Haskell Library Opens Canadian Door After U.S. Access Ban

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House inaugurated a new Canadian entrance on June 10, 2026, allowing patrons from Canada to access the facility without passing through U.S. customs. The library straddles the border between Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont. The project cost approximately $700,000, with roughly half funded by global donations and the remainder from building reserves.

The new access point was necessitated by an October 2025 decision by the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to end a century-old arrangement that permitted Canadians to enter via the U.S. side without passports. U.S. Customs and Border Protection justified the restriction by citing a rise in illicit cross-border activity, specifically the smuggling of firearms and drugs.

During the inauguration, library board president Sylvie Boudreau and Stanstead Mayor Jody Stone characterized the new door as a symbol of community and friendship. Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak criticized the policy change, addressing the loss of dignity and equality in the shared space. While the new facilities include a parking lot and wheelchair-accessible features, Americans remain unable to use the Canadian entrance, though both nationalities can still interact within the library's shared interior.