In 1912, Congressman Henry M. Baker, cousin of Mary Baker Eddy, donated $10,000 and the land next to his family home on South Street toward a public library for the residents of Bow.  The new Baker Free Library was dedicated two years later at its present site.  The library has been an important part of the community's cultural life for the past 89 years.  In 1967 an addition was completed and it served the needs of the community for over thirty years.

In September of 1999 the first floor of the '67 addition was demolished to make way for the current addition and renovation of the original building.  Dennis Mires, P.A., The Architects of Manchester, NH, designed the expansion plan which expanded the library square footage by 5,200 feet for a total of 9,333 square feet.

On October 21, 2000 the new addition and the renovated original building were rededicated.  The new facility provides seating for quiet study, Internet access for library card holders, an automated catalog and circulation system, and a staff receptive to suggestions.

The Baker Free Library mission is to serve the informational, educational and leisure needs of the residents of Bow.  It promotes, develops, and maintains open access to the facilities, resources, and services available locally and through inter-library networks.  Baker Free Library assures an environment that stimulates knowledge, culture, and the pure enjoyment of reading. < bort>revised 11/00