Etna
The library is offering a variety of all-ages programs this summer — from animals to poetry to weaving to astronomy — according to Barbara Prince, who has been the library’s director for 17 years.
Prince recently participated in an email interview about upcoming programs at the library. Questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Question: How do you select program topics and is there anything you’re particularly excited about this summer?
Answer: Our summer lineup focuses on animals, crafts, outdoor fun and books. I am especially looking forward to meeting Magic and Maxe, Anna King’s miniature donkeys, on Thursday, June 29, at 5 p.m. Clyde and Mr. T., two popular box turtles, will again be visiting Stories and Art on Tuesday, June 27, and Friday, June 30, at 10 a.m. Crafts for children of all ages will continue throughout the summer during our Stories and Art program, Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.
Also, happily for adults, teens and children, Jennifer Manwell, a member of our needlecrafts group, will be giving a weaving class on Wednesday, July 19, at 4 p.m. Picnic Read-Alouds (Thursdays in July at 5 p.m.) were suggested by a parent, with the idea to read books to school-age children. Of course, younger children will enjoy hearing the stories also.
And then it was an easy step to combine poetry (for all ages) and a picnic — an idyllic way to enjoy summer in New Hampshire, on Thursday, June 22, at 5 p.m. I am also very happy that Sarah McPeek is going join us again this summer — combining her passion for nature and narrative in creative writing classes for children, on Monday, July 10, and Monday, July 24, at 5 p.m.
Q: You offer a Stories and Art program for preschoolers, a Needlecrafts and Tea program for teens and adults, and discussions of serious books, including I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb. How do you and your staff handle the challenge of serving all these different age groups and interests?
A: The library is able to offer these diverse programs because of the talents and dedication of the people here, both staff and volunteers. Caroline Tischbein, my partner in running the library, does the crafts with the preschoolers for Stories and Art (Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.) and also for Crafts with Caroline for school-age children (one Wednesday a month).
And then one good program leads to several new ones. Caroline has made Needlecrafts and Tea a cozy meeting time for knitters, weavers and quilters. Some of those enthusiastic group members have given several programs to show children and adults how to use table and floor looms. Volunteers also run the monthly Etna Library book group as well additional discussions.
Q: The Hanover Town Library is proud of its historic 1905 building and the role it has played in the history in the village of Etna. What’s on the library’s agenda to further that effort?
A: The Etna Library is proud to partner with the Hanover Historical Society and the Hanover Conservancy to present local history programs. On Saturday, July 15, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (rain date July 16), at Hanover Center’s Parade Ground historian Ed Chamberlain will share the history of this village in a program titled “The Historic Wolfeboro Road.” Those who wish can join us on a challenging hike led by Adair Mulligan, from Hanover Center over Moose Mountain to the historic Tunis Schoolhouse and then we will carpool back. Bring your own lunch, but leave dogs at home. This program on the eastern section of Wolfeboro Road follows a recent one about the western part which was sponsored by the Howe Library, the Hanover Conservancy and the Hanover Historical Society.
Q: In addition to holding programs inside, the library is also used as a meeting place for outdoor programs, such as the upcoming nature walk. What role do the outdoors play in planning programs?
A: Our program planning is very much influenced by our location next door to the beautiful Hayes Farm Park fields and the trail to the Nan and Allen King Bird Sanctuary. For example, we are able to hold programs such as Jim Block’s recent photography walk. This summer we will co-sponsor two programs with the Hanover Conservancy. On Saturday, July 8, at 8 a.m., Gail McPeek will lead us on a bird walk and on Wednesday, July 19, at 9 p.m., Dartmouth astronomy graduate students Erek Alper and Christine Black will help us to view the rings of Saturn with telescopes.
Q: What else should people know about the library?
A: We are partners with the Howe Library in the Libraries of Hanover and you can check out books from either library with the card. Our collection is listed on the Howe Library catalog at www.thehowe.org. We are located just 10 minutes from downtown Hanover.
Editor’s note: For more information on the Etna Library’s programs, visit www.hanovernh.org/etna-library, call 603-643-3116 or e-mail etna.library@hanovernh.org. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
