A beloved library that united the US and Canada faces new border restrictions

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Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. mingle / ˈmɪŋ gəl / (v.) – to mix or join with other people or things
    Example:

    As people from different countries came to the city, their customs and languages mingled, creating a diverse community.


  2. straddle / ˈstræd l / (v.) – to be in or on both sides of something
    Example:

    The bridge straddles the river, connecting the two parts of the town.


  3. imposing / ɪmˈpoʊ zɪŋ / (adj.) – large, impressive, and noticeable in a way that makes people pay attention
    Example:

    The imposing statue stood in the middle of the park, catching everyone’s attention with its massive size and detailed design.


  4. checkpoint / ˈtʃɛkˌpɔɪnt / (n.) – a place where people or things are checked by an officer before they are permitted to proceed
    Example:

    At the border checkpoint, travelers had to show their passports before they could enter the new country.


  5. honor system / ˈɒn ər ˈsɪs təm / (n.) – a way of doing things in which people are trusted to follow the rules without being watched or checked
    Example:

    In the small café, they operate on the honor system. Just leave money in a box when you take a snack.


Article

Read the text below.

For Allyson Howell, her hometown library is more than just a place to borrow a book; it’s also a unique space where different cultures from the U.S. and Canada have mingled and developed ties for more than a century.


Howell and others fear that could change under a new regulation implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration as tensions continue to rise between the two countries.


The Haskell Free Library and Opera House straddles the line between Howell’s town of Derby Line, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec. The entrance to the imposing Victorian-style brick and stone building is on the U.S. side, but an informal agreement between the two countries has always allowed Canadians to enter without a passport.


Canadians cross the border on a sidewalk leading directly to the library which is monitored by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The nearest border checkpoint is not within the eyesight of the building.


Inside the library, there is a line on the floor marking the international border, though residents of both countries have been able to move freely among the stacks.


But since March 25, the only Canadian visitors able to enter on the U.S. side have been cardholders and library workers. All others have had to use an emergency exit on the Canadian side. Starting October 1, all Canadians will have to enter from their side of the border or pass through a security checkpoint on the U.S. side. It’s a big change from the honor system arrangement the two countries have always used, users of the library said.


The new U.S. regulation strikes at the heart of what the library stands for, according to members of communities on both sides of the border. It was built in the early 1900s with a goal of uniting those communities with literacy, art and culture, said Sylvie Boudreau, president of the library’s board of trustees. The library is run by a private board and largely operates on an honor system that binds the two countries, Boudreau said.


“We’re all friends, we’re all family. We stick together.”


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The Haskell Free Library that straddles the U.S. and Canada now operates under a new US regulation. Why do you think the library’s location was important to the community? What do you think will happen to the culture and practices cultivated by the communities through the library with the new regulation in place? Discuss.
  • Libraries are not just for books—they are community spaces for learning and connection. Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not? How important are libraries in your community? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The library operated in an honor system, but the new US regulation changed that. Do you think changing the library’s honor system is a good or bad idea? Why? In your country, do people often rely on trust and honor or strict rules? Which is more common, and why? Discuss.
  • Can you think of situations where an honor system works well? When might it not work? Would you feel comfortable using an honor system in a public place? Why or why not? Discuss.