Chesley Memorial Library

04/16/2026

NEW LIBRARY HOURS START MAY 1, 2026

Monday 10:00am-11:45am, 12:30pm-6:00pm
Tuesday 10:00am-11:45am, 12:30pm-6:00pm
Wednesday 10:00am-11:45am, 12:30pm-6:00pm
Thursday CLOSED
Friday CLOSED
Saturday 10:00am-1:00pm
Sunday CLOSED

Public services in the Town of Northwood are being cut back to fit within the default budget. This affects activities at the Chesley Memorial Library. Starting May 1, 2026, the library will be closed on Thursdays until further notice to stay within that budget.
--Chesley Memorial Library Board of Trustees

04/06/2026

Cupcake War is back—and it’s going to be sweet! Bring two undecorated cupcakes to the library on Monday, April 13, anytime between 3:00–5:30pm, and get ready to show off your decorating skills. All decorating must happen at the library (don’t worry—we’ll have plenty of supplies on hand!). Once your masterpieces are complete, they’ll be put on display for everyone to admire. Stop by during library hours from Tuesday, April 14 through Saturday, April 18 to vote for your favorite creations. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 20—may the best cupcake win! All ages are welcome, and no registration is required. Come join the fun!

04/02/2026

INVITATION TO BID
Custodial Services for Chesley Memorial Library

The Chesley Memorial Library is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to provide custodial services at the Chesley Memorial Library, located at 8 Mountain Avenue in Northwood, NH.
Copies of the Bid Package and Project Specifications may be obtained in person at the Town Administrator’s Office, 818 1st. NH Turnpike, Northwood, NH 03261, Monday - Thursday during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They are also on the Town’s website www.northwoodnh.org or on the Library’s website https://www.chesleylib.com.
One (1) original bid in a sealed envelope clearly labeled “Library Custodial Services RFP 26-001” must be submitted no later than noon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 12:15pm.
Emailed or Bids in unsealed envelopes will not be considered. The Library Trustees will reject proposals received after the date and time noted above. Bids may be submitted by mail, courier service, or in person addressed to:
Town of Northwood
Library Custodial Services RFP 26-001
818 1st NH Turnpike
Northwood, NH 03261

The Trustees of the Northwood Libraries reserves the right to reject any bid, or any part of bids, or all bids and to waive any formality or technicality in any bid in the interest of the Town of Northwood.

Betty Smith
Trustee Chair
Northwood, NH

Northwood, a bucolic town in southeastern New Hampshire, was founded in 1773 when its first settlers successfully petitioned the Governor's Council requesting separation from Nottingham. Since this section of Nottingham had been known as the great north woods, the newly formed town was called Northw...

02/23/2026

Vacation Week: Creative Art Sessions
Wednesday, February 25
Tiny Tot Art 10:30-11:30 AM
Youth Crafternoon 3:30-5:00 PM
Looking for something fun (and a little crafty!) to do during February school vacation? Join us at the Chesley Memorial Library for our Creative Art Sessions! We will have several art stations set up, so kids can try one project—or dive in and try them all. Tiny Tot Art will take place from 10:30–11:30 am, and Crafternoon for older children will run from 3:30–5:00 pm. Drop in, get creative, and let your imagination flow!

02/23/2026

The Chesley Memorial Library will be closed on Monday, February 23, due to the inclement weather, safety of road conditions, safety of foot traffic on our walkways and entryways, and safe removal of snow and/or ice from our parking area.

02/19/2026

The Library will be closed from 11:45am-3:30pm on Thursday, February 19, due to an unexpected staffing shortage.
We apologize for the inconvenience to our patrons.

02/14/2026

Cookie Crush: Valentine Cookie Decorating Today!
Saturday, February 14, 10:00am-12:30pm while supplies last

02/10/2026

Cookie Crush: Valentine Cookie Decorating
Saturday, February 14, 10:00am
Love is in the air… and cookies are on the table! Join us at the library on Saturday, February 14, from 10:00am–12:30pm for a Valentine Cookie Program (while supplies last) that’s sweet fun for all ages. Decorate a heart cookie and share the cookie love with friends, family, and fellow library fans. No registration—just drop in and enjoy! First come, first serve, so the decorating will end as soon as we run out of cookies.

02/10/2026

Update: The Chesley Memorial Library was able to open at 3:15pm on Tuesday, February 10.

02/10/2026

The Chesley Memorial Library will have a delayed opening due to an unexpected staffing shortage on Tuesday, February 10. We will open the library at 3:30pm and apologize for the inconvenience to our patrons.

02/03/2026

The 2026 budget for the Chesley Memorial Library is crucial, and it’s our job as trustees to inform people of the issues. Between now and town elections, the trustees are explaining our concerns in a series of public posts through our website, social media, and email account. Scroll down to see full post. You can find all the updates at https://www.chesleylib.com/

XII. Come To The Deliberative Session Tonight
The updates from the library trustees have covered a lot of ground in order to provide important information. Join the Deliberative Session with any comments or questions you have about that information. It will help everyone be more aware of the different points of view about our library and our community. The session will be at the Northwood Elementary School at 6pm tonight.
--Chesley Memorial Library Trustees

Northwood, New Hampshire's Public Library

02/03/2026

XI. The Warrant Article #33 About The Library Will Not Raise Taxes
The 2026 budget for the Chesley Memorial Library is crucial, and it’s our job as trustees to inform people of the issues. Between now and town elections, the trustees are explaining our concerns in a series of public posts through our website, social media, and email account. Scroll down to see full post. You can find all the updates at https://www.chesleylib.com/
The previous update described the Energy Efficiency and Emergency Power Project Grant that the library director has been working on since September 2024. It is moving ahead despite many hurdles. This work has already resulted in $96,895 of federal funds being committed to the project pending final approval of the grant. This sum will be added to about $30,000 in subsidies and rebates to pay for the installation of solar panels on the library roof, an emergency backup electrical system with battery storage, upgraded insulation and windows, and roofing repairs.

This project will not cost the taxpayer a dime, but the opening phrase of the warrant article asks, “Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate . . .” This sure sounds like the town has to raise money and how else does that happen except by raising taxes? What’s the deal?

Well, the deal is that the town will raise money, but it will all come from grant money, not the taxpayer. The contractors for the job submit bills to the town as the work progresses. The town pays those bills out of its general funds. Grant funds then repay the town. In effect, the town acts as a go between for the contractors and the agency paying out the grant funds. The town will not have spent any of its own money in the end, and the taxpayer will not face any increase in the tax rate because of the solar installation and emergency power backup system.

Approval of Warrant Article #33 creates a win for the town, the taxpayer, the community, and the library at zero cost. It also saves money each year. That’s about as fiscally conservative as you can get.
--Chesley Memorial Library Trustees

Northwood, New Hampshire's Public Library