September: Great month to remember to get library card

Margaret Woodruff, Library Director

September is a busy month at the library. Library card sign-up and emergency preparedness are two reasons why.

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the American Library Association and libraries unite in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card. More information about Library Card Sign-up Month.

From free access to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (or STEAM) programs, activities, educational apps, in-person and virtual homework help, technology workshops to the expertise of librarians, a library card is one of the most cost-effective back-to-school supplies available.

Throughout the school year, library staff help parents and caregivers with saving hundreds of dollars on educational resources and services for students. Sign yourself and your family up for a library card anytime.

National Preparedness Month focuses on the needs and concerns of older adults and their caregivers. This year’s theme, “Take Control in 1, 2, 3,” encourages everyone, especially older adults, to become more prepared in three simple steps:

  • Assess your needs.
  • Make a plan.
  • Engage your support network.

More information about getting ready can be found on the FEMA website.

The library has resources and information from the Town Emergency Management Team. Its Emergency Preparedness Guide for Charlotte Residents is available at tinyurl.com/45cadwcc. There are also emergency preparation tips from Communities Responding to Extreme Weather. The library is a Communities Responding to Extreme Weather Resilience Hub.

Children’s programs

Preschool story time
Tuesdays, September, 10 a.m.
Join the Charlotte Library for preschool stories, crafts and activities. No registration required. Age 2 and over.

Preschool play time
Wednesdays, September, 10 a.m.
Play in the preschool years enables children to explore and make sense of the world around them, as well as to use and develop their imagination and creativity. Exploring the sensory table, sorting, playing with blocks or Play-Doh — these are a few of the open-ended projects planned for Wednesday morning play-based learning at the Charlotte Library. Stay tuned for details about upcoming fall programs.

Kindergarten-first grade story time
Tuesdays, Sept. 26, 3 p.m.
Extend the kindergarten and first-grade day with story time fun at the Charlotte Library. Students can ride the blue school bus from Charlotte Central School. They will be met at the bus stop and escorted across the street to the library. Limited availability. Registration required, please email.

Coding club
Wednesdays, Sept, 13, 2:15-3:30 p.m.
Hack Club, a global organization helping teenagers to code, is hosting a six-week coding club at the Charlotte Library. The club will run 2:15-3:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Snacks will be provided. Any child between the seventh-twelfth grade is welcome, no prior experience is required. If this sounds interesting to you, email and include the name of your child, their grade and whether they’ve had any coding experience.

Programs for adults

“Sweet Tooth Dilemma” book talk
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.
Join Andrea Grayson for a discussion of her new book “The Sweet Tooth Dilemma,” which describes the why, what and how of quitting sugar. Grayson is a behavior change communications consultant who teaches about public health communications and behavior change in the master of public health program in the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. Her life changed in 2016 when she suddenly realized that she had been concealing a lifelong dependence on sugar and carbs beneath a web of denial (“It’s just a sweet tooth”) and rationalization (“I’ve been good so deserve a treat”). Copies of the book will be available for purchase through the Flying Pig Bookstore.

Better Together Book Club: “The Push”
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
Join this open group that discusses books related to parenthood to talk about “The Push” by Ashley Audrain. “This is a clever concept novel that manipulates and exploits the fears and insecurities almost every mother has, however happy her own childhood: the fear of otherness, and the illusion of motherhood as a great, beaming, muffin-baking club from which one is excluded. It shows the way the birth of a child can break down the bonds of love between adults as well as strengthen them; how the memories of childhood, forgotten or buried, return at the moment of one’s own maternal crisis,” said the Los Angeles Times. Copies are available at the library circulation desk. Registration is appreciated by emailing.

Book discussion
“Finding the Mother Tree”
Monday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m.
A hybrid discussion of “Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest” with in-person registration and online registration. In addition to writing about the fascinating life of trees, Suzanne Simard writes of her own life, growing up in the rainforests of British Columbia and how she came to love and respect the trees. She helps us understand how deeply human scientific inquiry exists beyond data and technology, that it is about understanding who we are and our place in the world.

Comics workshop
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m.
Join award-winning cartoonist and educator Marek Bennett for a closer look at the Vermont Reads 2022 book, “The Most Costly Journey” (copies available at the library). Marek presents some of the many comics documenting human migrations and struggles throughout the ages, and leads a hands-on demo to show how you can cartoon the stories of your own family, neighborhood and wider world. (No prior art experience needed — everybody can create comics.) More about Marek’s work. For all ages. Contact to sign up or to attend via Zoom. This program will take place at Carpenter-Carse Library in Hinesburg.

Stephen Kiernan book talk
Sunday, Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m.
Join us for an informal discussion of and reading from “The Glass Chateau,” the newest work from Stephen Kiernan of Charlotte. Copies available to purchase through the Flying Pig Bookstore.

Weather forecasting
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 5:30 p.m.
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a weather forecaster? Join the weather-curious for a presentation by the National Weather Service of Burlington to learn about what these meteorologists do every day to keep you safe. A family program for kids, parents and anyone interested in weather.

“The Most Costly Journey”
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m.
Much of the work on Vermont dairy farms is done by people from Latin America. Over a thousand migrant laborers milk cows, fix tractors, shovel manure and take care of calves in our state. Julia Grand Doucet from the Open Door Clinic will also discuss “The Most Costly Journey,” providing insight into the lives and experiences of the workers whose labor supports the continued viability of dairy farming in Vermont, as well as an overview of the goals of the El Viaje Más Caro Project and its approach. This discussion will take place at the Charlotte Library.

Recurring programs

Don’t miss these fun events that appear regularly on our calendar.

Book chat
Wednesdays, 3 p.m.
Meet each week to discuss new books, old books and books we might have missed. Each week, 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. Contact garden stewards Karen Tuininga and Linda Hamilton to join the merry work sessions.

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.

Mystery book group
Monday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.
Join the discussion of the holiday-themed country-house mystery “Tied Up in Tinsel” by Ngaio Marsh featuring intrepid detective Roderick Allyn. Copies available at the library circulation desk.

Men’s book group
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
“Norwegian By Night” is an extraordinary debut, featuring a memorable hero. It’s the story of the last adventure of a man still trying to come to terms with the tragedies of his life. Compelling and sophisticated, it is both a chase-through-the-woods thriller and an emotionally haunting novel about aging and regret. This is a hybrid event. Join us at the library or on Zoom.

Library book discussion series
Thursday, Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.
The regular book group is back. Join each month to discuss celebrated titles both old and new. Check the library website for title information. Copies available at the library circulation desk.

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. The next meeting takes place on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. online and in person. Contact the library or visit the library website for more information.