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movies, from games to puzzles, from a community meeting room to an art gallery, from programs of current interest to a historical reference collection — it's all here, it's all free.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
Ellen Lipshutz Restrospective in Gallery through August 31
The Russell Collection and Library are hosting an exhibit of the work of Ellen Lipshutz in the Canfield Gallery. Her life, passions, and artistic interests are best summed up in the words of her children, Harris Levitt and Rob Lipshutz, who describe her as “a remarkable woman whose life was shaped by her experiences, love, and dedication, found her artistic voice through the mediums of photography and calligraphy. Growing up in the depression and raised amidst the aspirations and limitations of her parents generation, she forged a path of her own." The exhibit will be on view until August 31. If you would like directions or further information, you can call the library at 802-
375-6153 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Martha's Used Books is open for 2023 season
Martha's Used Books (on 7A across from St. James Church) has opened for the season and continue every weekend through the end of October. Freshly stocked, quality used books in all categories are offered at very modest prices. Book House hours are Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Sundays, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Library. Call or email the library at 802-375-6153 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions. See you there!
Free Puzzles - August 26, 10:30am-1pm
Come find a new puzzle! Our monthly puzzle exchange is the third Saturday — all are welcome. Due to an overabundance of puzzles in our possession, we need to distribute more puzzles than we receive! You do not need to bring a puzzle to take a puzzle. If you do, we can only accept two puzzles per person this summer. Thank you for your consideration!
MCL Book Group - Thursday, August 24 at 6:30pm
Join fellow readers for our book discussion group! The August book is Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Copies are available for loan at the library circulation desk. All are welcome to start reading and join the discussion.
MCL Book Group - Thursday, September 28 at 6:30pm
Join fellow readers for our book discussion group! The September book is Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. Copies will be available for loan at the library circulation desk at the end of August. All are welcome to start reading and join the discussion.
MCL Book Group - Thursday, October 26 at 6:30pm
Join fellow readers for our book discussion group! The October book is Mother, Daughter, Traitor, Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal. Copies will be available for loan at the library circulation desk at the end of September. All are welcome to start reading and join the discussion.
The Martha Canfield Library will not be accepting any book or material donations until further notice.
We appreciate your help as we sort through prior donations and keep the library from being overwhelmed. Thank you for your support!
Support the library Today!
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 Paypal. We appreciate every donation, volunteer and patron. Together we make the library awesome!
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.
Support the library Today!
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 Paypal. 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).
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.
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.
