​The Andover Libraries are the recipients of $2,262 in grant funding thanks to the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the New Hampshire State Library.  The grant funds received will support the Andover Public Library’s and the W A Bachelder Library’s efforts to increase access to services and resources.
 
Using these grant funds the libraries will:
 
Purchase a 13 month subscription to Hoopla: Hoopla is a digital media service that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone. Titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline use later.  Those interested in accessing or learning about this service should speak with the librarians (735-5333 APL or 735-5076 WABL), e-mail ([email protected] or [email protected]) or visit the library.
 
Purchase a 10’ by 20’ tent and 2 tables that can be used for outdoor library events, and may also be borrowed by patrons.
 
Add a second Reads-To-Go kit to our collection.  A Reads-To-Go kit is a canvas bag filled with 15 copies of one title that can be loaned to libraries for their book clubs to use. Our new Reads-To-Go Kit will feature Rachel Joyce’s Miss Benson’s Beetle.
 
Fund a field trip to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Children (accompanied by their parents) will be invited to attend an animal presentation and walk the live animal trail at the Center.  This will be done as part of the Tails and Tales summer reading theme. 

​To learn more about ARPA funding, visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/American-rescue-plan/

Special Holiday Hours
We are closed: January 1st, MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
We are open: President's Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, and Thanksgiving Friday.
We close at noon on: New Year's Eve, the day before Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.
We are closed in the evening for Andover Town Meeting.
If AEMS is closed due to the weather, the libraries are also closed. 
Andover Public Library
   11 School Street, Downtown Andover, NH
603-735-5333
[email protected]
Visit the APL Catalogue
William A. Bachelder Library
12 Chase Hill Road, East Andover, NH
603-735-5076
​[email protected]
​Visit the WABL Catalogue
We are joining Hoopla! 
Hoopla is a downloading/streaming service for books, audiobooks, comics, graphic novels, TV shows, music and movies.  There is no cost to you!  The libraries pay into our Hoopla account and whenever a patron borrows something, the charge is deducted from our account.  This is an experiment for us, so we are learning as we go. If this is a popular program, we will work on making Hoopla a part of our regular “collection”.
 
How does Hoopla work? Go to the website: hoopladigital.com and click on the blue “get started today” button.  To set up an account you will need to use your e-mail as your username, you will also need to come-up with a password. You will then need to find “your library”.  You will not find us in the scroll down menu list of nearby libraries, you will need to enter “Andover Public Libraries” in the box. Then you’ll need your library card number (please contact us if you’ve forgotten your card number). Then you can start using Hoopla Digital. 
 
A few things to keep in mind:
 
Each patron may borrow up to four items a month. We can adjust this as needed as we see how much patrons are using this service.  If you currently have one card for the entire family, you might want to get individuals cards for each member of the family, so you can borrow more.  We are part of the Instant Borrow Program. This means that these titles are always available and can be borrowed anytime. Titles are downloaded to tablets or smart phones, they are streamed live to a laptop or desktop. Music is loaned for 7 days, books and comics for 21 days, and TV shows and movies for 3 days.
 
Once you sign up for Hoopla you will receive an e-mail from them with more instructions on how to use the service (Be sure to check your spam folder!). You will need to download the hoopla app to your smart phone or tablet. There is a helpful video on Vimeo to help you set up Hoopla: https://vimeo.com/500469522
 
August is a “Bonus Borrow” month.  This means that you can borrow unlimited titles in certain categories with no charge to the Andover Libraries. Hoopla does this four times a year.  This August’s Bonus Borrows are in the categories: All Things British, Back to School: STEAM!, Biographies & Memoirs, Pop Culture Celebration, Relaxation, Romance, Sci-Fi, and Series You’ll Love. Click on The Bonus Borrow button and their website to see what is available.
 
