As Meredith residents, we have established the independent 501(c)(3) Meredith Library Fund. Our mission is to obtain tax-deductible donations, pledges and grants to
provide a philanthropic opportunity to help equip, renovate and expand the Meredith Public Library and reduce taxpayers’ cost for the project.

The campaign launched on February 1, 2019. We are pleased to report pledges are already at $60,000, jump starting our fundraising efforts. We are setting a goal of $1,125,000 for the capital campaign, based on the positive
feedback received from the recent Library Trustees Fundraising Study.

The Meredith Library Fund has received our 501(c)(3) designation letter from the Internal Revenue Service which can be viewed on our website. To learn more about Meredith Library Fund and the different ways to donate, pledge or volunteer, visit our website at  www.meredithlibraryfund.org .

Questions regarding the fund should be directed to Meredith Library Fund
president Jim McFarlin at 603-393-0863 or  jameswmcfarlin@gmail.com .

Many thanks in advance for your support.

James McFarlin – President
Jaime Laurent – Vice President
Steven Geer – Treasurer
Amy LaFavre – Secretary
Jeff Reilly – Director at Large

The trustees of the Meredith Public Library and the Meredith Select Board want to update library patrons and taxpayers on the status of the project to expand and renovate the Meredith Public Library.
 
“It's been a busy and productive summer,” says Ann Butler, chairman of the library board of trustees. Butler notes that “A publicly funded building project takes far more planning and coordination than would be involved in building a home or even a privately funded commercial building.  There's been ongoing dialog with town officials and town committees since the spring as we follow the steps that are required by the town.” Those discussions have been cordial and productive notes Butler.
 
Jonathan James, chairman of the select board and a Meredith library trustee, concurs. Noting that all but two of the seven library trustees were elected for the first time in March he says, “The current board of library trustees has been working with town officials to get an understanding of the process that needs to be followed in a town funded project.” He’s also eager to let the public know that the select board and the library trustees are in agreement that the library will be staying in its current location and that the expansion and renovation needs to happen to meet the current and future needs of town residents.
 
The project has already come before the capital improvements planning (CIP) committee and will again be before the CIP committee in October.  “There are several projects in the next few years that need to be scheduled in a way so as not to significantly impact the town’s tax rate,” says James. 
 
Although still subject to change in the next few months, the current thinking is that the library trustees will be seeking funding at the town meeting in March of 2019 for the design phase of the project.  This phase involves the library trustees sending out through the town a formal request for qualifications (RFQ) for an architect in the project.  James notes that this phase of the project can only start if the money is approved at town meeting. 
 
Once the RFQ responses are back, the library trustees will formally select an architect to move the project from the conceptual phase it’s currently in to the design process.  It is the design process that will eventually result in the development of the detailed plans used for the construction and renovation of the library.
 
Butler states that public input will be a key part of this design process.  “The trustees are planning on using a charrette process and surveys to get as many people as possible to participate.  We will be updating the public regularly as the planning process moves forward.”  Following the formal design process, the funds for construction and renovation will be requested in a warrant article at a town meeting. James notes that the current thinking is that this will be in 2020, although he notes that this may change. 
 
Although the exact timing of the process is still pending based on the work of the CIP committee this fall,  the town and the library trustees agree that the project will have owner’s project manager (OPM) who will oversee and manage the project from beginning to end.
 
While it is anticipated that a large percentage of the library project will be funded through a bond sought by the town, efforts are already underway to seek donations and grants to reduce the cost of the project.  As is common these days with library building projects, an independent charitable 501(c)(3) organization known as the Meredith Library Fund is being formed.  They seek private and corporate donations and grants to reduce the taxpayer’s cost for the project.  Butler notes that this entity is an independent organization from the library, the Friends of the Library and the town, but has the full support of the library trustees and the select board.   Questions regarding the fund should be referred to the Meredith Library Fund president Jim McFarlin.

