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Fiske Free Library
108 Broad Street
Claremont, NH 03743
603-542-7017

msmith@claremontnh.com

You’ve got homework.  We’ve got help.

The Fiske Free Library now offers help from real, live tutors right at the library via the Internet!

Live Homework Help® is available for Kindergarten – 12th grade, college introduction level students, and adult learners everyday from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM.  This program connects students to a real live tutor.  Children and young adults simply log on via the link to the left, enter their grade level and the subject they need help in and within a few minutes or less are connected to an expert tutor. Students can receive help in math, science, social studies or English. To connect from outside the library you will need your library card number and access code. If you’d like to learn more about the program or need the access code, please call the library at 542-7017. Live Homework Help® is available through a partnership between the Claremont School District and the Fiske Free Library and is funded by Family School Connection of Claremont and by a McKinney-Vento grant.

American Precision Museum Pass Now Available

Stay Connected with the Fiske Free Library through BookLetters newsletter e-mails.

BookLetters keeps you up to speed on the latest services and resources provided by the library with periodic updates from each of our departments. By signing up for BookLetters you’ll gain access to online book discussions, the hottest new titles and authors, professional reviews of the titles you want to know about, and even our own staff recommendations. You can even reserve the books right from your e-mails.

Downloadable Audio Books

We are very happy to announce that the Fiske Free Library has joined the New Hampshire State Library and other public libraries across the state to bring you downloadable audio books!
How does it work? It's easy! Click the "Download Audio Books" icon here or go to http://nh.lib.overdrive.com to link to the New Hampshire Downloadable Audio Books website. This website will provide you with all the information you will need to install the free media software, checkout and download audio book titles, and transfer your titles to an MP3 player or burn them to CDs.
To get started, please call the library at 542-7017 to get your access code.

General Library Information

Welcome to the Fiske Free Library

Samuel P. Fiske established the Fiske Free Library in 1873 with 2,000 volumes from his personal library and $5,000 for the purchase of additional books. An additional $5,000 was given by Mr. and Mrs. Fiske to establish a permanent trust fund. Housed first in Stevens High School, the library moved in 1877 into the Bailey Block with more room and easier access. By 1902 space was again tight and Andrew Carnegie was approached for funding. In 1903, with $15,000 in funding from Carnegie, ground was broken for the present building. An addition in 1922 and a full renovation in 1966 expanded the entire building for library use.

Use of the Library Borrower's Card:

If you are a new library patron, you'll need to present proof of your current address (such as a driver's license) to get a card. If you are under age 18 you will need a parent or legal guardian present when applying for a card. Children must be at least age 5 and be able to sign their names to get a library card

1. Please present your library card each time you borrow items.
2. Your card is assigned to you as an individual-no one else may use your card.
3. It is your responsibility to pay for any charges on overdue, lost, or damaged items.
4. Please report a change of address or loss of the library card promptly.
5. A $2.00 fee will be charged for library card replacement.

1. Books, audiobooks, magazines, and music CDs are loaned for 2 weeks and may be renewed for one additional two-week loan, unless there is a reserve on the item. Renewal may be by phone, e-mail, or in person.
2. Videocassettes and DVDs are loaned for 1 week and no renewal is allowed.
3. Overdue fines are: $.10 per day for books, magazines, and audiobooks, $.50 per day for music CDs, and $1.00 per day for videocassettes and DVDs.
4. We appreciate your cooperation in returning items by their due date.

• Books
• Large Print Books
• Music CDs
• DVDs
• Magazines
• Videocassettes
• Audio Books

• Reference/Research Requests- We take reference requests in person, by phone, and via e-mail. Please call Marta Smith at 542-7017, or e-mail msmith@claremontnh.com.

• Book Reserves & Interlibrary Loan- We will reserve books by phone or via e-mail, and if we do not own the title we will borrow it from another library. Just call 542-7017 or e-mail msmith@claremontnh.com.

• Computers/Internet- The library provides free internet access to library card holders. Our computers also have word processing, spreadsheet, database, and publishing software. Black and white printing is available for 10 cents per page.

