'Every library is a queendom unto itself'

NORTH BENNINGTON — Quiet but important things are happening at North Bennington's little library.

The John G. McCullough Free Library, stands a rather imposing figure with its white-columned entrance and its two story 1920s brick exterior. Step just inside of its solid wood front doors, though – and laughter, giggling, and unreserved chatter echoes throughout the space. It's a welcome, but unexpected find.

This is not a quiet library as in, "Shush, people are trying to read." Rather, this is a quiet library in the sense that it is perhaps the best kept secret in town – and, inside, the little library is gently a-buzz with the everyday activity that makes it special.

Downstairs, two women are conversing about this or that. One of them is knitting – her needles working in a timeless rhyth