Welcome to the Martha Canfield Library
From board books for toddlers to large print books for seniors, from the latest best sellers to the classics, from fiction to non-fiction, from study tables to computers and video-conferencing (coming soon), from audio books to movies, from games to puzzles, from a community meeting room to an art gallery, from programs of current interest to a historical reference collection — it's all here, it's all free. Come and enjoy!
Latest News
Kids Summer Reading Program - June 15- August 8
The 2019 summer reading program theme is A Universe of Stories. Check out the flyer here and check out the calendar and Facebook for individual events. Sign up for the summer reading program, take photos, and participate in fun activites.
We have four tracks for logging your summer reading as well: Children ages 0-8, Youth in grades 4 & 5, Teens in grades 6-12, and Adults. Each track has its own reading log and guidelines. There will be drawings for prizes for all participants at the Thursday, August 8, 6:30pm wrap-up ice cream party.
Preschool Storytimes - 10:30am - Jul 23, Aug 6
Join us for an engaging storytime for ages 2-5.
Space Bingo - Wednesday, July 10 at 1pm
All ages welcome - family program. Join us for an afternoon of playing BINGO with your friends and family. Prizes will be awarded.
Space Yoga - Tuesday July 16 at 10:30am
All ages welcome - family program. Join Alexandra Langstaff for a morning of music, dance, and yoga.
Create your own Galaxy Light - Thursday July 18 at 1pm
Ages 6 and up - Wear your paint clothes and join us to paint and design your light. Please sign up at the library for this session or by calling 375-6153.
VINS StarLab Portable Planetarium at Fisher Elementary - Tuesday, July 23 at 2pm
Take a tour of the night sky with a lesson from VINS new StarLab Planetarium. StarLab will have students exploring the many different celestial bodies, and learning about the many ways that different cultures around the world have interacted with their night sky. Please sign up at the library for this or by calling 375-6153.
Lego Robotics - Bocce Bot, Tuesday, July 23 - Thursday, July 25, 1pm-3pm
Join Nique Fiegel through 4-H to learn and problem solve through playful coding with LEGO Mindstorm Robotics! For students entering grades 5 through 8. Teams will work together all three days. Please register with Peggy Hanson at the circulation desk or by calling 375-6153.
Movie afternoon - Thursday, July 25 at 1pm
Anniversary—Charter of Arlington, Sunday, July 28 at 2pm
Bill Budde will talk about the early days of Arlington, Sandgate and Sunderland.
Stars in the Sky - Wednesday, July 31 at 1pm
Ages 6 and up - Join us for a variety of activities related to stars, including making your own Star Clock, Constellation viewers and sky pictures. Please sign up at the library for this or by calling 375-6153.
Learn about the Moon w/ Southern VT Astronomy Group - Sunday, Aug. 4 at 6:30pm
Family Program—All ages. The Moon is an ever-present part of our lives. We all see it, know it, have festooned it with folklore, terror, romance, and adventure - to the point of placing boot prints on its surface. But what is it, really? And... how did it get there? This talk will cover what we think happened that resulted in the Moon's formation and how it does (and does not) affect our lives. This will be a non-technical, accessible talk for the general public presented by members of the Southern Vermont Astronomy Group (SoVerA). Families are encouraged and welcome! A sky viewing will take place after program if weather and conditions permit.
Vermont Council on the Humanities Program - Sunday, Aug. 11 at 2:00pm
Dr. Jack Mayer tells the story of Irena Sendler, a holocaust hero who rescued 2,500 children from the Warsaw ghetto. Sendler’s story remained unknown after the war—until three Kansas teens uncovered a reference to her heroism 60 years later.
Universe Scavenger Hunt for Teens Results - Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 6:30pm
Pick up your list at the library (or download here) and spend the summer looking for items on the list. Take a photo of each item you locate. Join us Tues. Aug 13 at 6:30pm at the library where we will have food and drinks while reviewing the results of your search. You may choose to work with a friend or do it individually. Prizes will be awarded.
Martha's Used Books open May 24 to Oct 27
Welcome back fellow book lovers and new friends! Martha's Used Books open for the season on Friday, May 24. Located in the historic Martha Canfield home on Highway 7A (across from Saint James Church), it's a one of kind shopping experience. Hours will be every Friday and Saturday from 10am-4pm, and Sunday from 12pm-4pm. The season will run from May 24 to October 27. Come check out our greatly expanded fiction, mystery and history sections.
Check out upcoming library events on Facebook.
Join Bennington County 1000 Books Before Kindergarten (1KBB4K) at Martha Canfield
"Experts tell us that children need to hear a thousand stories read aloud before they begin to learn to read for themselves" – Mem Fox, Reading Magic.
