Library

History: Our library has been built from donations of cohousing residents who can no longer house their personal books.

Where: The room designated “Library” immediately outgrew the large number of initial contributions. Books are shelved in various common area locations – about ten throughout the complex – by topics. (See the map in the main library, photographed below.) Wherever you see books in the common areas, they are there for our collective use and pleasure. Become familiar with the library bulletin board to learn these locations. We suggest a library tour.

How: We rejected a formal checkout system in favor of an honor system. The Sub-circle recommends that a borrower sign out – on a page on the bulletin board – to tell us where the book is if wanted, what books people are reading, enjoying and have comments about.

Use: Small CCH meetings are frequently held here, but residents are always welcome to browse, borrow books and use the reference section. If a group closes the library door, a sign should be placed on the door to indicate the duration of the meeting and whether or not to enter. Food and beverages are discouraged. Please replace tables and chairs and leave the room in good order.

Returns: Please return books to the leather bin indicated “Returns.” Do not reshelf books yourselves; members of the Sub-circle will do that.

Donations: We welcome donations but are increasingly pressed for space. It is necessary to recycle or refuse many good offerings. We periodically recycle duplicates, little-used, out-dated books. Please do not leave textbooks, foreign language books or magazines.

Special Collections: The first shelves to your left as you enter hold Cohousing Authors, books by past and current residents. Please sign out and return promptly. Below is a new Aging section. Informational materials are sorted in trays and are not to leave the library;books can be signed out for a short time.

The Library Sub-Circle 2019