Lawrence Memorial Library
🏢 Vermont Department of Libraries · Bristol, Vermont
Lawrence Memorial Library
In the heart of Bristol, Vermont — 'Gateway to the Green Mountains' — the Lawrence Memorial Library at 74 Munsill Avenue has served Addison County's New Haven River community since 1883, housed since 1911 in a modest brick building donated by William A. Lawrence in memory of his two wives, with evening hours Tuesdays and Thursdays and a Library of Things alongside the Palace Project and Kanopy.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–5pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 74 Munsill Avenue, Bristol, VT 05443
Phone: (802) 453-2366
Website: lawrencelibraryvt.org
Plus Code: 87P84WPC+8J (Bristol, VT)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Lawrence Memorial Library
The Lawrence Memorial Library is the public library of Bristol, Vermont, a small Addison County town on the New Haven River at the foot of Lincoln Gap in the Green Mountains. Bristol's library tradition dates to January 20, 1883, when residents formed the Bristol Library Association and opened to the public on August 5, 1883, charging three cents per book. Library service became fully public in March 1902, when the town appropriated fifty dollars at town meeting, ending membership fees and book rental charges. In 1910, William A. Lawrence proposed constructing a dedicated building — on the condition the town maintain it as a library — and donated $800 for the project. The building was completed January 1911 and dedicated in memory of Mrs. Lockie Partch Lawrence (his first wife) and Minnie Peet Lawrence (his second wife). Lawrence's will also donated four tenement houses on Lawrence Lane, the income from which continues to help finance the library. In 2002, the main floor was renovated to preserve the building's historic integrity. A handicapped-accessible entrance and lift leads to the Children's Room and Community Room. The Vermont House recognized the library in April 2011 on the occasion of its 100th anniversary in the Lawrence building. Today the library offers Kanopy streaming, Libby eBooks and audiobooks, a Library of Things, adult and youth programming, and Bristol social-justice community events.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded August 5, 1883 by the Bristol Library Association — became fully public in 1902, recognized by the Vermont House in 2011 on its 100th anniversary in the current building
- Building completed January 1911 — donated by William A. Lawrence in memory of his two wives, with income from Lawrence Lane tenements still supporting the library
- 2002 renovation preserved the historic main floor while adding accessible entrance and lift to Children's Room and Community Room
- Library of Things lending collection alongside digital access to Kanopy streaming and Libby eBooks
- Evening hours Tuesday and Thursday until 6 pm for after-work and after-school access
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Bristol cardholders can borrow, stream, and learn free through Vermont's statewide digital collections:
📚 Services
- Library of Things lending collection
- Public computers, printing & free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan
- Children's Room with accessible entrance and lift
- Community Room available for programs
- Reference and reader's advisory
- Catalog access via bristol.kohavt.org
🎸 Programs
- Adult events and book groups
- Kids and teen events
- Youth Advisory programs
- Bristol Social Justice community programming
- Summer reading challenge
📍 Nearby Libraries in Addison & Chittenden Counties, VT
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the Lawrence Memorial Library named for, and why?
The library is named for William A. Lawrence, a Bristol resident who in 1910 proposed building a permanent library on condition that the town maintain it as a library. He donated $800 for the project, and the building — completed January 1911 — was dedicated in memory of Mrs. Lockie Partch Lawrence, his first wife, and Minnie Peet Lawrence, his second wife. Lawrence's will also donated four tenement houses on Lawrence Lane, the income from which has long helped support the library's finances.
How old is the Lawrence Memorial Library, and when did it become a public library?
Bristol's library association dates to January 20, 1883, when a group of residents organized and opened to the public on August 5, 1883, originally funded by membership fees and a three-cent-per-book borrowing charge. Library service became fully public in March 1902 when the town appropriated $50 at town meeting, eliminating fees. The current building was completed in January 1911, and the Vermont House recognized the library in April 2011 on the 100th anniversary of the Lawrence building.
Is the Lawrence Memorial Library accessible, and can I access the Children's Room?
Yes. The library has a handicapped-accessible entrance and a lift that leads to the Children's Room and the Community Room. The 2002 renovation of the main floor preserved the building's historic integrity while improving access. If you have specific accessibility needs, call (802) 453-2366 before your visit.
What free digital resources are available to Bristol library cardholders?
Cardholders have free access to The Palace Project (Vermont's statewide eBook and eAudiobook platform), Libby/OverDrive (eBooks, audiobooks and magazines), Kanopy (streaming films and educational content), the Vermont Online Library at vtonlinelib.org (Gale databases, Udemy courses, legal forms), and Universal Class (free online courses in 500+ subjects through the Vermont Department of Libraries).
🧰 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.