Carpenter-Carse Library
🏢 Green Mountain Library Consortium · Hinesburg, Vermont
Carpenter-Carse Library
Named for two generous Hinesburg citizens who shaped it over nearly a century, the Carpenter-Carse Library traces its roots to 1810 and today occupies a renovated former hardware store at 69 Ballards Corner Road. It is solar-powered, offers a beloved Library of Things with bike loans and repair stations, and holds museum passes for 17 Vermont cultural destinations.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–3pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–7pm |
| Saturday | 10am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 69 Ballards Corner Road, Hinesburg, VT 05461
Phone: (802) 482-2878
Website: carpentercarse.org
Plus Code: 87P88VRJ+JH (Hinesburg, VT)
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📖 About Carpenter-Carse Library
The Carpenter-Carse Library in Hinesburg, Vermont has a history stretching back to 1810, when over 100 residents formed the Literary Society of Hinesburgh and began pooling books. A formal public library was established by town vote in 1902, and in 1947 Hinesburg native Leonard E. Carpenter funded construction of the Sarah Carpenter Memorial Library, named for his mother and dedicated on Mother's Day. In 1996, farmer, state senator, and library trustee Henry Carse donated the former Green Mountain Hardware building to the library, enabling a full renovation. The library was renamed Carpenter-Carse to honor both donors. Today it operates from the renovated 69 Ballards Corner Road building as a member of the Green Mountain Library Consortium, making its card valid at 30 area libraries through the Homecard system. The library is solar-powered and uniquely outfitted with a Library of Things — including bike loans and a bike repair station — plus museum and park passes for 17 Vermont cultural destinations.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1810 as the Literary Society of Hinesburgh — one of Vermont's oldest library roots — and established as a public library in 1902
- Named for two civic benefactors: Leonard E. Carpenter (1947 building donor) and Henry Carse (1996 hardware-building gift), both lifelong Hinesburg residents
- Solar-powered facility with a Library of Things including bike loans, a bike repair station, homeschooling resources, and lifelong learning materials
- Museum and park passes for 17 Vermont destinations including Shelburne Museum, ECHO Science Center, Montshire Museum, and Vermont State Parks
- Homecard system grants borrowing privileges at 30 area libraries; open until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Carpenter-Carse cardholders can borrow, stream, and learn free through Vermont's statewide and consortium collections:
📚 Services
- Library of Things: bike loans & outdoor bike repair station
- Museum and park passes for 17 Vermont cultural destinations (Shelburne Museum, ECHO, Montshire, Vermont State Parks & more)
- Homecard cooperative borrowing at 30 area libraries
- Public computers, Wi-Fi, printing & scanning (15¢/page mono, color available)
- Community Room available free to nonprofits & individuals
- Outreach delivery service for Hinesburg residents with limited mobility
- Interlibrary loan (ILL) and reference services
- Library card and Homecard registration
🎸 Programs
- Themed Wednesday Afternoon Programs for school-age children (4–6-week sessions)
- Friday Afternoon Special Events — one-time monthly programs for youth
- Dungeons & Dragons Club — meets Thursdays when school is in session
- Adult programming and lifelong learning events
- Summer Reading Club
- Local author events and community art projects
- After-school programming with bus coordination from Hinesburg Community School
📍 Nearby Libraries in Chittenden County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Carpenter and Carse, and how did the library get its name?
The library honors two Hinesburg benefactors. In 1947, Leonard E. Carpenter — a Hinesburg native — funded the construction of the Sarah Carpenter Memorial Library, named after his mother and dedicated on Mother's Day. In 1996, Henry Carse, a farmer, state senator, and longtime library trustee, donated the former Green Mountain Hardware building, enabling the library to move and expand. The institution was renamed Carpenter-Carse Library to recognize both families' lasting generosity.
What is the Library of Things at Carpenter-Carse Library?
The Library of Things is a lending collection beyond books. At Carpenter-Carse it includes bike loans and an outdoor bike repair station — a distinctive feature for a Vermont community library. The collection also includes homeschooling resources and lifelong learning materials that patrons can borrow with a library card.
Which museum and park passes does Carpenter-Carse Library offer?
The library holds passes for 17 Vermont destinations, including the Shelburne Museum, ECHO Science Center, Montshire Museum of Science, Vermont History Museum, Ethan Allen Homestead, Rokeby Museum, Birds of Vermont, Old Stone House Museum, Wild Center, VINS (Vermont Institute of Natural Science), Vermont State Parks, and more. Passes are for 2-day loan periods and are for Carpenter-Carse cardholders only; contact the library to check availability.
How does the Homecard system work, and where can I use my Carpenter-Carse card?
The Homecard cooperative lets Carpenter-Carse cardholders borrow materials from 30 area libraries across Vermont. All you need is your Carpenter-Carse Library card. The library also belongs to the Green Mountain Library Consortium, which provides access to shared digital resources through Libby and The Palace Project.
🎨 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.