Consider the library when considering local gifts

Looking for a heartfelt gift with a local touch?

Visit the mini-sale event at the library for cards, bookmarks and other goods made by local artists Dec. 14-21. A portion of the sales go to the Friends of the Charlotte Library Program Fund.

Are you a knitter, crocheter or just like to shop? The mitten tree is up at the Charlotte Library and waiting to be decorated with handmade or new cold-weather gear.

The library is also a designated food shelf drop-off location. All items collected will be going to a local non-profit organization.

Consider gift subscriptions to the library. The cost of subscriptions continues to climb. Many magazines offer a free gift subscription with renewal. If you happen to have a gift subscription available, the library would be grateful to receive it.

Sponsoring one of the library’s newspaper subscriptions is another way to support the library. Contact Margaret Woodruff  if you are interested.

Ongoing programs for all ages

Felt bird bookmark
Felt bird bookmark

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

Take & make kits
Celebrate the birds of winter. Craft a felt bird bookmark using our take & make kit at the circulation desk.

Freedom & Unity: A Graphic Guide to Civics and Democracy in Vermont
Copies of this graphic novel are now available at the library circulation desk. Stay tuned for details about our bite-size book talk coming next month.

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, library director Margaret Woodruff selects a theme and highlights related titles from the library collection. Please check the library calendar at charlottepubliclibrary.org for dates.

Short story selections
First & third Wednesdays, 1 p.m.
Join Woodruff Dec. 7 and 21 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.

Book Chat
Fridays, 9:30 a.m.
Meet on Zoom to discuss new books, old books and books you might have missed. Friday is a recap of the Wednesday porch session. Please check the library calendar at charlottepubliclibrary.org for dates. Register in advance for Zoom link.

Human Rights Week Expression Wall
Through Dec. 17
Human Rights Week is a week of events to commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948. In recognition of this, the library is hosting a “Free Expression” wall in the program room and inviting the community members to share what human rights mean to them by word or illustration.

One-on-one tech help
Thursday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m.
Email enigma? Kindle conundrum? App apprehension? Computer questions? Or maybe you want to learn how to use your library card to read or listen to books on a device. Sign up for a 30-minute, one-on-one session at the 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 or 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, please call 802-425-6345.

Winter Crafternoon
Friday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m.
From 3D forest critters to pompom garlands to woven hearts, there will be something for everyone. We will also have our Cricut cutting machine available to try out. Registration is required by sending an email.

Mystery book group: Clark and Division
Monday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.
Set in 1944 Chicago, Edgar Award-winner Naomi Hirahara’s eye-opening and poignant new mystery, the story of a young woman searching for the truth about her revered older sister’s death, brings to focus the struggles of one Japanese American family released from mass incarceration at Manzanar during World War II. Copies available at the library circulation desk.

In-service day
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The library will be closed Tuesday morning, Dec. 20 for a staff in-service session and will open at 1 p.m.

Men’s book group: This is Happiness
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Harking back to a simpler time, This Is Happiness by Niall Williams is a tender portrait of a community — its idiosyncrasies and traditions, its paradoxes and kindnesses, its failures and triumphs. This is a coming-of-age tale like no other. Copies available at the library circulation desk. Discussion will be via Zoom.

Holiday hours
The library will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 26; and Friday, Dec. 30.

Library contact information
Margaret Woodruff, director
Cheryl Sloan, youth services librarian
Susanna Kahn, tech librarian
Phone: 802-425-3864
Email

The Charlotte Library Board of Trustees meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. For information about agenda and Zoom access, please contact the library director. The next scheduled board meeting is 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5.