Border Library Opens New Entrance for Canadians

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House in Stanstead, Quebec, has opened a new entrance for Canadian citizens following restrictions placed on the building’s primary access point by the United States government.

The century-old facility, which straddles the border between Canada and the U.S., installed the new door to ensure continued access for Canadians after the Trump administration limited entry to the building in 2025.

Border Access Restrictions

Built in 1904, the Haskell Free Library and Opera House is uniquely positioned across the international boundary. Its main entrance is located steps into Derby Line, Vermont.

The U.S. Government announced restrictions on the use of this main entrance, which is situated on the American side of the border. As part of these measures, Canadian citizens were required to hold a library membership to access the building through the Vermont-based entrance.

These restrictions were scheduled to become more stringent on October 1, 2025, prompting the library’s leadership to seek a permanent architectural solution that would allow Canadians to enter the facility without crossing into United States territory.

Renovation and Funding

To circumvent the access limitations, the library board of trustees decided to renovate an existing emergency exit. The project involved transforming the exit into a fully accessible main entrance specifically for the Canadian public.

The library launched a fundraising campaign in March 2025 to cover the costs of the construction. By March 25, 2025, the institution had exceeded its fundraising goals, raising more than $140,000 in donations.

A significant portion of the funding came from best-selling novelist Louise Penny, who donated $50,000 to the project.

It is crazy. It’s overwhelming …I have contractors starting working

Sylvie Boudreau, president of the library’s board of trustees

Sylvie Boudreau, the president of the board of trustees, initially indicated in March 2025 that a side entrance would be opened to the Canadian public on a temporary basis while the library worked toward the construction of a proper, permanent door.

Current Status

As of April 8, 2026, the new entrance has been completed and is operational. The installation of this door allows Canadian visitors to enter the border-straddling library without being subject to the entry limitations imposed by U.S. Authorities at the Derby Line entrance.

The project ensures that the facility remains accessible to its community in Stanstead, Quebec, while maintaining its historical role as a shared cultural space between the two nations.