“Our demographics set the challenge. Our large urban libraries may serve 100,000, and community libraries may serve 500 or 1,000. We want to make sure that all residents have access to excellent information, including vital records and official reports of local interest. Robust digital resources and access are priorities.”

--New Hampshire State Library

Project Examples

Technology Resources for Public Librarians 
Children in New Hampshire were first exposed to STEM programming at their public libraries through an IMLS-funded lending collection of educational toys that they could borrow from the New Hampshire State Library (NHSL). During the project period, NHSL offered STEM workshops for NH librarians to continue the momentum, with a focus on summer learning. NHSL consultants also introduced an innovative library program for children ages 8 and younger called Reimagining School Readiness. The program taught librarians to adapt traditional story times and STEM programs for young children to encourage a growth mindset, facilitate complex thinking skills, and develop critical thinking skills. As a result, public libraries began investing in more STEM programs, and were interested in offering other innovative services. 
IMLS Funds: $6,575.83

NHAIS Interlibrary Loan System 
The New Hampshire Automated Information System (NHAIS) is an Interlibrary Loan system that helped the public libraries in New Hampshire serve their patrons through resource sharing and high-quality cataloging records. Over 90 percent of NH public libraries used this resource to serve their patrons, and schools, academic institutions, and special libraries in New Hampshire used this resource as well. During this project period, which occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, member-library holdings increased from 917,897 to 1,022,011.
IMLS Funds: $395,914.89 

New Hampshire Downloadable Book Program
The New Hampshire State Library (NHSL) managed a service for over 200 public libraries that provided digital audiobooks, eBooks, and magazines to a potential 1.36 million state residents. Public libraries provided the funding for content and NHSL used grant funds for the annual platform fee. To increase digital content during the pandemic, NHSL also invested over $52,000 in CARES Act stimulus funds from IMLS and a $10,000 grant from NH Humanities. NHSL staff provided ongoing administrative and technical support, as well as training for the public library consortium, in-person, virtually, over the phone, and via online handouts and videos. 
IMLS Funds: $110,079.55 

Review recent Grants to States projects from this state library in the State Program Report database.

Search the Awarded Grants Database for additional details about awards in this state or view the State Details Dashboard.

Five-Year Plan Highlights

Goal 1: Equity of Access - Increase the equity of access to library and information services for New Hampshire residents of all abilities and backgrounds by providing resource sharing, electronic resources, and continuing access to historic materials through direct services as well as coordination of linkages among and between libraries and partnerships with other agencies and organizations.

• Projects include:
  • NHAIS (New Hampshire Automated Information System) Interlibrary Loan System 
  • Transportation system for interlibrary loan materials between libraries 
  • New Hampshire Downloadable Books Consortium
  • Digital archive of born-digital state government publications 
  • Open-source integrated library system solution for small libraries 
  • NH Talking Books Services
  • Online databases for all types of libraries through NHewLink 
  • Digitization and preservation of New Hampshire historical printed materials 

Goal 2: Equity of Service - Increase the equity of service to New Hampshire residents by providing professional development resources and opportunities for librarians throughout the state so that they can learn about best practices and library initiatives that will help them better serve their constituents, especially children, older residents, and rural populations.

• Projects include:
  • Center for the Book programs 
  • Statewide library services outreach at conferences, meetings, and events
  • Collection of public library statistics 
  • NHAIS helpdesk to support statewide interlibrary loan
  • Conferences for librarians 
  • Professional development for the library workforce 
  • Consultations and trainings for library personnel 
  • Statewide literacy projects, including the Summer Reading Program 

Goal 3: Equity of Innovation - Inspire lifelong learning and advance the equity of innovative services and programming by developing projects for use by the state’s libraries, including scalable pilot projects, to anticipate and meet the changing needs of New Hampshire’s residents for library services and information. 

• Projects include:
  • Implementation of a statewide digital library Innovative technologies to library staff and New Hampshire residents 

IMLS Data Collection

State Library Administrative Agency Survey
The State Library Administrative Agency Survey (SLAA) provides descriptive data about state library agencies for all fifty states and the District of Columbia. To interact with the latest data, please visit the SLAA Survey Comparison Tool.

Public Libraries Survey
The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) provides national descriptive data on the status of public libraries in the United States and its territories. Explore state profiles representing more than 9,000 public library systems and over 17,000 public library outlets.