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Posted on Posted in Community, General

The Friends of the Goffstown Public Library have been awarded the 2023 Sue Palmatier Award from the New Hampshire Library Trustees Association.

The Sue Palmatier Award is awarded annually by the New Hampshire Library Trustee Association for Outstanding Support by a “Friends of The Library” Group. This award recognizes the tremendous value of Friends of the Library.

If you’ve borrowed a museum pass, participated in a gingerbread decorating workshop, or enjoyed a summer performance on the lawn — it’s thanks to the Friends of the Goffstown Public Library! They work hard year-round to raise funds for programs and items outside the library budget.

  • The Friends, a 501(c)3 organization provide:
    • all the library’s passes to museums and outdoor spaces (at an annual cost close to $5,000),
    • furniture in each department, from easy chairs to portable tables,
    • Summer Experience program support and sponsor performers,
    • funding for youth and holiday events,
    • ongoing book sales (on the third floor year-round and twice a year on the lawn),
    • beautification of the library grounds each spring,
    • and a presence in the Library and the greater Goffstown community.

“Libraries are an integral part of thriving communities and we do our part to help make sure our library is healthy and vibrant in the Goffstown community. We are an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization interested in the Goffstown Public Library. We strive to focus public attention on and stimulate use of the Library. We also support the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, which expresses the rights of library users to intellectual freedom.” – www.goffstownfriends.com

On November 8, 2023, NHLTA board member Debra Caplan presented the award to the Friends of the Goffstown Public Library.

November 8, 2023 Award presentation by NHLTA board member Debra Caplan
"The Friends are passionate supporters of the library, donating time, money, and effort to helping the Goffstown Public Library achieve its mission. Without them, we would not be able to offer many of the amenities, programs, and services we currently provide to our community.

The Friends's fundraising efforts, especially the book sales ".. are a massive undertaking, requiring months of collecting donations, and then days of backbreaking labor setting up tables and books. They hold an annual “beautification day” for the library grounds, another task involving significant amounts of hard physical labor. And they do it all cheerfully in support of the library and its mission.

The Friends contribute so much to the Goffstown Public Library and the community, all from a commitment to service and a desire to see the town flourish."
The Library Board of Trustees
Nomination Submition

Congratulations to the Friends of the Goffstown Public Library, a very deserving group of volunteers! Learn more about the Friends and join their mailing list at goffstownfriends.com

Posted on Posted in Adult, General, Kids, Teens

Celebrate the Freedom to Read

When we ban books, we’re closing off readers to people, places, and perspectives. But when we stand up for stories, we unleash the power that lies inside every book. We liberate the array of voices that need to be heard and the scenes that need to be seen. Let freedom read!

The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. In 2022, the American Library Association (ALA) tracked the highest number of attempted book bans since they began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago; 2,571 unique titles were challenged last year, up from 1,858 in 2021. Learn more at ala.org/bbooks. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.

Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.

Read more »

Posted on Posted in Community, General

Our consortium, GMILCS, Inc. (Greater Manchester Integrated Library Cooperative System) has contracted with Bywater Solutions to purchase Aspen Discovery, giving a new look and functionality to our online catalog.

www.goffstownlibrary.com/search will still take you directly to the catalog – take a look around and enjoy the new experience.

You’ll be pleased with the fresh new design and

  • improved user experience with great visuals and familiar features,
  • ability by staff to change and customize the catalog for the Goffstown community,
  • ease in finding any material format that you are looking for, and
  • there is a built-in translation feature that includes French and Spanish.

Managing Your Account is Easier than Ever!

  • Menus are easy to navigate – your barcode and pin/password haven’t changed.
  • Your saved lists are available to import. Simply log into your account, select “Your Lists” and select the “Import from Old Catalog” tab. Please carefully read any messages that appear on your screen so you can search for and save or make note of any titles that may no longer be available.

Keep in Mind

Questions? Email dianneh@goffstownlibrary.com

Posted on Posted in Adult, Community, General

You don’t have to go far if you’re looking for a nice mountain hike nearby. In Goffstown, the Uncanoonuc Mountains Hiking Trails provide hikers with beautiful scenic views of Goffstown and the Merrimack Valley. David Pierce, retired cartographer, has provided the Conservation Commission with a map highlighting the various paths hikers can take.

The flyer is available:

  • as a PDF download,
  • posted near the beach at Uncanoonuc Lake, and at the Village bulletin board on Mountain Road,
  • and available at the Library.

Maps and Trails Information: https://goffstownrailtrail.org/rail-trail-maps

Updated maps can also be found at https://www.goffstown.com/community/maps/78-trails

More Nearby Trails

Black Brook & Blackbriar Woods Preserves – Piscataquog Land Conservancy (plcnh.org)

hike1

Florence M. Tarr Wildlife Sanctuary – Piscataquog Land Conservancy (plcnh.org)

hike 2

Guides

Memoirs/Stories

For More Information

Posted on Posted in Adult, Community, General, Kids, Teens

Nourishing our community, one seed at a time...

“Borrow” seeds to start your gardens! Located on the third floor, the Seed Library is now available to “check out”.

The steps are simple:

  1. Choose what seed varieties you want.
  2. Fill out the sign-out sheet with what you chose.
  3. There are seed packets with planting instructions on the table, you can make note of the planting information on the packets you are taking home.
  4. We’re also collecting harvested seeds at the end of the summer, so please note whether you would like to participate in that when you’re filling out the sign-out sheet. When you bring those in, please label each envelope with the seed and variety information.
On top of a small, worn, wooden desk there is a green shelf holding six rows of seed packets. Beside and in front of the shelf are instructions and information about the Seed Library.

Three seed packets for cilantro, bunching onions, carrots, rest on a table with smaller manila envelopes atop each. Each envelope has a label naming the seeds.When using the Seed Library, take what you need but remember to leave enough for others. This project is based on the honor system, so a staff member is not needed to “check out” seeds.

Seed will be swapped out as the seasons change, so be sure to check back every so often for new seed varieties.

Happy gardening and be sure to use #goffstownlibrary on social media to share your Seed Library bounty!

The Goffstown Seed Library is made possible by the Friends of the Goffstown Public Library and the New Hampshire Free Seed Project.

Read All About Gardening!

KIDS

ADULTS

Share the Bounty in 2023

Grow a Row – through August 31

Do you have a green thumb? Enjoy your garden while helping your community this summer by participating in Grow a Row! The Goffstown Network Food Pantry’s Grow a Row program encourages local gardeners to add an extra row (or more) of their favorite vegetables to their garden, and then donate those extra vegetables. Your vegetable surplus will be used to stock the Goffstown Network Food Pantry with healthy and fresh food for our neighbors in need.

After harvest, drop off your produce at two locations during open hours:

Harvest Swap – Saturday, August 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Share and swap your bounty with the community! Too many tomatoes? Want to swap your squash? Come by and see what others have grown this summer and exchange some of your garden produce. Register for this event and let us know you’re coming at www.goffstownlibrary.com/calendar.

For Further Reading

Gardening & Growing

Seed Saving

In the E-Library

  • Universal Class offers courses like Introduction to Gardening, Vegetable Gardening, Tropical Gardening, and more.
  • Libby by OverDrive has a variety of Gardening magazines available to check out and read online or on a mobile device.