and wide choice of books, has been our main source of new reading material. Again, we are grateful to members of the community for gifts. We are hoping to have a session this spring to weed out more books which are not being used. Adna Camp has felt he must give up the position of janitor because of ill health. Mr. Camp has served the library faithfully as trustee since 1925 and janitor for the past 12 years. His helpfulness and interest will be very much missed." - Adna L. Camp, Jean H. Storrs, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Trustees

Summary of Expenditures with Budget Comparisons: Etna Library Budget: $790; Howe Library Budget: $6,000.

Loans - magazines: 134, total books: 1,189

Hanover Annual Report, 1962 (Library report on pp. 66-67)

Library highlights: Mrs. Phoebe Stebbins read the following resolution [at Town Meeting]: Adna L. Camp has been a trustee of the Hanover Town Library from 1925 until this year when he has resigned because of poor health. His guidance and interest in the Library over this long period of years have been most valuable. And not only has he served as trustee but he has tended the building's physical needs as its janitor for the past twelve years. Mr. Camp's kindly assistance will surely be missed. At this time we would offer the thanks of the town for his services and ask that this be included in the record.

Library Trustee report: "There has been little change at the Hanover Town Library this year. Faith Stanley replaced Marilyn Thompson as librarian in July and August. During the summer months the library was opened for two hours on Wednesday evenings as well as two hours Saturday afternoons. There was enough interest that the practice has continued. We are most grateful to Myron Trumbull for work done in the fall replacing slate on the roof. Wondering whether there might be some way of making the library and the building more effective, a letter was sent in October to residents of Etna and Hanover Center. They were asked whether they are satisfied with the library as it is, whether the annual appropriation from the town might better be spent to strengthen the school and Howe libraries, whether the expense of improving the library with trained librarian and good reference books could be justified, and whether there were other ways in which the building could be used. To the 140 letters twenty-nine answers were received. Nine of these indicated a strong desire for the library to continue as it is or that money be spent for improvement. "With Baker Library there is not much use of Howe . . . money should be spent out here so we don't lose everything." "The only town library, keep it up to date." "Even though we use Howe library facilities, we would miss having a library in our own community to use." "Etna and Hanover Center children cannot get to Howe." "Older people probably would not go elsewhere." Nineteen of the replies expressed the feeling that the present books and future appropriations would best be used to supplement the school libraries and Howe Library with the building used for other community purposes, such as 4-H, scouts or Historical Society headquarters. Suggestions were made that a weekly or twice weekly bus service to Howe might be arranged. Or that a group such as the senior Girl Scouts might bring books from Howe to the more elderly borrowers. Unwritten opinions expressed were in about the same ratio to the written answers. There is no water in the building which would perhaps limit its use for community groups, Trumbull Hall seems better suited. The Historical Society is discussing the use they might make of it if it were ever to be available. Another alternative which seems very attractive to the trustees is that it might become a branch of the Howe Library, sharing books and the help of an experienced librarian. We realize that it might be too much of an added burden at the present time." - Jean H. Storrs, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Elyse Tuxbury, Trustees

Etna Library Loans - magazines: 105, total books: 701

Hanover Annual Report, 1963 (Library report on p. 75)

Finance Committee Report: "Howe Library—This item has been included in the Town budget since 1948. In 1963 it amounted to $6,500. This year the Library is asking for $10,000 to cover increased salary expense and additional personnel. It is understood that the Selectmen were prepared to include $7,500 for the Library in their 1964 budget. This amount was acceptable to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee does not, however, recommend that the additional $2,500 be included at this time. Rather, because the amount requested from the Town is up better than 50% the Finance Committee feels that this may be the time to take stock; specifically, it recommends that the Library consider its financial needs for the years ahead, review the possible sources of revenue, and if it seems likely that it is going to be calling on the Town for a third or more of its budget, perhaps even consider what its relationship to the Town might be."

School Library, Superintendent's report: "The importance of having a good elementary school library cannot be overemphasized. I hope that it will not be too long before the elementary school will have a library room. Through the help of the Friends of the Hanover Schools and the regular budget, forward strides have been made during 1963-64. I again quote from Miss Ray's report. "Elementary School Library "Since my last report, the Friends of the Hanover Schools have contributed $1,000.00 in addition to the original $500.00 for the elementary school library. "From this money two metal book trucks have been purchased and are in use, stocked with the new books from the Friends of the Hanover Schools' funds and other books suitable for the library that we had on hand, as well as some gift books. "The enthusiasm with which these books has been received has necessitated the purchase of two additional book trucks to accommodate a second order of library books. Even so, there are not enough books for the children to use as freely as we would like. Gift books are greatly appreciated. "This year the all-purpose room has been used as a class- room for Mrs. Richmond's section of sixth grade. This room is also the library headquarters. Mrs. Richmond and her class have processed all of the books. The whole class worked on this in the fall as part of a library unit. This included getting the books ready for circulation. A card catalog was also started by making out a card for each book. These go to a typist who is paid from the funds provided by the Friends of the Hanover Schools. "The book wagons have to be brought back to the library headquarters periodically, so that cards may be checked and new books added. Volunteers from Mrs. Richmond's class and four senior Girl Scouts have carried on this work during recess periods and after school under Mrs. Richmond's supervision. "The entire staff and student body have used and enjoyed these books. They deeply appreciate the impetus given for this project by the Friends of the Hanover Schools. This enthusiasm and full use confirms our previous judgment that there is an urgent need for a central library."

Library Trustee report: "Mrs. Arnold Abbas has been the librarian since September when her sister, Marilyn Thompson, resigned the position to go away to school. The use of the library has been increasing somewhat—both by old friends and new families. There has been enough interest in having it open for two hours on Wednesday evening to seem to justify continuing this." - Jean H. Storrs, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Elyse Tuxbury, Trustees

Summary of Expenditures with Budget Comparisons: Etna Library Budget: $715; Howe Library Budget: $6,500.

Etna Library New books added: 14

Loans - total books: 1,148

Hanover Annual Report, 1964 (Library report on p. 72)

Finance Committee Report: "The Howe Library has asked for a further increase in support which if approved will bring the Town's share of a $29,086 library budget to $8,200. Included in the Library budget for the first time is a plan to provide Blue Cross, Blue Shield, major medical and pension benefits. While the Finance Committee approves the increase, it is concerned about possible overlapping of services as between the Howe Library and the Grade School and High School Libraries and understands that steps are being taken to avoid unnecessary duplication."

Library Trustee Report: "The operation of the library in Etna continues as it has in previous years. It seems to be used enough to justify keeping it open the extra two hours on Wednesday evenings. The magazines circulate well. Few books have been bought as the Bookmobile has brought new books periodically. But a need is felt for an up-to-date encyclopedia for school children. The building appears to be in good condition. Perhaps some new window shades would brighten the aspect." - Jean H. Storrs, Phoebe S. Stebbins, Julius S. Mason, Trustees

1964 Budget: Etna Library $790; Howe Library $7,500

Etna Library New Books added: 4

Etna Library Loans - total books: 1,752

Hanover Annual Report, 1965 (Library report on pp. 74-75)

Library Trustee Report: "The library in Etna continues to be effective in serving young and old in and around the village. The sum of $127.30 was spent in acquiring a new set of World Book Encyclopedia to replace an outdated set. The use of this set by the school children in the area seems to justify the expense. The death of "Aunt" Pat Spencer, former librarian and teacher in the community, brought the sum of $82.00 to the library. This money was given by friends in lieu of flowers, and was designated as a fund for children's books. Part of this sum has already been used to buy some attractive and popular books. The sum of $1000.00 was a bequest to the Etna Library, to be used as an endowment fund. The interest from this sum is to be used for general purposes. From this same estate, the gifts of a sampler, worsted flowers, a small print picture and a flax wheel are now enhancing the interior. At the meeting of the trustees in May, we reviewed our budget and discussed the general welfare of the library with our librarian, Mrs. Monas Abbas. The library is kept open four hours a week; from 3 to 5 on Wednesday afternoons and from 2 to 4 on Saturday afternoons. A number of current fiction books were given to the library by friends around the community. With their bright new jackets, the new encyclopedia and the new children's books, the atmosphere is definitely livelier inside the library. Mrs. Abbas has a lively interest in the library, makes good selections from the Bookmobile and performs many little "extras" around the library as she sees fit. In the December meeting, the trustees agreed that we should affiliate with the New Hampshire State Library Development Program." - Jean H. Storrs, Elise M. Wendlandt, Trustees

Note in report that Trustee Julius S. Mason had passed away.

School library, Superintendent report: The only new position in this system during the current academic year has been that of teacher-librarian. Mrs. Frances C. Richmond, who has been a sixth grade teacher in our system for several years and who has had substantial preparation in the field of library science, was appointed to the Elementary School librarianship. She has done some excellent work in this program, particularly in organizing the library, cataloguing the books, and programing an instructional program for grades K-6 in library usage and training; she has also set up an ad- ministrative organization for processing and ordering books as well as using lay people in the community who have been of tremendous assistance to us as library aides.

Superintendent report (continued): The Library.—The most significant single improvement in the elementary program during the year has been the provision for a library room (one of the few elementary school libraries in New Hampshire) and the staffing of the library by a full time teacher-librarian. In January of 1965 the Hanover Elementary School Library consisted of about 700 books placed on book trucks, labeled "Grades 4-6" and "Kindergarten-Grade 3." These traveled from one room to another. Books were returned to Room 7, the library headquarters, where the teacher and sixth grade helpers took care of the books and the records. Four high school Girl Scouts each spent several hours a week keeping the books in order and assisting in cataloguing. The doors of our new library opened on September 9 with an inventory of 960 books. These were housed in four large bookcases and a reference book shelf on loan from Dartmouth College.

Many community groups have contributed time and financial resources to aid the development of the Library, in- cluding the Friends of the Hanover Schools, the P.T.A., the Hanover Conservation Council, the Girl Scouts, and several parents who have volunteered their services. This assistance, together with the amount of money for library books in the school budget, has made it possible for us to have, at this writing, a collection of nearly 1,500 volumes. From the very beginning, volunteers have given countless hours. The fact that the library could be opened the first week of school and new books made available so quickly was due to the devoted effort of three volunteers. Since October, a volunteer staff of twelve mothers has been set up to help during school hours each day. Their aid is indispensible to free the librarian for teaching, story-telling, book selection, committee work, and coordinating with classroom teachers. They also assist with the time-consuming but necessary mechanics of running the library. In addition to this staff of mothers, we also have a staff of nine senior Girl Scouts who spend two hours a week after school, helping with library routines, typing, and arranging exhibits. In order to allow maximum use of the library by all the children, a schedule has been set up so that each reading group in grades 4-6 is assigned a half-hour library period a week. This time is used in various ways. By prearrangement, there may be book talks or stories by the librarian. Otherwise, the children come to the library as an entire class, in small groups, or even singly to exchange books, to browse through books and magazines, or to use some of the library reference materials. There is a similar schedule for grades 2-3 during the afternoons. Ill With grades 2-3 there is not only story-telling, but some teaching of library skills. For instance, during the latter part of the year the use of the card catalogue will be started with Grade 3. The first grades come once a week for a story hour and to choose books to take back to their rooms. When the teachers feel the children are ready, these first graders will also spend a part of their assigned time choosing books for individual reading. The kindergarten groups come to the library every other week for a story hour. We are teaching reference and library skills to the upper grades (4-6) through their language classes. One sixth grade group and one fourth grade group have each been through this unit. The sixth grade instruction included the use of the Howe Library as well as our own school library. The library is open every day from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. No attempt is made to count the numbers of children who use the library during their free time. Many children make the library a stopping place in the morning before school begins and some visit regularly after classes are over in the afternoon. A few statistics from the month of October might be of value to show how the library is used. During these four weeks the teacher-librarian taught library skills or told stories or gave book talks to 1810 students during 40 hours assigned as class time. The total circulation was 2117 volumes (of which 772 were non-fiction) . Our aims for the students are first of all that they may find warmth and friendliness in the library; next, that they may thrill to the discovery of good books; and finally, that they will think of the library first when they need answers to unsolved questions or when research on any topic is indicated. With increased independent reading, skill and enjoyment of reading should increase. By learning to use the library as another reference tool, the students should increase their ability to choose and to evaluate sources of information. Student pride in their library and pleasure in using it has had its beginning in the elementary school this year. Hopefully, this pride and pleasure will continue as lifelong habits. We now have an increased awareness of the value of a library- centered school. I feel this has been a significant advance in the upgrading of our elementary program and I wish to commend the School Board and the community for their farsighted- ness in making this program a reality.

