Take action for every ecosystem, every creature in Ecochallenge

Earth Month Ecochallenge, running from April 1-30, is a program focused on environmental and social engagement. During this month, you’re invited to select actions that resonate with your values, committing to them for 30 days to foster and reinforce positive habits.

Each action you complete earns points and generates real-world impact. Your efforts, combined with those of your team, contribute to a significant collective difference.

Join the team sponsored by library director Margaret Woodruff.

‘Beaverland’ Book talk
Tuesday, March 26, 5:30 p.m.
Allaire Diamond, Vermont Land Trust ecologist, leads a discussion of “Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America.” Discover how the “Beaverland” story has played out in Vermont and learn more about the book. This is one in a series of book talks in advance of a presentation by Leila Philip next month at Shelburne Town Hall. Copies of the book available at the circulation desk.

Water quality in Charlotte
Thursday, March 28, 7 p.m.
What are some of the causes of poor water quality, and what can you do to help? Join Lewis Creek Association and the Charlotte Conservation Commission for a presentation and discussion about water quality in Charlotte and how it affects Lake Champlain’s health. Learn about a new resource available from the assocation to help you assess your property for stormwater problems and direct you to resources to design and implement improvements. Email if you’d like to attend via Zoom instead of in person.

Writer’s Studio
Tuesday, April 9, 6:30 p.m.
Looking for a welcoming spot to share your writing? Join 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 meetup that rotates among our three neighboring libraries. Check with your local library to sign up.

Dog communication
Thursday, April 11, 6 p.m.
This popular, long-running dog communication and safety lecture is a multi-media extravaganza where the audience gets to test their “dog reading” skills. Rescheduled from March 11. Dog trainer Deb Helfrich demystifies dog communication, reveals some common dog-human misunderstandings and explores how we can all live safely and happily together. Registration appreciated but not required.

‘Beaverland’ author talk
Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m.
Celebrate the release of “Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America” in paperback. In the rich naturalist tradition of “H Is for Hawk” and “The Soul of an Octopus,” “Beaverland” tells the tumultuous, eye-opening story of how beavers and the beaver fur trade shaped America’s history, culture and environment.

Children’s programs

Preschool story time
Tuesdays & Fridays, 10 a.m.
Come to 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. We’ll be 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.

Let’s LEGO
Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Drop-in for LEGO free play. There will be loads of LEGO bricks out along with some books and prompts for inspiration. For all ages. Please note children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Programs for adults

Stillwater meditation
Saturdays, 9 a.m. (except Feb. 24 & March 2)
Poetry and meditation are offered freely and in person to the Charlotte community. Come for quiet reflection, contemplation and gentle meditation instruction. Respect for all beings and faiths is a foundational quality of our time together. Beginning and experienced meditators are welcome.

Better Together book club
Wednesday, March 27, 7 p.m.
Join this group that discusses books related to parenthood and read “Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It” by Jennifer Breheny Wallace. The definitive book on the rise of “toxic achievement culture” overtaking our kids’ and parents’ lives, and a new framework for fighting back. Copies will be available at the circulation desk.

Mystery book group
Monday, April 15, 10 a.m.
As the Luftwaffe makes its last, desperate assaults on the battered city in 1944, Londoners take to the underground shelters amidst the black out in “Blackout.” Detective-Sergeant Troy starts with the clue of a neatly dismembered corpse leading him into a world of stateless refugees, military intelligence, and corruption all the way to the top of Allied High Command. Copies available at the circulation desk.

Men’s book group
Wednesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.
“Demon Copperhead,” set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit and a fierce talent for survival. In a plot that never pauses for breath, relayed in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities. Copies available at the circulation desk. Join the discussion at the library or on Zoom.

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.

Short story selections
Wednesdays, March 20 & April 3, 1 p.m.
Join library director Margaret Woodruff to discuss short stories old and new on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Via Zoom.

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. The next meeting is April 4 at 6 p.m. online and in person Contact the library or visit the library website for more information.