Official Web Site of the
Town of Washington, New Hampshire

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Shedd Free Library
Washington, NH
Email:  shedd@gsinet.net  
Phone 495-3592

Hours   
Tues 10-5;   Thurs 1-7;   Sat 10-1
Summers   (1st week of June thru end of Sept)
Regular hours plus Wed 10-1;   Sat 10-4  

About
     The Shedd Free Library (SFL) is Washington’s free public library that has been in constant operation since October 30, 1869. 
     The Library maintains over 9000 books and magazines, 487 DVDs, audio books and 130 CDs.   The Staff and Trustees are making some exciting changes to offer more advanced and convenient services. With the sharp increase in circulation over the past years it has been necessary to offer an increase in library services, technology and an extension of hours.  Where else can someone without a computer go to apply for a job online?  The expansion of these services allows the Library to keep up with demand, as we work to identify changing needs and deliver solutions.  The Library now offers 3 public-access computers, WiFi and Downloadable Books in both print and audio from the State Library.  Adopting new policies and guidelines that support these new technologies has also helped the Library to make these services more user-friendly.
     More than 980 residents of Washington and surrounding communities hold active Library cards.  Since 2007, the library’s circulation numbers have shown increases of 35-40% annually, as well as a 59% increase over a two-year-period.

Calendar  To see current monthly calendar for Library click on Calendar of Town Events main link bar on left of this page.

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Objectives
 ·        To operate the library in accordance with the NH Library laws and to strive to meet the current standards set by the American Library Association and the NH statewide Library Development System for Public Libraries of similar population.
·        To adhere to the ALA Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement.
·        To seek to identify community needs and to assemble books and media in order to serve members of the community by providing materials to meet their informational, educational, and recreational needs.

Staff
            Jo Ellen Wright-Library Director           Brenda Gilliland-Assistant Director
            Sue Toczko-Substitute Librarian           Jen Bruno-Custodian

Library Director
The Director is the chief administrative officer for day-to-day operations for the Library.  She implements policies, long-range plans, reports progress, and prepares reports.  The Director recommends for hire, supervises other staff, schedules work and maintains all records.  She is the spokesperson for all operations and services.  The Director develops and maintains relationships, and assists with Library services.

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Trustees
     The Trustees represent the community to the library and the library to the community. 
     The Library Trustees advocate for the Library and have custody and management of the public library and of all the property of the town relating to it, except trust funds held by the town (RSA 202-A:6).
     The powers and duties of the Library Trustees (RSA 202-A:11) include adopting bylaws, rules and regulations for the library, preparing an annual budget, expending all monies raised and appropriated by the town for Library purposes, expending income from all trust funds for the support and maintenance of the Library, and appointing a Library Director.  
      Current Trustees elected for a 3-year term are:
               Lynn Hendrickson-2013     Melissa Cole-2014    Kathy Nohavec- 2015

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History
      Sarah Shedd, the Library’s namesake, was born in Washington on April 29^th, 1813.  She was well-educated and had a love of nature which she expressed throughout her life using prose and poetry.  Sarah’s father died when she was 15, placing a heavy burden on her to help support her family.  She soon found work to help support her family in a textile mill in Lowell.  She spent most summers teaching in Washington.
     Following her mother’s death in 1860, Sarah began to save her money to found a public library for her hometown. Sarah died in 1867, after gifting her entire $2500 estate for this purpose.  The Town of Washington voted to accept the bequest; and named the library the Shedd Free Library.  For many years, Washington’s Library consisted of unused rooms in several homes located near Washington’s center. 
     In 1881, S.S. Woodcock, eminent Boston architects, were commissioned to design the high Victorian-style building which was donated by Luman Jefts.  Mr. Jefts grew up in Washington prior to becoming a prominent manufacturer.  The Library was built on a generous donation of land in Washington Center and opened in December, 1881.

Friends
What are Friends of the library?
The Friends and Trustees are citizens who choose to help their local libraries.  Their goals are similar, but their paths to achieve them differ. The Friends are a non-profit (501-C3) dedicated to the support the Library.  They serve as connecting links between the library and community.  They supplement what cannot be provided by the library budget with funds, materials, equipment and services.  There are currently 33 members.

