I tracked the libraries that I visited this year. I have also done this in 2011, 2010 and 2009.
I went to thirty-five different libraries in eleven states for fifty-four visits total. I’m sure I have forgotten some. Here’s the short annotated list of what I was doing in libraries last year. Foursquare really helped me keep this list up to date. Top three libraries are the same as last year.
- Kimball Library, Randolph VT – this is the library where I work as an on-call part timer since I live up the street, and also where I check out books
- Hartness Library, VTC, Randolph VT – this is the good college library nearby me where anyone in the state can get a library card. I’ve got renewed interest in it since I started watching TV series on my ipad when at the gym.
- Westport, MA – the library in the town where my father lived and where I still spend a good amount of time. Great booksale.
- Lawrenceburg, IN – was here for a conference, stopped at the library twice, lovely place
- Kilton Library, Lebanon NH – saying hi to Virgil again
- Cranston, RI – hung out with Ed Garcia and got to see his cool library
- Keene State, Keene NH – got a tour from the library director after a talk there
- Carthage, MO – stopped by on my way cross-country
- Nashville TN – stopped in en route to the TN Library association conference, really nice place, amazing renovations
- Knoxville Public, TN – a library in need of some serious renovations, stark contrast to Nashville
- NYPL/SIBL, NY – always a favorite, sorry it’s going away
- Worcester PL, MA – checked the place out after a conference, a really well designed place
- Ellis (Mizzou), Columbia MO – one of those wacky places with an old and a new part that don’t quite line up. Enjoyed my tour.
- S. Boone County, Columbia MO – a nice newish library
- Cranston, Hall Branch, RI – a fancier cousin to the main Cranston library, neat basement
- AVA South Studio Library, NH – attached to an art gallery, a nice selection of books
- East Providence, RI – waited here before meeting someone at a nearby comedy club when it was raining, nice staff
- Hudson, MA – an old funky building, terrific hang out spot
- Midstate, Berlin VT – we had an unconference here which was a great time
- Watertown, MA – a neat new and old library with huge collection and a lot of neat places to hang out
- Chelmsford, MA – saying hi to Brian
- Mendik/NYLS, NY – chilling out after a busy conference, a neat basement library
- Cambridge, MA – hanging out waiting for Jim to get out from his colonoscopy, thumbs up!
- Pasadena, CA – an odd old building only sort of repurposed for modern uses
- Hartland VT – my friend Mary doesn’t work here anymore!
- Keene Public, NH – scooted by here on my way out of town
- Fall River, MA – lovely old building
- Chelsea, VT – saying hi to my friend Virgil
- Howe/Hanover NH – stopping by en route to meeting some friends in from out of town, playable piano out front
- St Louis – Machacek – this library did not have wifi, I was stunned
- Berlin MA – such a cute small and awesome library
- Blount County/Maryville TN – a neat middle-of noplace branch, super well designed and hoppin’
- Rochester, VT – doing a lot with not very much
- CUNY, NY – in an old department store building, fun tour
- Charlotte, NC – an amazing bustling city library with some weird old empty parts to it
