The Blanding Public Library, Rehoboth, MA
We say it all the time, you never know what you’re going to find when you pull up to a new library for the very first time. This was certainly true when we arrived at the Blanding Public Library in Rehoboth.
We’d been in Seekonk for a meeting and decided to visit another nearby library. Pulling up our handy Library Land map, we saw Rehoboth was mere minutes away. Off we went!
The building is a fine brick structure built back in 1915. It replaced an earlier structure on the same spot that had also served as the library. One interesting thing about the library is that it’s actually operated by the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society, which is also responsible for the Carpenter Museum, Goff Hall, and Arts in the Village.
The first thing we noticed when we arrived at the library was Goff Hall, a big open space with a high ceiling and a stage at one end. The quality and condition of the room were pretty amazing. Through a set of doors at the far end of the room, we found bathrooms that were way nicer than we expected.
Back through the hall, we entered the library proper. The main desk, which functions both for circulation and reference is in a smallish entry hall. Staffing the desk when we arrived was Whitney Pape, the library’s director. She was awesome. We were able to chat a bit between patrons. She gave a quick thumbnail history of the library and mentioned some of its highlights.
Adam and I began exploring. The main floor features a small collection, a table with two chairs (and a puzzle) in front of a fireplace, some public computers, as well as a Snow-Globe collection that’s to die for (Adam had a pretty sizable collection back in college). Up on the second floor is the bulk of the adult collection, a local history room ,which has now been reclaimed as office space (the local history collection has been moved to the Carpenter Museum), and another small seating area.
A small collection of tiny books.
Down in the basement is the teen and children’s rooms, audio books, and DVDs and a FALLOUT SHELTER! The basement walls are made of glazed bricks and are really beautiful. There are bathrooms on this level as well, with marble walls that are quite something.
After doing our quick look around the space and discussing our rating (4.18, pretty great), Whitney was able to show us a few of the libraries more curious features (aside from the FALLOUT SHELTER!). Several of the finials on the staircases, for example, conceal secret compartments with hidden notes inside. The collection of chapbooks (AKA ‘zines) is neat too.
One of the things we love about visiting libraries is the chance to see some hidden wonders. Obviously, the biggest hidden wonder of the Blanding library is its FALLOUT SHELTER! How lucky for us, we were allowed not only to view the entrance to this crawl space, but we had the opportunity to crawl inside. It is essentially a long cylindrical space with thick steel walls and a long wooden bench. The entire space is further protected by a layer of concrete, sure to provide ample protection in case of a nuclear attack! (Or maybe not).
Inside the FALLOUT SHELTER!
The staff is rightly proud of this little jewel of a library. They told us stories of giant clambakes that once occurred on the library grounds, of pageants and programs held in the hall, and of how the library really does serve as a center for the community.
It may not be the biggest or most complete library out there, it may not have study rooms, there’s no bells and whistles (or an elevator for wider ADA compliance), but it is a beautiful place that is in almost perfect condition. We had a wonderful visit and hope other people will take the time to check out this fantastic little library.