Etna Library Loans - total books: 1,779

Hanover Annual Report, 1966

Library Trustee Report: "The Hanover Town Library continues to serve the Etna community and according to the librarian, had a record number of visitors during the summer of 1966. It seemed that many of these visitors were summer people in the area. At a meeting of the Trustees in December of 1965, we voted to become members of the New Hampshire State Library Development Program and as a member of this group we were informed, late in December of 1966, that we were eligible to receive a basic grant of $100.00 toward the purchase of "Basic Reference Books" for our Library. These books had to be ordered before January 1, 1967, so during a very busy season, the trustees and librarian selected books which would make a significant contribution to our library in various areas." - Jean H. Storrs, Elise M. Wendlandt, Alice B. Hayes, Trustees

School library, Superintendent report: "It is hard to measure the use of a school library in terms of circulation figures alone, since the program includes so much more than the process of borrowing books. The total circulation for the school year 1965-1966 was 17,456 books and more than two thirds of the books borrowed were non-fiction. A large percentage of the reading is in the field of "curriculum related" materials. With the new school year we are seeing a steady increase in circulation and a much wiser choice of books on the part of the children—second and third grade children especially. This year our staff is made up of one professional librarian and a clerical assistant who works six hours a week. So again, it is the volunteer staff that makes the library pro- gram possible. Thirteen volunteer mothers are giving many hours to the elementary school library. Without their help our program would break down and we could only circulate books. Four high school Girl Scouts have been able to continue their program of library assistance. Approximately twelve sixth graders help in the library before school, during the noon recess, and after school one night a week. We are grateful for the continued support of these people."

Superintendent report (continued): "Hanover has once again been the pacesetter in New Hampshire. In 1965, we were the first elementary school in the State with a full-time teacher librarian. There are now four full time and several part-time elementary school librarians. It is my feeling that the elementary school library is the very nerve center of the elementary school. I am very pleased with the development thus far of our library program and hope that it will continue to evolve as the hub of our elementary school instructional program."

Etna Library Loans - total books: 1,648

Hanover Annual Report, 1967

From Report Overview: The Hanover Town Library added many new volumes to the collection and particularly improved the Children's Section. New books with bright, colorful jackets have replaced many old and battered volumes. The Bookmobile provides any type of literature requested by the library patron. Future plans include further reference book acquisitions and the purchase of additional comfortable furniture.

Expenditures: Proposed expenditures for the Etna Library increase $650. This includes a $130 increase in personal services, a $270 increase in operating expenses and an additional $250 for capital outlay to permit the upgrading of furnishings. In 1968 the Howe Library has requested a contribution of $8,400. In 1967 the contribution by the Town for the operation of Howe Library was $1,600. The Town has been contributing the difference between Howe Library's expected revenue from all other revenue sources and total projected expenditures. Total projected Town expenditures for library service will increase from $2,600 to $10,050, an increase of $7,450.

Hanover Annual Report, 1968

Library Trustee report: The addition of drapes adds greatly to the appearance and comfort of the library. Future plans include additional furniture to complete the reading room facilities. Yearly State aid increases the number of reference volumes. In compliance with the Statewide Library Development Pro- gram, the library will be open two additional hours each week. The Bookmobile keeps our readers supplied with not only the current fiction and non-fiction volumes, but also special information on individual interests.

Hanover Annual Report, 1969

Library Trustee report: The library now is open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for two hours each day. With added assistance from the bookmobile and new magazine subscriptions, interesting resources are available for all age groups. New furniture has added to the comfort and attractiveness of the reading room.

The Howe Library request increases from $6,500 to $13,000 as a result of higher service costs and the necessity to remodel certain non-library areas of the building.

Hanover Annual Report, 1970

Library Trustee report: The Hanover Town Library Trustees have been very fortunate in acquiring the services of Mrs. Mary Hamblett as new Librarian. Mrs. Abbas who faithfully served for several years accepted a new position. In 1970 some of the oldest editions of children's books have been replaced and some new books added to the children's corner. Also a magazine display rack has been purchased for easier access and more attractive display of the magazines. A story hour for preschoolers in the area is being planned for 1971.

Expenditures: Etna Library: $2,261; Howe Library $13,000

Hanover Annual Report, 1971

Library Trustee report: During 1971, the library added many new volumes to its collection. In addition, the State bookmobile continues to keep readers, children and adults alike, supplied with current fiction and non-fiction volumes. The very successful summer reading program ended with a film and refreshment party. The library is proud of the new portrait of "Aunt" Pat Spencer, teacher and former librarian for Hanover Town Library of many years.

The Etna Library budget increases slightly. The budget for the Howe Library increases substantially in 1972. In this coming year the Board of Selectmen and the Trustees of the Howe Library will meet to discuss operation and long range planning needs of the library.

Hanover Annual Report, 1972

Finance Committee report: The Committee has closely followed the deliberations for the future of the Howe Library. We are unanimous in recommending increased financial support for this excellent institution. At the same time, we urge the Trustees and the Selectmen to create a long range plan for the eventual transfer of the Howe from private to public status.

Howe Library Board of Trustee report: In 1900, the Howe Library was given to the people of Hanover as a "free" library by Emily Howe Hitchcock. She also provided the library with an endowment with which to pay for books and services. As one of Hanover's two public libraries, it has served all the citizens of the town, young and old. For the first 48 years, through wise investment, additional gifts, and with rentals from the apartments above the library, the Trustees of the library had been able to provide the public with library services without any financial assistance from the Town. Since 1948, the Library has asked for small amounts from the people, to help balance its budget. For almost fifty years, however, the people of Hanover were fortunate to have free library service. Why are the Trustees, then, asking for substantially more assistance? The population growth of Hanover has been reflected in increasing demands for books and services. Both population and book circulation have tripled since 1920 (the year of the last expansion of the library). The income from the Trust funds and other sources has not been able to keep up with the resultant increase in operational expenses, if the library is to continue to meet the growing annual demands for book services, it must have substantially greater financial support from the town, if it is to deal with the problem of serious overcrowding, it must be able to plan ahead. Therefore, the Board of Trustees has requested that an article be placed on the warrant to see if the town will assume the responsibility for the Howe Library operating budget. It is the intention of the Board that the income saved will be set aside to accrue to a fund for the future expansion of the library.

Etna Library Trustee report: The library in Etna continues to effectively serve children and adults of the community as well as a number of summer residents. The library is now open 8 hours a week to satisfy State Library Association requirements. The popular summer reading program ended with a refreshment and film party for the children. The library has a large variety of magazines available for loan. The bookmobile, rotating books every three months, provides an excellent selection of good reading material.

The budget for the Town library increased slightly in 1973 to comply with the State requirements for longer service hours. The appropriation, for the Howe Library will permit a full service schedule to be reinstituted with the library again being open on Thursday mornings and Saturday afternoons. The library service hours were reduced in 1972. In recent months, the Howe Library Board has discussed expansion or replacement of the existing building. One possibility is the assumption of the total operating budget of the Howe Library by the Town thereby permitting the initiation of a building program with Howe Library endowment funds.

Hanover Annual Report, 1973

Report Summary, item #16: Investigate the feasibility of a single public library system combining Howe Library, the Town Library and all school library facilities.

Howe Library Trustee report: Providing service 62 hours a week to 5,002 registered borrowers, the Howe Library is a busy center of recreational and informational activity for children, young people and adults. The library staff circulated a total of 95,145 books and other library materials in 1973, in addition to providing reference service, reading guidance, topical exhibits and a warm welcome for those who came to "just sit" and read or study. For those people whose needs could not be met by the library's own resources, 512 items were borrowed from other libraries. During the year, 1962 books and 77 recordings were added to the library's shelves. Many of these were gifts or memorials, for which the library is most grateful. The book collection at the end of the year numbered 29,150 and the record collection 925. The library regularly receives 10 newspapers and 115 widely assorted magazines. In addition to the more conventional library materials, Howe Library is now able, through federal funding, to offer a small collection of audio-visual materials and to provide the equipment necessary to use them. Slide projectors, slide viewers, filmstrip viewers and cassette players may be borrowed for home use. Crowded conditions and lack of a multi-purpose room continue to limit the library's ability to provide special programs for the community. However, story hours, films and other special programs were offered for the youngest children and were, as always, very well attended. Staff members look forward to the day when, with enlarged facilities, they will be able to offer similar programs for senior citizens, special interest groups and the general public. The library continues to search for a solution to its need for larger quarters. In the Spring of 1973 the president of the Library Board of Trustees appointed a special site search committee, made up of members of the Howe Library Corporation and trustees. During the summer this committee held informal meetings to discuss alternatives. No final decision has been made, but the committee hopes soon to arrive at the solution which will best serve the needs of the community.

Etna Library Trustee report: There was a very successful reading program during the summer, highlighted by a party at the close of the program. Awards were given to children who read the most books. The librarian has also acquired films on loan from the State Library and has had showings on school vacation days at Trumbull Hall for the young children in the mornings and for the teen-agers during the afternoon. The library has recently received a large shipment of new children's books.

Funding is provided for the operations of both the Town library in Etna and the Howe Library. Salaries for the Howe Library personnel were increased more than the average adjustment because a survey indicated that the library salaries were not keeping pace with similar positions in the area. In the years immediately ahead it probably will be necessary to grant additional increases until comparable levels are reached. The increases in operating expenses result primarily from inflationary pressures.

Article Twelve: On motion of Donald Hawthorne, duly seconded, the Town voted unanimously, after a short discussion, to appropriate an additional sum of $34,390 for the operation of Howe Library. This sum added to the $21,805 already budgeted by the Town for Howe Library, will cover its total operating budget.

Etna Library budget: $2,889; Howe Library budget: $56,195

Hanover Annual Report, 1974

Report of the Selectmen: The breaking-of-ground ceremonies this year for the Housing Project for the Elderly and the new Howe Library symbolized the Town's concern for the special needs of its citizens and a desire to assume a significant portion of the costs for these continuing programs.

Howe Library Trustee report: That Hanover is a library-minded community was confirmed again in 1974 by the increased usage of the Howe Library and by the overwhelming mandate at a Special Town Meeting to appropriate funds for construction of the new library buildings. A total of 5,464 adults and young people used the library this year including 288 families who paid an annual non-resident user fee. The library staff circulated a total of 99,121 books and other materials and continued to provide the community with reference service, individual reading guidance, special reading lists, exhibits, programs and story hours. More books were borrowed on interlibrary loans this year as a result of new policies adopted by the Dartmouth Libraries. During the year 2,138 books were added to the library's collection bringing the total book stock to 30,574 volumes. In the way of audiovisual materials, the library now has 1,023 recordings, 89 casette tapes, 33 filmstrips, 13 slide sets and 19 pieces of equipment. These are listed in the catalogs at the Hanover Schools and are available to anyone in the community. A new service initiated this year is the group of Pick-A-Paperback racks placed in nine different locations in the community. Each is made up of paperbacks given to the library which may be read on the premises or taken home for an indefinite period. The collections are available, free of charge, for any spot where people congregate. On November 8 a gala ground breaking ceremony was held for the new library building, now under construction at the intersection of Currier Place and East South Street. The estimated cost of the new library is $900,000, with the building to be financed through commitment of the Howe Library's assets, a community fund-raising campaign, and a long term loan in cooperation with the Town. Architectural plans for the building itself have occupied many board members, staff, and devoted volunteers during this year, and planning continues for interior furnishings and equipment. In late 1975 or early 1976 the Howe Library looks forward to occupying a spacious, carefully planned building designed to meet Hanover's library needs for many years to come.

Etna Library Trustee report: During the past year the Hanover Town Library has continued to add many new volumes to its collection. The most significant improvement was made in the children's section where selections have replaced many old and battered volumes. More children continue to take advantage of the summer reading program. A major improvement has been made in the parking facility in front of the library. This provides a much safer parking place, thanks to the Hanover Town Road Crew. A display rack for our paperback books has been provided, making this section much more attractive. A program of showing films from the State Library has had a healthy response.

