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Library Hours
Monday-Thursday 10-6
Saturday 10-1 CLOSED FOR LUNCH Monday-Thursday 11:45-12:30 |
It is the mission of the Northwood Libraries to serve as a community center connecting people of all ages and backgrounds to impartial resources, programs, services, and technology that encourage literacy, develop a lifelong quest for learning, and expand life experiences and knowledge.
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Visit Us
8 Mountain Ave,
Northwood, NH, 03261 Contact Us
(603)942-5472
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Library Events and News
Registration Open for Birdhouse Building!
Register now to build your own birdhouse with Northwood local Mr. Bob! Birdhouse building will take place at Chesley Memorial Library on Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to noon. This program is for school-age children with an accompanying parent or guardian, and requires advanced registration. 25 total slots are available for participants, so don't wait! To register, call the library at (603) 942-5472 or email Diane at [email protected] before June 2.
The Chesley Memorial Library is able to offer this program through a recurring grant from the Robert C. Grano Charitable Fund to commemorate the generosity of Joseph Grano in donating the funds to build the Theodora Kalem Grano Memorial Wing in 1991. “Joseph Grano Children’s Initiative” programs promote exploration of the natural world, music, art, diverse cultures, adventure travel, and craftsmanship.
The Chesley Memorial Library is able to offer this program through a recurring grant from the Robert C. Grano Charitable Fund to commemorate the generosity of Joseph Grano in donating the funds to build the Theodora Kalem Grano Memorial Wing in 1991. “Joseph Grano Children’s Initiative” programs promote exploration of the natural world, music, art, diverse cultures, adventure travel, and craftsmanship.
Chesley Memorial Libraries Informational Bulletin #2
The Impact of the President’s decision to defund the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 on March 14, 2025, targeting the IMLS and six other federal agencies, leading to significant disruptions in library funding and operations across the United States.
The President’s executive order was implemented quickly. The IMLS reportedly has 77 employees. As of 3/31/25, approximately 80% of them were placed on administrative leave with pay for 90 days, no access to their workplace, and indications that they would subsequently be laid off. Processing of current grants has halted, new grants are not being accepted, and support for local public and school libraries has stopped.
IMLS has effectively been closed down despite congressional appropriation of IMLS funding through September 2025. On April 1, 2025, IMLS Acting Director Sonderling issued a notice of grant termination authorizing the termination of all federal grants administered by the IMLS. At that time, IMLS had issued grants totaling $266,700,000. New Hampshire receives $1.5 million from IMLS funding.
Continued payments to the recipients are to be stopped. The recipients include the National Leadership Grants, the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grants, and the Grants to States program, the largest source of federal funding for library services in the US. This notice, reportedly, has not yet gone into effect in all states. It’s very existence, however, has had a chilling effect on the actions of any state who has not yet received it. They are holding off on
further distribution of any grant's funding.
There is widespread concern about the legality of these cuts because they bypass the constitutional authority of Congress. Attorney generals from 21 states filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration on April 4, 2025, seeking to halt the elimination of IMLS. The suit argues in part that Executive Order 14238 violates the Constitution by preventing agencies from carrying out programs required by Congress. No court ruling has been issued to date.
President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 on March 14, 2025, targeting the IMLS and six other federal agencies, leading to significant disruptions in library funding and operations across the United States.
The President’s executive order was implemented quickly. The IMLS reportedly has 77 employees. As of 3/31/25, approximately 80% of them were placed on administrative leave with pay for 90 days, no access to their workplace, and indications that they would subsequently be laid off. Processing of current grants has halted, new grants are not being accepted, and support for local public and school libraries has stopped.
IMLS has effectively been closed down despite congressional appropriation of IMLS funding through September 2025. On April 1, 2025, IMLS Acting Director Sonderling issued a notice of grant termination authorizing the termination of all federal grants administered by the IMLS. At that time, IMLS had issued grants totaling $266,700,000. New Hampshire receives $1.5 million from IMLS funding.
Continued payments to the recipients are to be stopped. The recipients include the National Leadership Grants, the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grants, and the Grants to States program, the largest source of federal funding for library services in the US. This notice, reportedly, has not yet gone into effect in all states. It’s very existence, however, has had a chilling effect on the actions of any state who has not yet received it. They are holding off on
further distribution of any grant's funding.
There is widespread concern about the legality of these cuts because they bypass the constitutional authority of Congress. Attorney generals from 21 states filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration on April 4, 2025, seeking to halt the elimination of IMLS. The suit argues in part that Executive Order 14238 violates the Constitution by preventing agencies from carrying out programs required by Congress. No court ruling has been issued to date.
STRAFFORD COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION DONATION
The Chesley Memorial Library received a donation from the Strafford County Master Gardeners Association to purchase new books for our gardening collection. Gardening is not only a popular pastime in our area, but also an important way for individuals and families to connect with nature, support sustainability, and promote well-being. We hope these new books will inspire both novice and experienced gardeners of all ages. Check out the gardening book display the next time you visit the library.
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Thank You!We want to thank our generous library patrons for donating so many books (audiobooks and movies too!) throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Many of you noticed how empty our bookshelves looked once our ability to order new books was impacted by the default budget. When our Senior Café members suggested that we set up a “Wish Tree” with book titles that we wanted to add to our collection, many of you started bringing in the books that other patrons were looking for, and some of you even donated the funds to make new purchases. We know that a book is a gift you can open again and again. We truly appreciate your support and we are happy to report that we have been able to purchase new books with funds from the operating budget this month. Hopefully you will find the newest book by your favorite author on the shelf the next time you come in!
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Our Flag Retirement Box
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Do you have a flag ready for retirement? According to the United States Flag Code, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” The Chesley Memorial Library has a flag retirement box for your convenience so bring your flags in anytime.
Left: Veteran Shannan Brown from Joseph J. Jeffrey VFW Post 7217 picks up the flags so they can be properly retired. |
We now have passes to the Children's Museum of New Hampshire and the Seacoast Science Center.
Call the library at 942-5472 for more information about planning your visit!
Call the library at 942-5472 for more information about planning your visit!
LEGOS AND MAGFORMERS
LEGOs and Magformers available upon request!
Tips and quick reference
ONLINE RESERVE AND RENEW Reserve and/or renew with three easy steps: 1. Select "Library Catalog" from our Menu 2. Enter your Library Card Number 3. Your Password is the LAST 4 digits of your Primary Phone Number |
NO BOOK DONATIONS Thank you for reaching out to donate books, but we are chock full of books at the moment! That said, we have an ongoing book sale should you want to pick up some of our recently weeded books from the library. |
Library Events
We think you'll like the interlibrary loan system as much as we do. The program enables us to borrow books from other libraries that we may not have! You will be able to check out and return here at your local library without the hassle.
To request an inter-library loan or to learn more, simply email [email protected], give us a call at (603)942-5472, or come in to see us. Vertical Divider
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NH 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an early literacy initiative that encourages families to read to their young children and to use the resources of their local public libraries.
Chesley Memorial Library is proud to offer this program and uplift our community's children to be life-long readers. Come see our readers' names heartily displayed on the walls of our Children's Section, and sign up to begin your child's reading challenge. New readers from newborns to pre-kindergarten age are welcome to join in. Anyone can participate until they start kindergarten. |
The NH State Library created a resource guide on researching your NH family history online from home:
https://www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/public/genealogy.html
Quick Links
Forms for Vital Records Requests
Town Records Index
https://www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/public/genealogy.html
Quick Links
Forms for Vital Records Requests
Town Records Index
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