Profile - Tilton School

Tilton School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school serving students from 9th to 12th grade and post-graduates. The student body of 243 consists of 51 day students and 192 boarding students from 20 states and 16 countries.

The Lucian B. Hunt Library is located in Tilton Hall. The original name for the Town of Tilton (where the school is located) was Sanbornton Bridge. It was changed in 1869 to honor Major Charles E. Tilton , who had gone west 25 years earlier in the Gold Rush and returned a wealthy man. Major Tilton built his mansion (now Tilton Hall) and many of the buildings in town. He is responsible for numerous statues and parks as well as the famous arch, which still stands in Northfield, New Hampshire.

Tilton School chose Fahrenheit 451 as the 2007-2008 All School Book and has held a variety of Big Read events including lectures, discussions, and reading events for the Tilton School community. Tilton School has had an All School Book each year since 1999.

Profile - Portsmouth Public Library

The Portsmouth Public Library serves the informational, educational and entertainment needs of the citizens of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Their new building -- which was dedicated in January 2007 -- was the first municipal building in New Hampshire to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification

Tonight at 7pm the library will be hosting a Big Read panel discussion, Media and the Soul of the Citizen. Please join us!

Profile - Aaron Cutler Memorial Library

Aaron Cutler Memorial Library serves the town of Litchfield, New Hampshire. "All Booked Up” is a library sponsored book group, started in June 2002. Adult Services Librarian Ann McKillop, who has led the group since July 2005, explained "Our discussion group varies from about 6 to 12 people, but we usually have about 15 people check out the book each month. We wanted to get involved with the Big Read because we thought it would be interesting to take part in a state wide read. Litchfield is a small town and we don’t have much opportunity to be part of something this big."

Profile - Richards Free Library

Founded in 1888, the Richards Free Library serves as the public library for the Town of Newport, New Hampshire. The library is located in a 1899 house that is listed on the National Historic Register and sits across the street from the town common. The library provides public library services to the Town of Newport and the surrounding area, and meeting spaces on its second and third floors; one of them a restored ballroom. The entire facility has free wireless internet access.

In 1955 the library established the Sarah Josepha Hale Award which is given annually to honor writers with a connection to New England. Recipients have included Robert Frost, Arthur Miller, Jill Ker Conway and Ellen Goodman. The 2007 winner is New Hampshire’s own Tomie dePaola.

In 1967 the trustees established the Newport Library Arts Center as a gallery and studio space for the visual and performing arts in the former carriage house. Changing art exhibits, lectures and performances take place in the two galleries on the main floor and a basement studio equipped with kiln, pottery wheels, dark room and easels houses space for art classes.

Profile - Madbury Public Library

Our library began just a few years ago with several hundred books in a closet at our Town Hall. The library was legally established in March of 2001. We moved to our present location in 2003 and are just down the street from the Town Hall. We serve the Madbury community, a town of about 1750 people. As a young library we are always looking of ways to involve the community in lively, meaningful and creative discussions and events.

The Big Read is one way to bring us all together and to encourage us to discuss issues which never seem to go away. Our book group, and others, will meet to discuss Fahrenheit 451 on October 2nd. On October 29th at 7 p. m. Dave Mackey will lead us in a thoughtful discussion of “Surveillance in the Post 9-11 world.” We invite residents of Durham and Lee to join us that evening. We have several other events, hosted by Durham or Lee, which will also encourage participation by residents of the three communities.

Madbury Library is located at 9 Town Hall Road, Madbury, NH 03823. Phone 603-743-1400

Contributed by Nancy Bergeron, Director, Madbury Library