Take time to smell the roses — and talk about books
The library gardens are glorious. Take time to stop and smell the roses (and the other flowers that grow in the pollinator garden) as you walk up to the library porch.
And, be on the lookout for herbs growing in the raised beds behind the Quinlan Schoolhouse. A big thank you to Linda Hamilton, Karen Tuininga and the Library Garden Circle for taking good care of these beautiful spaces.
Book groups also abound this summer. If you’re looking for lively discussion about a variety of literary topics, consider joining one of the groups listed below.
Have your own book group? Ask about the book group sets available for check out. Call the library for more details about book groups and book group resources.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
High quality books at bargain prices. Browse books and enjoy lu.lu Ice Cream.
Around 100 Charlotters kicked off their Fourth of July celebrating that morning on the library porch and town green watching the Very Merry Theatre’s production of Winnie-The-Pooh.
Children’s programs
Summer reading program begins
Create your own packet with the fun options for pick-up in the children’s area of the library.
Make-it Monday
Mondays, July 10-31, 1 p.m.
Monday afternoons in July are the perfect time for craft projects. Dabble in art, make sun catchers and dinosaur gardens, weave friendship bracelets and create rain sticks. Age 6 and up.
Young children’s story time
Tuesdays, July 11-25, 10 a.m.
No registration required.
Preschool free play
Wednesdays, July 12-26, 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.
You can find a complete listing of all summer reading activities here.
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, library director Margaret Woodruff selects a theme and highlights related titles from the library collection. No registration necessary.
Garden Circle
Wednesdays, 4:30-6 p.m.
Join the Garden Circle of volunteers who will tend the educational gardens around the library this year. Contact Garden Stewards Karen Tuininga and Linda Hamilton to sign up and join in the merry group work sessions this growing season.
Crochet & Knit Night
Wednesdays, 5:30-7 p.m.
Claudia Marshall is your host for a casual weekly session of crocheting and chatting, knitting and catching up. Bring your project or start a new one with yarn and needles available at the library, along with plenty of books to instruct and inspire. For teens and adults.
Short story selections
First and third Wednesdays, 1 p.m.
Join Margaret Woodruff 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. Register in advance for the Zoom link.
Grange on the Green
Thursday, July 13, 5:30-7 p.m.
Will Patton Quartet plays Roma jazz and Brazilian styles as well as straight up bebop and many original compositions on the town green. Sponsored by Cumbancha Music, ReArch Company and Otter Creek Awnings.
Mystery Book Group
Monday, July 17, 10 a.m.
Join us to discuss the debut of Detective Matthew Venn in “The Long Call” by Ann Cleeves. Copies available at the circulation desk.
Better Together Book Club: The School for Good Mothers
Wednesday, July 19 at 7 p.m.
You’re invited to join this open group that reads and discusses books related to parenthood. In “The School for Good Mothers” by Jessamine Chen, one lapse in judgement lands a young mother in a government reform program. The custody of her child hangs in the balance. Books are available at the circulation desk. Registration is appreciated by emailing.
Library book discussion group
Thursday, July 20, 7:30 p.m.
Join discussion of “Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk” by Kathleen Rooney via zoom. It’s the last day of 1984, and 85-year-old Lillian Boxfish is about to take a walk. As she traverses a grittier Manhattan, a city anxious after an attack by a still-at-large subway vigilante, she encounters bartenders, bodega clerks, chauffeurs, security guards, bohemians, criminals, children, parents, and parents-to-be. While she strolls, Lillian recalls a long and eventful life that included a brief reign as the highest-paid advertising woman in America. Copies available at the library circulation desk.
Grange on the Green
Thursday, July 20, 5:30-7 p.m.
Nick Carter will play original music as well as well-known folk music on the town green. Concert sponsored by ReArch Company and Otter Creek Awnings.
What’s going well and what’s not
Friday, July 28 at 11:30 a.m.
Join fellow gardeners to share the good news and the not-so-good news from your garden so far this year. Any surprises or discoveries? What are the implications for next year? Celebrate the good things and hopefully hear some suggestions for problems. Facilitated by seed library coordinators Karen Tuininga and Linda Hamilton. Register in advance for Zoom link.
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 regularly on the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. The next meeting takes place on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. online and in person. Please contact the library or visit the library website for more information.