The Border That Brings People Together
The political tension on immigration has continued to rise in the past few years. The possibility of a wall along the US-Mexican border is a representation of our perception of borders today––borders are meant to keep some people out and others in; they are a dividing force between one country and the next. But borders don't always have to be dividers; in some cases, they act as a bridge to bring people together. The Haskell Free Library is a library intentionally located along the US-Canadian border in Derby Line, Vermont and Stanstead, Quebec. Black tape lines the floor, signifying the international border between the US and Canada. It takes both Canadian and US dollars, houses French and English books, and librarians speak both languages. The Haskell Library embraces that it brings people from both sides together; it "relishes its role as a sort of free-trade zone for humans." Built by the Haskell family in 1908, the library was designed to encourage friendly, cross-...