Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library

To register for a library card please fill out an application and bring in a valid ID (driver's license, state ID, etc.) and proof of residence in the Library District (Monticello Central School District).
Ages 5 & older may hold a library card, parent/guardian needed.

View our website for more details:
ebcpl.org

Ethelbert Baldwin Crawford was born in 1870 to Samuel Stickney Crawford and Estelle Baldwin Crawford. He took up painting and painted the places he and his mother visited. They traveled extensively together - first out West and later to Europe. Ethelbert studied painting in New York City with Robert Henri and many of the American Impressionist painters of the time. Several of Ethelbert's paintings were hung as part of a large exhibit, "The Independent Artists Exhibit" held on West 35th Street April 1-28, 1910. This exhibit included the work of 103 artists, many of whom were Henri's pupils.

After Ethelbert's death, his mother sought to have his artwork displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The museum declined to accept her bequest as long as it was conditioned upon the permanent display of Ethelbert's artwork.

Upon her death in 1925, Estelle Crawford laid the foundation for the purchase of land and the building of Ethelbert B Crawford Library in the Village of Monticello with the understanding that the paintings of her son, Ethelbert, would be exhibited at all times.

The new library building project was completed in 1936 with the doors opening to the public September 7, 1936.

Beyond the funds provided by the Crawford estate, the Town of Thompson passed a referendum to provide financial support and later the Village of Monticello and the Monticello Central School District also provided funding. The Library receives additional funding through endowments from Mildred Bennett & Mildred Smith.

In 1992, the Library became a "Special District" public library and as such was renamed the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library. Special District status allowed for the collection of a library tax annually as opposed to the solicitation of funds through a variety of sources as had been done prior.

Children's Programs, Pre-K Story Time, Bilingual Story Time, Knit & Crochet Group (all ages), Adult Writer's Group, HSE/TSE Prep, Tech Support, Adult Therapeutic Coloring, Adult Book Discussions, Special Thursday Night Adult Programs, Adult Game Group, Saturday Family Movies, Teen Programs, Teen Battle of the Books