Brown Public Library
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Provides public library services to Northfield VT and surrounding communities. The library loans books provides computer and internet access and presents programs for adults and youth.
- Income
- $193,543
- Spending
- $197,543
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- 34.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 58%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $133,818, library director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 34.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 38% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $110,654 spent. The largest program services of the Brown Public Library are loaning of books to the public. The Library Director LD reviews adult books and orders them based on patron preferences. The LD enhances patron experience by scheduling several programs per month such as poetry readings knitting groups and reading groups. The LD is responsible for scheduling staff and volunteers.
- $47,632 spent. Our youth librarian has a number of programs she has set up. Story hour attracts about 30 folks each time. She also runs the Summer Reading Program which attracts about 150 youth. There is also a youth advisory board a LEGO and chess clubs and various holiday celebrations. She also has two Reading is Fundamental days where she gives out books at the elementary school.
- $6,679 spent. The BPL provides computer and internet access for patrons. The patron computers are loaded with Microsoft software for word processing spreadsheets and presentations. Internet access is also provided with Google and Firefox.
- There are no other program expenses.
- $27,809 spent. Other expenses include Day passes to Vermont and National Parks Library Programs such as Summer Reading Program Library Media including books and audio books Workmans Compensation Insurance Liability Insurance Furniture,
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Brooklyn Public Library (Brooklyn, NY), EIN 11-1904261. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.