From educational programs for children to artist workshops, libraries are more than just a place to check out a book. The great libraries of New Hampshire provide a relaxing space to gather with your community or if you prefer, unwind with your favorite novel. Here are the 10 best in the state.
Take in a movie matinee, join a morning meditation group or learn to knit or play bridge. All this and more takes place at the Rye Public Library. In addition, the library offers reading groups, study groups for teens, children’s reading programs and more. There is something for everyone here.
A few years ago, the Portsmouth Public Library moved into a brand new building, and with it came a plethora of programs and other opportunities for the seacoast community. Discussion groups abound, with intriguing topics like world views and ecosystems. English as a second language groups help those new to the country perfect their abilities to read, speak, and write. Notables in the book world host workshops and lectures. Check out their website to keep up with the many events scheduled.
Access to excellent online classes, passes to local museums, yoga, toddler groups, book clubs and more are just some of what the Lane Memorial Library offers its members. In addition, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs and books line the shelves and are available to borrow. Local history resources are abundant.
Attend story time, take a technology class, take part in an escape room adventure and more. Sign up for online classes in one of many subjects, and access the library’s resource materials when you do your homework. All this takes place at the Dover Public Library—and that’s just for starters. Art enthusiasts will love learning about their favorite local and national artists and studying art history, too. The frequent exhibits on display add a depth to the library typically found only in museums.
Open since 1898, the Weeks Public Library started out small, but that doesn’t make it any less mighty. Proving a wealth of resources for the Greenland community, the library features countless workshops, summer reading programs and more. Their programs for teens and tweens help ensure that kids are spending their down time in quality ways.
Find a great book to read, sign your son or daughter up for Math Club and learn to self-publish that novel that’s stashed in your closet. You can do all this and more at the Keene Public Library. You can bring your toddler to story time and sign your teen up for SAT prep classes as well.
An eclectic list of speakers, intriguing classes and reading groups round out the programs at the Jackson Public Library. Borrow passes to local museums and even one local ski area. How many libraries offer that? Their annual book sale is the perfect way to pick up selections for your own book collection. The summer reading program is embraced by a huge percentage of the local population.
Established in 1180, the Leach Library has served the Londonderry and surrounding communities for a very long time. Featuring public meeting rooms, quiet study rooms, a used book store and more, it also schedules nationally renowned speakers who bring colorful programs on interesting topics for all to enjoy.
Sign the kids up for arts and crafts classes and sign yourself up for a computer course. Check out story time replete with puppet shows. The Nashua Public Library lends out passes to local and Boston-area museums and schedules Minecraft and Anime events for teenagers. If you have a teen interested in Job Corp, they frequently host recruiters for these educational programs as well.
Put your kids in their pajamas and bring them to the Aaron Cutler Memorial Library for story time. That’s the community feel this library strives to exude—and their good at it, too. Sign up for the adult book club, knitting group, LEGO club or high school drop-in group. Frequent visitors to the library become well educated—and that’s without even checking out any books.