Funding is included for both the Town Library in Etna and the Howe Library. Increased costs associated with the completion of the Howe Library generally are not reflected in the 1975 budget because it is not expected that the new building will be occupied until early in 1976. The only exception is the equipment budgeted under capital outlay which will be used in the new library. Salaries for Howe Library personnel are increased significantly again in 1975 so that the compensation levels are comparable with other town employees and particularly other library personnel. Inflation has significantly increased the budgeted amount for books and magazines. Additional funding for this purpose may be required when the new building becomes operational.

Article I: Mr. Edward S. Brown moved and it was duly seconded that the Town appropriate the sum of $490,000 and that the Selectmen are authorized to borrow such sum by the issuance of bonds and/or notes as provided under the Municipal Finance Act. Further, that the Selectmen are authorized to deliver said sum to the Trustees of Howe Library to be used together with funds of Howe Library in the construction of the new Howe Library building on Town owned land at the intersection of East South Street and Currier Place subject to the following conditions:

That the Trustees' plans for the new library building be approved by the Selectmen.
That the Trustees of Howe Library will pay to the Town each year a sum equal to an amount to be agreed upon by the Trustees of Howe Library and the Board of Selectmen for debt service.
That the Trustees shall obtain insurance coverage on the building and as to liability satisfactory to the Board of Selectmen.
That in the event of the dissolution of the Howe Library Corporation, the building and contents shall be transferred to the Town without payment.

And further that the Selectmen are hereby authorized to do all things and to execute and deliver all documents and instruments, necessary to carry out the purpose of this Vote, and further that upon completion of the discussion under Article I that the polls be opened for voting under that Article until 9:30 P.M. or until 15 minutes after the adjournment of this meeting and in no event for a period of less than one hour after the completion of the discussion. In the discussion of Article I, Mr. Brown stated that the Town had assumed total responsibility for the operating expenses of the Howe Library since the 1973 Town Meeting, with the understanding that the financial resources of the Howe Library would be reserved for a building program. Mrs. Joan Fowler, chairman of the Howe Library Board of Trustees, reported that the Trustees had determined that it was not feasible to add to the present building, an alternate site had been chosen, and that the Library building committee, including representatives from the Board of Selectmen had been working closely with the architects Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott since April 1974. Mr. Philip Krueger, member of the Howe Library building committee and former member of the Hanover Finance Committee, explained that the estimated cost of the library ($900,000) would be met from four sources: 1. Library endowment assets in cash: $210,000. 2. Fund raising: $200,000 (of which 1/2 is already raised). 3. Sale of the present library building: $ 140,000 (to be met temporarily by a short term loan). 4. Long term note assured by the remainder of the library endowment: $350,000. Income from the endowment will not completely cover the cost of a bond issue or notes, the cost to the Town will be approximately $11-12,000 per year; the security assets of the library endowment will remain intact to be used later for the support of the library. Various individuals offered their support of the motion; the Hanover Finance committee has endorsed the building program, and the Board of Selectmen urged support of the motion. The polls were declared open, and business under the warrant continued.

Article II: Mr. Donald Hawthorne made the motion, duly seconded, that the Selectmen are hereby authorized to lease the land located at the intersection of East South Street and Currier Place to the Trustees of the Howe Library for the site of the new Howe Library building without payment and the term of the lease shall be for so long as the Howe Library uses the land for a library open to Hanover residents and such other terms and conditions as the Selectmen deem to be in the long-range best interests of the Town, and further that the Selectmen are hereby authorized to do all things and to execute and deliver all documents and instruments, necessary to carry out the purpose of this Vote. The motion carried unanimously by a voice vote.

Etna Library budget: $3,279; Howe Library budget: $65,721

Hanover Annual Report, 1975

Report of the Selectmen: "The year saw the completion of the new Howe Library and the construction of East South Street. The Board of Selectmen would particularly like to express its gratitude to the residents in the East South Street area for their patience and understanding in living through almost a year of turmoil while this street was being reconstructed. In addition, special and public commendations must be accorded to Mrs. Posey Fowler, who, as chairman of the Howe Library Corporation, spearheaded the fund raising drive, and Mrs. Patti Eckels, who, as Library Director, engineered and survived the transferral of the entire library collection. The end result of their combined energies is a handsome and functional structure that will remain a community asset for generations to come."

Howe Library Trustee report: "In early December the new Howe Library building, under construction for thirteen months, was completed. The library closed its doors for one week, during which all books and other library materials were moved and reorganized by the staff, with the help of many volunteers from the community. Planned to meet Hanover's public library needs for the foreseeable future, the new building provides study spaces for 44, comfortable seating for 33, and an ultimate shelving capacity of 50,000 books. In addition there are: record listening facilities; equipment for the in-library use of filmstrips, slides and cassette tapes; a microfilm reader, with a complete record of the Granite State Gazette since 1885 on film; greatly enlarged work areas for the staff; a multi-purpose room, with projection facilities, to be used for library activities and by local organizations for their meetings and programs; and a smaller meeting room, also for both library and community use. Initial response to the new facility has been enthusiastic and use has been heavy. A corps of volunteers is being trained to help the library staff meet the demand for added services and increased circulation. 1975 statistics show an increase in annual circulation to 102,731, an average of 397 for each day the library was open. 2,357 volumes were added during the year, and 948 discarded, bringing the total book collection to 3 1 ,983. Interlibrary loan traffic included 654 items borrowed from other libraries for Howe Library users, and 162 books loaned by Howe to other libraries."

Etna Library Trustee report: New volumes were added to the library in 1975, primarily in the children's section. New books have been both donated and purchased, some through the proceeds of a sale of discarded books held in the summer. Summer Story hour continued to be quite popular this year, as did the films acquired periodically from the State Library.

The Howe Library expenses increased $28,500 over last year. All departments increased because of higher costs in phone service, electricity, paper products, fuel, medical insurance and added projects.

Funding is included for both the Town Library in Etna and the Howe Library. Expenses at the Howe Library have increased because of the completion of the new facility on East South Street. Utilities, heat, insurance, and maintenance are some of the categories witnessing increases. Also, the book budget is up by more than 25%. Salaries at the Howe Library are increasing for two reasons. First, 1976 marks the completion of a three-year program of bringing Library employees' salaries up to levels comparable with other Town employees. Second, the Library is now open six days a week as compared to five days a week in 1975. This results in many additional hours of work. This department is being assessed an administrative charge for the first time this year.

Hanover Annual Report, 1976

Report of the Selectmen: "One of the most striking successes was the first full year of operation of the Howe Library in its new quarters. It has become a widely-used community center and the public's acceptance of this magnificent new facility has been tremendously gratifying to your Board of Selectmen, as well as to the Howe Library Trustees."

Howe Library Trustee report: "Use of the library's facilities and services has increased dramatically since the move to its new building. 28% more items were circulated in 1976 than in 1975, bringing the total annual circulation to 131,774. This represents an average of 20 items borrowed per year per person in Hanover, four times times New Hampshire state average for per capita circulation. Requests to borrow materials from other libraries have also shown a sharp rise, with 929 items obtained by Howe on interlibrary loan, an increase of 42% over 1975. In addition, with the availability of convenient study spaces and comfortable reading areas, in-library use of magazines, newspapers, books, audio-visual materials and reference services has increased significantly. The library's two meeting rooms have been heavily used, both for library programs and by community groups. Fifty-six different educational, cultural or civic groups used the rooms for their own activities on 189 occasions during the year. Library use of the rooms, in addition to the regular preschool story hours each week, included 87 programs-films, lectures, poetry readings, concerts, ait exhibits, etc.--all open to the public free of charge. In order to keep the public informed about up-coming programs and various other aspects of library service, tJie library has begun publication of a monthly newsletter, which is distributed at the main desk. To help meet increased demands for service in the most economical way, a group of volunteers has been trained to assist the library staff at the circulation desk and in such behind-the-scenes work as the processing of new books. Forty-seven individual volunteers have been involved in this program during the year; of these, 29 are currently active, giving 60 hours a week of valuable volunteer service to the community."

Etna Library Trustee report: "Business has proceeded pretty much as usual during the last year at the Etna Library. Most of the new books acquired have been for the children's section and these have generally been well circulated. The library continues to be primarily a children's library with a few loyal adult borrowers. We acquired a new sign this year with the library hours painted on it so that they can be seen from the road. Before this the hours were in small print on the door and it was difficult for people to find out when the library was open. In tlie spring we held a coffee for pre-schoolers and their mothers in order to show the new books and to introduce new people to the library. As a result several new families have started using the library. The summer story hour continues to be successful. Mrs. Cook has also shown several films from the State Library."

Etna Library budget notes: An effort will be made to upgrade the Etna Library building to allow an increase of potential uses for the facility. Funds have been included to install restroom facilities, water and a lie-in to the sewer line.

Howe Library budget notes: Continued demand for expanded services has resulted in increases in all categories of expense for this department. Personnel Services will increase as a result of increased part time assistance to perform clerical duties. In addition, funds have been included to open the library on Sunday afternoon on an experimental basis. Expected increases in heat and utility rates as well as a 1976 underestimate on insurance rates has contributed to the rise in operating expenditures. In addition, the books and magazines item has increased to a level considered to be more appropriate for this department.

Joan Plane Fowler, better known as "Posey", was elected President of the Howe Library and its Board of Trustees on January 29, 1974. During her short tenure, Hanover's library facilities have undergone more radical improvement than at any time since the original founding by Emily Howe Hitchcock. Starting with a historical and charming but outmoded building, the Library under Posey's leadership has become one of the finest community libraries anywhere. With the help of her cohorts on and off the Board of Trustees, she has led a campaign to plan the building, raise the funds, and carry through the construction with the superb results pictured on the cover of the Town Report. Posey has accomplished all of this in her special style combining grace and charm with indefatigable work and unswerving determination. Hanover is rich in cultural facilities belonging to the College, But the Howe Library is unique as an institution peculiarly belonging to the people of the Town. Hanover expresses its debt of gratitude to Posey Fowler for her successful efforts as President of the Howe Library in providing this community with library facilities second to none.

Etna Library budget: $3,765; Howe Library budget: $111,564

Hanover Annual Report, 1977

The comfortable and handsome main reading room of the Howe Library stands as a tribute to Maurice Aldrich's long-time devotion toward and dedicated service to the Library and as a mark of the community's indebtedness to him and ,its fond regard for him. Maurice Aldrich began his association with the Howe Library in 1923, when he "kept the books" for Jim Farnham, the treasurer at that time. From this it was but a natural progression to his election in 1945 as trustee and treasurer, positions he held until his tragic death on November 25, 1977. In his concurrent roles of investment officer, business manager, and bookkeeper he diligently presided over the Library's endowment fund and, indeed, over its finances in general. He was a vital member of the committee for the Library's new building, and in that capacity he expertly guided his committee colleagues, and the members of the Board, through a maze of financial considerations relating to erecting and equipping the structure. He did this with his accustomed gentleness and modesty of manner and with a consistent emphasis on wise practices, including the prudence of spending a little more for quality or space now, in order to avoid future and greater costs. In 1976, Maurice received the New Hampshire Library Association's "Trustee of the Year" award, an honor bestowed annually upon a trustee for outstanding service to his or her library. The Howe Library has lost a great friend, but his spirit will surely be felt within the Library for all the years to come, and the Library will continue to know the benefit of the achievement of his long and distinguished period of service.

