We've got a brand NEW Library here in Portsmouth, and it just opened this morning!! It is just a beautiful building, both inside and out. The landscaping still has to be done, and that will be taken care of in the spring. Even without that, it's gorgeous!
I took this picture this weekend of the sign made by the Portsmouth Middle School, which is right next door to our new library. I thought it was really cute to see this, and a great indication that everyone has been so looking forward to opening day!
I just got back from a very nice guided tour of the library, and there are so many really neat things that we now have that our old library just didn't have the space to offer. It is probably one of the nicest libraries I've ever been in!
The new library is in a great location - it's right next door to the Portsmouth Middle School, and it's a really quick walk to all the downtown neighborhoods. Sidewalks line the streets, so kids don't have to walk or ride their bikes in the street to get to it.
With 38,000 square feet of space, compared to 15,400 in the old library, there's plenty of room for all kinds of really neat features that just couldn't be accomodated before, and there's room to grow, too. Right on the first floor, there's a cafe area with vending machines and it overlooks the courtyard area. There's a kids department that has lower counter and bookshelves to make it really kid-friendly, along with activity rooms and story-time rooms. The library also has a new teen section, set up just for teenagers with lots of windows and some really cool curvy seating areas for them. There's a new section "Today's News", featuring newspapers and magazines, as well as an extensive reference and periodical section on the 2nd floor. A large video section is now available, just as if you were in a video store, and there's a new music collection of CDs for adults. Another new section is devoted to large print books and audio books. One feature the staff is especially proud of is the special collections department - it now has a large room to make it much easier to see all the collections on local history. This room is really nice as it has a beautiful view of the North Mill Pond.
There are several meeting rooms that can be used by the public, there's a multi-media room available, lots of comfy seating areas all over the building. There are internet-access computers just about everywhere you look, and there's a copying/printing room as well. You can use any of the library's computers, or you can bring your own laptop and use the free wireless network if you choose. And for everyone's comfort and convenience, yes there are restrooms in very convenient locations. We know how important those are! This library just makes you feel welcome and at home - you walk in and you just want to stay awhile.......that's a great library!!
Our new library is a "green" library building, one of the first in New England. It's referred to as a LEED Building, which is 'leadership in energy and design". LEED is a voluntary design technique put out by the US Green Building Council. The building uses mostly natural products - the bookshelves are ash wood, most of the trim is fir wood, there are loads of windows everywhere letting in tons of natural light, and most of the windows open so fresh air can circulate when possible and weather permits. It does cost more to build a 'green' building, but it was worth it! This library will serve our town well for many, many years to come.
This new 'gem' is truly a source of pride for all of us who live here in Portsmouth. It's been a LONG time coming, but from what I saw today, it was WELL-WORTH the wait! The search for a new location began way back in 1986, and here it is, 20 years later, a beautiful reality!!
This library, as well as all the other area benefits, help to make my job selling homes in the area so much easier. If you come for a visit, you'll love it! I can safely tell you that, because I've lived here for 28 years, and I LOVE it here! Every time I go on a trip, I enjoy where I am, but I just love coming back home!
If you're interested and would like to check out the during-construction pictures, check this link out.
I read this in today's paper, and thought it was so true - "Libraries are special places. They need to be treasured." No truer words could be spoken, and our new Portsmouth Public Library will be cherished and treasured by residents and visitors alike for many many years.
Ann Cummings, New Hampshire & Maine Broker
RE/MAX Coast to Coast
Portsmouth NH
ann@anncummings.com
888-349-5678 x 3839
Servicing the Coastal Areas of NH & Southern Maine 
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