• Historical/Genealogical Research and Requests – The library’s Reference Historical Collection (RHC) contains over 1000 books and other materials to aid in your genealogy and/or Claremont/local history research.  The collection contains Claremont newspapers on microfilm from 1823 to the present, Claremont vital reports from 1887 to 1942, New Hampshire town histories, genealogies, and much more. You can also access census and other national records online through Ancestry Library Edition (available in the library only) and HeritageQuest Online (call the library for remote access information). If you are unable to come to the library to do your research the library staff is available to assist you.  The library charges a fee of $25.00 per genealogy/local history request (about an hour or two of research time). For more information contact Colin Sanborn at 542-7017 or csanborn@claremontnh.com.

• BookLetters-BookLetters is an email newsletter and readers advisory service on books, authors, and what's happening at the library. By clicking on the Newsletter Signup link below, you can choose to receive a variety of email newsletters ranging from author interviews and lists of great new titles on a variety of subjects to upcoming events at the library.                                                                              Newsletter Signup

• Memorial or Honor Gifts- If you would like to make a donation to purchase a book in memory or in honor of someone we would be happy select something appropriate in the subject area of your choice. For more information please call Michael Grace at 542-7017.

• Homebound Service- If you are unable to come into the library due to illness, or other incapacity we will send or deliver books to your home. This service can be provided on a temporary or permanent basis. For more information call Marta Smith at 542-7017.

• Handicapped Elevator- If you need to avoid the stairs you can park on Barber Street and come in the side door to access the elevator. Please ask staff to provide you with your own key. If you need help with the door a remote for the doorbell will be provided.

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Children and Parents

Materials for Your Child:

• Board Books: Even young children can handle and enjoy these books with sturdy cardboard pages.
• Board Games: Checkers, Chess, Life, etc.
• Cassettes, CDs: Your child can listen to nursery rhymes, bedtime lullabies and sing-along children's songs as all kinds of stories.
• Hooked-on-Phonics available upstairs
• Leap Pad (7 units at 3 different levels) - An interactive electronic learning device that is fun for your child.
• Picture Books: Look for simple, colorful illustrations and a short enough text to keep your child's attention.
• Puzzles: Our puzzle collection includes many large easy-to-hold wooden pieces.
• Videos: Children's songs, movies, cartoons, and educational videos are available in the Adult Department.

Toddler/Pre-school Websites:

        Just for Kids

             A collection of websites for children pre-school through age 5.

        PBS Kids

             Fun and games with all of the PBS Kids characters.

        Sesame Street

             Games and coloring pages with the Sesame Street gang.

Homework Help:

       Searchasaurus

              Designed for elementary school students, Searchasaurus provides newspaper, magazine, and encyclopedia articles in a fun, dinosaur themed interface. 

       Kids Search

              Research database for elementary and middle school students. Newspaper and magazine articles, photographs, maps, and primary source documents.

       Student Research Center

              Middle school through high school research database.

       Biography Resource Center

              An extensive collection of biographies covering more than 300,000 people drawn from 135 biographical encyclopedias and over 300 magazines.

       B. J. Pinchbeck's Homework Helper

               Over 700 links to homework help sites.

       Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government for Kids

               Learning tools about the workings of the U. S. government for students, parents, and teachers.

       Homework Spot

                Free homework information portal featuring the very best K-12 homework sites.

       National Geographic for Kids

                Articles, photos, and videos about plants, animals and the natural world for ages 6-14.

       Kids.gov

                Links to over 1200 government and non-government educational web pages for grades K-8

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Library Staff

Friends of the Fiske Free Library

Anyone interested in becoming a member of this group of library supporters can pick up a membership form at the library.

Fiske Free Library Board of Trustees

The Fiske Free Library Board of Trustees acts as an advisory group to the City Manager regarding programs and use of the City Library.

The Board of Trustees meets the second Monday of each month in the Sarah Gilmore Room beginning at 7:00 PM .

Members:

Makeup: Nine members; all members shall serve at large without regard to Ward of residence.

Appointments - by City Council

Term: 3 Years

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© Copyright 2004-2005 City of Claremont, NH