Latest News

 

Arlington Historical Society Meeting, Sunday, March 26 at 2pm-4pm

Residents of Arlington, Sandgate, and Sunderland are invited to the meeting this month at the library. Time permitting there will be a presentation of recent research on the early Peck family of Sandgate, Vermont. The Peck's arrived about 1785 from Newtown, Connecticut. The father, Aaron Peck, and his sons became central figures in town history and owned property in West Sandgate and around Terry Brook. Aaron's son George became active in local politics and served as town clerk for many years.

There will be a brief discussion of recent acquisitions, possible programs with the Manchester Historical Society, and plans for a military-themed exhibit to run in conjunction with the annual USS Bennington crew reunion in August.

For more information contact Bill Budde, Curator of the Russell Vermontiana Collection at the Martha Canfield Library, by phone at 802-753-6229, email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by visiting the Russell Collection on Tuesdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

 

Magic the Gathering: After school open play ages 12+-

Open game play on Wednesday afternoons began on November 9 and is going strong.  Bring your own cards or build a deck for free from our bulk cards to keep!  Pre-registration isn't required but is encouraged.  To pre-register, call or email the libarary at 802-375-6153 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Funded with a generous donation from MagiKids by Weird Cards.

Weekly Story Time, Tuesdays at 10:30am

Join us at the library for story time Tuesdays at 10:30am for ages Pre-K and up with an adult. Contact Holly at the circulation desk or call 802-375-6153 for more information or with any questions.

 

Puzzle Exchange - April 15, 11am-2pm

Come find a new puzzle or donate your old ones! Our monthly puzzle exchange is the third Saturday — all are welcome. Puzzles should be in good, clean condition and complete. 

MCL Book Group - Thursday, April 27 at 6:30pm

Join fellow readers for our book discussion group!  The next book is Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper.  Copies are available for loan at the library today.  All are welcome to start reading and join the discussion in April!

Volunteer Opportunity

We often need people to work at the checkout desk, either during the week (day or evenings) or on weekends. 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. or ask at the circulation desk to find out how you can help.

 

Check out upcoming library news and events on Facebook and Canfield Gallery updates on Facebook.

 

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)
Wonderfeet Kid's Museum** in Rutland (website) - Admits 2 adults and 3 children (under 18 years of age)

Advocates Group and Volunteers

If you are looking for an opportunity to help out your local library, consider joining the Advocates Group or volunteering. Volunteers can help with programs, book sorting, working at the circulation desk and other tasks. Members of the Advocates Group work to increase public awareness of the library and its services, as well as fundraising for the library. If you might be interested in these opportunities, please call the library at 375-6153 or stop by during regular library hours.

Online Resources

These had been on the front page of the website when the library was closed due to COVID-19 regulations in Spring 2020.

 

Norman Rockwell Exhibit further information

Check out the following links for more information about the exhibit from the library that was up at the Vermont History Musuem last year.

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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.

 

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.