Howe Library Trustee report: Howe Library continued to be a busy center of community activity during 1977. Sunday hours were added, as an experiment, during the months of October through April. The community's response to this innovation was enthusiastic and the library will continue to be open from 2-5 p.m. during these same months in 1978. Public library service is now provided by Howe Library 62 hours a week, increasing to 65 hours during the winter and "mud" months. There were 6,036 registered borrowers at the year's end, of whom 4,321 were adults, 1,053 were students from grades 7 to 12, and 537 were children. 131,463 books and other library materials were circulated during the year. Both the number of children registered and the circulation to children dropped slightly, probably reflecting the trend toward a lower birth rate and a smaller preschool and elementary school population. Adult registration and circulation both increased slightly over last year. Although circulating books and other materials continued to be the library's primary function, 1977 saw increased activity in reference service and an emphasis on upgrading the reference collection, in response to community requests. With augmented book funds in 1978, a sound beginning can be made toward providing more current information in may of the non-fiction subject areas. 2,775 volumes were added to the library's holdings in 1977, of which 631 were gifts. Development of cultural and educational programming provided an opportunity for Upper Valley residents to share their interests and knowledge with their neighbors. 51 adult programs were offered in 1977, among them two popular series of lectures, "You and the Law," and "Speaking of Books." Children's programs numbered 259, including story hours, puppet shows, films and school visits. Total attendance at all library programs was 5,900. The Mayer and Murray Rooms continued to be heavily used by educational, cultural and civic groups. 68 different groups used the rooms 296 times during 1977. The library sponsored the first annual Elden Murray Photography contest and exhibit in the spring, and held 10 other exhibits of the work of area artists and craftsmen during the year. Supporting all this activity was the work of dedicated volunteers of all ages, who gave 3,534 hours to assisting with circulation and reference work, book processing, and special programming. This is nearly the equivalent of 2 full-time positions being filled by community-spirited men and women, to whom we are most grateful.

Etna Library Trustee report: The main change at the library this year was the hiring of a new librarian. Mary Jane Cook, the former librarian, moved to New York in April anid Ila Douple took over at that time. Ila, a former teacher, has kept the library well organized and has brought in many new ideas. An open house was held in the spring to introduce the library to new users and to introduce Ila as the new librarian. The open houses which we have held these last two springs have been very successful in bringing in new users and will certainly be continued in the future. While the final figures are not yet in, earlier figuring shows an increase in circulation over last year. The story hours were very well attended this summer, in spite of the fact that we were closed for several weeks this summer because of the sewer construction in front of the library. (The drilling was extremely loud and it was very difficult to find parking.) The story hours included not only stories but also songs and, on occasion, movies. The Dartmouth Bookstore donated a 1977 set of the Book of Knowledge Encyclopedia in memory of David Hewitt, who was at the time of his death a Trustee of the library. Having an up-to-date encyclopedia will be a great addition to the Library. We have decided to add a few educational toys and puzzles for circulation. In particular, we are looking for the sort of thing which will help a child develop certain skills but which a family would not necessarily want to keep around for a great length of time. So far, we have acquired a couple of puzzles and three toys. They are circulating, but since most did not come until the last two weeks in December, we have not had them long enough to know how well they will do. Construction of the toilet facilities in what is now the vault is scheduled to start any time.

At a special Town Meeting in September, 1974, the Town appropriated $490,000 to be obtained through the issuance of bonds or notes as partial financing for the construction of the new Howe Library Building. The approved article provided that the Trustees of Howe Library will pay to the Town annually an amount for debt service to be agreed upon by the Library's Trustees and Board of Selectmen. In 1975, the Town borrowed $399,000 under a 5\% demand note payable. As of December 31, 1977, no principle payments have been made. Interest payments have been rendered by the Howe Library Corporation. While arrangements have not been finalized, it is the intention of the Town to convert the demand note to a 10 to 20 year financing obligation after a principal payment of approximately $50,000 by the Howe Library Corporation. It is anticipated that the Library will contribute annually substantially all of its unrestricted endowment income to the Town for future debt service payments. This contribution will approximate $20,000 in 1978.

Howe Library budget notes: The Library budget has experienced the most dramatic budget increase of any Town department for 1978. The most obvious increase is the addition of the debt service to pay for the construction of the building. The Howe Library Corporation is providing increased revenues to the budget in an attempt to offset, to the greatest extent possible, the Library debt service impact to the general taxpayer. Due to demands for expanded service, the budget contains a three hour per week increase for the Reference Librarian bringing her availability up to about 22 hours per week. We have also re-examined our book replacement schedule in an attempt to expand our collection to the limit of our shelf space over the next four years while discarding less popular works at the rate of 4% per year. The result should have a direct affect of increasing circulation while establishing a collection more suited to the tastes of our residents.

Etna Library budget notes: Although it was budgeted in 1977, we were unable to schedule the construction of toilet facilities at the Etna Library. Therefore, we have included in the 1978 cost proposal, both the facilities construction and the cost of connecting to a water supply and the sewer system. After discussions with the Etna Library Board, our shared objective is to promote and expand the continued use of this library facility for the residents of the Etna and Hanover Center areas of the community.

Etna Library budget: $2,982; Howe Library budget: $126,309

Hanover Annual Report, 1978

Howe Library Trustee report: Howe Library's third year in the new building saw continued growth of its collections, its circulation and its clientele. 2,931 volumes were added to the book collection and 1,446 volumes were discarded, bringing the total collection to 37,356 volumes. Circulation for the year increased to 136,086. 1,624 new borrowers were registered and 1,382 were removed from the rolls, bringing the total registration to 6,278 and indicating that the population of library users experienced a turnover rate of approximately 25%. Special emphasis was given to the information needs of the community in 1978, with increased hours of coverage at the reference desk, significant improvement of the reference collection, heightened in-service training in reference services for all the library staff, and an exhibit of suggested paperback reference books for the home collection. Several hundred additional cross references were added to the card catalog, in an effort to make subject searches of the catalog more productive for the library user. Increased funds were appropriated for the book budget so that the library could implement a plan to carefully evaluate the books in each nonfiction subject area, replacing out-dated information as necessary. A new community resource developed by the library this year was our file of information about the offerings of area nursery schools and other child care facilities. As the public turns more frequently to the library for help with day-today informational needs, we expect to focus increasing effort on our ability to locate pertinent information—whether that information is found in our own collection, in library resources elsewhere in the community or the state, or by referrals to other area agencies. Library programs of a cultural and educational nature were again well-received in 1978, with 6,114 adults and children in attendance during the year. 53 adult programs were offered, including lectures, films, musical events, poetry readings and art exhibits. All were produced by the volunteer efforts of local people willing to share their talents and interests with the community. The 202 children's programs included story hours, puppet shows, films and filmstrips and special seasonal activities. In addition, the Children's Librarian made 49 visits to classrooms and on 48 occasions worked with children who came to the library in organized groups. Educational, cultural and civic organizations made use of the library's meeting rooms in increasing numbers. The Mayer and Murray Rooms were used by 84 different groups a total of 422 times during the year. The class in Braille Transcribing and the Hanover Women's Chorus again met regularly at the library. The efforts of the Library staff in all areas of work were supported and enriched by the 3,236 hours of volunteer help given to the Howe Library. Volunteers (currently 35 in number) assisted at the circulation desk, processed books, typed and filed catalog cards, delivered paperbacks to community locations, and helped plan and present programs. According to a recent national survey of public libraries the average library had 65 hours of paid staff time for each hour of volunteer time, whereas at Howe we have approximately 5 hours of paid staff for each volunteered hour. Through this intensive use of volunteers we are able to stretch minimal staff hours to provide maximum services, and we gratefully acknowledge our volunteers' dedicated contribution to the life of the library and the Town.

Etna Library Trustee report: Ila Douple has continued as librarian this year. The summer story hour was again successful with some new faces along with the old ones. This year we held both a fall and spring open house to introduce new people to the library. Our regular collection is supplemented by the Bookmobile, which leaves one hundred books three or four times a year. This spring as part of his Eagle Scout project Andrew Crow donated a notebook full of pictures and information on old Etna. With this as inspiration we have retaped some interviews of people from both Etna and Hanover reminiscing about old times. The Etna Ladies Aide has donated a cassette tape recorder on which these tapes can be played. Both the tapes and the recorder are available for circulation. It is our hope to collect more items of local historical interest. We have received donations of $25.00 from both the Hanover Garden Club and the Conservation Council towards books related to their fields. Robbie Raven, as part of a scout project, donated his time to organize the back issues of National Geographic . A number of children's records have been added and are circulating well. Facility improvements include the installation of a toilet, running water and connection to the sewer line. The following statistics have been prepared to depict the use of our building over the past year.

Sewer Department report: 1978 maintenance and construction included the installation of service connections for existing and new buildings, including the Etna Library, and the rebuilding of approximately fifty manholes.

Formalization of Howe Library arrangement: The Town and the Howe Library Corporation currently have an informal arrangement concerning the liquidation of indebtedness incurred in the renovation of Howe Library. We recommend that this arrangement be formalized, including the total amount to be converted to permanent financing, and the annual contribution to be made by the Howe Library Corporation. We understand that such negotiations have now begun.

Howe Library Budget notes: The Howe Library budget, through the efforts of the Department Head and the Trustees, has been presented at essentially the same level as the 1978 figure. The gross expenditure budget is up less than 1% and the net budget is actually down from the 1978 level. This has been accomplished with no decrease in service to the public. The library budget includes thirty Sunday openings and an increase in the number of reference librarian hours from 22 to 25 per week. In addition this budget contains a continuation of the collection expansion program which was instituted last year. We have increased purchases by 8% per year and discard 4% per year for a net collection gain of 4% per year. The debt service payments for the library building construction were finalized, and the first principal payment was made in 1978. The Trustees believe that they will be able to generate enough revenue to fully offset the interest portion of the debt service in 1979.

Etna Library Budget notes: Work that was begun in 1978 will be continued in 1979 in order to develop the Etna Library building into a more usable structure for multi purpose events. Its primary function as a community library remains unchanged and it now has running water, a sewer hookup and will get storm windows, paint and some roof repairs in 1979. Since the majority of the major improvements were conducted in 1977 and 1978, this budget is being presented at a 34% decrease from the 1979 level.

Etna Library budget: $7,575; Howe Library budget: $198,555

Etna Library items circulated: 2,676; patron visits: 1,280; days open: 99

Hanover Annual Report, 1979

Howe Library Trustee report: Howe Library circulation for the year was 134,715, an average of 20 items per capita, as compared with the statewide average of 6. 1,662 new borrowers were registered, with total registrations now at 6,477. Of this total, 4,834 are adults, 1,069 are middle school or high school students, and 574 are children. 400 borrowers paid a non-resident fee for library membership. With provision in the budget of increased funds for purchase of library materials, the library was able to stay ahead of inflation and continue its program of carefully evaluating and expanding the book collection. 3,131 volumes were added and 1,696 discarded in 1979, bringing the total book collection to 38,791. Of the volumes added, 686 were gifts given either by individuals or by community organizations. 107 of these gifts were memorial gifts. Also added to the collection were 170 records and 70 items of other audiovisual materials, bringing the total collection to 1,613 records and 524 tapes, filmstrips and slide sets. A new service, begun last fall, was the provision of a circulating collection of art prints and photographs, available for free loan for six-week periods. The collection presently includes 10 framed art prints and 10 photographs of New England scenes. It was made possible by a gift from the James C. Wicker Fund. A gift from the Hanover Lions Club will assist the library in pro- viding improved service to the visually handicapped. The Lions presented a $1,000 fund in memory of former president Bill Griffith. The income from the fund is to be used to purchase Large Type books or taped materials. Wheelchair access to the library was improved by the installation of a keyed doorbell. Keys are available for any person who needs help with the heavy doors at the building entrance. Special library programs for both adults and children continued to be well attended. 57 adult programs were offered, including poetry readings, films, lectures, musical events and art exhibits. Except for one program funded by a gift from the Elden Murray Fund, all of these programs were produced by the volunteer efforts of various program planners and participants. Attendance at adult programs was 1,751. The 219 children's programs included story hours, puppet shows, a mime performance, films and filmstrips and seasonal activities. Attendance at these was 4,701. In addition, the Children's Librarian made 61 visits to classrooms and worked with 41 groups of children (school classes, Scouts, etc.) who came to the library. The library's meeting rooms were used 434 times during 1979 by a total of 99 different educational, cultural or civic organizations. Both the Mayer Room and the Elden Murray Room are available free of charge for the programs or meetings of such groups whenever they are not required for use by the library's own pro- grams. Town officials and library staff and trustees honored staff member Mary Churchill in June for 30 years of outstanding service to the Howe Library. During the year six staff members attended classes or workshops to increase their knowledge of library materials and improve their ability to guide the public in searching for information. The efforts of the staff were again ably augmented by the work of 38 volunteers who faithfully and generously gave 2,987 hours of their time and energy to serve the library and the community.

