About

The Dorset Village Library

The Dorset Book Club was founded in January 1871 with just $25.00 and a “pleasant little company of ten or twelve ladies and gentlemen”. These funds were raised by William J. Gilbert and his students in February 1870. They purchased the first books, nominated a board and hired a librarian, Miss Carrie G. Pratt. This organization continued as the Dorset Book Club until 1912 when it became the Dorset Village Public Library Association, Inc., the name we still use today.

  • 1871-1894 housed in various residences in the village 
  • 1894-1913 upstairs apartment, Sykes store (Dorset Union Store)
  • 1913-1915 rear room of the Manley residence (“Memorial Building”/current Library)
  • 1915-1928 “Chapman House”, the lawyers office between the Union Store and Library
  • 1928-Present “Memorial Building”, donated by Mr. Bernard G. Sykes to the Dorset Village Public Library Association, Inc.
Exterior of the library and sidewalk

Library Board and Trustees

  • Leigh Perham, President
  • Jaymie Levine, Treasurer
  • Kellie Lloyd, Secretary
  • Jeremy Chestler
  • Jessica Smith
  • Lisa Welp
  • Renee Wymer

Library Staff

  • Erica Shott, Director (x2)
  • Stephen Niles, Assistant Director (x3)
  • Ryan Spahr (x1)

The Library Pugs

3 pugs sitting on a chair

Anouk, Toby and Chewie!

Additional Services

  • Inter-library loan – if you can’t find what you’re looking for in ASPEN, please fill out our ILL request form.
  • Request for purchase – Requests can be made through ASPEN.
  • Printers/copies – .10 cents per copy (color or black and white)
  • Computers for public use (Mac and PC)
  • Wireless internet – if you’d like to use your own device inside or outside of the library
  • Reference services – ask any staff member for assistance locating an item
  • Assistance with your device – if you need help downloading an eBook, please contact the library
  • Mail in your unused medications – Prepaid postage envelopes are at the library (to the left when you enter through the front. This service is provided by the Vermont Department of Health.

Mission Statement

Board approved 2023

The Dorset Village Public Library is dedicated to knowledge and enrichment through literature, films, electronic resources and programs.  The Library is committed to involving the community of all ages by actively developing, acquiring and maintaining collections and creating evolving services. The goal of the Dorset Village Public Library is to use its unique position as a community gathering place to be a hub of education and entertainment, and to reach out to the town’s people with diverse programming and a constant supply of new reading materials.

“A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” – American Library Association

Scroll to Top