We encourage you go on-line, create an account, explore the site and use it.
​Please take advantage of this new opportunity.
October Book Club:
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
The Book Club will be meeting in person at the Bachelder Library on October 27th at 7:00 pm to discuss The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, by Kim Michelle Richardson. There are copies  at both libraries.  Stop by to pick one up.  If you would prefer to attend via Zoom, let Lee or Priscilla know and we'll set it up for you. 
Set in Kentucky in the 1930’s this historical novel intertwines tales of a Kentucky Packhorse Librarian with a story of the last blue skinned people of Appalachia.
People in the isolated hills of Kentucky lived in abject poverty, were exploited by the coal mine owners, and ardently believed in their folk medicine and rituals. The packhorse librarians brought literacy and joy to these Kentuckians.
One Librarian, Cussy Mary Carter, is blue skinned due to a rare genetic disorder. Because of her skin color she suffers from bigotry, discrimination, and violence. Nonetheless, with her books and her regular visits to her patrons, she is determined to bring comfort and joy, instill literacy, and give to those who have nothing.
Pullerbear Pro
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The Andover Conservation Commission has purchased a Pullerbear Pro, which any Andover resident may borrow through the Andover Public Library.  A Pullerbear is a tool designed to easily remove small trees and invasive vines.  It is much easier on your back than tugging on the vine or tree, and it is better for the environment than using chemicals!  Check it out!

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Do you Libby ? ​During this time of Covid, the State Library has seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks borrowed. If you have not already taken advantage of borrowing these materials from the State Library, we encourage you to give it a try. 
 
In order to take advantage of this program, you’ll need to install the app “Libby” onto your smart phone or tablet.  You can find the app from the app store that you normally use on your device. Download the app and once installed and opened, follow the prompts to find the Andover Library (in the State Library system the Bachelder Library and the Andover Public Library are considered one library). Our State Library code is 4300.  Your library card number with the State Library is your usual library card number, preceded by 4300 (i.e. if your library card number is 123, your card number with the State Library is 4300123). Once you are on the Libby site you can search for a particular title and, if it is available, download it immediately.  If it is already checked out, you may place a hold on the title and the State Library will let you know when it is available.  You can also open the Libby App, select "library" (may already be selected), then click on "explore", then scroll down to "what's available".  That way you can download something immediately, and you don’t have to wait for a requested title to become available.  (for a good video tutorial on Libby go to: https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/ and scroll down to find the video). 
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We have NH State Park Passes
renewed for 2021
The pass provides entry to most NH State parks, including historic sites,  for 2 adults and up to 4 dependents, normally $4 per adult and $2 per child. The pass is not valid at Wallis Sands, Hampton Beach State Park, Flume Gorge, or Cannon Mountain Tramway, camping fees, or metered parking. It can be used for multiple parks in one day. We cannot print a pass for the same day requested, due to the online booking system setup, so you will need to reserve it with us at least one day in advance. Please stop by, call or e-mail the Andover Public Library (735-5333  [email protected]) or the W.A. Bachelder Library (735-5076  [email protected]) to reserve your pass.  We can only issue one pass per day, but you may request a pass more than once. Please check out the NH State Park website: https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks

IMPORTANT: Due to COVID many parks are limiting how many people may enter per day. Patrons need to know this pass DOES NOT guarantee access to any park.
​Advanced day-use reservations are the only way to guarantee access to a park.
When requesting a reservation, the patron will be charged a $1 non-refundable reservation fee
charged by the software company. To avoid being charged the admission fee, the patron will indicate
they have a library pass when making the reservation. The system will remove the admission fees,
however the patron will be responsible for the $1 reservation fee.
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1000 Books Before Kindergarten


​With the start of a new school year, we’d like to enccourage all children to join the  1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program. Nothing prepares a child better for learning how to read than being read to. The Children’s Librarian section of New Hampshire Library Association sponsors the program designed to encourage families to read to their young children and use the resources of their public libraries. The children who take part are encouraged to reach important milestones and receive prizes when they do. If you have a young reader or know of a young reader who would like to take part, please let us know.  We would be very happy to help them along in reaching this important goal.


Become a WABL Walker

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Become a WABL Walker
 Weather permitting, we’ll  meet at 10:15 am on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Bachelder Library (12 Chase Hill Road in East Andover).  We’ll head up Chase Hill Road, turn on to Emory Road and eventually head back to the library for some tea and some good books.
 
Please contact Lee Wells ([email protected]) if you would like to join us or if you have any questions.


Story Time & More

For more information on programs and events for kids  click here.
Watch for articles and new book lists in the Andover Beacon every month!
Visit our Town's monthly newspaper by clicking on the Andover Beacon button above.