Learn how to use scat to explore the landscape

Margaret Woodruff, director

Get outside this winter and explore the Vermont landscape in a unique way with Vermont Fish & Wildlife Scat and Track Family Program.

Each week for four weeks, your family will watch a pre-recorded video highlighting a particular critter focusing on the habitat, life cycle and identification before diving into how to locate signs of the species. Then head outside to see what you can find and record in a nature journal.

The species covered this year will be white-footed mouse, ruffed grouse, mink and skunk. Vermont Fish and Wildlife have informative videos on their website to learn more about different Vermont species highlighted in past years.

Pick up a packet at the Charlotte Library and make sure to leave your email so the weekly videos can be sent to your family.

Data Privacy Week
This Saturday, Jan. 28, Data Privacy Week ends. The week is designated to highlight the importance of keeping our personal data safe.

A few tips from the National Cybersecurity Alliance include:

  • Create long, unique passwords and store them in a password manager
  • Enable multi-factor authentication
  • Recognize and report phishing
  • Update software.

You can get help with any of these steps at the library. Pick up informational handouts to get started and contact Susanna for a one-on-one session if you need additional help.

Braver Angels: Bridging the Political Divide
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
In our current polarized political environment, many people avoid or dread conversations with friends, family or community members whose outlook differs from their own. Braver Angels’ Skills for Bridging the Divide workshop teaches skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground and affirm the importance of the relationship. The workshop also gives participants a safe environment to practice those skills. You are warmly invited on Feb. 12 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. to engage in this helpful and meaningful work.

Stay tuned for further information about the follow-up workshop on March 19 on land-use issues in Charlotte, an opportunity to put those skills to use. Register for the workshop on Feb. 12.

Braver Angels is a national movement committed to helping people cultivate skills that foster constructive engagement across our differences.

Children’s programs

Young children’s story time
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.
No registration required.

Kindergarten/first grade story time
Tuesdays, 3 p.m., through Feb. 21
This after-school program has a few openings for this session. If you were part of the last group in the fall, you are on a waiting list.

Preschool free play
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Exploring the sensory table, sorting, playing with blocks, play dough — these are a few of the open-ended projects planned for Wednesday morning play-based learning at the Charlotte Library. Ages 2-4. No registration required.

Programs for adults

Book discussion: Our Better Nature
Mondays, through Feb. 6, 7 p.m.
Grounded in experience and science, Our Better Nature: Hopeful Excursions in Saving Biodiversity presents readers with stories, essays and resources to guide and inspire action in favor of nature everywhere. This beautiful new book inspires individuals and communities to carry Vermont’s thriving framework for sustaining biodiversity beyond all borders and into meaningful actions that protect nature around the world. At the final session, Feb. 6, we’ll be joined by Eric Hagen and other contributors. Books are available to borrow or purchase through the library.

Stillwater Meditation
Saturdays starting Jan. 14, 10 a.m.
Beginning and experienced meditators are welcome. Come to one, many or all meetings. No registration necessary. Stillwater Meditation is an offering of Rain Elizabeth Healing Arts.

Book Chat
Wednesdays, 3 p.m.
Meet each week to discuss new books, old books and books we might have missed. Each week, Woodruff selects a theme and highlights related titles from the library collection. No registration necessary.

Book discussion group: This is Happiness
Thursday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Copies of the book by Niall Williams are available at the library circulation desk. Via Zoom.

Short story selections
Wednesday, Feb. 1 & 15, 1 p.m.
Join Library Director, Margaret Woodruff, to share and discuss short stories old and new. The reading list will include a variety of authors and two to three stories will be featured each session. Copies of the stories are available at the library circulation desk or via email. Register.

Craft night for adults & teens
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a fun evening of crafting. There will be a few project options and we’ll have our Cricut cutting machine available to try out. Registration is required by emailing Susanna.

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

For the latest information about programs, books and activity kits, sign up for our monthly newsletter.

The Charlotte Library Board of Trustees meets regularly on the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. The next meeting takes place on Thursday, Feb. 2, online and in-person. Please contact the library for additional information.