World · North America · 1 day ago
Border-straddling library adds a Canadian entrance after US order
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House spans the US-Canada border in Derby Line, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec.
Opened in 1901, it was built to bring people from both sides together, and visitors can use its library and theater across the border line.
For more than a century, Canadians entered through the library’s front door on the US side without using an official border crossing.
In 2025, US authorities said that access route would close, requiring Canadians to go through an official checkpoint before entering the library.
The library built a separate entrance on the Canadian side, completed in June 2025.
The change has angered some local residents, who see it as weakening a rare symbol of cross-border ties.
The library is marking its 125th anniversary with one official entrance for each country.
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House has added a Canadian entrance after US authorities directed it to stop Canadian visitors using its entrance on the US side.
The building straddles the US-Canada border in Derby Line, Vermont, and opened in 1901.
For more than a century, Canadians and Americans used one entrance on the US side.
The new entrance was completed in June, giving the library separate official entrances for each country.
The library is marking its 125th anniversary this month, according to CNN.
- Who
- The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, which serves visitors from the United States and Canada.
- What
- It added a separate entrance on the Canadian side after US authorities directed it to end access through its US-side entrance.
- When
- The Canadian entrance was completed in June. The order to close the sidewalk was to take effect on October 1, 2025.
- Where
- Derby Line, Vermont, at the US-Canada border.
- Why
- US authorities said Canadians would have to use an official border checkpoint to enter the United States before visiting the library.
US authorities
Haskell Free Library
Access rules
US authorities
Canadians were told they would have to cross at an official border checkpoint to enter the library.
Haskell Free Library
The library’s board president said she did not agree with the change.
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House opened with the US-Canada border running through the building.
The library’s long-standing arrangement of welcoming Canadians through its US-side entrance changed.
Then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the library.
The library’s board president said she was summoned to a meeting with US and Canadian law enforcement officials and told the sidewalk would close on October 1, 2025.
The new entrance on the Canadian side was completed.
- Location
- Derby Line, Vermont
- Opening year
- 1901
- Anniversary
- 125th anniversary
- New entrance
- Canadian side; completed in June
- Planned sidewalk closure
- October 1, 2025
3 sources
What people are saying
We didn’t receive anything in writing,
just angry.
What are they gonna do next? Put a Border Patrol guy inside to make sure who’s from America?
It’s just a little too far.