Etna Library Trustee report: Ila Douple has continued as librarian this year. The library is open Tuesdays and Thursdays for a total of eight hours a week. During the summer weekly story hours were held, supplemented by occasional films. We also had a summer reading club for children. Once again we held our annual spring open house to introduce new people to the library and so that old friends could get together. We have continued to add to our collection of books and records throughout the year, with the main emphasis being on children's materials. The Etna Ladies Aid has donated a new book rack to hold our increased number of children's paperbacks. We have also received a set of government pamphlets from the Grafton County Extension Service. In December new window quilts were installed to help conserve heat.

Howe Library budget notes: The Howe Library budget increased about 12 1/2 percent over 1979. Inflation on the cost of books and other library materials has been in excess of the average inflationary rate. We have included a continuation of our program aimed at increasing total volumes by 4% in 1980. Also, in response to public request for service the library will be open for six additional Sundays. Revenues show a 28% increase and are generated by interest on investments from unrestricted funds, fees and fines and a newly introduced charge to the Administration Department for Library personnel efforts at the Municipal Building's new Resource Center.

Etna Library budget notes: The Etna Library budget shows a slight decrease from 1979 although the cost of volumes has increased. The primary decrease is in capital outlay since most of the energy conservation improvements to the building have been completed.

Etna Library budget: $5,018; Howe Library budget: $199,184

Hanover Annual Report, 1980

Howe Library Trustee report: The library's growth during these past five years has been possible because of Hanover's library-minded citizens, who value the informational, cultural and recreational contributions a strong library can make to the community. During these difficult inflationary years, when many libraries have been faced with declining book budgets in the face of enormously increased book costs, citizen support for the Howe Library has made it possible to steadily increase the number of books added each year while regularly removing from the collection outdated and unused materials. To augment funds budgeted by the Town, both individuals and organizations have regularly donated additional books and book funds, and in 1980, 648 of the 3,489 volumes added were such gifts. In addition, the work hours donated by community volunteers continue to make it possible to offer 65 hours of library service each week, a schedule we could not maintain with our paid staff alone. A project coordinated between the library and General Administration was completed in 1980, organizing Hanover document collections in the Town Office and the library. A Resource Center has been established in the Town Office, with Hanover publications and supporting materials available for use by Town officials and the public. Howe Library houses a duplicate collection of current documents in the reference area and an Archives for storage of older materials. Catalogs for the documents are available in both locations. The library will continue to maintain these collections to provide convenient access to local government information. Our plans for 1981 include a series of assessment studies to determine the degree to which the library currently meets its citizens' library needs. Does our library service, as it has developed to this time, represent the best possible pattern for the future? Given the constraints on time and money that we face, are we providing the most effective services possible?

Etna Library Trustee report: There have been changes in both the inside and outside of the library this year. Ila Douple retired as librarian in August in order to take a teaching job and Carol Ahern was hired to replace her at that time. Outside, the woodwork, sign and book drop have all received a new coat of paint. The library continues to be open eight hours a week. During the summer there are weekly story hours which often include films borrowed from the State Library. Most of our purchases, as well as our circulation, have been children's paperback books and records and adult magazines. We also have a good number of contemporary hardcover books for adults which have been donated.

Etna Library budget: $4,789; Howe Library budget: $224,198

Hanover Annual Report, 1981

Howe Library Trustee report: 3,655 volumes were added to the book collection (618 of these were gifts) and 1,749 volumes were withdrawn. The total collection now numbers 42,229 volumes. The library currently receives 180 magazines (45 of these are gifts) and 11 newspapers. The record collection numbers 1,772. 2,605 hours of volunteer time were given to the library in 1981. Volunteers worked at the circulation and reference desks, processed and repaired books, typed and filed, and served on program planning and book selection committees. During 1981 Howe Library became one of eight public libraries in the state to be designated as depository libraries for the federally funded Talking Book Service. Records and cassettes, and the special equipment required to play them, are available at the library. Anyone who is prevented by impaired vision or other physical disability from using conventional printed materials is eligible to borrow Talking Books. A planning study was conducted during 1981 by a committee of nine laypeople, two trustees and two library staff members. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of present library services and to make recommendations for the future. More then 900 members of the Hanover community (both library users and non-users) completed questionnaires for this study. The Planning Committee found a high degree of satisfaction with Howe Library services and an unusually high level of library use within Hanover. 74% of the adults contacted in a random telephone survey reported use of the library within the previous six months, which compares with a national finding that 51 % of adults use their library at least once a year. The Planning Committee also identified some weaknesses and inadequacies which should be addressed. They submitted to the Howe Library Board of Trustees a list of recommendations for possible implementation over the next five years. Because the study showed that many citizens are unaware of the variety of ser- vices offered (delivery to the homebound, for example) the committee recommended distributing an annual newsletter to all residents. The first issue of this publication, titled Howe Now, is to be mailed to each household in January, 1982. The newsletter was paid for by a gift to the Howe Library Corporation. The Howe Library Corporation, using all the income from its unrestricted endowment funds, was able to contribute to the Town budget, in 1981, $29,989 of the $30,517 required for debt service on the building loan. Current gifts to the Corporation throughout the year added to the book fund and provided items of special equipment and furniture not included in the regular budget. Two memorial book funds were established through the Corporation in honor of two long-time Hanover residents, Herbert W. Hill and Frederick S. Page. In 1982 the library plans to encourage increased giving of book funds in an effort to balance the cut of $3,300 in the book budget made necessary by cuts to the total Town budget. Because of these cuts, library hours for 1982 will also be reduced. The library will close at 6 p.m. on Fridays and will not be open at all on Sunday afternoons.

Etna Library Trustee report: This year there have been two major changes in the library. Carol Ahem resigned as librarian and Eva Coutermarsh was hired to replaced her. The inside of the library has received a much needed coat of paint and a new carpet. Volunteers have been recruited to help with cataloging books and with a program to deliver books and magazines to shut ins. The library continues to be open eight hours a week. During the summer there are weekly story hours which often include films borrowed from the State Library. Most of our purchases, as well as our circulation, have been children's paperback books and records, adult magazines and popular adult fiction. Thanks to a donation from the Garden Club, we have been able to purchase several nice books on gardening.

Etna Library budget: $4,661; Howe Library budget: $195,302

Hanover Annual Report, 1982

Report of the Selectmen: One of Jim's last struggles was the 1982 budget. The end pro- duct was a budget the Selectmen cut by almost $300,000 from the original requests. State revenue losses precipitated that drastic action, and it was a trying, painful process. Some areas of the budget that felt the cuts included: road repairs (overlay program), sidewalk reconstruction, capital reserves for equipment replacement, and- more noticeable to library users - the closing of the Library on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The 1983 proposed budget addresses many of these cuts; and, after careful analysis of road repairs and vehicle replacement schedules, sidewalks, etc., the budget was increased in these basic areas. Also included in the library budget is an appropriation enabling the reopening of the Library on Sunday afternoons for a portion of the year.

Howe Library Trustee report: Circulation increased by 6% over 1981, even though Friday evening and Sunday afternoon hours were eliminated in 1982. In 1983 the library will again be open on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. 3,528 volumes were added to the book collection (728 of these were gifts) and 2,088 volumes were withdrawn. The total book collection now numbers 43,669 volumes. Because of crowded conditions in the non-fiction area, 180 feet of new shelving were added in December. The library now receives 183 magazines (of which 43 are gifts) and 11 newspapers. The audiovisual collection includes 1,720 records, 483 cassette tapes, 168 filmstrips, 21 slide sets, and 43 rolls of microfilm. There are 6,438 registered borrowers, 76% of whom are adults. 236 non-resident borrowers paid an annual fee of $35 during 1982; 260 non-resident borrowers paid a quarterly fee of $10. During 1982 there were 43 lectures, films and other programs for adults, attended by 1,463 people, and 11 special art exhibits. Story hours and other programs for children numbered 186, and were at- tended by 4,223 children. 35 visits were made to Hanover classrooms by the Children's Librarian. 25 groups of children came to the library for special tours or instruction. The library's Mayer Room and Elden Murray Room were used 600 times by 103 different groups. Although use of these meeting rooms is free to non-profit organizations, several of the groups made generous contributions in appreciation. These will be used to purchase needed equipment for the rooms. Money contributed to the library for the book fund during 1982 totaled $5,237, much of this in memorial funds or as gifts to honor individuals on birthdays or other special occasions. Each memorial or "honor" book is given a specially inscribed bookplate. Sizable memorial funds were established in 1982 for three recently deceased and greatly missed members of the Howe Library Corporation, Jean Dodds, Robert Fletcher and Martin Segal. Gifts to the book fund allow the library to purchase books over and above the sum allocated in the Town budget. Also used for this purpose is money earned from the library's on-going sale of discarded or duplicate books, $1,156 during 1982. In addition to this private revenue used for book purchases, 21 % of the library's total budget for the year was raised from non-tax sources: $22,998 from fines and fees, and $30,517 in Howe Library Corporation endowment income used to service the debt on the building. Gifts to the Corporation also provided special funds to reupholster several badly worn chairs in the browsing rooms, an item not included in the regular budget. Private support for the Howe Library includes not only these gifts of money but the gift of time given by our regular library volunteers. In 1982 these volunteers gave 2,566 hours to the library — assisting at the circulation desk, processing books, shelfreading, typing and filing, delivering books to the homebound or to our paperback racks throughout the community, and helping to plan and present special programs and exhibits. Their total hours provide, free to the community, the equivalent of approximately 1 1/2 full-time staff. In December, a mural of Hanover's Main Street in earlier days was installed in the Murray Room of the library. On long-term loan from the Hanover Improvement Society, the four-by-sixteen-foot picture was painted by Bernard Chapman in 1951 and was removed from the Nugget Theatre lobby when that building was remodeled. We are pleased to have this historic painting in a room dedicated to the memory of Elden Murray, whose contributions to the life of downtown Hanover are well known to all.

Etna Library Trustee report: The circulation figures for the Etna Library for 1982 [figures shown in report]... represents an increase over the previous year in every category except adult books. During the year 298 new titles were added to the library collection. Of these, 126 were donations and the bulk of the remainder were children's paperback books. Ten weekly film and story hours were held during the summer months. Storm windows were installed on the two northern windows as an energy conservation measure. We hope in the next few years to have storm windows on all of the windows. In November a crabapple tree was planted on the front lawn of the library and dedicated to the memory of James Campion. A large number of people attended the dedication. The North Country Community Theatre also donated a sum for the purchase of a book in James Campion's memory. With this donation we purchased a volume of photographs of the Civil War. A generous donation from the Hanover Garden Club has enabled us to add several attractive gardening books to the collection.

Hanover Annual Report, 1983

Etna Library Trustee report: After two years Eva Coutermarsh has retired as librarian and Maree Lagasse has been hired to take her place. Mrs. Lagasse has had many years of experience working in the Lebanon public school libraries. The library continues to be open eight hours a week. During the summer there are weekly story hours which often include films borrowed from the State Library. Most of our purchases, as well as our circulation, have been children's paperback books and records, adult magazines and popular adult fiction. The building is available for small meetings. Contact the librarian or one of the trustees for information.

