ASHUELOT – It’s been serving the community for more than 100 years – and thanks to some state funding, the Thayer Public Library may well be around for another century.
A $10,000 grant from the N.H. Moose Plate Program will pay for a much-needed exterior paint job on the nearly 200-year old building on Route 119 in Ashuelot, opposite the covered bridge.
According to the program’s Web site, grant funds are raised through the purchase of conservation license plates (“moose plate”) to promote or protect the state’s natural, cultural and historic resources.
The structure, built in 1823in the Greek revival style, was a home donated as a library in 1902 by Julia Thayer.
The library is located on the ground floor with the librarians’ living quarters on the second floor. Thayer, who grew up in Ashuelot, was a philanthropist and wife of Edward Thayer, who owned a woolen mill in town. The couple also donated the building that now houses the Keene Public Library. One of her stipulations in donating the Thayer Public Library was that the building remain a library.
Over the years, the library was the location of historical lectures, children’s story hours, and about 20 years ago, it housed meetings to revive Winchester’s early 20th century newspaper, The Winchester Star, according to Julia Ferrari, library trustee and the writer of the successful grant application from the state license plate program.
Recently, she added the local Grange chapter and a poetry group have expressed interest in using the library for meetings and poetry readings.
To ensure the library will remain a resource for many years to come, some restoration had to be done. Using money from the library’s trust fund, repairs are almost finished. Ferrari said about 95 percent of the building’s clapboards were in good shape, so only a few rotted ones had to be replace, while minor structural repairs on some beams are also under way.
Ferrari knew that if the building was considered of historic value by the state, any restoration projects would be eligible for grants. She applied early this year, and the library was later named to the N.H. State Register of Historic Places. It is also situated within Winchester’s historic district. The library also received about $2,000 annually from the town of Winchester that is used toward heating the building.
Any restoration projects need to be in line with the library’s historic listing and location, which means painting the clapboard exterior, rather than installing vinyl siding. “We didn’t want it to lose its historic façade.” Ferrari said, speaking on behalf of her fellow trustees. “It’s simple and austere.”
The new paint job is slated for spring. Bids are still being accepted, and the hope is that the grant money will pay for all of the work. There have been virtually no changes made to the library’s interior since 1902. Much of the furniture in the reading room and even a few of the books in the collection are the same as when Thayer put them there. “It’s as if time has stopped,” Ferrari said.
Ferrari believes the library’s value is in preserving that history – for example, its collection of books on New Hampshire’s heritage. Other improvements under consideration are updating the library’s collection, adding computers with online access and expanding the number of days and hours the library is open. “We’re trying to bring the library back to being alive,” Ferrari said, adding that the library was situated to be within walking distance of users. “We want to get the community coming back, so we have to rethink what a tiny library offers. I think it’s possible.”
24 comments:
This is wonderful news!
Hiring a librarian would be an excellent solution too. Someone who has an interest in books, education and community service.
From what I see they all ready have that, I see the librarian volunteering at every town event, works for almost all the Non-profits and kids organizations in town.
That may be so; but it's more of a look at me thing with him. He doesn't do anything for or at the library, just look at the shape it's in and the choice of reading materials, some librarian. Besides that, he may find himself spending time inside the new county jail soon. Is this the kind of person we want spending time with our children?
I hope you are joking! They do NOT currently have a librarian, nor do they have a manager. The official "librarian" is a baby monitor. Literally!
A manager would have had the place "maintained". The building would be thriving with neighbors using the wonderful facility and reading books. But simply mowing the lawn does not make an excellent manager or librarian....
Wikipedia says - A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs. Typically, librarians work in a public or college library, an elementary or secondary school media center, a library within a business or company, or another information-provision agency. Some librarians are independent entrepreneurs working as information specialists, catalogers, indexers and other professional, specialized capacities. Librarians may be categorized as a public, school, correctional, special, independent or academic librarian.
The current "librarian" could not even claim any of the above. Nor does he strive to achieve any of it. He even brags about not reading books on facebook and in public (while he is volunteering his time at the elmm). He hasn't checked out any books nor bought any in years.
His volunteer service is a cover, so that people will not believe the truth when they hear it. Not unlike Paul Palateri.
To: Anonymous 3:19 PM /
Sounds like you haven't been to the library. Julia Thayer is "rolling in her grave" with the blatant disgrace of her building and her wishes. It's become section eight housing for someone who would rather "volunteer" elsewhere in town. Only because he doesn't have a clue.
