For over a century, a U.S.-Canada cross-border library used a single entrance. Now, the U.S. says Canadians must build their own.
CBSN
On Monday, a century-old tradition that allowed Canadians and Americans to freely access the front entrance of the Haskell Free Library and Opera House that straddles Vermont and Quebec will come to an end.
Canadian members used to walk down the approximately 70 feet of American sidewalk with their identifying documents, such as a passport or license, and enter through the library's main entrance, which sits on the Vermont side. But last week, U.S. authorities said that this easy access will end, with most Canadians needing to enter through a separate entrance on Canada's side.
"It's been in effect for 104 years, and suddenly, with this new administration, it's not," said Sonia De Paoli, 71, a Canadian who moved to the area from Montreal after she retired. De Paoli joined the library's board of trustees — consisting of four Americans and three Canadians — a few years ago to help this "unique" private organization.
