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Early Birds
Photo by Eric Anderson
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"Baker Free Library provides relevant and reliable resources to support educational, cultural, and information needs for the whole community."
2024-2028 Baker Free Library Mission Statement
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Since reopening our doors back in 2020, after the closure due to COVID19, Baker Free Library patrons saved 2.8 million dollars by borrowing library materials! Despite this amazing return on investment, there is actually so much more that the library offers to the community. Baker Free Library already plays a vital role in the education system through its extensive literacy programming. If you have not already joined the IditaREAD!—Winter Reading Challenge, you can still participate until March 15. Last month’s Meet the Candidate Night (recording available on our website) is another way that your local library contributes to making Bow the great town that it is. With the installation of a new generator, Baker Free Library’s lower level is no longer simply a preeminent meeting space in Bow; it is also a vital emergency shelter for the community. In addition to the social, economic, and educational return on investment, the library also provides cultural value for the community through its art gallery and concert series. Come join us on March 13 for our second annual Spring Concert featuring Muriel Orcutt on violin and Terry Timmerman on cello. Visit our website to reserve your seat. Once again, the Racial Unity Team returns to the gallery in March with its Art & Poetry Challenge. There is always so much going on at Baker Free Library! Circulating millions of dollars’ worth of literacy into the community is only a small part of why Baker Free Library is the place to know. | -Martin Walters, Library Director | |
MUSH! with Noggin, the Sled Dog
Saturday, March 16th | 10:30am
What does it feel like to ride the runners behind a team of dogs, steering a loaded sled through the vast Alaskan tundra? What does it take to care for a team of Alaskan huskies? Could my dog be a sled dog, too? Musher, Karen Land will answer these questions and more when she and Noggin, the Alaskan husky, visit The Baker Free Library!
Karen Land is a writer, public speaker, and three-time participant in the 1000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, as well as many other sprint and endurance races around the world. Since 2000, Land has traveled to nearly every state with her Iditarod dog sled, mushing gear, Arctic clothing, and beloved dogs, giving over a thousand school and library presentations. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn all about the famous Iditarod Trail! All ages welcome. Registration is required.
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IditaREAD!
Ending Friday, March 15th
It's not too late to sign up for the IditaREAD! Until March 15th, track any and all reading you complete to make your way across the famous Iditarod Trail. Reading of any kind counts: magazines, graphic novels, even audiobooks! Open to all ages. Completing 1,000 minutes qualifies you for a free custom book tote, 5 raffles tickets towards various prizes baskets and a certification of completion.
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Lauren Porter, Circulation Desk Supervisor loves the IditaREAD! prizes!
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*Registration is required to reserve your child's space through our Online Calendar.
The spring session will run from March 12 - April 15, 2024.
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Preschool Storytime
Every Tuesday Morning | 10:30am
Encourage school readiness with a storytime for active bodies and minds! Explore interactive stories, songs, and activities that help to promote early literacy learning while addressing attention, coordination and motor development. Each storytime includes songs, instrument play and movement activities, and ends with open play time, allowing children and their families to socialize. Recommended for Ages 3 - 5.
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Family Storytime
Every Thursday Morning | 10:30am
Explore a new topic each week with stories, songs and rhymes designed to spark your child’s imagination and create the foundations for early literacy. Each storytime ends with open play time, allowing families to meet and socialize. Select sessions will include craft and/or sensory activities. Recommended for Ages 18 Months - 3 Years; siblings welcome.
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*Registration is required to reserve your child's space through our Online Calendar. | |
Nature Explorers
Thursday, March 7th | 4:00pm
Become a nature explorer with this new after-school club! Meeting monthly, this group will learn about animals, plant life, weather and the natural world. Create and fill your own nature journal as we explore the great outdoors, with hands-on art projects, science experiments, games and activities. Recommended for Grades 2 and Up.
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Art Lab
Wednesday, March 13th | 4:00pm
A program for young artists, creators, and storytime graduates. Listen to a new story each month, then take part in sensory, art, and engineering activities designed to inspire our creativity and curiosity. Activities may include mixed media projects and painting, so come prepared to get messy! Recommended for Grades K-4, in the company of a parent or caregiver. Younger children may need assistance with certain projects.
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"I Survived" Book Club
Thursday, March 21st | 4:00pm
Learn about history's most incredible battles, man-made mishaps and natural disasters with books from the "I Survived" series, written by Lauren Tarshis. A new book will be selected for discussion each month, with copies provided by the library. Following each discussion, readers will explore each topic through STEAM-based activities and experiments. Recommended for readers in Grades 3-6, or children reading at those grade levels.
March's book selection is "I Survived the Japanese Tsunami." Pick up your copy at the library to read along!
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Spring Concert
Wednesday, March 13th | 7:00pm
Join us for our 2nd Annual Spring Concert in the 1914 Reading Room at Baker Free Library! Bow resident, Muriel Orcutt (violin) and Terry Timmerman (cello) will be performing a selection of Irish and classical tunes. Light refreshments will be provided.
Registration is required to reserve your seat.
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Craft Club
Tuesday, March 5th | 6:00pm | *Waitlist
Tuesday, April 2nd | 6:00pm | Registration Opens March 5th
Join us for a new craft every month! All supplies provided. Registration is required to reserve your seat.
