Brownell Library
🏢 HomeCard Network · Essex Junction, Vermont
Brownell Library
Brownell Library celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2026 — a century after local banker Samuel Brownell financed and helped design a purpose-built village library that opened on July 20, 1926. Today the 6 Lincoln Street building is open six days a week (until 8 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and offers museum passes to 15 Vermont venues, a Library of Things, and after-hours hold lockers accessible from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6:30pm |
| Friday | 9am–8pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 6 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Phone: (802) 878-6955
Website: brownelllibrary.org
Plus Code: 87P8FVRQ+H9 (Essex Junction, VT)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Brownell Library
The Brownell Library is the public library of Essex Junction, a Chittenden County village at the confluence of three rivers. Essex Junction's first public library opened in 1897, moved to Lincoln Hall in 1913, and then received an entirely new home when local banker and businessman Samuel Brownell financed and helped design a purpose-built library building that opened July 20, 1926. The Friends of the Brownell Library were established in 1967, and a 1970s addition expanded the collection space. A major 2001 renovation — funded by Essex Junction taxpayers, the Freeman Foundation and a Kolvoord family gift — added the Kolvoord Community Room and expanded service areas. In 2026 the library celebrated its centennial with a year of community events. The library participates in the HomeCard network so Chittenden County residents from neighboring communities can borrow freely, and cardholders have access to museum passes, a Library of Things (tools, games, gadgets and more), and full digital resources including Libby, hoopla and online classes.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Celebrating 100 years in 2026 — Samuel Brownell financed and helped design the purpose-built library that opened July 20, 1926
- Major 2001 renovation added the Kolvoord Community Room, funded by Essex Junction taxpayers, the Freeman Foundation and a Kolvoord family grant
- Museum & attraction passes to 15 Vermont venues including Shelburne Museum, ECHO, Billings Farm, Vermont Granite Museum and Vermont State Parks
- Library of Things for borrowing tools, gadgets and equipment — plus STEM and building activity kits for youth
- After-hours hold lockers accessible 6 a.m.–10 p.m., seven days a week
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Brownell cardholders can borrow, stream and learn free through Vermont's digital collections:
📚 Services
- Museum & attraction passes to 15 Vermont venues (Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms, ECHO, Billings Farm, Vermont Granite Museum, Vermont History Museum, Ethan Allen Homestead, Vermont State Parks, Vermont State Historic Sites, Hildene, VINS, Rokeby Museum, Birds of Vermont Museum, American Precision Museum, Fairbanks Museum)
- Library of Things — tools, gadgets, games and equipment for checkout
- Kolvoord Community Room for meetings and programs
- After-hours hold lockers (6am–10pm, 7 days)
- Public computers, printing, scanning & free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan (HomeCard network, Chittenden County)
- Tech Help assistance
- Reference and reader's advisory services
🎸 Programs
- Children's programs for ages 0–5 and 6–11
- Teen programming and volunteer opportunities
- Adult book discussion groups and ongoing programs
- STEM challenges and building activities for youth
- Summer reading
- Community events and centennial programming (2026)
📍 Nearby Libraries in Chittenden County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Essex Junction · Browse all Vermont libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Samuel Brownell, and why did he build the library?
Samuel Brownell was a local banker and businessman in Essex Junction who also built the Brownell Block. In the early 1920s he decided to give the village a purpose-built library, financing and helping design the building that opened July 20, 1926. His initiative transformed a collection that had moved between community spaces since 1897 into a permanent civic institution.
What is the Brownell Library's centennial anniversary?
The library celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2026 — the centennial of the Samuel Brownell-funded building that opened July 20, 1926. The anniversary was marked with a year of special community events including a centennial BBQ and lawn party.
Does Brownell Library offer museum passes?
Yes. Brownell cardholders can borrow free or discounted admission passes to 15 Vermont venues, including the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms, ECHO Leahy Center, Billings Farm & Museum, Vermont Granite Museum, Vermont History Museum, Ethan Allen Homestead, Vermont State Parks and more. A maximum of two passes per family may be checked out at one time.
Can I pick up holds outside of library hours?
Yes — Brownell Library has after-hours hold lockers available 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, so you can collect your reserved items even when the library is closed.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
