Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library
🏢 Virgin Islands Public Library System · Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands
Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library
The Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library and Museum of Cultural Arts sits on Boynes Street in the heart of Cruz Bay, the main port and commercial center of St. John. One of four branches of the Virgin Islands Public Library System, it is the only public library on St. John and holds a dedicated Virgin Islands and Caribbean Collection alongside free Saturday storytimes and weekday service Tuesday through Friday.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: Boynes Street, Cruz Bay, VI 00831
Phone: (340) 776-6359
Website: usvipubliclibraries.com
Plus Code: 77CQ86H5+M5 (Cruz Bay, VI)
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📖 About Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library
The Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library and Museum of Cultural Arts is the sole public library serving the island of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, and one of four branches of the Virgin Islands Public Library System (VIPLS). Located on Boynes Street in Cruz Bay—the town where the ferry from St. Thomas docks and the Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center stands nearby—the library is named in honor of Elaine Ione Sprauve, a dedicated librarian who served the St. John community. The branch holds adult and children's fiction and nonfiction, magazines, daily newspapers, high-interest low-level reading materials, and a curated Virgin Islands and Caribbean Collection that preserves regional history and culture. The library also houses a small Virgin Islands archives. Digital access is provided through Hoopla and the Virgin Islands Automated Library System (VIALS), the territory-wide ILS. A Children's Room hosts free Saturday storytimes at 11 a.m. and offers fiction, nonfiction, DVDs, magazines, and educational games for young readers. The branch is open Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
⭐ What makes this library special
- The only public library on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands—serving the island's 4,000+ year-round residents and visitors to the Virgin Islands National Park
- Named for Elaine Ione Sprauve, a librarian who devoted her career to library service on St. John
- Holds a dedicated Virgin Islands and Caribbean Collection preserving regional history, culture, and local archives
- Free Saturday Storytime every week at 11 a.m. in the Children's Room
- Part of VIALS—the Virgin Islands Automated Library System—sharing resources across all four USVI Public Library branches
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
St. John cardholders can access digital content and research tools through VIPLS digital services:
📚 Services
- Virgin Islands and Caribbean Collection—curated regional history, culture, and local archives
- Adult and children's circulating collections: fiction, nonfiction, magazines, newspapers
- Free Saturday Storytime in the Children's Room at 11 a.m.
- Children's Room with DVDs, educational games, and children's magazines
- viNGN Public Computer Center with free high-speed internet access
- Interlibrary resource sharing through VIALS across USVI branches
- Group and class visits by appointment (email the library)
🎸 Programs
- Free Saturday Storytime at 11 a.m. every Saturday
- Group and class library visits (by appointment)
- Children's reading and educational programming
- Community access to Caribbean and Virgin Islands archival materials
📍 Nearby Libraries in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Cruz Bay · Browse all U.S. Virgin Islands libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Elaine Ione Sprauve Library's current hours?
The library is open Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday.
Who was Elaine Ione Sprauve, and why is the library named after her?
Elaine Ione Sprauve was a librarian who devoted her career to serving the St. John community through the local public library. The library was named in her honor to recognize her contributions to literacy and library service on the island.
Is the Sprauve Library the only public library on St. John?
Yes. The Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library and Museum of Cultural Arts is the sole public library on St. John, USVI. The nearest other branches of the Virgin Islands Public Library System are on St. Thomas, about 9–10 miles away by water.
Does the Sprauve Library offer children's programs?
Yes. The Children's Room hosts free Saturday Storytime every week at 11 a.m. and offers children's books, DVDs, educational games, and magazines. Groups and class visits can be arranged by emailing the library in advance.
👶 This library runs story times for kids. See how library story times work — ages, what happens and that they are free — and find other libraries with story-time programs library story times by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.