Pick up a free copy of comic about Vermont’s history and future

The Center for Cartoon Studies was offered a challenge by the Office of Vermont’s Secretary of State and Vermont Humanities: Create a graphic guide about the past, present and promise of democracy and civics in our brave little state. The comic book “Freedom and Unity” is the answer to that challenge. Pick up your free copy at the library.

Ongoing programs for all ages

Photos by Scooter MacMillan From left, Juniper, Drew and Arlo Slabaugh’s creations were very inventive.
Photo by Scooter MacMillan
From left, Juniper, Drew and Arlo Slabaugh’s creations were very inventive.

Kids Crafts: See what fun activity youth services librarian Cheryl Sloan has concocted for younger library fans. Pick up the monthly craft kit in the library entryway.

Take & Make Kits: Try your hand at a simple but elegant fall garland to grace a window or Thanksgiving table. Available at the library circulation desk.

Book chat at the library
Wednesdays, 3 p.m.
Meet at the library to discuss new books, old books and books we might have missed. Each week, Margaret selects a theme and highlights related titles from the library collection. Please check with the library for dates.

Short story selections
First & third Thursdays, 1 p.m.
Join Library director Margaret Woodruff via Zoom to share and discuss short stories old and new. The reading list will include a variety of authors, and one or two stories will be featured each session. Copies of the stories are available at the library circulation desk or via email.

Marissa and Aapeli Green’s pumpkin might be inspired by Edvard Munch.
Photo by Scooter MacMillan
Marissa and Aapeli Green’s pumpkin might be inspired by Edvard Munch.

Book chat
Fridays, 9:30 a.m.
Register in advance for Zoom link. Meet on Zoom to discuss new books, old books and books you might have missed. Friday is a recap of the Wednesday porch session. Check with the library for dates.

Children and family programs

After-school maker challenge: Scribblebots
Thursday, Nov. 3, 3:15-4:30 p.m.
Design, build and test a drawing robot. For fourth grade and up. Register.

KidPower confident kids workshop
Saturday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Join Laura Slesar for a kid and parent workshop, learn Kidpower skills that kids can use right away to have more fun & fewer problems with people. Register.

Preschool story time
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.
Join us at the Charlotte Library for preschool stories, crafts and activities. No registration required. Age 2 and over.

Kindergarten and first grade story time
Tuesdays, 3 p.m.
Call the Charlotte Library to register for this event.

Preschool Free Play
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Play in the preschool years enables children to explore and make sense of the world around them, as well as to use and develop their imagination and creativity. Join for play-based learning in the library program room. Ages 3 and 4.

Adult programs

Stillwater Meditation
Saturdays, Nov. 5, 12 and 19, 9 a.m.
Gathering together for eight weeks this fall as the light changes, we will explore poetry and meditation as sacred community. Respect for all beings and faiths is a foundational quality of our time together. Beginning and experienced meditators are welcome. Come to one, many or all meetings. Free. Stillwater Meditation is an offering of Rain Elizabeth Healing Arts.

Staying healthy this winter:
COVID and more
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6-7 p.m.
Join Jim Hyde, professor emeritus for public health at Tufts University, to discuss what to expect this winter regarding COVID and the flu via Zoom. Learn about the most effective strategies you can use to protect yourself and our community. Hyde taught epidemiology and biostatistics at Tufts for more than 35 years. He helped establish and directed the Tufts masters degree program in health communication, taught and directed several research studies. Prior to joining the Tufts faculty, he was the director of the Division of Preventive Medicine at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Register.

Hoopla 101: accessing digital audiobooks, ebooks and videos
Thursday, Nov. 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Learn how to read, listen and watch on your device with your library card. Please have the device you’d like to use (smartphone, tablet or laptop), library card number and any passwords needed to download an app to your device. Laptops are also available at the library. No registration required.

One-on-one tech help
Thursday, Nov. 10, 1-2:30 p.m.
Sign up for a 30-minute, one-on-one session at the Charlotte Senior Center with Susanna Kahn, Charlotte Library’s technology librarian for some tech support. She will troubleshoot with you and provide suggestions for next steps. Make sure to bring your device and any necessary login information. When registering, please provide a specific topic/item that you need help with and include the device you will be bringing to the session (e.g. Windows laptop, Mac laptop, Kindle, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, etc.). Registration required at 802-425-6345.

From China to Charlotte: How a small town opened its heart to Guy Cheng
Sunday, Nov. 13, 2-4 p.m.
David Sisco became intrigued with jewelry-making while watching his stepfather, Charlotte jewelry designer Guy Cheng, at work. Cheng provided him with a bench, some basic tools and instruction on how to work metals into pieces of art. Sisco will discuss Cheng’s work and connections to Charlotte and to Vermont.

Men’s book discussion: Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.
“To hear the speech of the real America, to smell the grass and the trees, to see the colors and the light.” — These were John Steinbeck’s goals as he set out, at the age of 58, to rediscover the country he had been writing about for so many years.

Library contact information
Margaret Woodruff, director
Cheryl Sloan, youth services librarian
Susanna Kahn, tech librarian
802-425-3864 or email