Dover Public Library temporarily closed for renovations

posted on 1/13/2025; updated 1/23/2025

The Dover Library is temporarily closed to prepare for renovations, but operations will continue in the McConnell Center on Monday, Feb. 3 – once staff has had a chance to move its most popular borrowing items across the street to its temporary McConnell Center location. 

During the closure and throughout renovations, the library collection will remain available for borrowing through a curbside pickup program, except from Sunday, Jan. 26 until the Library reopens on Monday, Feb. 3. The curbside service suspension is to allow the packing and transit of books to the Dover Public Library's temporary location McConnell Center.

Any books collected for holds or interlibrary loans will be available starting Monday, Feb. 3 when the library reopens in the McConnell Center 

When the Library reopens in the McConnell Center, Adult services will be located in the cafeteria, and Children's services will be in Room 305. Library events will occur Room 306 starting in January.

The renovations will enhance the 1905 Carnegie Library by adding accessible entrances and programming space, including additional meeting rooms. The historic front façade of the building will remain unchanged, as will its detailed woodworking throughout. The new addition on the parking lot side of the library will create two entrances: One for the Children’s section on the ground floor and another for the main library section on the first floor. The City Council is expected to authorize the construction contract at its Wednesday, Jan. 15 meeting.

Curbside pickup

During the library’s closure to move operations, curbside pickup will be available for all library items, similar to the extended closure during the Covid-19 pandemic. Patrons may select items by placing a “hold” through their online account (or call the library), and then schedule a curbside pickup time via tinyurl.com/BooksCurbside. During the initial closure on Jan. 13, pickup requests will be located on a cart under the portico by the Children's Room entrance, and wrapped in paper with the patron’s first three letters of their last name and first initial on the paper. The items will already be checked out to you. Just grab and go.

Library hours and phone numbers

Once at its temporary location, the library’s operating hours will change slightly to match the McConnell Center’s regular hours. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, from 12 to 4 p.m. (Closed Sundays during the summer.) The library’s phone numbers will remain the same throughout the renovation. Call the Circulation Desk at 603-516-6050 or the Children’s Room at 603-516-6052.

Public computer use

Public use of computers will continue in the McConnell Center. The Dover Adult Learning’s computer lab in McConnell Center’s Room 301 will be open for public use on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays, from 1 to 5 p.m. To schedule technology help during these times, contact Technology Librarian Nick Gagnon at n.gagnon@dover.nh.gov. There will also be computer stations in the McConnell Center cafeteria after the Feb. 3 opening during regular hours.

Volunteers sought to move book carts

Interested and available to provide physical labor to help the library move into its temporary location? The library seeks volunteers during the first two weeks of its closure, which will involve pushing carts. Email libraryquestions@dover.nh.gov.

Stay up to date with library renovation plans at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/library/about-us/renovation/, Facebook, Instagram, or sign up for the library’s newsletters.