Halloweeny things like pumpkins, pianos and poems coming to library
Looking for something Halloweeny to do? Seasonal festive fun comes to the library on Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The event begins with live piano music and poems performed by young Charlotte musicians to set the mood for the quintessential Halloween craft of pumpkin carving.
Everything you need to carve your jack-o’-lantern will be provided. The finished jack-o’-lantern will be added to our growing display.
If you can’t make it to the event and would like to have your creation included in the display, just bring your jack-o’-lantern to the library any time before Saturday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m. and add it to the scaffolding.
It is always exciting to see how the display comes together. The more jack-o’-lantern the merrier.
There was a grand gathering of jack-o’-lanterns last year thanks to the many people who carved and dropped off their jack-o’-lanterns at the library. Every year, it is fun to see community members pointing out their creations and admiring the work of others. The display offers a great opportunity for a community Halloween experience even if you don’t have any trick-or-treaters.
Jack-o’-lantern display
Oct. 28-Halloween Night
There will be a grand gathering of jack-o’-lanterns at the library. Last year many community members dropped off their jack-o’-lanterns at the library. The library is doing it again and hoping it’s even bigger this year. The display offers a great opportunity for a community Halloween experience even if you don’t have any trick or treaters. Drop off your carved pumpkins at the library any time before Saturday, Oct. 28, at the library to be included in the display.
Trick or treating on the library porch
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m.
Don’t forget the library when you and your trick-or-treaters make the rounds. The library will be handing out treats on the porch to ward off the tricksters.
Children’s programs
Preschool story time
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.
Join the Charlotte Library for preschool stories, crafts and activities. No registration required. Age 2 and over.
Preschool play time
Wednesdays, 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, 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.
Programs for adults
Special events
Writing art into poetry
Sunday, Oct. 22, 2:30 p.m.
Join JC Wayne, to explore the theme of “under the surface” by writing poetry in response to the library’s current exhibit of sustainable art by Landa Townsend. Townsend will get us started by sharing her story and some of the materials and techniques used to create her Japanese woodcut prints. For adults, teens and tweens. Sign up by email.
Gmail basics
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Let’s talk Gmail. This hands-on workshop is for people new to Gmail or those who want to get more comfortable with this popular email service. Review basic functions including sending, receiving and replying to emails. Learn how to delete, organize and search for emails and recognize and deal with spam. Please bring your Gmail address and password. Participants will be entered in a raffle to win a gift card from a local business. Space is limited space, registration required. Please register or by calling 802-425-3864.
Internet safety basics
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 1-2 p.m.
In this hands-on workshop, learn strategies to stay safe when visiting websites and receiving email, what makes a strong password, and how to avoid scams. Co-hosted by Charlotte Library. Supported by AT&T and The Public Library Association. Laptops and snacks provided. Participants will be entered into a raffle to win a gift card from a local business. Free. Limited space, registration required by calling 802-425-6345.
Vegetable garden wrap-up
Friday, Oct. 27, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
As Audrey Hepburn said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” Join fellow gardeners to share questions, experiences and lessons learned for next year. Facilitated by seed library coordinators Karen Tuininga and Linda Hamilton. Register.
Recurring programs
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 this year. Contact garden stewards Karen Tuininga and Linda Hamilton to sign up and join in the merry group 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.
Thursday night book group
Thursday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m.
A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, Pulitzer Prize-winner Geraldine Brooks braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession and injustice across American history in “Horse.” Copies available at the circulation desk. Join on Zoom.
Better together book club
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
An open group disussion of books related to parenthood. “Good Inside” by Becky Kennedy offers perspective-shifting parenting principles and troubleshooting for specific scenarios, including sibling rivalry, separation anxiety, tantrums and more. Copies available at the circulation desk.
Men’s Book Group:
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.
“Educated” by Tara Westover is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties. Copies available at the library circulation desk. Join the Zoom discussion.
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 on the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. The next meeting takes place on Thursday, Nov. 2, online and in person. Please contact the library or visit the library website.