William D. Weeks Memorial Library

William D. Weeks Memorial Library
Location 128 Main St., Lancaster, New Hampshire
Coordinates 44°29′27″N 71°34′16″W / 44.49083°N 71.57111°W / 44.49083; -71.57111Coordinates: 44°29′27″N 71°34′16″W / 44.49083°N 71.57111°W / 44.49083; -71.57111
Area less than one acre
Built 1906
Architect McLean and Wright; Tennant/Wallace
Architectural style Beaux Arts
NRHP Reference # 00001464
Added to NRHP December 1, 2000

The William D. Weeks Memorial Library, also referred to as the Weeks Memorial Library, is a publicly funded, nonprofit library governed by the Town of Lancaster in Coös County, New Hampshire.

Located at 128 Main Street, the single-story brick building was constructed in 1906, enlarged in 1998, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Currently a repository of approximately 62,000 books, news publications, and audiovisual materials, Weeks Memorial Library identifies itself as a hub of community involvement for youth, teens, and adults alike.

According to the library’s website, “More than 4000 residents of Lancaster and surrounding communities hold active library cards.”[1] The population of Lancaster is approximately 3,350.[2]

History

In 1884, a chief founder of Lancaster’s public library services, George P. Rowell, donated 1,000 books for the town’s free public library efforts. Rowell was involved with the Social Reading Circle, a privately circulating library from which the volumes were donated. He also offered the former Lancaster Academy building for use as a free public library under the condition that the town raise $500 in support of the initiative. This marked the beginning of the Lancaster Public Library (not to be confused with the library of the same name in Lancaster, Pennsylvania). Rowell then funded the building’s renovations and a new catalog for the library’s collection, which had grown to approximately 4,000 titles within a few years.

In 1905, former House of Representatives member, Massachusetts Senator, and U.S. Secretary of War John Wingate Weeks sponsored the construction of a new library building in Lancaster to be named in memory of his father, William Dennis Weeks. Although he became a politician in Massachusetts, John W. Weeks had family ties in Lancaster, and the proposed library building acted as a tribute to the education that led to his future success in politics. He went on to introduce the Weeks Act in 1911, which authorized the purchase and regulation of land in the Eastern U.S. to protect rivers and watersheds. This legislation designated the surrounding land as national forest territory, thereby approving the National Forest Reservation Commission.

At its opening in 1908, the Weeks Memorial Library consisted of 9,000 books. Built with future growth of the collection in mind, the space could reasonably accommodate roughly 20,000 items. In order to adjust to the growing collection and provide adequate library services, expansion of the Weeks Memorial Library was necessary. The 1998 addition was meant to make library facilities easily accessible to all patrons while also bringing the building up to standard with the current safety codes. At this time, Weeks Memorial Library housed a collection of more than 30,000 books, in addition to 1,000 audiovisual materials.

In 2000, the Weeks Memorial Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places under criteria A and C as a historically significant place in regards to construction and function.[3]

According to libraries.org public statistics, William D. Weeks Memorial Library serves a population of 3,507 residents and has an annual circulation of 35,377 transactions. As of August 2016, the library's collection included a total of 61,937 volumes. The current library director is Barbara R. Robarts.[4]

Architecture

The Weeks Memorial Library was modeled in the Beaux-Arts architectural style, characterized by “projecting and receding masses, classical columns, carved window and door heads, and other details such as quoins, ascroteria, and antifixae.”[3] This was a popular style of architecture amongst libraries in the 20th century, as was the T-shaped plan its design followed. These were common characteristics of several other libraries built with financial support from the Carnegies.

William Dennis Weeks Memorial Library, public library, Lancaster, New Hampshire, historic place
Weeks Memorial Library

The original building, designed by McLean and Wright,[5] is measuredd at 60 feet (18 m) by 40 feet (12 m) and is topped by a hipped roof with two chimneys. A central projecting entry pavilion dominates the front façade, with a recessed entry topped by a transom window and a cornice in scrolled brackets. The doorway is flanked with Doric columns, and Ionic pilasters beyond the recessed area. Above the pilasters is an entablature and triangular pediment with decorated tympanum.

The building was extended in 1998. The addition, designed by Thomas Wallace of Tennant/Wallace Architects in Manchester, complemented the architecture of the original structure while still utilizing modern techniques and materials.[3]

Mission

The Weeks Memorial Library’s mission is separated into three points.[2]

Library services and programs

Programs and activities include story times, book discussion groups, recreational activities that promote exercise and healthy living, and movie nights. The library also offers adult learner services like basic reading, writing, and math education, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) instructional resources, and GED preparation.

Databases

It is a member library of the North Country Library Cooperative under the statewide umbrella organization, the New Hampshire State Library,[6] through which the library offers patrons access to a variety of databases and online resources.[7]

Genealogy and history

Weeks Memorial Library features an extensive collection of local and genealogical resources for patrons at all stages of the research process, including The New Hampshire Collection, vital records, and local news publications on microfilm.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Weeks Memorial Library - About Us". Weeks Memorial Library. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  2. 1 2 "About". Lancaster NH. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  3. 1 2 3 Registration Form, National Register of Historic Places (December 1, 2000). "Weeks Memorial Library" (PDF). National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  4. ↑ "William D. Weeks Memorial Library -- William D. Weeks Memorial Library". librarytechnology.org. 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  5. ↑ "AssetDetail". npgallery.nps.gov. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  6. ↑ "NH Public Library Cooperatives, New Hampshire State Library". www.nh.gov. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  7. ↑ "Weeks Memorial Library - Services". Weeks Memorial Library. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  8. ↑ "Weeks Memorial Library - Genealogy Services". Weeks Memorial Library. Retrieved 2016-07-22.

External links

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