Again, mis-informed people talking about things they haven’t a clue about, the outside of the building is not the responsibility of the librarian, but the landscaping and inside is and that looks great to me, the books and furniture are original and over 100 years old if your looking for something new go to Conant that has many wonderful modern books and tools and a large budget to help pay for them , I believe ashuelots little library’s goal is preserving the past, and preserving the Library as it was. no room or money for modern and new items. as far as the exterior of the Building it was decided in 2002 to be repaired but because of historical commissions’ who mandate rules without funding and the personal beliefs of a very small amount of people restorations have been held up till this last summer and if you were to pay attention you would see they are well on the way, a miss quote in the sentinel about the condition of the wood, clapboard and beams was seriously wrong, the building is very old and had large amounts of expensive carpentry needed to replace a large amount of rot and decay before a paint job could begin if you drive by and see the new carpentry with grey primer this is very evident, How the sentinel got it so wrong doesn’t surprise me they seem to do this a lot, but I believe it had more to do with the source than anything. Some people just want to pretend they cant see something in order to push through their own personal beliefs. By the end of next summer our historic library will look splendid, but without a doubt this could have been done years ago if people who don’t have a clue would simply stay out of things they truly don’t understand. It was not Julia Thayers intention to make Historical commissions or a few people who like old rotted buildings happy it was to preserve and keep a free library for the Village of Ashuelot. Simple
Isn't there a trust fund for the library and isn't the money in that fund to be used to keep the library in good condition? Why wasn't the money used for it's up keep all along BEFORE it fell under such disrepair? Why didn't the librarian/manager keep on top of things and make requests for repairs long before things got to the sorry state that they were in? Was it because he was too busy elsewhere promoting himself and not doing the job he was hired to do? Things just don't rot out and fall apart over night, it takes many years for a building to have to have such extensive repair work done.
the interest form the trust fund is no where near enough to do these extensive repairs, the condition of the building was in need of this when the new librarian took the job, he is not a voting board member and can only do so much and as stated before the board has been trying to take care of this for many years but unless you have dealt with a historical commission you have no Idea how hard it is to do jobs like this and how hard to get them to OK it. trying to improve the Library without asking taxed out voters for money has been our goal.
Wow! Take a deep breath….
There are two fine examples of the quality we are referring to when talking about town employees. One could easily derive that you were social promoted in school. It also speaks volumes as to your illustrious qualifications as a librarian. It couldn’t possibly have been from nepotism alone.
You are quoted as saying, “I believe ashuelots little library’s goal is preserving the past, and preserving the Library as it was.” Since television is more your speed, we recommend that you watch “This Old House” and “The Antique Road Show” to get a better understanding of architectural integrity and the value & quality of antiques. Vinyl windows and siding are not going to “preserve” the past. Routine maintenance is something this town lacks. Wait until it falls apart before we bother to do anything about it, is Winchester's mantra.
God forbid vinyl siding had been put up, not only would the building have lost it’s historical significance, the structural damage would have been covered up and never found until the building fell down. It’s asinine to spout off that the “historical commission” didn’t allow you to repair, maintain or paint the library, since 2002. Especially considering that the library just received historical status in 2009.
Regarding the interior - What is your excuse for leaving the bathroom interior walls exposed for the past eight plus years? What will be your excuse if black mold is growing in there due to your negligence and the building has to be condemned? Why are the ceilings and the wallpaper peeling?
You claim to know what Julia Thayer’s wishes were - have you had an opportunity to read the coveted historical book that Julia Thayer wrote? We daresay that very few people have, since it is no longer available for public viewing. From what has been said though, it became reclusive for a very good reason - if Julia Thayer’s intentions for her little library were revealed, people would discover that none of her wishes have come to fruition since the early 80s.
Regarding your other social agendas in town, perhaps you could take a page from the library’s goal of not “asking taxed out voters for money.” Consider the fact that you might be the only one in Winchester who lives here tax FREE, no rent, half of your utilities paid, two children in the school system (at $19,000/each per year) and you get to run the library from the post office. How cool is that?
PS: FACT – the town does NOT tax it’s own buildings.
Where is this book, who has it and why? Why isn't it at the library for all to see? Is this another of Winchester's little scandals and hidden secrets?
