Chesley Memorial Library

Chesley Memorial Library The public library for the town of Northwood, NH! Read and learn with authors in print, e-books and audio books.

08/12/2026

Shirefest Crafternoon
Wednesday, August 12, 2:00-4:00 PM
Get ready for Shirefest with a special crafternoon! Step into a world of imagination and creativity during our special Shirefest Medieval Renaissance Faire craft program! Join us at the library for a festive hands-on activity where participants can create a medieval-inspired craft and celebrate the spirit of the faire. Gather your family and friends, let your creativity shine, and take home a handmade treasure worthy of any kingdom.

Shirefest Medieval Renaissance FaireOscar Foss Memorial Library, BarnsteadSaturday, August 15, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMJoin us...
08/12/2026

Shirefest Medieval Renaissance Faire

Oscar Foss Memorial Library, Barnstead
Saturday, August 15, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Join us for the third annual Shirefest Renaissance Faire on Saturday, August 15, at the Oscar Foss Memorial Library in Barnstead. This special event celebrates the conclusion of our summer reading program and the wonderful partnerships we share with local libraries throughout our area. A day of whimsy awaits with tasty food and drink, hands-on activities, magical discoveries, and plenty of unexpected delights. You can craft your own sword and shield, weave a flower crown, and enjoy face painting fit for any wandering hero. Along the way, you’ll also find local herb-lore, a StoryWalk, trinket trading, a scavenger hunt, a costume contest, musical performances, and local vendors offering unique treasures. Gather your fellow adventurers and join us for a day of imagination, creativity, and community as we celebrate another successful summer of reading!

Step Back in Time with Our Antique Toy DisplaySummer has always been a season for play! Have you seen the fascinating di...
08/03/2026

Step Back in Time with Our Antique Toy Display
Summer has always been a season for play! Have you seen the fascinating display of antique toys dating from approximately 90 to 140 years ago at the Chesley Memorial Library? The collection offers a glimpse into childhood years ago, showcasing the simple pleasures that entertained children long before electronics and video games. As you browse the display, imagine the children who once played with these treasured toys and consider how play has changed—and how it has stayed the same. Toys have always had a special way of bringing families together and creating lasting memories.
We'd love to hear about your favorite childhood toy! Did you have a beloved teddy bear, a favorite doll, a treasured train set, or a toy you carried everywhere? Share your memories with us by sending a photograph and/or a short story about your favorite toy to chesleylib.com or drop them off at the library. Stop by the library to enjoy this charming collection before the end of the month and take a nostalgic journey through the toys that delighted children in the past. We are grateful to Pam Sanderson for generously sharing this treasured collection with the community.

07/25/2026

Did you miss the Northwood Historical Society's wonderful veterans display at the library in May? Good news—you still have a chance to experience it! This summer, visit the Northwood Historical Society Museum at the Bryant Library on School Street every Saturday from 1:00–3:00 pm. Explore fascinating artifacts from Northwood's past, learn about the brave veterans who helped shape our community, and discover the rich history that makes our town so special. Whether you're a history enthusiast or just looking for something interesting to do on a Saturday afternoon, it's well worth a visit to support local history and discover Northwood's story.

07/22/2026

We will be Veggie painting @1:30-5:30 today for the summer reading program, check our website for more info https://www.chesleylib.com/

Who says book discussions have to happen after dinner? This month, our Book Discussion Group traded an evening meeting f...
07/20/2026

Who says book discussions have to happen after dinner? This month, our Book Discussion Group traded an evening meeting for breakfast at The Jefferson, where the coffee was hot, the breakfast was delicious, and the conversation about books was even better. Between bites and plenty of laughter, members shared their thoughts and enjoyed a wonderful morning together. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make our breakfast book chat such a fun success!

Summer Reading ProgramThe library will be creating potato buddies for the summer reading program from 1:00-5:30
07/15/2026

Summer Reading Program
The library will be creating potato buddies for the summer reading program from 1:00-5:30

07/11/2026

Trivia Night
Love libraries, trivia, and wine? Come test your knowledge to support the Friends of the Northwood Libraries on Thursday July 30th from 6-8 pm at Triad Winery in Northwood for Trivia Night! Tickets required and include a 3-wine flight and a chance to win prizes. All proceeds support library services. Other upcoming events include a Humor and Harmony performance in September and Soup and Pie sale in October. For more information on tickets, times, and dates, please see the Friends of the Library page on the Chesley Memorial Library website (www.chesleylib.com/friends-of-the-northwood-libraries). See you there!

06/24/2026

The Chesley Memorial Library will be closed from Monday, June 29, through Sunday, July 5.
Please enjoy a safe Independence Day holiday with your family and friends. We will be back on Monday, July 6, so we will look forward to seeing you again after our vacation. You can use your library card to access the New Hampshire Downloadable Books Consortium (nh.overdrive.com, open 24/7) to download ebooks, audiobooks, and/or digital magazines to your phone, tablet, or computer.

Our final Story Time of the season was filled with smiles, stories, and lots of fun! We loved sharing books and making m...
06/10/2026

Our final Story Time of the season was filled with smiles, stories, and lots of fun! We loved sharing books and making memories with these wonderful young readers. Thank you to all the families who joined us throughout the year—we can't wait to see everyone at the Chesley Memorial Library next fall for more library adventures. Story Time will be back in session on Wednesday, September 2, at 10:30am. Until then, keep reading, exploring, and imagining!

Address

8 Mountain Avenue
Northwood, NH
03261

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

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