100 Main Street, Alton, New Hampshire 03809, United States
How to Get a Gilman Library Borrower's Card
SIGN-UP FOR A LIBRARY CARD
You are welcome to apply for a library card in person or online. Both methods require you to come into the library with your photo identification and proof of residence in order to obtain a valid library card. Non-resident fees are waived for all persons employed anywhere within Alton and Alton Bay, and for any students from neighboring towns, who attend Prospect Mountain (These courtesy cards become null and void if you leave your employment or when you graduate from high school). Alton and Alton Bay property owners and residents have a free, renewable five-year membership and Summer residents have a free, renewable two-year membership. Non-residents are charged $20 per year for a yearly membership.
To initiate the process online, VIEW OUR CATALOG by clicking the link below. Once there, simply click the [SIGN-UP] tab in the upper-right corner by the [LOG-IN] tab. Please read the instructions carefully, as you complete the simple form. We will print it out after you bring in your documentation.
DO YOU NEED TO RENEW YOUR CARD
Library cards do expire. If you need to renew, simply call the library and answer a few security questions, and we will be happy to renew it for you over the phone. You will keep your same account number!
DID YOU LOSE YOUR CARD?
If you misplaced your library card you may still use your library account. We are happy to look up your number, once we have verified your identity. If you would like a card reprinted, the replacement fee is $1.00.
Gilman Library Trustees, Staff, & Friends
Gilman Library Board of Trustees
Betty Jane Meulenbroek - President
Annette Slipp - Vice President
Karen Petelle – Secretary
Kristine Simone – Treasurer
Sarah Hill
To the Left: Gilman Library photo, circa 2013, property of the Gilman Library, Alton, NH
Gilman Librarians
Holly Brown, Director
Sue Gatton, Assistant Director
Roza Benoit, Support Staff
Historical List of Library Directors and Assistant Directors:
Library Directors:
Lena Carpenter, 1892-1900
Sadie Currier, 1901-1906
Annie Wheeler, 1905-1958
Agnes Thompson, 1958-1973
Patricia Merrill, 1974-1996
Holly Brown, 1996-present
Assistant Directors
Mary Batchelder, 1975-1982
Susan Lord, 1982-1988
Mary Batchelder, 1988-1996,
Pat Merrill, 1996-1998
Lucinda (Cindy) Miller, 1998-2013,
Roza Benoit, 2013-2020
Sue Gatton, 2020-present
Past Support Staff Librarians are too numerous to list here.
The Friends of the Gilman Library
Founded in 1980, the Friends have proven to be a real asset to the library. Being part of this wonderful group is a great way to be together with old friends, meet new people, support the library, and give back to the community. If interested, please visit the circulation desk, give us a call, or send us a quick email.
Gilman Library History
Alton's first library WAS ESTABLISHED in 1892,
as Alton Free Public Library when the Town agreed to accept $100 worth of books from the State and appropriate $50 as a prerequisite for accepting the gift. The original library was located above the Laban G. Welch Drugstore across from Monument Square.
Photo to the Left: *Monument Square, Alton, New Hampshire. Photo by Ken Gallager, February 15, 2010.Ken Gallager at en.wikipedia - Own work Transferred from en.wikipedia Public Domain
In 1914,
benefactor Oliver John Morrison Gilman drew up a will donating $10,000 to the town "for the purpose of purchasing land and the erection of a public library building," to be released upon the death of his widow. Gilman died in 1915 and his widow passed away in 1927. The monies were kept at interest until an amount deemed sufficient for construction had accumulated.
By 1950, the amount had doubled to $20,000. A portion of land, in the center of town on Main Street, was donated by Lewis P. Varney, in memory of his son, Robert, and construction on that property began. The Town voted to appropriate $3,000 from the Post-War Fund to enable completion of the project. The little brick building at 100 MainStreet was dedicated as and renamed in honor of Gilman, in a ceremony held on November 9, 1951.
Photo to the Right: The Gilman Library, Alton, NH, painted by Nurnberger , 1992.
The Gilman Library was expanded IN 1997,
to add two spacious wings, symmetrically on each side of the original building, with the corresponding enlargement of the basement to include a large meeting room, kitchenette, restrooms, and a wheelchair-accessible elevator. The renovation was in keeping with the period style of the original building and offers. both a modern comfort with the cozy warmth of a bygone era, simultaneously maintaining history while keeping up with technology.
To the Left: Photo courtesy GoogleMaps.com Oct 2018