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. Please take this opportunity to browse through the items on the navigation bar at the left. The library appreciates your comments and suggestions.

circulation desk

The library provides eight computers for patrons to access the Internet. Please go to Public Computers to learn about the library's computing services and policies.

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.

children at 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 see all of the library's resources for children.

New for kids: A computer especially for young children sits on a table that is just the right size for the younger set. There are two chairs so friends can enjoy activities together. This computer is specially configured to enhance safe Internet access for children. It can play DVDs.

On the computer's Desktop are links to several entertaining and educational websites for young children. For parents and guardians, there are links to the FBI and other websites that offer sound advice for using the Internet safely. Ask the library staff about The Children's Computer. Click here to see the children's computer.

Now while this computer is compact, it still has room for a cat that lives inside. He won't purr if you pat him, but when children double-click on FELIX, he performs all kinds of mischievous antics for them. Grownups can watch, too--if the kids give them permission.

Make a Splash -- The Library's Summer Fun and Reading Program

The theme of this year's program is WATER. The children enjoy activities relating to various aspects of water. Children are encouraged to set a reading goal and to keep a log of books they read during the month. The program winds up with a "beach party" for children and their families on July 29th.

Children from the Northfield Boys and Girls Club Camp show off the rain sticks they made during session #2 of the summer reading program.

children in summer reading program

To see more photos of the summer program click here

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.

traditional and new

The library building itself is an example of the integration of the traditional and the new. In this photo you see a nest of public access computers in the recent two-story addition fitting very comfortably next to an original window and the brick wall that were formerly part of the exterior of the library, which was built over a century ago. 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.

The library has two paintings over the fireplaces in the north and south readings rooms. To learn more about the association of these paintings with the library and Northfield, click these on these links: Northfield's Libraries and George Washington Brown

and 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.