WEARE PUBLIC LIBRARY RESTORES CHILDREN'S SERVICES

by Christine Hague, Director
Weare Public Library
wearepl@comcast.net
(603) 529-2044

Five months after the Weare Public Library Children's Room closed due to flood damage, a bright new room reopened for the children. The road back from the damage done on April 16th was not an easy one in a town that has experienced eight default budgets, but the journey brought together a solid support base. An ad hoc group calling itself Volunteers for the Weare Public Library raised over $5,000, which supplemented insurance money for the restoration.

In addition, Weare selectmen approved over $8,000 of town funds for a Friend drain system around the inside of the Children's Room. This was recommended in the engineer's report, which cited construction flaws, climate change, and lack of slope in the drainage area as probable causes for the flood.

Local musicians, storytellers, quilters and children's entertainers also contributed their professional talents to assist the fundraisers. Although the children's collection was not damaged, the room was taken out of service and the books stored while an engineering study determined the cause of the flood. Further delays caused by a flood mitigation project postponed the reopening until September 22nd. A small selection of children's books was made available on the library's main floor, which also served as a work area for children's staff.

Summer reading programs were scheduled as usual, with Dunbarton and New Boston offering children's books to supplement Weare's limited collection. Total library circulation for July and August was down 1,835 item from 2006. We hope to make that up by promoting our newly restored facility.