Please help library plan how to best serve the community

Thanks to all in town who participated in our strategic planning survey.

The library staff hopes residents will join them for a follow-up forum on the strategic planning survey on Thursday, Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m. to discuss how the library can serve the needs of our community.

Friends holiday craft sale
Through Dec. 16
Shop local crafts and support the library at the Friends of the Library holiday craft sale through Dec. 16. There will be some past favorites available including Nan Mason’s woven potholders and collage note cards by Marcia Vogler.

Preschool story time
Fridays, 10 a.m.
This is a new time. Join Christa Duthie-Fox for a Friday morning session of stories and fun. No registration necessary. For ages 3-5 with caregiver.

Baby time
Thursday mornings, begins Jan. 4
A special time for carers and babies to learn, play and meet new friends before the library opens for regular visits. We’ll have age-appropriate toys and books to share on cozy blankets in the children’s area.

Seed Library book study
Jan. 8, 7 p.m.
“The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Permaculture” is for home gardeners of every skill with any size space, who want to live in harmony with nature to produce and share an abundant food supply with minimal effort. Karen Tuininga guides us through this book and “how to transition from simple vegetable gardening to creating a holistic, edible ecosystem in your own backyard.” Copies of the book available to purchase or check out at the library circulation desk. Register.

Tri-Town Writer’s Studio
Tuesday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Looking for a welcoming spot to share your writing? Join the debut of the three-town Writer’s Studio, a positive atmosphere to share feedback about writing projects big and small. Geoff Gevalt of the Vermont Young Writer’s Project serves as the facilitator for this monthly meet-up that rotates among our three neighboring libraries. Please email Margaret Woodruff to sign up.

Cooking book club
Wednesday, Jan. 24, 5:30 p.m.
Matt Jennings from Red Barn Kitchen and author of “Homegrown: Cooking from My New England Roots” explores the varieties of American cooking and culture. Select a recipe from the book that strikes your fancy. Books include “The Sioux Chef,” “The Immigrant Cookbook,” “Aloha Kitchen,” “Jubilee,” “Homegrown” and “Forgotten Drinks of Colonial America.” Then bring that dish to share with others for an evening of eating and discussion about the geographic and historical range of American cuisine. These books available at the library circulation desk. Please email Margaret Woodruff if you’re interested in attending.

Children’s programs

Preschool story time
Tuesdays, Dec. 19 restarts Jan. 2
Join us at the Charlotte Library for preschool stories, crafts and activities. No registration required. Age 2 and over.

Preschool play time
Wednesdays, Dec. 20 restarts Jan. 3
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.

Lego free play
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 10:30 a.m.
The Charlotte Library will provide the Legos, you provide the imagination. All ages welcome.

Programs for adults

Mystery book group
Monday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.
In “A Death in Door County,” the next title on the Monday mystery book group’s list, Morgan Carter, owner of the Odds and Ends bookstore in Door County, Wisconsin, has a hobby. When she’s not tending the store, she’s hunting cryptids — creatures whose existence is rumored, but never proven to be real. It’s a hobby that cost her parents their lives, but one she’ll never give up on. So, when a number of bodies turn up on the shores of Lake Michigan with injuries that look like bites from a giant unknown animal, police chief Jon Flanders turns to Morgan for help. Copies available at the circulation desk.

Short story selections
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 1 p.m.
Join library director Margaret Woodruff via Zoom to share and discuss short stories old and new.

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.

Crochet & knit night
Wednesdays, 5-6:30 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.

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, Jan. 4, at 6 p.m. online and in person. Please contact the library or visit the library website at charlottepubliclibrary.org for more information.