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Richards Free Library

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Services

A May Message From the Archivist

May 4, 2022

When you think of an archive, what comes to mind? Do you usually picture a physical place with old and rare materials? While this is absolutely correct, modern technology has allowed for archives and preservation to be moved online and into digital archives.

Richards Free Library has a wonderful local history room that functions as our in-person archive, but I’m also developing our digital archives. There are many benefits to digitization and digital archives, and I hope that adding more materials to ours will serve as a benefit to our community.

Some of the exciting things about digital archives include easier access for homebound patrons and folks from out of town who are looking for Newport History. Digitizing also acts as preservation – physical materials deteriorate even with the best care, and are always at risk for loss or damage. Having a digital archive doesn’t mean the physical one goes away – it’s simply an additional way to access the materials!

So, what goes into digitizing?
While it can seem like a daunting process, all you really need is a scanner and a place to store the files.  Some of the quickest materials to digitize are photographs, as they are single items and don’t require scanning multiple pages. However, with photographs you often have to be more aware of the resolution and color quality of your scanner than with text-based documents. Right now, RFL is still benefitting from the generous loan of a scanner from the New Hampshire State Library, and I am working my way through digitizing pictures from Newport’s past. The second part of digitizing is about resource description. Wherever your materials are ending up, they need to be easy to find. A description makes this possible. Photographs can be harder to describe than a document, especially if the photo has no description written on the back. Using things like subject headings and descriptive tags can help make photographs findable. We have some wonderful pictures of Newport’s past that I’m excited to share with our community! Stay tuned for updates on those projects.

We’re in the process of applying for a grant toget a scanner that RFL could have permanently, which would be a great asset to the archives. Digitizing is often slow and steady work, but permanent access to a scanner would allow for continuous additions to our digital archives.

As always, don’t be afraid to reach out to me if you have questions, a research request, or want to chat about Newport History!

Take care,
Juls
jsundberg@newport.lib.nh.us

Submit a Research Request

Filed Under: Local History / Archives, Services Tagged With: Archive, History, Juls, Local, Local History, Newport NH, Newsletter

What are We Playing At?

April 26, 2022

We’re creating a new gaming collection for Richards Free Library. This collection will include board games, card games, video games, video game consoles, and all the accessories needed to run spectacular gaming programs here at the library. 

COVID-19 cut into a lot of our programming just as it was ramping up, including our game nights. When we wrote this grant application, we had hoped we could get games into your hands and have you run your own game nights at home while we waited for it to be safe to bring game nights back to the library. Thankfully, it looks like we’ll be able to reinstate library game nights sooner rather than later! We’re planning after school gaming programs in the ballroom, family game nights, and board game lessons (we know some of these rule books can be intimidating!). 

I know some of you are thinking “why games?” Games are really just another way to tell a story, and we’re pretty big fans of storytelling here at the library. Plus, games are a great way to engage teens who come to the library after school, looking for entertainment (and somewhere warm or cool to spend the afternoon). We also hope they’ll be a useful tool for families to find time to spend together. 

We’re planning a “kick off” event on Saturday, June 4th, which just happens to be International Tabletop Day (a big day in board game circles). Join us at the library to check out the new collection, learn a new game, or play an old favorite. We hope to see you then!

17 games displayed on a blue shelf. Avengers, Hellapagos, Guess Who?, Slamwich, Xbox Lego Star Wars The Skywalker Saga, Nintendo Switch 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Star WArs Jabba's Palace, Zeus on the Loose, Paint chip Poetry, Santorini, Cascadia, Trivial Pursuit DVD edition, Azul, Scattergories, Buffalo, Apples to Apples, Ticket to Ride.

We’re really excited about this new collection and the incredible grant money from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the New Hampshire State Library that made it possible. 


If you have a game you’d like to recommend for the library, you can fill out this form!

Filed Under: Adult Programs, Events, Services Tagged With: afterschool programs, Announcement, board games, events, games, Grants, Services, video games

Yes, We Are Open!

February 1, 2022

The RFL is pleased to announce that we will now be open to public browsing once again! Browsing and computer use will no longer be by appointment only, and materials can be checked out at the front desk.


Masks continue to be required, and we ask patrons to limit their time in the building to 30 minutes at a time.


We will also be limiting computer users to 2 at a time, and the children’s section to 2 family groups at a time.


We are excited to see our patrons again and to continue to provide services to our community in this capacity once more!


Want to be sure you get the most up to date info about the library’s hours and services? Join our email list by signing up on our website, https://newport.lib.nh.us/

Filed Under: About Us, Services Tagged With: Computers, Hours, Newport NH, Opening, Printing, Public, Services

Computers & Printing at the Library

January 26, 2022

Some of the many services provided by the library are computer use and printing. We have 4 desktop computers available to anyone, not just card holders! Both grayscale and color printing are available at a competitive fee.

There are 4 computers available for public use.
Library cards are not required to use a computer!
Grayscale 10¢/page
Color 25¢/page
A copy machine is available, grayscale only

Even during this transitional time, where the number of patrons allowed in to the library has been limited for safety, feel free to make an appointment (by giving us a call at 603) 863-3430, or following this handy link) for computer or printing services!

Filed Under: Services Tagged With: Computers, Cost, Newport NH, Prices, Printing, Public, Services

Express Browsing & Computer Appointments now available!

February 9, 2021

We are now open for 15 minute appointments for Express Browsing and Computer usage! We will be offering these appointments Monday through Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-12. We’ll also continue offering curbside services during those same hours. Masks are required while in the building. One appointment per person per day. Give us a call to schedule an appointment 603-863-3430. We look forward to seeing you again!

Filed Under: Services

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Upcoming Events

  • Family Story Time
    Wednesday May 18, 2022
  • Brown Bags and Books Book Club
    Tuesday May 24, 2022
  • Family Story Time
    Wednesday May 25, 2022
  • Poetry Group
    Thursday May 26, 2022
  • Family Story Time
    Wednesday June 1, 2022
  • View all events

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Monday
1:00 to 6:00
Tuesday
10:00 to 8:00
Wednesday
10:00 to 8:00
Thursday
10:00 to 8:00
Friday
10:00 to 6:00
Saturday
10:00 to 2:00

You are more than welcome to make an appointment for cubby pickup!

Our Virtual Services are available 24/7!

Contact Information

58 N. Main Street
Newport, NH 03773

Phone Number: (603) 863-3430

rfl@newport.lib.nh.us

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