Read “Love Letter to Libraries” and share your ideas

Margaret Woodruff, director

If you missed the article “Love Letter to Libraries” in the New York Times, it is worth a look.

The creative and thoughtful ways that libraries across the country are serving their communities is wonderful and inspiring. There is a lot to learn from the article and from our own town. We’d love to know what ideas you have for our library. You can email us or give us a call at 802-425-3864.

Black History Month
Clemmons Family Farm
During Black History Month 2023, enjoy our 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.

Black Experience celebration
Saturday, Feb. 25, 5-9 p.m.
The Black Experience 2023 is a free, holistic celebration of Vermont’s Black experience (cultural, communal, educational) of Black History Month at the Flynn Theatre. Featuring Angela Davis, Philadanco and Tricia Rose. Learn more about BX23.

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
Please contact Cheryl for information about this session.

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.

Candidates Night
Thursday, Feb. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Ask questions and share concerns with the candidates on this year’s ballot. Learn more about each candidate, their priorities, reasons for running and points of view. Join the Zoom event. Moderated by Jonathan Silverman. Questions for the candidates can be emailed or posed during the event.

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.

Short Story Selections
Wednesdays, March 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.

Better Together Book Club
Wednesday, March 8, 7-8:30 p.m.
Join us for a discussion of The Long Answer, including a virtual visit by Vermont author Anna Hogeland. This thought-provoking novel unravels the intimate dynamics of female friendship, sisterhood, motherhood and grief, and the ways that women are bound together and pulled apart by their shared and contrasting experiences of pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage and infertility. Copies available at the library.

“Gaia’s Garden” book study
Mondays, March 13-April 3, 7-8 p.m.
Back by popular demand. Join Karen Tuininga and Linda Hamilton for this four-part study of Toby Hemenway’s classic guide to home-scale permaculture. New and experienced gardeners are welcome for the study of this practical book. Expect interesting reading (about 70 pages in preparation for each session) and lively discussions.

Whether you missed our first “Gaia’s Garden” discussion series in 2020, or want to come back for a deeper dive in revisiting this book, we hope you will join us. Registration is required.

Copies of the book are available at the library. Note: We will meet in person at the Charlotte Library with the option to use Zoom in bad weather.

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.