FROM THE DESK OF THE STATE LIBRARIAN

With our current political and economic situations, and the general issues of day to day survival, it is sometimes hard to be optimistic about the future. I believe there is a general feeling of not being in control of things felt by many people today. Oil soars to almost $150 a barrel from below $20 just a few years ago and everything increases dramatically in price. Homes that people have invested in for a long time are now at risk of losing a significant percentage of their value; jeopardizing retirement plans and no one seems able to stabilize things. Politicians who we have respected and admired now say anything to get elected, distorting the truth, abandoning their principles and contradicting themselves. Everyone realizes that the truth lies somewhere between what the candidates say about each other.

While all of this is swirling around one constant remains for many people; in New Hampshire our public libraries remain the cornerstone of our communities; and in New Hampshire we are expanding library services and building new libraries to serve our citizens with state-of-the-art buildings and technology. I was pleased recently to be invited to the opening of the brand new Gilford Public Library. The library is an outstanding example of what is happening in New Hampshire at the beginning of what is expected to be a period of technological development that will make the 20th century look like the 16th century. One of the most interesting aspects of the Gilford Public Library is its designed use of geothermal technology to heat and cool the building.

The library has invested a substantial amount of money in a system that uses the constant temperature of water pumped into the building from 500 feet below the surface to maintain a constant temperature. Although the initial outlay was substantial, it will cut down dramatically on the traditional cost to climate control the building. Many other libraries are incorporating the environmentally friendly approaches into their planning for new or renovated buildings. Portsmouth Library Public was the first LEED certified library in New Hampshire opening in early 2008.

This past summer the state gained a public library when the friends of the Rollinsford Public library opened their doors in the lower mill in Rollinsford. A ground swell in Rollinsford has been building for a number of years to establish a library and this year it has really taken hold. Many communities have renovated their libraries and a number of communities have built entire new buildings with state-of-the-art designs, but real recognition needs to go to Rollinsford because they have created an entirely new library and galvanized townspeople about a library. So, although we are going through some difficult times, it is encouraging to see that libraries in New Hampshire are flourishing.
-Michael York, State Librarian

State of New Hampshire
By His Excellency
John H. Lynch, Governor
A Commendation

ROLLINSFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY

WHEREAS, The town of Rollinsford is moving forward to establish a Public Library, and;

WHEREAS, Libraries are an integral part of New Hampshire’s cities and towns and promote literacy and a sense of community; and

WHEREAS, The State of New Hampshire would like to recognize the services provided by libraries and the hard work done by librarians in all communities; and

WHEREAS, The townspeople of Rollinsford are firmly behind the establishment of a library; and

WHEREAS, The Friends of the Rollinsford Public Library has been very active in stimulating interest in a Public Library to meet the town’s needs; and

WHEREAS, Extensive renovations have been made to the Lower Mill to accommodate a new library; and

WHEREAS, the Grand Opening of the Rollinsford Public Library will be on Saturday, September 27, 2008;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN H. LYNCH, GOVERNOR of the State of New Hampshire, do hereby commend the people of the Town of Rollinsford for their foresight in establishing a new library to serve the citizens of the Town of Rollinsford.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Concord, this 15th day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand and eight, and the independence of the United States of America two hundred and thirty-three.