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Book Talk at BFL
Tues. March 12th | 12:30pm & 6:30pm
Do you love to read? Are you willing to try books outside your comfort zone? Do you enjoy talking about books with others? Then our monthly Book Group is for you!
March Book Discussion:
This Other Eden by Paul Harding
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White Rock Book Group
Tues. March 19th | 1:00pm
Do you want to read outside of your comfort zone? Do you enjoy talking about books with others? Then our monthly Book Talk at White Rock Senior Center is for you!
March Book Discussion:
This Other Eden by Paul Harding
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Whodunits
Tues. April 2nd | 1:00pm
Love mysteries? Join the Whodunits to sleuth through a new one every month! This mystery-exclusive book club meets at White Rock Senior Center on the first Tuesday of every month.
April Book Discussion:
The Neon Rain by James Lee Burke
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Copies of Book Talk books are available at the Circulation Desk at the Library. For more information on joining one of the Book Talk groups, contact Amy Bain at [email protected]. | |
Peaceful Pages: A Mind, Body & Soul Book Club
Thursday, March 21st | 6:00pm
Introducing the newest addition to Baker Free Library's Book Club lineup, Peaceful Pages. Guided by owner and founder of Yogistrong, Josephine Fanelli, discover new ways to nurture your mind, body, and soul through the power of literature and mindfulness every month.
Whether you’re an avid reader or simply looking for a new way to explore personal growth, Peaceful Pages offers a unique and engaging experience. Each month, Josephine will lead the group in a discussion of a different book that focuses on themes of mindfulness, self-care, and inner peace. Alongside the book discussion, participants will also engage in meditation and movement exercises designed to deepen their understanding of the book’s messages and cultivate a sense of calm and centeredness.
March Book Discussion
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Books available to pick-up at the Circulation Desk today!
For more information, visit our Online Calendar
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2024 Solar Eclipse
Viewing Glasses Available March 18th
On April 8, New Hampshire will be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse. The Baker Free Library has a limited supply of certified solar eclipse viewing glasses available for Bow residents and library cardholders. Pick up your pair at the library beginning Monday, March 18. You must present a valid Baker Free Library card or evidence of Bow residency to redeem your glasses. Available while supplies last! One pair per person.
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*Reduced Price
2024 Visions of Bow Calendars
Help support the library by purchasing a ‘Visions of Bow, NH’ 2024 Calendar highlighting local scenic views photographed by Town Photographer, Eric Anderson. Purchase a calendar today by visiting the library or by phone (603) 224-7113. Calendars are *$8 each. All proceeds support the library’s services and programs.
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BFL Seed Library
Start Your Seeds Today!
The Seed Library is back at Baker Free Library! Browse the seed library database and find the seeds you need. Fill out the Sign Out Form located next to the database. Bring your seeds home to plant!
We offer a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, fruit, and flower seeds that are suitable to grow in the Northeast regional zone. Seed availability subject to change.
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March Exhibit - Racial Unity Team's 2023 Art & Poetry Challenge
March 2nd - March 29th
'Untold Stories' A Hidden Past Moving Towards an Inclusive Future
Racial Unity Team is back in the Gallery with the winning art and poetry from the 2023 Art and Poetry Challenge. Stop by the library to view various comics, graphic art, cartoons, photographs, drawings, paintings, sculptures and more.
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If you are interested in being a Featured Artist in the Gallery in 2024, contact Amelia at [email protected] | |
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Baker Free Library
509 South Street
Bow, NH 03304
(603) 224-7113
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Town Updates
The Town of Bow has worked diligently in providing up to the minute notification of all that is happening in the community. In order to stay informed, visit the website Town of Bow or follow on Facebook @bownewhampshire
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Bow Rotary Club
Bow Rotary's Annual Speech Contest
Bow Rotary’s annual public speaking contest for high school students will be held in person at the Baker Free Library on March 20th at 6:00pm. Applications are due by 3 pm on Friday, March 8th, so don’t delay. The top three speakers will split $1,000 in prize money.
The contest challenges youth to use Rotary’s Four-Way Test to analyze their decision making. All four tests are to be included in the topic of their speeches.
Contest details and an application form can be found at bowrotary.org
2024 Scholarship Applications Now Available
The Rotary Club of Bow is announcing that our annual Foundation Scholarship Applications are now available. Due to the tremendous support of our community, the Foundation has historically awarded $18,000 - $25,000 annually for post-secondary scholarships. We anticipate doing the same in 2024! Click on Scholarships/Grants in the main menu or click here.
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Bow Young at Heart
Bow Young at Heart is a social club open to all residents 55 and older. The public is always welcome to attend any meeting or event. Meetings begin at 11:30 am with a social hour, followed by a speaker at 12:30 pm. Bring your own lunch, dessert is provided. Held at the Old Town Hall 91 Bow Center Road
March 13, 2024
Pizza party, bingo, and games. Guests are welcome. If you would like to be a guest of the club, please call Peter Cherici (603) 774-7682 or email at [email protected] to let us know you are going to visit with us.
March 27, 2024
Gentle chair exercise for strength and balance. Visitors are welcome to attend. Bring your own lunch, enjoy chatting with friends, and stay for the exercise.
April 24, 2024
Steve Taylor will present “Late in in Arriving: How Electricity Changed Rural NH. This program is sponsored by the NH Humanities Council. Bring your own lunch at 11:20 with the presentation beginning at 12:30.
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