Howe Library Trustee report: The library now has 6,543 registered borrowers, of whom 5,030 are adults. Library membership is free to all Hanover residents. 221 non-residents paid an annual fee of $40 to use the library during 1983; 342 paid a quarterly fee of $11. 3,824 volumes were added to the book collection (820 of these were gifts) and 2,021 volumes were withdrawn. The total book collection now consists of 33,936 adult books and 11,536 children's books. The audiovisual collection now includes 1,780 records, 537 cassette tape recordings, 174 filmstrips, 26 slide sets, and 58 reels of microfilm. Cassette tapes, both spoken word and music, are becoming increasingly popular for use in home and auto cassette players, and a major effort is being made to build the cassette col- lection. 183 magazines (44 of them gifts) are received regularly. The library subscribes to 11 newspapers. In newspaper back-files, on microfilm, are the Hanover Gazette (later the Granite State Gazette for the years 1885 to 1978, and the Valley News beginning with 1981. As more and better Large Print books become available for those with failing vision, the library is increasing its purchases in this field. Our funds are augmented by the annual income from a Hanover Lions Club gift in memory of Bill Griffith. There are now 333 Large Print titles in the collection. Access to additional materials through interlibrary loan is provided by a new State Library bibliography listing Large Print holdings of all public libraries in New Hampshire. During 1983 the library offered 39 lectures, films, book discussions and other programs for adults, attended by 1 ,165 people, and 11 special art exhibits. These included the seventh annual Elden Murray Photographic Contest and Exhibit. All these programs were planned and presented free of charge by volunteers from Hanover and the surrounding communities. Story hours and other programs for children numbered 220, with total attendance of 4,271. The Children's Librarian made 62 visits to Ray School and Richmond School classrooms. 74 groups of young people visited Howe for special tours or instruction, this included tours and orientation sessions in the fall for six groups of 7th graders. All students who attend Hanover-Dresden schools are given free cards to the Howe Library regardless of where they live. Mayer Room and Elden Murray Room facilities were used 532 times by 147 different groups. Although use of these meeting rooms continues to be free for non-profit organizations, several of these groups made generous contributions in appreciation. These funds are used to equip the meeting rooms. Private gifts to the library continue to supplement tax support. In 1983 a new mimeograph machine and an electronic stencil-maker were bought with gift money. In addition, $8,236 was spent on books and other materials purchased with funds coming to the library through the Howe Library Corporation. These funds include current gift money, income from book-fund endowment, and $1,431 earned through the sale of discarded or duplicate books. In 1983 $44,000 was added to the book-fund endowment through a bequest from Jean Witherell, a library user and library friend of many years. In addition to this private revenue which does not appear in the Town budget, 22% of the money the Town budgeted for the library was raised from non-tax sources. $25,971 from fines and fees and $30,517 from unrestricted Howe Library Corporation endowment in- come used to service the debt on the building. Another form of private support for the Howe Library comes in the form of volunteer hours given by library friends. In 1983, 52 volunteers gave 2,501 hours—assisting at the circulation desk, processing new material, typing and filing, shelfreading, helping plan and present programs and exhibits, and delivering books to the housebound and to our paperback racks throughout the community. Howe Library is open 62 hours each week from October through May, and 59 hours a week from June through September. In 1983 we were again able to budget for Sunday afternoon hours during fall, winter, and "mud season." It is apparent that Sunday hours are now an accepted and expected part of library service among people of all ages—whether they come to read the newspapers by the fireplace, to finish up their weekend homework assignments, or to share a family excursion in search of good reading.

Howe Library budget notes: This section covers the operation of the Howe Library. It includes no new programming and reflects increases only in utility accounts, books, and in salaries for regular step increases. It reflects two recent classification changes which were approved to more accurately reflect job responsibilities and two shifts from full time to part time positions. The overall financial effect of these changes is negligible with increased salary cost being offset by reduced fringe benefit costs but Library Director, Patti Eckels is convinced the changes will provide improved services. The reduction in funds needed for the copier reflects the fact that the final lease purchase payment was made in April 1983. Revenue from copier use will exceed the operational costs.

Etna Library budget notes: This section covers the operation of the Etna Library which is open 35 hours per week. [Note: unclear what this is referring to. The Etna Library remained open 8 hours per week]. The significant reduction here is possible because of the completion of the bathroom and water installation which was accomplished in 1983.

Etna Library budget: $5,148; Howe Library budget: $277,413

Hanover Annual Report, 1984

Howe Library Trustee report: Library users in Hanover had a busy year in 1984—borrowing 178,565 books, recordings and other materials; requesting 1,295 interlibrary loan transactions; asking 6,641 reference questions; and reserving 3,917 books. Circulation increased by 6% between 1983 and 1984, and it has risen by 32% over the past five years. 6,446 people held library cards at the end of the year. Of these, 4,982 were adults, 448 were children, and 1,016 were students in grades 7-12. Library cards are free for all who live in Hanover or attend Dresden or Hanover schools. 243 non-resident families paid an annual fee of $40 to use the library; 423 paid a quarterly fee of $11. 3,838 volumes were added to the book collection (578 were gifts) and 2,077 volumes were withdrawn. The total collection now consists of 35,062 adult books and 12,171 children's books. 189 magazines (47 of them gifts) are received regularly; the library subscribes to 11 newspapers. Microfilm holdings include the Valley News, from 1981, and the Hanover Gazette (later the Granite State Gazette), from 1885 to 1978, on microfilm and Time magazine, from 1936, on microfiche. We expect to add more magazines on microfiche in the coming year. The audiovisual collection now includes 1,796 records, 673 cassette tapes, 184 filmstrips, and 27 slide sets. Listen-for-pleasure cassette tapes, popular books tastefully abridged and skillfully recorded, were introduced at Howe during the year and were an immediate attraction. 73 titles of this series are now owned by the library and are in constant use, especially popular for family entertainment during long auto trips. During 1984 the library presented 224 story hours and other children's programs, with a total attendance of 4,252. 76 groups of young people visited Howe for special tours or instruction. The Children's Librarian made 55 visits to Ray School and Richmond School classrooms. For adults, 42 lectures, book discussions and other programs were offered, attended by 1,244 people; there were 11 special art exhibits. All of these programs were presented by volunteers or were funded by grants from the New Hampshire Council for the Humanities. The library's two meeting rooms were used 619 times by 127 different groups. The Mayer Room and the Elden Murray Room are available free of charge to any non-profit group. Private gifts continue to be a welcome supplement to public funds. In 1984, $3,699 was received in current gifts. This was supplemented by income from restricted endowment and by $1,800 earned from the sale of old books. These funds were spent primarily for book purchases over and above the budgeted amount. Monthly program listings in the Valley News and the printing and mailing of the library newsletter, Howe Now, were also paid for with gift funds. The library turned over to the Town $27,827 collected from nonresident fees, overdue fines, and use of the coin copier. $30,517 from unrestricted Howe Library Corporation endowment income was paid to the Town to service the debt on the library building. Volunteers continued to support the efforts of the paid staff by contributing 2,383 hours of work—helping plan and present programs and exhibits, delivering books to the housebound, shelfreading, typing and filing, processing new books, and assisting at the circulation desk. This time given by library friends represents the hourly equivalent of one-and-one-third full-time staff. Three new part-time members joined the library's circulation staff in 1984, in a staff reorganization that involved reducing the number of full-time positions and adding more part-time positions. New staff members are Charlotte Bernini, Marcia Manzo and Ann Mercer. In June the library celebrated the completion of 35 years of service by Head of Technical Services Mary Churchill! As we look to the new year, we anticipate the initiation of our public access microcomputer project in late January. Funded by gifts from AMCA International and the library's Elden J. Murray Fund, this project will make available to adult library users an Apple lie with 128K memory and two disk drives, a dot matrix printer, and a selection of software. The intent of this project is to encourage the development of computer literacy through an individually paced, self-teaching program. For those already experienced with computers, it will provide an opportunity to use the library's hardware and software for a variety of applications.

Etna Library Trustee Report: The Etna Library has a new librarian this year Andrea Thorpe of Enfield. She has worked both in the Enfield Public Library and Baker Library and we are benefiting from her experience and enthusiasm. The Commodore 64 computer which was purchased a year ago continues to receive a great deal of use - 149 users for a total of 128 hours. The Dartmouth Bookstore has recently donated a printer and the Library has purchased the Bank Street Writer word processing program. Special programs held this year were a Ukranian egg decorating class conducted by Xenia Heaton, a talk by Jean Kemeny on her new book, "Strands of War", a display of pictures and other items depicting Etna history, and a wreath making demonstration by Elizabeth Tobiasson. A meeting of interested Etna residents was held in October to discuss ways that the Library might serve the community. Some ideas which are being explored are: book discussion groups, talks of local interest, craft demonstrations and seminars on the use of the computer. The decision was made to open the library for two additional hours a week with volunteers on Thursday evenings. The Library is now open ten hours a week, including the two volunteer hours. During the summer there are weekly story hours which often include films borrowed from the State Library. Most of our purchases and circulation have been popular adult fiction, magazines and children's books and magazines. Recently several tapes of readings of adult novels have been added.

Library budget notes: The Howe budget has been divided into three program categories: Administration; Youth Programming; and Adult Programming. The major emphasis in this budget area is to provide relief for the staff personnel. One type of relief will come through providing 16 more hours per week for the part time staff. Five of these hours will be in technical services for cataloging and processing books and non-print materials. Particularly with the growth in popularity of non-print materials, this additional time is essential. There is also a request for nine more hours per week for part time employees to cover the circulation desk at times when regular employees need time to perform their non-circulation desk responsibilities. This request recognizes that personnel time has not kept pace with circulation increases in recent years and in order to continue to maintain the excellent service level of the past such increases are required. In recognition of the need to review and adjust library classification and salary schedules, the Board of Selectmen included an additional amount of $5,000 under Howe Administration to fund at least a portion of the increases required in the 1985-86 fiscal year. In the Etna Library portion of the budget the most significant change is again caused by the need to significantly increase the salary paid to the professional librarian.

Hanover Annual Report, 1985

Howe Library Trustee report: During the latter part of 1985 the community celebrated Howe Library's tenth anniversary in its new building by participating in a variety of events planned by the library's trustees and staff. These included an exhibit (85 Years of Howe Library History) in the Mayer Room; visits by all school children from first through sixth grade; a magic show and a story-telling party for children; evening lectures and a poetry reading; and a regional gathering of librarians from Vermont and New Hampshire to discuss the future of library automation in these two states. The celebration culminated in a gala candlelight dinner for 150 in the reading rooms of the library on the evening of December 8. On December 2, the 1,500,000th item was circulated from this building, a children's book borrowed by Brenda Schwab. Bells rang, pictures were taken, and a book was added to the library collection in honor of Mrs. Schwab. The library's collections now include 36,198 adult books, 12,780 children's books, 928 cassette tapes, 1,846 records, 361 other audiovisual materials, 211 current magazine subscriptions, and 11 current newspaper subscriptions. The index to The New York Times and microfilm holdings of The New York Times back to 1980 are now available for the first time. Of the 6,526 people holding library cards, 5,082 are adults, 1,039 are students in grades 7 through 12, and 441 are children. 315 nonresident families paid an annual fee to borrow materials from the library, and 298 paid a quarterly fee. 1,332 adults attended special Thursday evening programs. Attendance at children's programs was 4, 139. 79 groups of young people made formal visits to the library for special tours or instruction. The children's librarian made 54 visits to classrooms. The Mayer Room and the Elden Murray Room were used by 139 different community groups in 1985, in addition to the library's own uses. These rooms are available free of charge to non-profit organizations. Beginning in early February the Apple lie computer and an assortment of software were available for public use, funded by gifts from AMCA and the Elden Murray Fund. The computer was used 427 hours by 46 different adults. The most popular pieces of software were tutorials for learning to use the computer, two word processing programs (Bank Street Writer and PFS Write), and Visicalc. Revenues turned over to the Town from January 1984 through June 1985 included overdue charges of $16,236, non-resident fees of $23,602, and income from the coin-operated copier of $5,218. The Howe Library Corporation paid to the Town $30,517 from unrestricted endowment earnings, to service the debt on the library building. Gifts to the library included 591 books, 22 records, 53 cassettes, 55 magazine subscriptions, and 11 new art reproductions for the circulating art collection. Some of these were given directly to the library, some were purchased from current gift funds, and some were bought with the income from restricted endowment. This fall the library received a bequest of $20,000 from the Robert A. McKennan Trust as a memorial to Katherine Laycock McKennan, the income to be used for library materials. Other current gifts were used to maintain the aquarium in the children's room, pay for program advertisements in the newspaper, provide hospitality and flowers for library functions, print and distribute a town-wide mailing, and subsidize the tenth anniversary celebration. Another valuable gift to the library was the 2,663 hours of work given by 30 volunteers who assisted at the circulation desk, made posters, delivered books to the housebound, typed, filed, processed new books, planned and presented programs, and kept the bookshelves in order. Looking to the new year, we anticipate that the library board will be reviewing and updating library policies in preparation for our application for "certified" status in the newly reorganized statewide library system. This will also involve studying long-range needs and recommending a five-year plan for meeting these needs.

