Concord Public Library Foundation

The Concord Public Library (Main Library) has reopened with limited capacity. The library will be closed every two hours for sanitation. The hours are:

Monday: 9am-11am, 12pm-2pm, 3pm-5pm 

Tuesday: 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm, 5pm-7pm 

Wednesday: 9am-11am, 12pm-2pm, 3pm-5pm 

Thursday: 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm, 5pm-7pm 

Friday: 9am-11am, 12pm-2pm, 3pm-5pm 

Saturday: 9am-11am, 12pm-2pm 

Browsing and Computer Use

Patrons are allotted 1 hour per day in the library. We appreciate patrons keeping their visits short to allow as many patrons as possible to enjoy time in the library.

We will have one-hour appointments for in-library computer use. Reservations will be set aside for walkups. Make an appointment online at ConcordPublicLibrary.net or by phone (603) 225-8670 starting Monday, July 13th. 

Health and Safety Precautions

The well-being of our community and staff is always our top priority. Face coverings are required in the library. If you do not have one, a mask will be provided for you. 

What we’re asking you to do: 

• Do not enter the library if you currently have or recently had a fever, cough, shortness or breath, or are feeling unwell. 

• Keep your hands clean. Hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the library. 

• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others. 

• Follow all directional signs and floor markings 

Before entering any city facility, please answer these questions:

Have you had any of the following symptoms in the past 72 hours without using fever reducing medication, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath?

Have you had contact with anyone with confirmed to have COVID-19 or the symptoms listed above in the last 14 calendar days?

Have you returned from international or domestic commercial travel within the last 14 days? Domestic commercial travel is considered by plane, train or bus.

If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, do not enter this building.

Instead please, visit www.concordnh.gov to take advantage of our many online services or us for assistance.

Returning Items and Due Dates

Our Prince Street book drop is open for you to return your checked out library items. 

Book Drop Hours: 

MWF | 9am – 5pm 

TTh | 11am-7pm 

Sat | 9am-2pm 

• We are returning to normal due dates. 

• Returned items will be quarantined for 72 hours before getting checked in. 

• All overdue fines are being waived during this time. 

Placing Items on Hold for Curbside Pickup

Place items on hold and pick them up when you’re notified that they are ready. 

What you need to know: 

• Place your holds online at ConcordPublicLibrary.net or by phone (603) 225-8670 

• Need help deciding what you want? Call us for help. 

• Wait until you are notified by phone or email that your items are ready for pick up. 

• Curbside is available at the Main Branch only, by appointment.

Curbside Library Services

The Concord Public Library will begin curbside services starting June 9th. Curbside service hours will be Tuesdays 9am-5pm Thursdays 11am-7pm Saturdays 9am-1pm at CPL Main Branch only, by appointment only Click here for more information.

Celebrate National Library Week (April 19th-25th) with the Concord Public Library. While we are saddened that the physical library is currently closed, there is still much to celebrate. Take advantage of free access to Hoopla and Libby (Overdrive) with your library card, get homework help with the library’s “homework heroes” program, and engage in virtual programs like story times. Check out the CPL website for more information: http://concordnh.gov/588/Library

Take advantage of free access to Hoopla and Libby (Overdrive) with your library card, as well as plenty of databases, providing you with access to hundreds of ebooks, auidobooks, movies, music, and magazines. More information on downloadable media here:http://concordnh.gov/622/eBooks-Downloads

Celebrate the winter season at the Penacook Branch Library! They will be hosting snowman crafts, story time and snacks on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 10 AM – 11:30 AM. Sponsored by the Penacook Friends Group.

Don’t miss your chance to hear the NH Ukeladies at the Concord Public Library on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 6 to 8pm. See you there!

Create a needle-felted llama at the Concord Public Library on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 from 6 to 8pm. Pre-registration is required & classes are limited to 20. Children age 12 and older are allowed as long as an adult is present and helping the child. Register online at concordpubliclibrary.net/registration, at the Main Desk, or by phone (603) 225-8670.

