General Information

Monday: 3 - 6pm
Wednesday: 3 - 8pm
Saturday: 10am - 3pm
Phone: 293-2565

Upcoming Events at the Library

Saturday July 18th: Our annual Book Sale, from 9am - 2pm at the Mt. Vernon Community Center. This is our major event; we always have lots of year-round residents, summer friends, and many book dealers browsing and buying from our extensive collection of fiction and non-fiction, hardcover and paperbacks, children's and adult literature.  

Saturday August 22nd: Our annual Mushroom Walk. Meet at the library in the morning, and Barbara Skapa will lead us from there. Please wear sturdy shoes, and be prepared to walk. Maybe bring a small basket and a knife.

Children's Summer Reading Program:
July 8th: Activity to be announced
July 15th: Cigar box art and decoration
July 23rd: Come paint our new picnic table! Dress in old clothes; we'll supply the paint & brushes.
July 29th: Create mandalas out of recycled materials
August 5th: Create your own art; finish the picnic table
August 12th: End of Summer Reading Program party
**All programs start at 10am. Parents: let us know if you'd like to lend a hand.

History of the Town Library

The library building was built as a private residence in 1841 by Calvin Hopkins. In 1883, Dr. Herbert and Ella Doten Shaw purchased the house which they used as their residence and the doctor's office. Dr. Shaw practiced in Mount Vernon for many years during which he grew to love the town and was respected by the town's people.

Mrs. Shaw died in 1926, followed by Dr. Shaw in 1939. His will gave his house and savings to the town to be used as a library. In 1943, the Dr. Shaw Memorial Library was opened to the public and in 1979 it became the town library.

Though the years the library has had generous benefactors who also left trust funds for it's support.

Margaret Webber, a librarian for many years, is also part of the library's history and is remembered fondly by a room named in her honor.

Some of the Shaws' memorabilia is still housed at the library and the library's staff always and correctly refer to the library as "Dr. Shaw Memorial Library".


The Library Today
 

Main Area	Magazine & Reading Room	Margaret's Room & Computer Area

Our library remains a vibrant part of the community serving both towns of Vienna and Mount Vernon. The library has about 12,000 books plus a large collection of VHS tapes, books on tape and magazines available to the public. Keeping up with the times, it also has computers with internet connection available.

This is made possible by a dedicated board of trustees, an excellent staff and the many hours contributed by faithful volunteers.