U.S. Restricts Canadian Access to Historic Border-Straddling Library

The Haskell Free Library & Opera House faces new U.S. border rules citing security concerns, ending a century-old cross-border tradition.

Canadian visitors to the Haskell Free Library must now hold library cards or be staff to enter via the U.S. side, with full customs enforcement set for October 1, 2025.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security cites smuggling and illegal migration as reasons for tightening access to the library, a long-standing symbol of cross-border unity.
Residents and officials on both sides of the border have expressed frustration, calling the decision a blow to the library's legacy of cooperation.
The library plans to create a new Canadian-side entrance, launching a fundraising campaign to cover the estimated $100,000 cost.
The decision comes during heightened U.S.-Canada tensions, including annexation rhetoric and trade disputes under the Trump administration.