The Martha Canfield library has joined the Bennington County 1000 Books before Kindergarten, inviting all children ages infant - kindergarten to participate! Kids will earn a free book for every 200 books read. You'll get more information is the folder you will receive when registering your child. Books read by caregivers, parent, grandparents, and siblings all count, even books that you read multiple times can be counted each time! Get your registration form at the front desk, or you can call 802.375.6153 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Museum and Park Passes
We are proud to offer an opportunity for patrons to visit many parks and museums for free or reduced/low cost. Passes can be checked out for three days and must be returned to the library. Many of the passes were complimentary from the park or museum*, but others were donated by a grant in memory of Roger and Margery Hanson**. Passes include:
American Precision Museum* in Windsor (website) - Admits up to 2 adults and children under 18 years of age, free of charge
Bennington Museum** in Bennington (website) - Admits 2
Children's Musuem** at Saratoga (website) - Admits 4 people
Clark Art Institute* in Williamstown, MA (website) - Admits 1 adult
Echo Leahy Center* in Burlington (website) - Reduced admission to $7/person for up to 4 people
Hildene** in Manchester (website) - Admits 1 adult and 2 children/grandchildren
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum* in Vergennes (website) - Free family admission from late May through mid-October
MASS MoCA** in North Adams, MA (website) - Admits up to 2 adults and 2 children (under 16 years of age)
Shelburne Farms* in Shelburne (website) - Admits up to 2 adults and children for admission to walking trails and Children's Farmyard (excludes property tours)
Vermont History Museum* in Montpelier (website)
Vermont Heritage Galleries* in Barre (website)
Vermont Institute of Natural Science** in Quechee (website) - Reduced admission to $5/ person for 4 people. Children 3 & under are free.
Vermont Historic Sites* (website has complete listing of sites) - Family pass (up to 8 people in one vehicle) for free entry into sites
Vermont State Parks* (website has complete listing of parks) - Free entry to park day use (up to 8 people in one vehicle)
Wonderfee Kid's Museum** in Rutland (website) - Admits 2 adults and 3 children (under 18 years of age)
Annual Appeal Time!
Check out how you can show your local library love on our Support page or click the Donate link on the right to donate online through Network for Good. We appreciate every donation, volunteer and patron. Together we make the library awesome!
Dorothy Canfield Fisher and Eugenics
Dorothy Canfield Fisher is one of Arlington, Vermont’s favorite celebrities. Recently questions have been raised about her relationship with the Vermont Eugenics Survey in the 1920s and 1930s. These questions have resulted in asking whether it is appropriate to continue to associate her name with the Vermont Department of Libraries annual award for children’s literature, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award.
In the interest of fostering an open and informed debate on her role concerning the eugenics movement in Vermont, the Martha Canfield Memorial Free Library has compiled a list of print and online material that is intended to show both sides of the issue over the years. Please feel free to share the list (PDF).
New Groups Wanted!
If you are interested in starting a new group such as book discussion, stamp collecting or any other topic, stop in and talk with Phyllis. We'll see if anyone else in interested in meeting at the Library to share your interest!
Volunteer Opportunity
We need people to work at the checkout desk on Saturdays. If you like helping people and are good with computers, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Join our Newsletter
If you would like to receive our email newsletter, just send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with "subscribe" in the subject line. The newsletter comes out once a month with occasional special announcements.
Book Donations
When donating books to the library, please remember these guidelines. The books must be clean. We can not take books with mildew, mold or water damage. It costs the library money to dispose of these books, so please do not include them. Drop your donations off at the front desk at the library. Please do not leave them outside at the door. If you cannot bring the books during library hours, we can arrange to pick them up for you.
Give yourself, a good friend, or family a MCL Tote Bag to carry your books in and support the library!
What's in your bag? These large canvas totes are available at the front desk. They have a front packet and zipper closure and they will hold lots of books. The cost is $15. Your gift will delight them and help support the library at the same time!
The Russell Collection
The Russell Collection is a valuable resource whether you are a historian researching Arlington's past or someone tracing family roots. Your financial help for this important collection is needed. Please consider earmarking part of your donation to the library for The Russell Collection.
Are You Interested
Learn a Language
Now you can learn a new language with the Mango program. This language learning program is yours for FREE through the Martha Canfield Library. Use the link on the right, and the barcode number on your MCL card.
Take a Class
Universal class is a new learning program available through the Vermont Department of Libraries which offers over 500 classes online. You can find the the link at the right of this page. To register you will need to enter a library membership ID that includes part of your library card barcode number. The password format is 2VSNA900XXXXXX, just replace the six X's with the last six characters of your barcode.
Databases for Research
The Vermont Online Library is an online database of periodical articles, many in full-text, and online reference, as well as a health module, a business module and reference material for kids of all ages. Your library card barcode is the password.
America's News Magazine helps you find topics of current interest and gives access to Newsweek, Popular Science, Field & Stream, Mother Earth News, Science Illustrated, Smithsonian and more.
The Bennington Banner gives access to articles from 12/18/2003 to present.
The Rutland Herald gives access to articles from 09/30/1999 to present.
Historical newspapers are available on the Library of Congress Chronicling America website.