Just how much money is in the library trust and why hasn't it been used for the purpose it was intended for; to keep the building in good shape for generations to come? Why is the town relying on just the interest alone to provide the upkeep of this building, which evidently hasn't been enough for years ?
There will be a Trustee's meeting TONIGHT at 7 pm.
Don't want to upset anyone, but why does Winchester need two libraries?
Winchester only has 1 Ashuelot has 1, Ashuelots does not cost tax payers any money. Be informed before you post
They both fall under the same jurisdiction and tax dollars do go to the Thayer library. You should read a bit, especially the budget information posted on the Informer home page before you attempt to discredit others.
There is $2,000 listed budget and also a Warrant Article for $15,000 on the ballot for this year.
Grant money. Oh boy! Wake up people!!! Where do you think this grant money is coming from? The tooth fairy? Grants are another way for then government to spend more money. How many homes in winchester coule be saved if that grant money$$$$$$ was given to homeowners about to lose their homes. May be the government could create a Cash For Homeowners program instead of bailing out those screwing the economy and sucking our welfare...no wait,excuse me,my mistake...the entitlement program dry.
The Grant money came from people purchasing MOOSE plates for their vehicles. People purchase them knowing that it will help fund a special program. No taxes involved.
You're pretty clueless if you think $10,000 is going to help people save their homes from foreclosure. But it will save a historic building that has been neglected.
What's screwing the economy is too much TAXATION.
Get with the program!!! License plates...what a joke!!!Who do you think makes these plates? Elves? No matter how you decorate a piece of crap it is still a piece of crap. How far can $10,000 go in your household? Winchester encompasses Ashuelot.Use the Winchester library. By the way, who is giong to cover any injuries the librian and his family may have. Could it possibly the town of Winchester?
As a budget committee member Thayer Library has not asked for money like Conant Library. The tax payers pour thousands into Thayer each year, plus we pay the insurance and health cost of every employee. The trustees of Thayer Library were alitle more humble about asking the tax payers for money over the years. Thayer Library could have placed this money into a capital reserve like Conant Library for a rainy day account but they choice not to. Now Thayer Library is asking us to help them and we should. Thayer Library has short falls just like other town department like the town beach fund needs money but the glut of of our tax dollars goes to the highway, finance department, police or some these other lame brain project..
Winchester Informer: Is the person posting on 1/12 @1:08 pm and 1/13 @ 2:55 pm the same deranged psycho that you kicked off the website last month? If so, it's time to notify the authorities again.
Their ramblings would lead one to believe that they failed school miserably and should join the happy characters/"elves" who make the license plates for the State.
What is a librian?
No, it is not the same person who was so disruptive before. This is just someone expressing their own opinion.
$25,000 to scrap and paint a building? You have to be out of your freak-en mind to pay that! Someone could higher a crew of Mexicans and have it painted in two days and live comfortably off the rest of the money for a year!
Doesn't anyone else think that's out of line to charge to scrap and paint the library?
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000 to be used along with the $10,000 grant money we received to scrape and paint the exterior of the Thayer Library in Ashuelot, any balance to be used to scrape and paint the ceilings in Library rooms downstairs? Inserted by Petition
Acting Chair Tedford says the Budget Committee held their public hearing last evening and discussed this article, in which they took no action. This Board is concerned that there is not enough information provided on this article, and would like to see some proposals to define the work, which the Trustees of the Library intend to have done. Selectman Gardner adds the total of $25,000.00 is strictly for scraping and painting the exterior of the building, and he is concerned that the defective clapboards need renovation before they are painted.
Ted Whippie from the audience asks to comment. Ted requests that the trustees provide contract bids to the Board of Selectmen, to define what will be done and a price for the work, and is concerned that the Trustees have not sought any input from the Historical Society. The Board understands that if the people vote to approve-only $15,000.00 can be used for the scrap/paint, while the grant part is not limited to only that type of improvement. Bob makes clear that he recently sent a letter to the Trustees and also stated at the Budget Committee’s Public Hearing last evening that the Selectmen will administer the grant, and all proposals with specifications need to go before the Selectmen. The Grant for $10,000.00 has and will not be spent without Selectmen permission. The Board fully supports having the building repaired. Acting Chair Tedford would like Bob to contact to the DRA to see if there is any conflict in mixing an article appropriation with a grant, and asks the Board not to take any action at this time. The Board concurs.
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