Elaine Ione Sprauve Library

The mission of the Elaine I. Sprauve Library is to identify, select, organize, store, access and retrieve, lend, and maintain those resources which encourage and support cultural and recreational resources and materials for the life long learning of out citizens and to contribute to our patrons personal growth and quality of their life. The library is a free non-sectarian public library whose aim is to provide useful and accessible information for all ages. The library subscribes to the ALA Library Bill of Rights.

The Elaine Ione Sprauve Library is connected to the all other public libraries through the Dynix Circulation and Catalogue System. The system can also search holdings in educational libraries, as well as the curriculum center.

Alone with the usual library services, the Elaine I. Sprauve Library offers literature discussions, Spanish classes, story hours, craft classes, and a summer program for children. Facilities are available for tutoring.

The community library offers a selection of adult and children's books, as well as newspapers and magazines. An extensive reference collection concentrating on the Caribbean is located in the library. Although no reference material may leave the building, the library welcomes researchers to use materials that may be unavailable elsewhere or out-of-print. The library also serves as a depository for all V.I. Documents.

All residents of the Virgin Islands may apply for a library card which can be used in any of the territory's public libraries. The card allows adults to check out five books , while children are allowed three books. Most material can be renewed in person or by phone. Reserves can be placed on books, and every effort will be made to obtain books from within the Territorial Library System for the patron.

The Elaine I. Sprauve Museum, formerly known as the museum at the Battery in Cruz Bay, is located in the lower level of the historic building. The museum houses a collection of photographs, documents, and historic artifacts. A special collection relating to natural history honors the memory of Robert Stevens, a resident of St. John for 81 years. Thanks to the Virgin Island Humanities Council and the Business and Professional Women of St. John, visitors to the museum can view a large collection of archaeological photographs relating to various topics on St. John.