Holderness Free Library
🏢 Town of Holderness · Holderness, New Hampshire
Holderness Free Library
Holderness Free Library occupies a 1909 Fox & Gale building on the shores of Squam Lake country — one of five Holderness structures on the National Register of Historic Places — and has welcomed Pemigewasset Valley residents since opening its doors in 1911.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5pm |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 866 US ROUTE 3, HOLDERNESS, NH 03245
Phone: +1603-968-7066
Website: holdernessfreelibrary.org
Plus Code: 87MCPCJ6+GX (HOLDERNESS, NH)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Holderness Free Library
The library's story begins in 1878, when Ellen F. Terry, a library-movement pioneer, gifted a collection of books to Sarah J. Perkins for community lending during her summer stays. The town formally voted to establish a library in 1893, initially placing the books in a room above Whitten's store on Main Street. Disaster struck in September 1906 when a fire destroyed the store and nearly the entire collection; only 18 volumes survived in the hands of borrowers. Undaunted, the community commissioned Boston architectural firm Fox & Gale to design a purpose-built library building, which was completed in 1909 and opened to the public in 1911. The building was recognized for its architectural and historical significance with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Today the library holds more than 16,000 items and serves as a vital community hub, offering museum passes to seven regional attractions, a Library of Things, and a weekly calendar of programs for all ages.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1909 Fox & Gale building listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985
- Museum passes to 7 regional attractions: Canterbury Shaker Village, Castle in the Clouds, Currier Museum of Art, McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Montshire Museum, Mt Kearsarge Indian Museum & Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
- Library of Things — borrow equipment and non-traditional items beyond books
- Holderness Free Pantry — community food-sharing resource operated in partnership with the library
- Community programming includes bridge, senior fitness, crafting circles, children's storytimes, book clubs, tabletop RPGs & writing workshops
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free library card unlocks digital borrowing through the New Hampshire statewide consortium:
📚 Services
- Free public computers and Wi-Fi
- Museum passes to 7 regional attractions
- Library of Things — borrowable equipment and non-book items
- Holderness Free Pantry — community food-sharing
- Inter-library loans via Lamson Library (Plymouth State University) partnership
- Libby / OverDrive eBooks & eAudiobooks (NH Downloadable Books consortium)
- Mango Languages online language learning
🎸 Programs
- Children's story time (weekly)
- Bridge club (weekly)
- Senior fitness (weekly)
- Crafting circles (weekly)
- Monthly book clubs
- Writing workshops (monthly)
- Neighbor Network community connection program
- Tabletop RPG nights
📍 Nearby Libraries in Lakes Region New Hampshire
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in HOLDERNESS · Browse all New Hampshire libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What museum passes does Holderness Free Library offer?
Cardholders can borrow free passes to seven regional attractions: Canterbury Shaker Village, Castle in the Clouds, Currier Museum of Art, McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Montshire Museum, Mt Kearsarge Indian Museum, and Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Passes are loaned on a first-come, first-served basis — call (603) 968-7066 or check the library's website for current availability.
Is the library building historically significant?
Yes. The 1909 Fox & Gale building at 866 US Route 3 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1985) and is one of five Holderness structures with that designation. The library opened to the public in 1911, more than 30 years after Ellen F. Terry first circulated books to townspeople in 1878.
Can I borrow eBooks with my Holderness library card?
Yes. The library participates in the New Hampshire Downloadable Books consortium, which gives cardholders free access to thousands of eBooks and digital audiobooks through the Libby app. Visit nh.overdrive.com or download the Libby app, select Holderness Free Library, and log in with your card number.
What is the Holderness Free Pantry?
The Holderness Free Pantry is a community food-sharing resource operated in partnership with the library. Community members may take or leave non-perishable food items. It reflects the library's broader role as a community hub beyond books and digital resources.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
👶 This library runs story times for kids. See how library story times work — ages, what happens and that they are free — and find other libraries with story-time programs library story times by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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