MHLS - Letterboxing

Letterboxing

@ MHLS Libraries

All the libraries listed below have letterboxes hidden somewhere. Follow the clues for each library and find out where they have cleverly stashed the letterboxes—among the magazines, in the children’s area, near the DVD's, by the books on tape—who knows? Have fun...

Please be considerate as you search in the libraries. Be sure to wipe your fingers after stamping in (to avoid getting ink on the tables and books) and double check that you have reshelved the book in the correct spot so the next letterboxer can find it. Thank you!

For directions, hours and contact information for the libraries, go to http://midhudson.org/alpha.html

Beacon (Howland Public Library):

Howland Public Library is located right in the middle of Beacon's historic Main Street. It is nestled among galleries, antique and gift shops, businesses, and unique restaurants. Howland Public Library, founded by General Joseph Howland, first opened to the public on August 5, 1872 in a beautiful building of Norwegian style architecture which is now the Howland Cultural Center. Approximately 1000 volumes had been purchased and 555 books donated. Over 100 years later and bursting at the seams, the library was moved to 313 Main St. where it remains currently. There are now close to 50,000 holdings (including books, periodicals, movies, audio books and music CDs).

Clue #1:
Look for the street address number on the outside of Howland Public Library on Main Street in Beacon, NY. Multiply that number by 3 and add 35.733.

Clue #2:
Go to the green Non-Fiction shelves in the back of the main room. Using the number from clue #1, find a thin, gold book with that number on the spine label and the letters “Bea” underneath them. Count to page 8, look for the library’s history, and find the name of the person listed first as “trustees for the first year.”

Clue #3:
Find where the bust of that person is located in the library. Find the year that he was born and add 11 to that number.

Clue # 4:
Go to the clay mural and find the name of the man associated with that number.

Clue #5:
Go to a computer (if you don’t have a Mid-Hudson Library Card, ask the front desk clerk to make one for you if you live within the Mid-Hudson Library System or you may get a temporary pass to use the computer so that you can find our letterbox), and Google the man’s name from Clue # 4 in quotes and “Beacon, NY”. Find out what his job was (he made these beautiful) and go to the books in that area of the Reference Room. (Look up the word on the card catalog computer to find the Dewey # if you can’t find it.) You will find the Howland Public Library Letterbox on that shelf.

Beekman Library:

Clue: All's fair in ____________________________
Fill in the blank, and you've found the box!

Carmel (Reed Memorial Library):

Reed Memorial Library, 1733 Route 6, Carmel NY (845-225-2439)
Known for it's unique Tudor Revival architecture, the library was erected at the intersection of Routes 6 and 52 in the Hamlet of Carmel in 1913. The library is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 – 5, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 – 8 and Saturday from 10 – 3.

Clues:
Take a few minutes to quietly explore the library, and note the number of fireplaces (F), the number of public computers at the hexagonal desk in the rotunda plus the computer at the circulation desk (C), large gold-framed paintings of people (P), items in a geologist’s favorite exhibit (count carefully the objects in all ten rows) (R), and the date on the cornerstone
of the building (D). Now sharpen your pencils, and: D- [ ((PxR) + (FxC)) x 10] + 3 Quarters less a Penny.
Walking between two columns will lead you to the right path to celebrate your (not so) small victory!
If you find yourself in difficulty, you may ask for a hint at the front desk.

Clinton Community Library:

The Clinton Community Library was founded in 1964. We are located on 1215 Centre Road in the Town of Clinton. If you would like to Map quest or Google for directions, our shipping address is 1215 Centre Road, Rhinebeck NY 12572. Please feel free to call for directions 845-266-5530. We are open Monday - Thursday 9-5:30, Friday 12-8 and Saturday 9-1. Check out our website for more information: www.clinton.lib.ny.us.

Here is the clue: Find the adult fiction section in the library. Find the books that have Cla on the spine label. The letterbox is hidden in a book with the names of two large animals in the title. One is from the fantasy world; one can live in the northeast. Open the book and look inside to find the Clinton Community Library Letterbox.

Dover Plains Library:

To find the answer to the question that you seek, you must open a book into our past and take a peek.
In a teeny, tiny section of a little, bitty hall,
There is a book upon a shelf to your right up on the wall.
These books must always stay here, they cannot go home with you, and when
you find this book, you’ll have the answer to our clue.

Stand on the steps outside and look at our front doors.
The numbers going down the left are what you’re looking for.
Take that number and divide it by 2 and add 76.2.
Include the eighth letter of the alphabet and you are almost through.

Here is the question you must solve before this hunt is done:
“Whose drugstore was the first permanent home of the Town of Dover’s library
in 1901?”
When you find the name, go to the desk and say:
“There’s a book on hold for ________ __________. I need it right away!”

Town of Esopus Library:
The Town of Esopus Library is located in the hamlet of Port Ewen, just off Route 9W. In April 2007 we moved to a brand new green building that includes a Teen Room, outdoor nature center, and over 24,000 books, movies, and magazines. Check out our wonderful programs, or inquire about reserving our Hasbrouck Community Room. The library is open M,T, Th 10-5:30, W 10-8, F 10-7, Sa 10-4. For more information, call 845-338-5580 or find us on the web at www.esopuslibrary.org.

