The Library will be under going a renovation in 2025!
In early 2025, the library will be undergoing a renovation that will include a small addition to the side entrance of the library with a new stairwell, elevator, and two single occupancy bathrooms on every level. This addition will be built slightly out into the parking lot, but will only remove one parking space. The Children’s Room will be expanded into the basement area and the third floor will be increased to add more meeting room space. In addition, shelving will be refinished, new carpets and furnishings added, and you may notice a few spaces shifted around! Click below to see the floor plans drawn up by SMP Architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions!
When will the renovation take place?
The plan is to start in early 2025.
Where will the library be temporarily located?
The library building will be closed for up to a year while construction is being done. During this time, we will move into a temporary location at the McConnell Center next door. The adult and teen collections will be located in the McConnell Center’s cafeteria, while the Children’s Room will be in Room 305. We will host library events in Room 306.
When will you be moving?
The library will close on January 13, 2025 and reopen in our temporary space on February 3, 2025. However, during the 3 weeks that we are closed we will be offering Curbside Pickup much like we did during COVID. Curbside Pickup times will be available Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM, Wednesday evenings from 5 PM to 8 PM, and Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM.
How does Curbside Pickup work?
Log into your online account or call the library to request any items you'd like. Then visit tinyurl.com/BooksCurbside to select a date and time to pick up your items. Pickup requests will be located on a cart under the portico by the Children's Room entrance, and wrapped in paper with the first three letters of your last name and first initial on the paper. The items will already be checked out to you. Just grab and go!
Will I have access to the entire library collection?
We will be moving a small core collection of our most popular materials into our temporary space in the McConnell Center for your browsing pleasure. While the Library building will be inaccessible to the public, library staff will still be able to access the collection and items can be reserved to pick up at our temporary location.
Will there be changes to library services and hours?
Due to space restraints, we will no longer be able to offer space for book sale items or be able to take book donations. We will also no longer have any public meeting rooms available starting December 1 and passport services will stop on November 27.
Library hours will change once we move to the McConnell Center to best fit their building’s operating schedule. Weekend hours will be the only thing impacted:
Mon-Thurs 9 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: 9 AM - 4 PM
Sunday: 12 PM - 4 PM
(Sundays closed during summer)
Once the renovation is complete, we hope to return back to full-service and regular hours.
Will you still be offering library programs?
That’s the plan! We will have a programming room located at Room 306 in the McConnell Center and will continue to offer story times, social meetups, lectures, and craft programs for all ages in this space - even during our 3-week closure. We will also be expanding out into the community to use other spaces available to us. We will keep you updated through our event calendar to let you know if a program will be held in another space.
Will there be a Children's Area
The Children's Room will be located in McConnell Center Room 305. Due to limited space we will not have room for a craft table. Instead, Children's Room staff will be making grab-and-go craft kits you can enjoy at home. There will also be less toys available, but staff will rotate items to keep things fresh and fun.
Starting on January 6, 2025 all storytimes will take place in McConnell Center Room 306 (our programming room that's right next to the temporary Children's Room). The January/February storytime session will feature only two storytimes - one for preschoolers and one family storytime - while we work to relocate into the McConnell Center. Starting February 3, 2025 our regular programming, such as LEGO Club and Crafternoons, will start up again. We'll also have some special school vacation week events to look forward to. Regular storytime sessions (baby storytime, STEM storytime, etc.) will begin again in March.
Will the renovation preserve the historic nature of the building?
We have had some people express concern regarding our upcoming renovations and how the changes will affect the historic detailing of the Dover Public Library. Dover is lucky to have a Carnegie Library—one of only 10 in New Hampshire—and we were adamant when choosing an architect that they be familiar with historic buildings. We are working with SMP Architecture out of Concord, NH and they have worked with many historic buildings and more specifically other Carnegie Libraries in NH. They are as passionate as we are about preserving the look and feel of our 1905 library. The historic front façade of the building will remain unchanged, as will the beautiful wood detailing that runs throughout. The parking lot entrance of the library will change forming two separate entrances for the Children’s Service Department on the ground floor and the Adult Services area on the main floor.
Will computers be available?
Starting February 3, the Dover Adult Learning Center Computer Lab will be open for public use on Mondays from 9 AM - 5 PM, Thursdays from 1 PM - 5 PM, and Fridays from 1 PM - 5 PM. Technology help appointments will also be available during these times. Contact Technology Librarian Nick at n.gagnon@dover.nh.gov to schedule a 30-minute appointment.
Will meeting spaces be available?
During the library renovation, the meeting spaces will not be available for public use. Click here for a few options to try. Please contact the organizations directly for more details.
Will AARP Tax Help be available?
The AARP Tax Help will take place at the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, located at 577 Central Ave #10, in Dover. Appointments will be at 9, 10, and 11 AM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 2-1-1 will not be taking appointments until mid January, and the online appointment scheduler at NHTaxHelp.org won't be available until then as well.
How can I keep updated on the library renovation?