Library 179: Charles B Danforth Library (Barnard)

A library is...

Library 179! The Charles B. Danforth Library in Barnard was the 179th stop on my quest to read, write, and knit in every library in Vermont.

• I knit: Jón by Hulda Hákonardóttir in Léttlopi.

• I read: A Library by Nikki Giovanni.

• I wrote: book recommendations from Susan

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I visited this library with my friend Heath on Saturday January 10, 2026.

First library of 2026. 34 left to go.

2025 was a continued study in coping in a world of unfolding horrors. Before I began this project in January 2024, I had strategies for moving through a bleak, violent world: protesting; organizing; teaching; listening to my students; reading; being in community with friends; writing to politicians; getting sleep; forcing myself to take breaks; seeking joy.

Being in libraries is now and will forever be part of how I mediate my relationship with the world. On January 10, 2026, we are thinking of a withering democracy; an increase in censorship and anti-intellectualism; more wars for oil; assaults on trans rights; the deaths of George Floyd and Renee Good. Sitting and knitting in this library with in the company of Heath (friend, academic, activist, confidant, knitter) and Susan (librarian, writer, reader, dyer, spinner) and Lily (dog, chewer, wanted to eat Hen Solo) was how I got through January 10, 2026.

We used the bathroom at the neighboring general store before coming in— the outside view was giving “may not have plumbing.” Never judge a library by its cover! Inside we found a full basement with a vault, yoga studio, cast iron hat rack, and a bright yellow bathroom, expertly plumbed.

Upstairs, the stone fireplace and photo of a man with a gun and recently shot catamount reminded me that I live in Vermont. That, and the smart/artful/intellectual collection, the old book room, and the interesting librarian. This library serves a town of about 900 people and is open 6 hours per week.

Heath and I both read a Nikki Giovanni children’s book that was on display: “A Library.” Inside, a simple prompt made me think:

A library is…

Before 2024 I would have answered: “where the books are.” One hundred and seventy nine libraries into this project, a library is…

Culture.
Community.
Democracy.
A town’s character.
A good place for dogs.
Privacy.
Knowledge.
Resistance.
History.
A place to talk about the gay hockey show... (quietly).

Queer joy is resistance. Queer joy will get us through. Yes: fight for justice. Yes: speak truth to power. Yes: demand accountability. And also: envision positive futures. Let your brain live for days in a world of love and consent. Read a romance novel. Nap. Knit. Watch the gay hockey show.

A library is joy.

Here’s to 2026. We have a lot of work to do. Don’t forget the joy.

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P.S. Hi Brianna! Nice to meet you at Thompson’s today!