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In addition, The Friends help with many Library projects, and provide the Library’s granite steps with flowers every summer.  They serve the children of Washington by providing the necessary materials for Story Time and the Summer Reading Program. Friends of the Library may also serve as volunteers as Library Assistants during busy and regular hours. 

Friends Meetings If you love your library, join and be a Friend!  The Friends meet on the 3^rd Wed of every month at the Library at 10 AM.  Help organize events, meet new people and get involved!  Call Sue at 495-3459 or Library at 495-3592. 

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Contact Information
Shedd Free Library location:  46 North Main St., Washington, NH  
Mailing address:  PO Box 288, Washington, NH 03280
Phone-603-495-3592   Fax:  603-495-0410
Email:  shedd@gsinet.net

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Volunteers
The staff and Trustees are grateful and fortunate to have a strong army of volunteers.  Give the Library a call and sign up to be a volunteer!  Students are also welcome!  You can be a volunteer without being a Friend, so you decide what is right for you.    

Library Facts

• The current Librarian, Jo Ellen Wright, is the 22^nd Librarian.
• The SFL maintains an up-to-date collection of best-sellers

• Downloadable Books in both print and audio
• Quick access to books via the NH Inter-Library loan Program by our State Library- order your book by phone & we'll call you after our Inter-Library Loan van delivers.
• Movies on DVD
• Audio books on CD
• Public access to computers with DSL
• Free Wi-Fi
• Monthly Calendar-For Library activities, click on Calendar of Town Events on left side of this page.
• Monthly Art Exhibitions by Washington artists
• Photocopies & Faxes

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Library Building
     In the spring of 1881, Clara Hurd proposed that Mr. Lumen T. Jefts of Hudson, MA build a Library building and donate it to the Town.  The Town agreed to pay for constructing the basement and foundation and to maintain the building to be used for no other purpose than a Library or strictly literary society.
      Mr.& Mrs. John Safford donated the land for the building and SS Woodcock of Boston designed it.  Construction began at once.  The high-Victorian  brick and carved granite building with slate roof was dedicated on December 21, 1881.
      The Library collection grew, but in 1972 it was apparent that the building was no longer large enough.  In April 1979, ground was broken for the long-awaited addition to the Library.  On August 9, 1980, the addition was formally dedicated by the State Librarian to Preston Rolfe, and the book room to Zaida Cilley.  The addition boasts a bathroom, work room and basement archive room.  This added much-needed shelf space for the Library’s continuously growing collection.
      Additional maintenance and cosmetic work have been ongoing projects such as painting,  reconstruction of the steps, replacement of the railing and lighting to allow a safer approach to the building.  In August 2010, the Liberty Elm was planted by the local Scout Troop and dedicated during the Old Home Ceremony.

Links
NH State Library www.nh.gov/nhsl/       NH Library Trustees Assoc. www.nhlta.com
                                   American Library Association www.ala.com

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a library card to check out books?
Yes, you need a library card.  It is free as are many of our services (including faxes).  Copies are 0.25 per page both for computer and copy machine.
How do I get a library card?
To get a library card you come to the library or phone us to fill out a registration form.  Children under 16 must have their parents sign their registration card.
Can I request a specific book or title if the library doesn’t have it?
Click on Links above. Go to the State Library link. 
If I am not able to go to the library, can books be delivered to my house?
We do deliver books to your home under our Outreach Program.
How can I make a donation to the library?
You may donate books, movies, or monetary donations to the library by making check to Shedd Free Library.  If you would like your donation to go for a specific request, state your request on the check or note. See mailing info in Contact Information.

And again, we welcome your comments and suggestions.  This is YOUR Town Library.  Please come in and take advantage of all of our services including WiFi, Internet, free faxes, Inter-Library loans, photocopies, e-mail services, delivery of Library materials in our Outreach Program, printing and delivery of the monthly Town Calendars, free notary services, free videos, DVDs, books on CD and last but not least--- we have BOOKS!  We are indeed a multi-service Library!  It is more than a job to serve you.  It is our privilege.

 Jo Ellen Wright
Library Director

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