"Get Carded” in September at the Meredith Public Library!
The Meredith Public Library has been challenged by other New Hampshire libraries to see which library can have the highest percentage of new library card holders by the end of September.  It is our goal to get as many people “carded” as possible this month!  Please stop by the library  to get your library card.  All Meredith residents and property tax-payers are eligible for a free card as are all Inter-Lakes students and staff.  Non-residents must pay a small fee of $10.00.  Please bring a
current form of identification with you such as a driver’s license, rental agreement or electric bill.

Top Ten Things You May Not Have Known About
“Getting Carded”
10.  Check out a telescope for one week.
  9.  Visit Squam Lakes Science Center, Castle in the Clouds and other area attractions for free or at a reduced rate.
  8.  Download eBooks, eAudios and eMagazines at no charge.
  7.  Check-out over 4000 movies and television shows.
  6.  Try out a Kindle.
  5.  Access genealogy databases, academic journals or draft legal documents all from our Website.
  4.  Renew your items online from home.
  3.  Get tech support for your smart phone, laptop or other
devices at no charge.
  2.  Order hard-to-find items from other public and academic libraries in NH.
  1.  Help your local library win the Granite State Library Card Challenge Trophy…but in the end you’re the real winner with your Meredith Library Card!
 

On Tuesday, May 1 at 10:00AM, the Meredith Public Works Department will be removing a time capsule from the Meredith Public Library lawn, 91 Main Street, that was buried in 1968.  

"The time capsule will be officially opened on July 4, 2018 at 2:00PM at the Chase House.  The Common Man is donating an ice cream social for the first one hundred people.  Carl Johnson, Jr. will be emceeing the opening and we will have a slideshow displaying events from Meredith's 200th Anniversary in 1968," said Meredith Public Library Director and Time Capsule Committee Chair Erin Apostolos.

The Time capsule was buried in 1969 as the final celebration of Meredith's 200th anniversary in the previous year.  Citizens of Meredith in 1968 chose to put items in the time capsule that largely commemorated the events celebrated in the 200th.  Those events will be explained at the July 4 opening.

"We are also inviting everyone who was present when the time capsule was buried in 1968 to the library lawn at 1PM on July 4 for a group photo and to escort the capsule to its official opening at the Chase House," said Jonathan James, Chair of the Meredith Select Board and member of the Time Capsule Committee who will be donating the use of one of his antique vehicles for the occasion.

The time capsule is being removed on May 1 because the Friends of the Library will be planting a festive Red, White and Blue garden to help commemorate Meredith's 250th anniversary. Since the time capsule is currently in the garden bed, it will need to be removed prior to the planting of the garden so as not to disrupt it.  It will be securely stored in one of the Town's vaults.  

The library is also inviting anyone who was involved in the 200th anniversary of the Town in 1968 to contact Linda Hough at the library.  We are looking for people who might be interested in a short interview about their experience as part of an Oral History Project.  These interviews will be transcribed and then placed into the new time capsule which will be opened at Meredith's 300th anniversary.  Please call 279-4303 or email us.

Keep up to date with whats going on in our Public Planning Process as it happens! In this post will be links to information about previous meetings as well as information regarding future meetings and various press items. It will be updated regularly. Feel free to leave any questions, comments, or concerns in the comments!

On March 29, 2016, Architect Ron Lamarre returned to update us on the future of the Meredith Public Library. Below is the handout of the Power Point that was used during the meeting for your perusal:

PRESS: To stay or move is the question for Meredith's library -  Laconia Daily Sun Article, 3/31/2016

Read the full article about the meeting on the Citizen.com

In this meeting we discuss the need to make changes to the library and what would be the best choice. We invite patrons and townspeople whether it is best to stay and renovate or build a new library. We want to hear your input! No decisions have been made and don't be shy on sharing your thoughts with us! Architect: Ron Lamarre

Watch the full meeting video below:

Today we were featured in an article speaking about the new popular way for adults to unwind: coloring books. The article is entitled Color Me In.

To read the complete article, please pick up today's edition of the Laconia Daily Sun or use their e-reader on their website.

If you would like to participate in our next Adult Coloring Session event, the information is on our facebook page here.