The Brautigan Library:  A Noble Experiment

The Brautigan Library was founded in Burlington, Vermont in 1990 by Todd Lockwood and a group of visionaries from Burlington’s arts community.  The idea for this library was inspired by a fictional library described by Richard Brautigan in his 1970 novel, The Abortion: An Historical Romance 1966.  What made Brautigan’s fictional library unusual was the fact that only unpublished books were allowed on its shelves.

From 1990 through 1995 the Brautigan Library lived in a small building on lower College Street.  The library accepted unpublished manuscripts from all over North America, and from other parts of the world as well.  People from all walks of life sent their novels, poetry and stories to the Brautigan.  While some hoped a publisher might see their work at the library, most were happy simply to have a public shelf for the one copy of their work.

True to this spirit, the Brautigan never judged the works it received.  Any manuscript that met the physical requirements was accepted.  This ideology sometimes put the library at odds with the traditional literary and publishing world.  But to unpublished writers, it made perfect sense.

The Brautigan Library supported itself with donations from supporters across America and with fees paid by writers to have their work catalogued and bound.  Everyone who worked for the Brautigan worked for free, donating their time and services to the library.  Nearly 100 volunteers in the Burlington area served as librarians or board members.

By 1995, time had taken its toll on the Brautigan.  Increased expenses and career changes by some key volunteers made it more difficult to keep the library open.  In The Abortion, Brautigan’s fictional library was secretly supported by a millionaire admirer, but in reality no such person ever materialized.

In late 1995, the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington agreed to take over the Brautigan’s collection of 325 books, designating a special area for this purpose.  The Fletcher’s exhibit serves as testament to the power of an idea and the spirit of volunteerism in Burlington.

While the Fletcher will not be accepting new additions to the Brautigan collection, the Brautigan Library is planning to have a presence on the internet where readers and writers can exchange ideas and inspiration.

January 1996  Burlington, Vermont

I noticed your listing about the Brautigan Library.  I'm the Todd
Lockwood who founded it.  I thought you might appreciate the attached
file with updated information about the library.

Todd Lockwood
Burlington, VT