Etna Library Trustee report: This has been a successful year for the Etna Library, with circulation figures doubling those of last year. The library continues to be open ten hours a week. Two hours on Thursday nights are covered by volunteers. The greatest part of our circulation is children's books, adult magazines and adult popular fiction. We now have a small library of books on cassette which have been very popular. Special programs this year have included several holiday programs for children, an open house featuring spinning, weaving and knitting demonstrations, and a talk by Nardi Campion on writing humor at a reception for the volunteers. A children's story hour was held weekly during the summer and will continue on Saturday mornings this coming summer. The librarian is continuing the process of organizing the collection and the card catalog. We wish to thank all those people who have donated their time to help out with programs and as Thursday night volunteers and those, in particular Bob Kirk, who have donated books to the library. Your help is much appreciated.

Library budget notes: The requested appropriation for the Howe Library reflects the substantially revised classification and salary schedule for library employees which was approved by the Selectmen on June 3, 1985 to be implemented over a three year period. Twelve thousand four hundred dollars of the increase in the three Howe divisions in the 1986-87 budget are required for this adjustment. The 1986-87 year is the second of the three years required for this adjustment. The primary reason for the rest of the increase in the library appropriations covers the increased cost of books which runs between 8% and 14%. In the Etna Library portion of the budget, the appropriation increase covers the change in classification of the professional library position and the increased cost of books and magazines.

Etna Library budget: $4,088; Howe Library budget: $211,801

Hanover Annual Report, 1986

Howe Library Trustee report: Circulation increased by 3% over 1985. The per capita circulation for the year was 19+ items, compared with a state average of about 6 items. At the end of the year, library cards were held by 6,608 people, of whom 78% were adults. 316 families paid a yearly non-resident fee of $45 to use the library; 276 families paid a quarterly fee of $15. During the year, 3,953 volumes were added to the book collection and 2,005 volumes were withdrawn. The total collection now numbers 50,926 volumes. Three newstack sections will be installed in 1987 to house this growing collection. 213 magazines and 13 newspapers are received regularly. Microfilm holdings include The New York Times, 1980 to date; the ValleyNews, 1981 to date; the Hanover Gazette (later the Granite State Gazette), 1885 to 1978; Time magazine, 1936 to date. In July, with funds given through the Howe Library Corporation, the library purchased a microfilm reader/printer capable of printing copies from both roll film and fiche. The audiovisual collection now includes 1,899 records, 1,192 cassette tapes, and 216 filmstrips and slide sets. Cassettes continue to grow in popularity. The library now adds few new recordings on discs, instead diverting almost all funds for the purchase of both music and spoken word recordings to the cassette collection. During the summer a survey of library users was aimed at gauging community interest in establishing a videocassette collection at Howe. This collection might provide non-fiction video and film classics. (It would not provide current movie hits or other entertainment features readily available from local commercial outlets.) 225 people responded that they now own a VCR, or expect to own one soon. Interest was expressed in the various categories in this order: films based on literature or children's books, "classic" films, documentaries, the arts, science, health and fitness, do-it-yourself instruction, hobbies, travel, and sports. The Apple lie, with printer and software, continues to be available to the public during afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Fewer people are now using it for learning about computers and more are using application programs, notably word processing and data base management. Reference staff use the computer to access the statewide union catalog for interlibrary loan requests, enabling them to locate titles more quickly for the borrowers who need them. During 1987 they will begin to access the state library's Status of Bills File and New Hampshire Newspaper Index, to provide better and faster information service to the community. A new service in the children's room in 1986 was the provision of a small collection of prints and posters, mounted and ready to hang, to be borrowed for home use. This collection is made possible by the library's Meck-Hazlett Fund. Gifts to the library in 1986 have included a bequest of $20,000 from the Mildred Morse estate and a public address system for the Mayer Room from the Hanover Historical Society. Individuals and organizations also provided as gifts 494 books, 59 magazine subscriptions, 3 newspaper subscriptions, 30 cassette tapes, and 27 records. Volunteers gave the library 2,418 hours of time and energy, assisting staff both in the daily routines of library work and in special projects that would not have been possible without them. The library turned over to the Town's general fund $31,962 from fines, nonresident fees, and copier fees. $30,517 from unrestricted Howe Library Corporation endowment income was paid to the Town to service the debt on the library building. At the Town Manager's request, a Long Range Planning Committee met during the year to study library needs over the next five years in the following areas: services, facilities, staff, and automation. This committee consisted of library staff, the president of the library trustees, and the librarians of the Richmond School and the Town Library in Etna. Their report has been submitted and is being studied by the Board of Trustees and the Selectmen. Copies of this 28-page report are available for loan from the library.

Etna Library Trustee report: It has been a busy year at the Etna Library. Circulation figures for January through November were 3,000, up from 2,527 in 1985 and 1,291 in 1984. The library continues to be open ten hours a week — two of those hours covered by volunteers. We received a grant from the New Hampshire Council for the Humanities to hold a five part book discussion series in the fall. These discussions were lively and well attended. We hope to do more adult programming in the future. Children's programs included ten Saturday morning movies during the summer, a puppet show and four special holiday storytimes. During December Clyde Watson read to the children from her books and Anne Byrne helped the children make terrariums. There is now a preschoolers' playgroup which meets twice a month at the library. A generous donation from the Etna Ladies Aid enabled us to purchase a supply of wooden puzzles both for use of the playgroup and other library patrons. New acquisitions include books-on-tape, puzzles, board books, computer software, books and magazines. We now have storm windows on all our windows and at long last a telephone (643-3116). The window seats have been refinished by the town and Gordon Hayes has refinished the conference table. We are in the process of acquiring new lighting fixtures since the lighting in the library is poor. We wish to thank all the "Thursday night" volunteers, lla Douple for the substituting she did this summer, the Hanover Garden Club for their donation towards books and magazines on gardening and the Etna Ladies Aid for their donation.

Library budget notes: The requested appropriation for the Howe Library includes the third and final year of the revised classification and salary schedule for library employees approved by the Selectmen on June 3, 1985. About $14,000 of the increase in the three Howe sections in the 1987-88 budget are required for this adjustment.

Etna Library budget: $5,228; Howe Library budget: $249,421

Hanover Annual Report, 1987

(Note: format of annual report changed substantially this year to bullet-point lists and lots of photo

Etna Library report: Library use: 1,527 people used the library in 1987 — up 20% from 1986. Hours open: 10 per week, with 2 hours covered by volunteers. Citizen Survey: Etna citizens were surveyed in preparation for long-range planning for the library. Special programs: Book Discussion series in November — preschoolers' playgroup twice a month — summer reading program for children — six storytimes with guest storytellers — Christmas crafts program. Building improvements: repairs to roof, steps, and railing — new trim paint — new interior lighting fixures. New programs planned for 1988: book discussion series and weekend storytelling series jointly sponsored with the Howe Library.

Selectman Black and Nordgren honored PATTI ECKELS with the following resolution: It Patti Eckels has been the prime architect of Howe Library as it has developed over the past twenty years into one of the best public libraries in the nation. has been Patti's dogged determination, plus her commitment to good library practices that has made Howe what it is today. From gathering book lists, welcoming everyone to Thursday evening programs, to staying attuned to the state of the art in media materials, Patti saw to it that Hanover readers had the best available, in surroundings that were user friendly and comfortable. She has molded a staff of caring, dedicated professionals, all of whom follow her leadership of giving the little extras. Patti has been energetic, devoted, and has lived Howe Library as the director for the past twenty years. Now we hope she will have some time to enjoy her grandchildren and also share a rewarding retirement with her husband, David. I'm sure that after July 1 she will be pleased to have someone else worry about an overflowing bookdrop on holidays and weekends.

Etna Library budget: $6,375

Hanover Annual Report, 1988

Howe Library report: Howe Library "Firsts": Summer Reading Program for Children featuring the theme "I Scream for Books" was a successful cooperative venture of the Howe, Etna, Lebanon, and West Lebanon Libraries. 120 children participated by reading books at home and attending storytelling programs. Asix-part Canada series, "Canadian Literature with a Sense of Place", hosted by Howe and Littleton Libraries, with funding from the New Hampshire Humanities Council, the Institute on Canada and the United States, and the Canadian Consulate General. Monthly sessions will continue through May, 1989. Classical Music on Compact Discs: Howe Library began circulating classical CD's in December, 1988. This new service is made possible by the Evelyn Hansen Hurd Endowment Fund. Adult Reading and Discussion Series: A cooperative series with Etna Library featured fiction works on the theme "Families", with lectures given by local scholars. Accomplishments: Provided outreach services and deposit collections for Senior Citizens at the Hanover Senior Center and the Greens. Expanded the unabridged cassette and videocassette collections. Updated the Howe Library brochure. Developed options for an automated circulation system for Howe. Updated procedures for handling overdue materials. Hosted a "Pig Celebration" featuring "Carrot", an Upper Valley pig resident. This event was written up in School Library Journal, a national publication. Gifts: Howe Library received $9,558 in gifts for current use in 1988. Noteworthy gifts included: a bequest from the Dorothy Brackett Estate, an additional contribution to the Gertrude Rogers Moody Endowment Fund by Mrs. Moody, who had worked at Howe Library in her youth. A Macintosh computer and VCR were given by the Howe Corporation. Statistical information related to 1988 circulation and activities is available at Howe Library.

Etna Library report: 1988 has been a year of change at the Etna Library. Andrea Thorpe completed her library degree at Simmons College and accepted a full-time position at the Newport, New Hampshire library. Pat Erwin-Ploog, a newcomer to the community, served as librarian from February through September, and in September she was succeeded by Patricia Hardenberg, an experienced children's librarian. Special programs this year included a book series on autobiographies sponsored in conjunction with the Enfield and Lebanon libraries and funded by the New Hampshire Council for the Humanities. For our younger patrons Clyde Watson, a local author, presented several readings in the spring. During the summer Ben and Jerry's supported the "I Scream for Books" reading program, a cooperative effort with the Lebanon and Howe Libraries. The March and October open houses were attended by many members of the community. During the fall our story times have seen a gradually increasing audience. Throughout the year 104 library cards were issued to library patrons. Special acquisitions included a calculator and a typewriter. Endowment funds were used to purchase additional catalog file drawers. An emergency light and a fire extinguisher were installed. We extend thanks to the Dartmouth Bookstore for making it possible for the library to procure an answering machine and a computer stand. Thanks also to our loyal volunteers who have continued to enable the library to serve the public on Thursday evenings. For 1989 we plan to emphasize children's programs. This library was established in 1903 in accord with the "library act" of the legislature, approved April 11, 1891, by which the State gave a sum not exceeding $100 to towns that should provide to the satisfaction of the library commissioners of the State "for the care, custody and distribution of books furnished" by such gift, and that should appropriate not less than $50, if their last assessed valuation exceeded $1,000,000. The satisfactory care and custody of the books were assured by the construction in 1905 of the present /library building through an appropriation of $2,500 made by the town. The work was entrusted to a committee, consisting of H.W. Hoyt, Chandler P. Smith and Robert Fletcher, which drew the plans for the building and superintended the work. The structure, which was of brick on a granite underpinning, was rectangular in shape and one story in height. The interior, consisting of a single room of twenty-five by thirty-three feet, had a paneled ceiling of hazel wood, which was also the material oft he interior finish, while the walls were plastered. To insure the building against dampness, as far as possible, an air space was left between the double exterior walls, which were eight and four inches thick, and there was a second air space between the brick wall and the plastering. A fine approach to the building was secured by a flight of granite steps and abutments, the gift of Henry C. Whipple in memory of J.W. Dodge. Lord's" "History of Hanover" (p. 85)

Hanover Annual Report, 1989

Etna Library report: 1989 has been a year of growth for the Etna Library. Attendance is up by 24% with 50 new patrons registering over the year. Circulation of materials, including books, magazines and cassettes, has increased by 53%. Our emphasis this year has been on children's programs. At storytime, held every other week, a core group of "regulars" and newcomers gathered for stories from books, storytelling, puppetry, songs and simple crafts. Two puppet shows were well attended. Both the April vacation program and the July Family Event were based on children's literature and folklore. The Summer Reading Program was again a cooperative effort with the Howe and Lebanon Libraries. Our theme was "Books! The Greatest Show On Earth." 14 children in Etna completed the program to earn a Ben & Jerry's ice cream cone. A combination Book Sale and Open House was held in October. Revenue from the sale will be used to purchase new books. A book weeding project conducted by the librarian has freed needed shelf space for new acquisitions in all areas of the library. The remaining classics, popular titles, recreational reading and informational material are now attractively displayed and easier for patrons to locate. Special acquisitons included a new book truck, a cassette tape player/recorder with headphones, a flannelboard for use in storytimes, folding chairs, a file cabinet, and shelving to showcase new books. A chronometer, new basement windows and a new basement door were installed. The Board of Trustees and the librarian offer a special thank you to our Thursday evening volunteers for their help in extending the library's hours each week.