Happy hunting!

1. Find the fireplace. Look at the painting to your left. This gentleman’s first name is the same as the author of the book containing our letterbox. If you are not sure who he is, look further left at the plaque located on the wall above the shelves (or ask someone at the Service Desk).
2. a. Count the number of sky lights, and add 1 to this.
b. What is the legal age to vote in the United States?
c. What is the last digit in the Children’s Room number (look at the room sign to the right of the door)?
d. Count the number of stairs leading to the lower level.
e. How many computers are available for public use (Do not count the OPAC stations located on the end of the shelves)?
f. How many elevators does the library have?
g. Count the small boulders located by the pond. Multiply this number by 3, then subtract 2.
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

The answer to these questions correlate to their order in the alphabet (ex.1=A, 2=B, 3=C, etc.). This is the author’s last name.
3. As you may know this author is very prolific. Find 641.8 DES in the Non-fiction section. Check out pages 25, 71, and 89. This clue should help you narrow down your choices.
4. You are now ready to locate our author in the Fiction section. If you were unable to solve clue 3, just check all the books.

Please place the letterbox back exactly where you found it and be sure not to get ink on the neighboring items.

Fishkill (Blodgett Library):

Box One-Cloud Nine letterbox:
You’ll have to go deep in the Earth to reach the clouds, All Nine of them. Any child could!

Box Two:
1. So you've decided to look for Blodgett's second letterbox? Bully!
2. If you look around, you'll find a bust of someone who was known to use that expression. He was also known as the namesake of a certain popular toy. [Hint: If you can't name the toy, the encyclopedia can help you.]
3. The on-line catalog will tell you where to find books about collecting these toys. Now return to the bust, look for that number, and.... Did you find the letterbox?

Hyde Park Free Library:
Clue: Go down, and then in the place one goes to find facts, information, and answers to questions, find a book about Hyde Park’s famous family.

Kent Public Library:

Clue: Refer yourself to the health section to check out some giant facts.

Milton (Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library):

Go to a corner on Main Street in Milton,
Find a library named Sarah Hull Hallock.
Go up the steps, walk inside,
Think about where a box could hide.

To find the letterbox, here is a clue
We manufactured just for you.
Look in the books you cannot check out.
You will find it there, we have no doubt.

Stamp our log book and yours and then,
Hide the letterbox once again!

Plattekill Public Library:

Plattekill Public Library is housed in the old Plattekill Elementary School. It began as a reading center in 1972, and became a public library in 2002. This is not your normal "shushing" library! Behind the building is a toddlers' playground, and numerous activities are scheduled year round. Enjoy your visit!
Hours: Mon 1-6
Tues 1-8
Wed 10-8
Thurs 10-8
Fri 1-6
Sat 10-3
Sun closed

Clue: TRAVEL to the Plattekill Public Library and learn about a destination where you can talk about the 917 ways to enjoy sunshine.

Poughkeepsie Public Library District - Arlington Branch:
Clue: It is sitting on the edge of the chair at the PPLD-Arlington Branch Library labeled 809 Edg.

Rhinebeck (Starr Library):

Clue #1 :

As you enter the Starr Library you will notice two cornerstones. Subtract the lesser number from the greater. Multiply this number by the number of hanging light fixtures in the children’s wing. On the dictionary stand in the children’s wing, look up the word “croquet” in the dictionary and add the page number on which it appears. Write the number here: ___ ___ ___

Clue #2 :

Walk into the Adult Reference section and look for Vol. II of a book with a call number that matches the number from Clue #1. Turn to page 245 and find the alternate name given to the bird that appears on the bottom left of the page. (It will appear in quotes “ “ in the picture caption.)

Write alternate name here: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Clue #3 :

Using the library catalog computer, do a title search of all Rhinebeck records using the nickname from Clue #2. Find this book on the appropriate shelf in the children’s wing (hint: it has a unique binding). Write the name of the object on the book’s cover here: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Clue #4 :

Using the library catalog computer, click on the “Call Number” search option and search of all Rhinebeck records using the first three letters of the word from Clue #3. Go to record #76. Write the title of the book below:

___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Clue #5 :

Walk to this special section of our library and find this book (hint: remember the color and location on the page of the bird from Clue #2). Underneath you will find what you’re looking for!!! Congratulations!!!

Saugerties Public Library:
Solve the clues to decipher the call number of our library's letterbox.

A. How many wall clocks are in the library?
B. How many portraits hang over the front doors? (Do you know the name of this famous philanthropist?)
C. Find the fireplace. Enjoy the pictorial story of Rip Van Winkle. How many tiles tell the story?
decimal point
D. How many windows are in the north wall of the upstairs main room?

ABC.D
You'll find the BOX in the section of books in the adult collection that answer questions but cannot be checked out.

Wappingers Falls (Grinnell Library Association):
Clue: 807.1 Rab

West Hurley Public Library:
Clue: Find what appears to be the Biography of our 40th President’s First Lady.

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Find out more about Letterboxing at these sites:

--Activities for kids
--Clues
--Getting started
-- Letterboxing in America
--Letterboxing - North America
--Letterboxing - Wikipedia
--Site with clues
--Supplies resources | Other sources