Community financial support is absolutely essential to the services that the Concord Public Library is able to offer Concord residents, and our annual appeal is the CPLF’s only fundraiser. We welcome donations large and small to help fund programs such as these:

• Concord Reads community program – the 2019 title, Ghost of the Innocent Man, by Concord native Benjamin Rachlin, facilitated conversations about race and justice.
• Performances by the Irish Harp Orchestra and the Hokuto Japanese Drumming Schooldrew over 100 listeners each.
• Live Music on the Lawn – local bands and food vendors set up on Prince Street for a fun street fair atmosphere.
• STEAM Program – a monthly project-based learning initiative for elementary and middle school age kids. 

In addition, the Concord Public Library offers free Wi-Fi access; a wide selection of DVD videos; downloadable eBooks, audiobooks and eLearning tools; public access computers and tablets; rotating art exhibits; online classes; and much, much more. The CPLF helps make all of this possible with your financial support. Please consider donating via the yellow “donate now” link or on our website. Thank you!

On September 17th, the Concord Public Library Foundation welcomed Karen Landsman as its new President. Landsman is a Library Media Specialist in Hooksett as well as a longtime board member of NHSLMA. She is also a 15-year veteran of the CPLF board and has most recently served as the Chair of the Yates Award Committee. 

“The whole world opened to me when I learned to read”

On Saturday, May 18th, Anna M. Allen, a retired librarian and educator, received the Elizabeth Yates Award for inspiring young children to read. She chose the above-mentioned quote, by Mary McLeod Bethune, to be printed on the invitation for her award ceremony.

At the event, which was well-attended by family and friends, Anna spoke about the importance of libraries and librarians. Her family prepared a slideshow and shared that during the reception.

The Elizabeth Yates Award honors Concord resident and children’s author Elizabeth Yates, who was a strong advocate of reading and who supported library programs in the Concord community during her lifetime. Elizabeth Yates received the first award named in her honor in 1994.

The winner of the award is given the opportunity to recommend $500 worth of books to add to the Children’s Room collection, each book bearing a bookplate with his/her name. In addition, his/her name is inscribed on the Elizabeth Yates Award plaque that hangs in the Children’s Room.

The Concord Public Library will return to their summer schedule on May 26th. See the full details below.

This year’s selection for Concord Reads, the annual city-wide literary event organized by the Concord Public Library and sponsored by the Concord Public Library Foundation, is Ghost of the Innocent Man: A True Story of Trial and Redemption by New Hampshire native Benjamin Rachlin. Benjamin will be at Red River Theatres in Concord on May 2nd at 7 p.m.

Ghost of the Innocent Man tells the heart-wrenching story of an innocent man’s twenty-five years in prison and his relentless efforts to prove his innocence and find the true culprit. Wrought with examples of the shortcomings of the country’s criminal justice system, the story is also suffused with hope and the possibility of meaningful reform as it follows the gallant efforts of the people who are working to change the system. With an overarching theme of the roles of race, ethnicity, and class in wrongful conviction, this title is sure to spark engaging and important conversation in the Concord community. 

During the event at Red River, Benjamin Rachlin will give a presentation on his writing process followed by a Q&A session hosted by Peter Biello of New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR). Following the Q&A, Benjamin will sign books and copies will be available for purchase. This event is free and open to the public. Copies of Ghost of the Innocent Man are available for checkout at the Concord Public Library and its branches and the eBook & eAudiobook can be downloaded from the library website.

This year, Concord Reads programming will kick-off with a wrongful conviction themed panel discussion at NHTI’s Grappone Hall, Room 301 on Wednesday, 3/13 at 7pm. The panel, which will be moderated by Jason Moon of NHPR and host of the Bear Brook podcast, will consist of a representative from the New England Innocence Project, an individual who was wrongfully convicted and ultimately exonerated with the help of the New England Innocence Project, a representative from the ACLU-NH, and a local assistant county attorney. 

To find out more about Concord Reads, Ghost of the Innocent Man, and this year’s slate of engaging programming to go along with the book visit the Concord Reads website.