The historic tradition of Canadians and Americans freely accessing the Haskell Free Library and Opera House through its main entrance in Vermont is set to end on Monday, as reported by CBS News. For over 100 years, Canadian visitors could enter the library with identification from the US side, but new US government regulations will require most Canadians to use a separate entrance on the Canadian side due to security concerns.
Starting Monday, only Canadians with library membership will be allowed to use the Vermont-side entrance, while nonmembers will have to enter through the Canadian side. By October 1, all Canadian visitors will be required to use the Quebec-side entrance, although interaction between visitors from both countries will still be permitted once inside.
The Haskell Free Library, established in 1901 to promote cooperation between border towns, has a unique location straddling the US-Canada border, marked by a line of tape inside the building. The Department of Homeland Security has justified the policy change by citing concerns about drug trafficking and smuggling, stating that criminals were exploiting the open-door policy to avoid customs checks.
While the new regulations aim to enhance border security, they represent a significant departure from the library’s long-standing tradition of open access and cross-border unity. The library has served as a symbol of cooperation between the two countries for decades, and the change in entry rules marks a shift in the historic relationship between the communities of Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont.
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