Airy

 Jamestown Philmenia Library 

Jamestown, RI

What you would expect from a library on an island. A great story walk around the building amongst a perfect landscape. The large windows create an open, airy feel to the space. Close to half of the building is dedicated to the children’s section. There is a playroom with windows looking out to a playground right next door. A relatively new building considering it’s in New England. It was opened in 1971 after much fundraising.

Peace Dale Library

 Wakefield, RI

What a great structure! A large portion of the building was being renovated so I was not able to see the entire interior. I hope they took some before pictures of the space. I look forward to seeing the results. The librarian explained the front of the building was the library and the back was a community center. It was originally built in 1891 in a Richardsonian Romanesque style. Over time as most libraries tend to need more space, they took over the entire building. The children’s area is in the basement. It needed to be renovated recently due to a burst pipe. The bronze statue in the front garden is called “The Weaver”. It was created and donated in 1920. https://www.skpl.org/785/Our-Buildings

Wakefield Books

 Wakefield, RI

Bookstore 

I can’t remember the last time I went into a mall and saw a bookstore. Here is my one example. Nicely organized and neat. They start with the bargain books outside the door with mostly fiction towards the front. A good selection of many genres. Seemed to be a good traffic flow for a sunny summer afternoon. I hope the mall can sustain in these times for the benefit of this store specifically. https://wakefieldbooks.com/

Gilford Public Library

 Gilford, NH

I enjoy seeing a different statue than I’ve seen before. Open, airy, welcoming spaces in this library. It has options of sitting by a fireplace or a shady spot outside, continuing a puzzle or enjoying the murals in the children’s section. 

This building was built rather recently in 2008 using a $3 million donation from Dick and Betty Persons. The town had several locations prior; each of which never met the growing population of the town. “ the newest facility does indeed paint a portrait of an intelligent town, but also paints a picture of the tremendous dedication of the numerous individuals who were determined to offer the town a vehicle for information, information that helps create an educated public” https://www.fosters.com/story/news/local/2009/04/12/lots-history-within-gilford-public/51998296007/