Celebrate worm love with a snowy, story-walking tour

From birds to books, pets to people, February is the month for love. Enjoy the Charlotte Library’s new outdoor story, Worm Loves Worm StoryWalk, that has been installed on the library green. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, bundle your family up for a snowy walk and discover how worm meets a special worm and they fall in love.

This book is written by J.J. Austrian and illustrated by Mike Curato, and the StoryWalk project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier.

As part of our celebration, we’ve transformed our Mitten Tree into a book-lover’s Valentine. Use a library heart to tie to the tree if you have a favorite book title to share. Visit our romance book list if you’re looking for Valentine inspiration.

Arts and crafts at the library
Flex your fingers and your creative muscle with some Spirograph. Try your hand at our hometown jigsaw puzzle. Grab some yarn and needles to knit up something cozy. The library has ideas and supplies for all kinds of fun activities.

Black History Month

Clemmons Family Farm
During Black History Month, enjoy a free curriculum for grades K-5 about two courageous African American women who were pioneers in travel. Commune and create with people in your community around modern-day connections with Bessie Coleman and Bessie Stringfield’s joy in motorcycles, airplanes and adventure. Check out the curriculum outline and enroll to access the curriculum, which will be released on Feb. 1.

Black History Month email series
During February, the state of Vermont Human Rights Commission and Office of Racial Equity will share events, art, resources, facts, and literary excerpts that are from or for the Black community. There will be a weekly raffle, where you could win a book or a package of coffee from a featured Black-owned roaster. Sign up for the email series.

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 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.

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. Here’s the link to 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.

Library Books on Your Kindle
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m.
Learn how you can read library ebooks for free on your Kindle. Tech Librarian, Susanna Kahn, will walk you through the process of finding, checking out and sending ebook titles to your Kindle. Detailed instructions provided. Registration required, please call the Charlotte Senior Center, 802-425-6345.

Abenaki food & food security
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.
Chief Don Stevens will talk via Zoom about the Nulhegan band’s overall food security programs which include traditional gathering, Abenaki Land Link, seed banks and meat production. Learn what more the tribe is doing for the health of the people and the land. He encourages a healthy question and answer period where participants can learn more about the culture and beliefs and what kind of support would be helpful. Register.

Stillwater Meditation
Saturdays starting Feb. 25, 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.

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, March 9, online and in-person. Please contact the library for additional information.