100 Main Street, Alton, New Hampshire 03809, United States
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    • Home
    • AT GILMAN LIBRARY
      • THE LATEST
      • About Gilman Library
      • ALL-AROUND-ALTON
      • Calendar
      • Contact Us
      • Friends
      • Gabbie℠ Text-a-Librarian
      • Library Trustees
      • Programs and Services
      • Raffles
    • Kid Stuff
      • Children's Catalog
      • Cool Stuff
      • eBook Read-Alongs
      • eBook Comic/Graphic
      • eBook/Audio Kids
      • eBooks/Audio Teens
      • Islinglass Awards
      • STORY TIME
      • Take-and-Make Craft
      • WHIMSY CORNER
    • NEWSPRINT
      • The Baysider
      • Main Street
      • Reading Room
    • OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES
    • VIRTUAL SERVICES
      • Catalog
      • DOWNLOADABLES
      • Genealogical Research
      • INTER-LIBRARY LOAN
      • Local Links
      • NH OVERDRIVE & LIBBY
      • ABOUT DOWNLOADABLE BOOKS
      • Research Databases
      • SIGN-UP FOR YOUR CARD
      • TAKE OUR SURVEY
  • Home
  • AT GILMAN LIBRARY
  • Kid Stuff
  • NEWSPRINT
  • OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES
  • VIRTUAL SERVICES
Gilman Library

Our Virtual Library Never Closes

Our Virtual Library Never Closes Our Virtual Library Never Closes

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 GoopleMaps.com  Oct 2018 

Library Policies

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.   

More About Friends

Gilman Library Trustees & Staff

Gilman Library Board of Trustees

Annette Slipp, Chair
Betty Jane Meulenbroek, Vice Chair
Kristine Simone, Treasurer
Karen Petelle, Secretary
Sarah Hill   


 To the Left:   Gilman Library photo, circa 2013, property of the Gilman Library, Alton, NH  

More about our Library Trustees

Gilman Librarians

Holly Brown,  Director 

Sue Gatton,  Assistant Director
Roza Benoit, Assistant / Web Librarian 

Harmony Anderson, Assistant Librarian

Emma Claus, Assistant Librarian

Holly's 25th Anniversay with Gliman Library

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Our Virtual Library Never Closes