About the Expansion
Future home of the library – fall 2026
Home of library since 1978
The new building will provide:.
There will be room for MORE:
- 2,500 sq ft on each level
- 6x the current space
- 2 distinct meeting rooms
- Full teaching kitchen
- Telehealth room
- Outdoor gathering spaces
- Events & COMMUNITY engagement
- Classes & workshops & activities
- Room for PEOPLE to read, work, & explore
- Items & tools in our Library of Things
- BOOKS!
There has been a library in Middletown Springs in some form or another since the late 1800s. It began as a rotating collection of books that was housed in people’s living rooms and people joined by subscription. It has had many homes, including in the Barber Shop, the Cat’s Eye gift shop situated right behind the general store, and in the Adams House (home of the historical society). Since 1977, the former St Margaret’s Episcopalian church has been the “permanent” home of the Middletown Springs Public Library.
Since 2013, the Library has been exploring options to resolve issues of space and access. The possibilities explored include expanding current building, moving to four-corners in a joint town office/library building, and finding a new location. No viable options presented themselves until 2022 when St. Anne Church was closed and became available for purchase. Concurrently, several major grants for library infrastructure improvements were announced. After design investigations and evaluations for suitability, a wait for a new Bishop to be installed, and successful grant applications to pay for the rehabilitation and construction, the purchase was completed in December 2024, with funds from several anonymous donors.
Construction began in earnest in the fall of 2025. The Library plans to relocate during the summer of 2026. Follow the updates on Front Porch Forum. Look for an announcement for the Grand Opening Celebration in fall 2026.
WCAX Coverage of our Expansion:
https://www.wcax.com/2025/07/23/middletown-springs-gets-ready-write-its-next-chapter