Nashua Goings On

There's been a lot of renovations projects going on in Nashua, NH, this summer. A previous post in May highlighted one next to Cotton Mill, a neighboring mill apartment building across the Nashua River from our residence at Clocktower mill apartments.

As seen in the above view from across the river, this looked like a ski ramp. Of course, it was a ramp being built, but for an entirely different use. This was construction for an ADA-accessible ramp (Americans with Disabilities Act) to bring the bridge it adjoins into compliance with current standards. The new ramp replaced a set of metal steps.

Construction was completed last month. The ramp has been in use for the past few weeks and the official ribbon cutting took place last week. We've enjoyed returning to river walks and have also noticed that the ramp has become popular with cyclists and skateboarders too.

Since early spring, construction has been ongoing in the Renaissance Park adjacent to Clocktower Apartments and the Bicentennial Park which is downtown off Main Street. These renovations are part of the Imagine Nashua Master Plan. When completed, the parks will feature green space, seating areas and a stage area for outdoor concerts.

The above photos show how Renaissance Park looked last year and how it looked this past week. The sculpture is boxed in the iddle of the second photo

The above photo show how the much smaller Bicentennial Park (arrow) looked this past week. A walkway will be added to connect the two park areas. Other improvements will include  a dock area for small watercraft like canoes and kayaks.

Has anyone ever heard of a Library of Things?

This was a new one for me too and as of a month ago the Nashua Public Library (NPL) has a Library of Things that library users can check out and use for up to 2 weeks at a time with their library card. The library's current collection includes at least one of these: telescope, ukulele, paper shredder, speaker, microphone, metal detector, binoculars, ring light, label maker, metal detector, DVD player, Blu-ray speaker, white noise machine, puppets and puppet theater, floor air pump, bocce game, energy detector, Allen wrench set, green screen backdrop.

Library of Things at Nashua Public Library

Such loanable household and non-traditional items might be useful in everyday life, but only needed for a short time — to borrow rather than purchase. Library users are encouraged to submit suggestions for items to add to the Library of Things.

A Library of Things is any collection of objects loaned and any organization that practices this loaning. Items can include appliances, tools, gardening equipment, electronics, toys and games, art, science kits, craft supplies, musical instruments, recreational equipment and outdoor gear. Especially appropriate are objects that are useful occasionally but cumbersome to store. Collections vary widely and go far beyond the books, journals and media that have been the primary focus of traditional libraries. 

This movement is a growing trend in public, academic and special libraries in many countries. The term Library of Things was popularized by a grassroots experiment started in London in 2014 inspired by the Toronto Tool Library.

Does your library have one as well?