Howe Library report: Purchased automation software and began data input of the collection (made possible by a major gift from Howe Library Corporation). Launched "Rediscoveries:" Honored Howe borrowers share favorite literary works in monthly personalized bookmarks, and accompanying display of titles deserving a wider audience. "Read-a-thon" with Richmond School 7th graders reciting folktales in the Children's Room to celebrate Young Readers' Day. Hosted concurrent Greek and Hebrew Language seminars, funded by the N.H. Humanities Council. "Storytellers Series:" 6 sessions highlighting "1989- The Year of the Young Reader," funded by the Elden Murray Foundation. The 2nd Annual Summer Reading Program for children featuring the theme: "Books! The Greatest Show on Earth" was again a successful cooperative venture of the Howe, Etna and Lebanon libraries; 150 children participated. Hosted a "Big" October booksale in the Mayer Room run by Howe staff and volunteers, earning $743. Cooperated with Grafton County Literacy Program to provide weekly meeting space for tutors and students. Continued outreach and home delivery services to seniors and other homebound persons. Held 3 adult book discussion series, funded by the N.H. Humanities Council: "Working, Making a Living, Making a Life," a noon series; "The Search for Meaning," an afternoon series; and "Consider the Source: Old Tales Retold," and evening series. Held the 13th Annual Elden Murray Photographic Competition & Exhibition, sponsored by the Elden Murray Foundation. Established a special "Friends of Howe Library Fund" for the purchase of nonbook items which cannot be funded through the regular budget. 1989 statistical and financial information is available at Howe Library.

Hanover Annual Report, 1990

Howe Library report: In 1900 Emily Howe Hitchcock established the Howe Library Corporation for the purpose of maintaining a public library for the town of Hanover," and her childhood home became the Howe Library. In 1975 the library left that original building (built in 1773 by Eleazar Wheelock, and now known as Wheelock House) and moved to its present location. The new building was designed by the Boston architectural firm of Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbot. Although the basic annual operating budget of the library is now funded by Hanover taxpayers, the building itself was financed by a very successful fund-raising campaign and a loan, which is being repaid almost entirely with income from the Corporation's endowment. Contributions or memorial gifts to the Corporation are gratefully received and are used to enrich the library's collections and services. Photo by Patricia Harden berg The library endowment funds buy special titles which could not be obtained through the regular town budget. In addition, books on tape, music tapes, compact discs, and videos are all purchased with endowment and gift monies. The trustees and staff welcome your interest in the library and your participation in its activities.

Etna Library report: The Hanover Town Library has been the official library for the Town of Hanover since it was established as the "Hanover Free Library" in 1899. The present building was completed in 1905. At the dedication Mr. Edward P. Starrs, chairman of the Town Selectmen, said "...and here will be found a fitting close to the chain of Libraries of which Hanover can be proud." The library budget is financed by the Hanover Town budget, with supplements drawn from book sales, donations, and the annual "Love My Library" campaign in February. The Hanover Town Library, locally known as the Etna Library, basically serves the Etna community, but it is open to all taxpayers of Hanover. Patricia M. Hardenberg is the librarian. She is the only staff person at the library. Volunteers open the library Thursday evenings and a weekly volunteer helps Thursday mornings.

Hanover Annual Report, 1991

Etna Library report: The Hanover Town Library, locally known as the Etna Library, serves the community both as a charming piece of Hanover's history and a ready source of recreational reading. 1,416 patrons used the library in 1991 and 3,200 items were circulated, including books, magazines and books-on-tape. 56 new patrons were registered. Storytime was held every other Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Two puppet-making workshops were well-attended and enjoyed by the participants. An origami workshop had the children's area filled to capacity! The Summer Reading Program, a co-operative effort with the Howe and Lebanon Libraries, had 18 readers earn certificates and free ice cream. Evening storytimes were held every Tuesday in August. In addition to the regular budget, new books were purchased with gift funds from February's annual "Love My Library" campaign, the Hanover Garden Club's usual generous donation, and book sales jointly sponsored by the Howe and Etna Libraries. We look forward to continuing our focus on quality children's programs, beginning with the addition of a Toddler Storytime in the Spring. The cataloguing of the library's holdings will be completed in 1992. The Board of Trustees and the librarian offer a special thank you to our Thursday evening volunteers for their help in extending the library's hours each week.

Howe Library report: Some major changes occurred at Howe Library in 1991. Here are some highlights: AUTOMATION- After over 2 years of planning and data entry work, Howe Library went online with circulation in mid-October. The new computer software purchased from the Winnebago Company, provides a window to patron activity. We can now keep patrons up to date regarding materials they have on loan, overdues , card expiration dates, and items on reserve. We are now able to tell more easily what materials are on the shelves and available for use. However, we have not yet reached the optimal level of service, as we are working out the bugs and still familiarizing staff and volunteers with procedures. Errors are becoming less and less common, we are happy to report. STAFF HOURS CUTS- Due to cuts in the 1991-92 budget, we had to close the library for 8 hours per week. Hours closed include: 8 to 9 P.M. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 6 to 9 P.M. on Thursday, and Friday 10 to Noon. The 1991 statistics reflect less activity in terms of materials circulation, programs, and reference activity. In deciding which services to cut, we made every effort to preserve the most important services (collection, reference, public service hours) . We added a number of new volunteers and increased our volunteer hours by 3.5 per week, for a total of 1,833 hours in 1991. FACILITY RENOVATION PROJECT- The Howe Library Corporation expended over $45,000 to create a new technical services workroom in the closed stacks, and to refurbish the upstairs workroom. The Town Budget provided $1,600 for furnishings for the new spaces. These spaces provided much enhanced working conditions for the staff. In addition, the Elden Murray Room was redecorated and carpeted, thus creating a more comfortable space for public meetings and library conferences. SENIOR CITIZEN OUTREACH- The Library Director worked closely with Kendal Librarian Barbara Brainerd to provide aterials on loan for the Kendal Library, and delivery service to residents who cannot get to Howe Library, due to illness or weather conditions. We look forward to continued cooperation with Kendal, along with our other outreach sites: the Greens, and the Hanover Senior Center in 1992. In July 1992 we will restore 2 public service hours, as Selectpeople appropriated monies for this purpose. During the month of March, we'll be asking for citizen feedback regarding which hours to restore (Thursday evening 6 to 8 , or Friday morning 10 to 12) . The Library Trustees will review this feedback before making a decision regarding reinstated hours. We welcome ideas and suggestions from Hanover citizens and taxpayers regarding our collections, services, and programs.

Etna Library budget: $6,905

Hanover Annual Report, 1992

Hanover's earliest public library was not located within the downtown village area, as one might now assume, but rather out in "Mill Village" as Etna was then called prior to its present name being officially adopted in 1884. This was more in the geographical center of the community and the location of the all important annual Town Meeting. The first library was established on June 12, 1801 and apparently had a reasonably large collection of books for that time. During the nineteenth century the library went through several incorporations as well as various locations around the village. Although the outlying rural areas of the town had their literary needs reasonably well tended to by the turn of this century, the downtown village population was still without a public library. Therefore, on February 22, 1900, Emily Howe, forty-seven years old, gave her family home, located at 4 West Wheelock Street, to the Town of Hanover to be used as a public library. This was viewed as an appropriate structure to house a library for the building was originally constructed as the home of Eleazar Wheelock, Dartmouth's first President (see town calendar, month of May) . Some minor restoration and remodeling work was done on the building and the doors opened to the public on April 7, 1900, with about 1,200 books on hand. Emily Howe Hitchcock (she had married her widower cousin Hiram Hitchcock who had earlier in 1890 given the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in remembrance of his first wife) passed away on January 16, 1912 but left the library well endowed. A brick addition housing several floors of stacks was built in 1914, and otherwise the facility served the community well for over seventy years until sold by the Library Trustees upon completion of the present facility on East South Street in 1975. Both of these early photographs are of the original Howe Library, shortly after it was opened to the public. The upper view is of the front hall featuring the circulation desk and card catalog. The lower picture shows the comfortable front reading room.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING AT HOWE LIBRARY: Mary Churchill and Pegge Strickler, the remaining two Howe librarians who had worked in the old building on West Wheelock Street, retired in 1992. Mary first joined the staff in 1949, directly from Radcliffe. In those days, everyone did a little bit of everything: cataloging books, getting books ready to be on the shelf, circulating books, and putting books back on the shelf. At the time of her retirement, Mary's official title was "Head of Technical Services", and her work was highly specialized. Over 43 years, Mary witnessed a revolution in the scope of library services. Somehow she managed to keep the catalog accurate, keep track of every detail and keep her wonderful sense of humor through it all. Pegge, known for her ability to make people laugh, served as Children's Librarian for more than 20 years. Books and other materials for children reflect the changes in society over that time, but the ability to connect the right story with the right small person is as important now as it was in 1970. Pegge' legacy is a children's collection unmatched in the region. No doubt Pegge' s globe-trotting will accelerate to an even more feverish pace now that she's retired. Her culinary skills will encompass more ethnic regions, and her garden will flourish. The Town of Hanover honors these two special librarians who gave 64 years of outstanding service.

Etna Library report: The Hanover Town Library, locally known as the Etna Library, basically serves the Etna-Hanover Center community while welcoming patrons from the greater Hanover area. It has been the official library for the Town of Hanover since it was established as the "Hanover Free Library" in 1899. The present building, finished throughout with varnished hazelwood, was completed in 1905. At the dedication Mr. Edward P. Storrs, chairman of the Town Selectmen, said "... and here will be found a fitting close to the chain of Libraries of which Hanover can be proud." Eighteen hundred patrons used the library in 1992 and 3,200 items were circulated, including books, magazines and books-ontape. Sixty new patrons were registered. Storytime for ages 3 to 6 was held every other Thursday throughout the year, and a new series of programs for toddlers, "Tales for 2's and 3's: An Introduction to the Storytime Experience" was begun in the Spring. A puppet making workshop was enjoyed by all; storyteller Becky Graber performed; the Summer Reading Program, a co-operative effort with the Howe and Lebanon Libraries, was successful; and an evening storytime was held Tuesdays in August with local author Clyde Watson reading her stories one evening. An additional card catalog section was purchased to accommodate our expanding collection. The Apple He and its software, generously donated by Howe Library, serves the librarian well and is available to the public. The Board of Trustees and the librarian offer a special thank you to our Thursday evening volunteers for help in extending the library's hours each week. We look forward to continuing our focus on quality children's programs. While the library is a charming piece of Hanover's history, it is also a vital and ready source of recreational reading for children and adults.

Hanover Annual Report, 1993

Hanover Annual Report, 1994

Hanover Annual Report, 1995

Hanover Annual Report, 1996

Hanover Annual Report, 1997

Hanover Annual Report, 1998

Hanover Annual Report, 1999

Hanover Annual Report, 2000

Hanover Annual Report, 2001

Hanover Annual Report, 2002

Hanover Annual Report, 2003

Hanover Annual Report, 2004

Hanover Annual Report, 2005

Hanover Annual Report, 2006

Hanover Annual Report, 2007

Hanover Annual Report, 2008

Hanover Annual Report, 2009

Hanover Annual Report, 2010

Library highlights: "2010 was an important year in the history of the Etna Library. Numerous generous donations enabled the town to purchase the land surrounding the library from the heirs of Ethel Hayes. The trustees and staff are very grateful to the Hayes Land fund-raising committee and all the donors. Owning the land makes possible the construction of a parking area and a barrier-free entrance."

Hanover Annual Report, 2011

Hanover Annual Report, 2012-2013

Hanover Annual Report, 2013-2014

Hanover Annual Report, 2015-2016

Hanover Annual Report, 2016-2017

Hanover Annual Report, 2017-2018

Hanover Annual Report, 2018-2019

Hanover Annual Report, 2019-2020

Hanover Annual Report, 2020-2021

Hanover Annual Report, 2021-2022

Hanover Annual Report, 2022-2023

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