Burnham Memorial Library
🏢 Green Mountain Library Consortium · Colchester, Vermont
Burnham Memorial Library
The Burnham Memorial Library has served Colchester since 1942, built from the bequest of Electa "Etta" Cook Burnham, a Colchester native who left most of her estate to create a free public library for the town. The 1942 building at 898 Main Street stays open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and offers museum passes, a Library of Things and full digital access through the Green Mountain Library Consortium.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–3pm |
| Saturday | 9am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 898 Main Street, Colchester, VT 05446
Phone: (802) 264-5660
Website: colchestervt.gov
Plus Code: 87P8GVV2+J4 (Colchester, VT)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Burnham Memorial Library
The Burnham Memorial Library is the public library of Colchester, Vermont, a Chittenden County community on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. The library owes its existence to Electa "Etta" Cook Burnham (1863–1939), a Colchester native who married Herbert Burnham of Johnson, Vermont, in 1883 and later directed most of her estate to "build, furnish, and maintain a library" for her hometown. The building was designed by architects Newton and Rhodes, constructed by a Springfield, Massachusetts firm for $4,650, dedicated on August 14, 1942, and in its first year held 2,258 books on a total budget of $229.76. Today the library at 898 Main Street serves the whole Colchester community with a broad collection, museum and park passes to Vermont venues, a growing Library of Things with maker kits, and full digital access through the Green Mountain Library Consortium — including the Libby app, Biblio+ streaming, hoopla and the Palace Project.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1942 through the bequest of Electa "Etta" Cook Burnham, a Colchester native who left her estate to build a free public library for the town
- Built by Newton & Rhodes architects for $4,650 and dedicated August 14, 1942, opening with 2,258 books
- Museum & park passes to five Vermont venues including ECHO, Shelburne Museum, Birds of Vermont Museum and Vermont State Parks
- Library of Things with maker and skill kits available for checkout
- Open until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; open Saturday mornings 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Burnham cardholders can borrow, stream and research free through the Green Mountain Library Consortium and Vermont's statewide platforms:
📚 Services
- Museum & park passes (ECHO, Shelburne Museum, Birds of Vermont Museum, Vermont State Historic Sites, Vermont State Parks)
- Library of Things with maker and skill kits
- Book discussion sets (8-copy bundles for group checkout)
- Public computers, printing & free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan through the Green Mountain Library Consortium
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Open Cupboard Food Pantry pickup location (near children's circulation desk)
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes for babies, toddlers & preschoolers
- Teen Advisory Group
- Book discussion groups (Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday sessions)
- Online speaker series featuring authors and community educators
- Adult crafts, handcraft and technology assistance classes
- Summer reading
📍 Nearby Libraries in Chittenden County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Colchester · Browse all Vermont libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Etta Burnham, and why is the library named for her?
Electa "Etta" Cook Burnham (1863–1939) was born in Colchester and later directed most of her estate to "build, furnish, and maintain a library" for her hometown. Her bequest funded the building, which was dedicated on August 14, 1942 — making her the sole reason Colchester has a free public library.
Does Burnham Memorial Library offer museum or park passes?
Yes. Colchester cardholders can borrow passes to five Vermont venues: the ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center, Shelburne Museum, Birds of Vermont Museum, Vermont State Historic Sites and Vermont State Parks. Passes must be returned on time; late fines apply.
Which evenings is the library open late?
The library stays open until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Monday and Wednesday hours are 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday closes at 3 p.m., and Saturday runs 9 a.m.–3 p.m. The library is closed on Sunday.
Can I access digital books and streaming without visiting the library?
Yes. With a Burnham card you can borrow eBooks and audiobooks through Libby (Green Mountain Library Consortium), browse eBooks on the Palace Project app, stream films on Biblio+, check out digital titles on hoopla, and search thousands of databases through the Vermont Online Library — all from home.
🎨 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.