COOK MEMORIAL LIBRARY LIBRARY OF THE YEAR 2003 - 2004

The Cook Memorial Library Board of Trustees and staff identified handicapped access and increased space and services as necessities that their library must provide to residents of all ages. To meet these challenges, the Board of Trustees and the Friends of the Library raised over $500,000 toward the renovation of their historic building in 2001.

This revitalization attracted increases of 32% in registration and 50% in circulation. The library currently serves 1,749 patrons from a town population of 2,510. This astonishingly high percentage of users encompasses many children who reap the benefits of access to computers, literature, information and programming they might not otherwise have.

The library's strong record of involvement with the state's library community includes membership in NHLTA, the Carroll County Library Cooperative, chaired by director Jay Rancourt, the N.H. Library Association, and the Children's Librarians Association (CHILIS). These memberships have provided shared educational programs, Interlibrary Loan, a rotating library of non-print materials, and ongoing affordable training and development.

Cook Memorial Library's commitment and outreach to the Tamworth community is exemplary. The Friends alone have 150 active members. Over 100 meetings of local civic groups take place in the historic meeting room. In addition to ongoing projects with the Remick Country Doctor Farm Museum, Historical Society and K.A. Brett School, the library displays the work of local artists and co-sponsors quality films with the Arts Council. And, of course, there are the participations in the Fourth of July and Tamworth History Day. As part of the New Hampshire Local Records Education Project, the library staff led a series of meetings for 29 community organizations about the preservation of local history records, a vivid demonstration of the information and skills provided by libraries and librarians.

For enriching the lives of all residents, for the dedicated service to the most important resource for lifelong learning in the community, the N.H. Library Trustees Association proudly presents the 2003-2004 Library of the Year Award to the Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth.