The Brown Public Library sits on a rise above the common in the small town of Northfield, Vermont. The Library accepts as its mission the responsibility of providing access to books and other resources in support of education, recreation and culture. It will create and support programs that encourage reading for children, life-long learning for adults, and access to the latest in technical communications. The library is accessible to the handicapped. See Physical Facilities. Please take this opportunity to browse through the items on the navigation bar at the left. The library appreciates your comments and suggestions.

Internet Access: The library provides ten computers for patrons to access the Internet, including one at a desk that accommodates patrons using a wheelchair. A computer for young children sits on a table that is just the right size for the younger set. There are two chairs at the children's computer so friends can enjoy activities together. This computer has links to several entertaining and educational websites for children. It also has a resident cat. Felix won't purr if you pat him, but when children double-click on the FELIX icon, he performs all kinds of mischievous antics for them. Grownups can watch, too--if the kids give them permission. Click here to see the library's Computer and Internet Use Policies.

Trans-Video, Inc. graciously provides Internet access free of charge to the Brown Public Library as a community service.

Safe Computing: Learn how to protect yourself and your children when accessing the Internet. This knowledge is essential, especially when using public access computers and when using social networking sites. Click here Protecting Your Privacy and Internet Safety to learn what the FBI and other organizations advise about safe computing practices.

Story Hour: A favorite activity of children is taking part in the story hour. (Yes, adults are allowed to listen in to an interesting tale. Everyone is welcome.) Check out the Children and Youth page to view the library's resources for children.

The Traditional and the New: While the library serves patrons of all ages in the traditional way with books, periodicals, audio and video materials, and interlibrary loans, it is committed to employing modern technology to assist patrons, providing computer and Internet access, including connections to various research databases, and ClearView, a desktop system for magnifying text and objects to assist people with impaired vision. The library offers downloadable audio books any time anywhere at Listen Up! Vermont. Also certain special passes are available for patrons. See Services for details on these and other library services.

The Library Building and History: Our library, which was built over a century ago, integrates very comfortably the traditional and the new. In the foreground of this photo you see a nest of public access computers in the recent two-story addition. In the background are an original window and brick wall that were formerly part of the exterior of the original structure. In photo at the top of the page, the staff member at the circulation desk is in the original library building, while the patron she helps stands in the new wing.

North and South Reading Rooms: Above the fireplaces in the north and south readings rooms are paintings of historic interest relating to the library and Northfield.

To learn about the paintings, click: North Reading Room: Northfield's Libraries and George Washington Brown and South Reading Room: Mary Ann Paine's Painting of Northfield.

The new addition also connects the Brown Public Library with the Northfield Historical Society, which is located in the former home of Charles Paine, a prominent 19th century Northfield entrepreneur and Vermont governor.

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