Laconia Public Library
🏢 New Hampshire State Library Network · Laconia, New Hampshire
Laconia Public Library
Laconia's public library has occupied the Gale Memorial Library building at 695 Main Street since 1903 — a National Register–listed Richardsonian Romanesque landmark built of red New Brunswick granite and white Maine granite trim, funded entirely by a bequest from local banker Napoleon Bonaparte Gale and described by historians as 'one of the most impressive examples of Romanesque architecture in the state of New Hampshire.'
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 695 Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246
Phone: (603) 524-4775
Website: laconialibrary.org
Plus Code: 87MCGGHH+MM (Laconia, NH)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Laconia Public Library
Laconia's public library was authorized in 1878 and first opened in 1879 in a downtown commercial space. After several moves, it came to rest permanently in the Gale Memorial Library building at 695 Main Street, built between 1901 and 1903. The building was funded through a bequest from Napoleon Bonaparte Gale, a Laconia banker whose will allocated $10,000 for a library; ultimately $60,000 was spent on the grounds and structure. Boston architect Charles Brigham designed it in the Richardsonian Romanesque style — a two-story, roughly cruciform masonry building with a hip roof and rounded apse, faced in red New Brunswick granite with white Maine granite trim. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. A 1957 addition by Prescott & Erickson added a children's room, auditorium, and workroom while carefully preserving views of the original facade. Today the library is the public library of Laconia — Belknap County's largest city and the commercial center of New Hampshire's Lakes Region — offering circulating collections, digital resources, and community programs to residents and visitors alike.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Gale Memorial Library building (1901–1903): Richardsonian Romanesque by Boston architect Charles Brigham, faced in red New Brunswick granite with white Maine granite trim
- Funded by a bequest from Laconia banker Napoleon Bonaparte Gale — $60,000 total, one of the largest private library gifts in NH history at the time
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since September 12, 1985
- 1957 addition by Prescott & Erickson added children's room, auditorium, and workroom while preserving the original Romanesque facade
- Serving Laconia, Belknap County's largest city and the Lakes Region hub, since the library first opened in 1879
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Laconia cardholders can borrow and stream free through New Hampshire's statewide digital collections:
📚 Services
- Circulating books, audiobooks, DVDs and magazines
- Children's room (added 1957) and youth services
- Auditorium available for community programs
- Free Wi-Fi and public computers
- Interlibrary loan through the NH State Library Network
- Reference assistance
- Access to NH State Library Digital Collection (Libby / OverDrive) and hoopla
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Summer reading program
- Adult programs and author events
- Community meetings in the auditorium
- Friends of the Library activities
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Lakes Region
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Laconia · Browse all New Hampshire libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Napoleon Bonaparte Gale, and why is the library building named after him?
Napoleon Bonaparte Gale was a Laconia banker who left a bequest in his will specifically to fund a library for the city. His will allocated $10,000 for the project, and the estate ultimately contributed $60,000 total for the building and grounds — a remarkable sum at the time. The 1901–1903 building that resulted was named the Gale Memorial Library in his honor, and it remains the home of Laconia Public Library today.
Is the Laconia Public Library building historically significant?
Yes. The Gale Memorial Library building at 695 Main Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 12, 1985. Designed by Boston architect Charles Brigham in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, it is described in National Register documentation as 'one of the most impressive examples of Romanesque architecture in the state of New Hampshire.' The two-story granite building features a hip roof, rounded apse, and trim in contrasting white Maine granite.
How long has Laconia had a public library?
Laconia's public library was authorized by the town in 1878 and first opened in 1879 in a downtown commercial space. After several moves, it settled into the purpose-built Gale Memorial Library at 695 Main Street in 1903 — meaning the city has had continuous public library service for nearly 150 years.
What cities and towns does Laconia Public Library serve?
Laconia Public Library primarily serves the city of Laconia, Belknap County's largest city and the commercial center of New Hampshire's Lakes Region. Residents of neighboring communities can borrow via the statewide interlibrary loan network, and any NH resident can access the digital collection at nh.overdrive.com. Call (603) 524-4775 for information about reciprocal borrowing agreements.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.