100 Main Street, Alton, New Hampshire 03809, United States
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  • More
    • Home
    • AT GILMAN LIBRARY
      • About Gilman Library
      • Calendar
      • CONTACT US
      • Friends
      • Library Trustees
      • Programs and Services
    • CATALOG
    • Kid Stuff
      • Children's Catalog
      • Cool Stuff
      • Rylee's Blog
      • WHIMSY CORNER
    • The Reading Room
    • VIRTUAL SERVICES
      • Virtual Services
      • Genealogical Research
      • INTER-LIBRARY LOAN
      • Local Links
      • Research Databases
      • SIGN-UP FOR YOUR CARD
      • TAKE OUR SURVEY
  • Home
  • AT GILMAN LIBRARY
    • About Gilman Library
    • Calendar
    • CONTACT US
    • Friends
    • Library Trustees
    • Programs and Services
  • CATALOG
  • Kid Stuff
    • Children's Catalog
    • Cool Stuff
    • Rylee's Blog
    • WHIMSY CORNER
  • The Reading Room
  • VIRTUAL SERVICES
    • Virtual Services
    • Genealogical Research
    • INTER-LIBRARY LOAN
    • Local Links
    • Research Databases
    • SIGN-UP FOR YOUR CARD
    • TAKE OUR SURVEY
Gilman Library

Our Virtual Library Never Closes!

Our Virtual Library Never Closes!Our Virtual Library Never Closes!

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.


VIEW OUR CATALOG

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  

More about our Library Trustees

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.   

More About Friends

Gilman Library Blogs and Gilman Library History

Gilman Library Blog (s)

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 

Library Policies

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Our Virtual Library Never Closes