Lots of ways to dig into gardens during month of May

From gardening to Green Up Day, from bees to Biodiversity Day, May is the month to dig into gardens.

The Seed Library is stocked with local, heritage seeds for a productive and sustainable start to your vegetable patch. We have a host of books and tools to help with your horticulture adventures.

Don’t forget to take a peek at our seed-starting display for a preview of the children’s garden coming this summer.

Pick up a packet of free sunflower seeds and support the local community action group Vermont Plants Sunflowers for Ukraine, which inspires the planting of sunflowers throughout the state with the idea that “every seed planted will be a statement of solidarity.” More information available at vtsunflowers4ukraine.org.

Children’s programs

After school embroidery
Wednesdays, May 1-15, 2:15-3:15 p.m.
From frogs to footballs, from lilies to lightning bolts, make something amazing with a needle and thread. Colleen Brady leads this workshop to learn some stitches, plan a design and create an embroidery project on your clothes, for your wall or as a gift. Materials provided. If you would like to embellish a piece of clothing, please bring a non-stretchy item. Fourth-eighth graders. Registration is required, email.

Preschool story time
Tuesdays & Fridays, 10 a.m.
Join us at 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.

Babytime
Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.
Babytime is an unstructured hour at the library for parents, caregivers and babies so they can play and chat during the dark winter months. Explore books and toys and general conversation every Thursday morning in the young children’s area. Ages birth to 18 months.

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.
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.

Mystery book group
Monday, May 13, 10 a.m.
From master of mystery Robert Barnard comes “The Graveyard Position,” a witty new suspense novel featuring one of the most dysfunctional families ever to grace crime fiction. Copies available at the library circulation desk. (Note date change.)

Working at the Border
Tuesday, May 14, 7 p.m.
Charlotte resident Steve Hill spent part of the winter in the Sonoran Desert, volunteering with No Mas Muertes (no more deaths) to provide humanitarian aid and survival supplies to migrants and asylum seekers in the U.S. borderlands. Join to hear about Hill’s experience and participate in a conversation on migration and discuss our own stories and viewpoints. Registration not required but appreciated.

Better Together book club
Wednesday, May 22, 7 p.m.
You’re invited to discuss “Flight of the Puffin” with this open group that discusses books related to parenthood. Books will be available at the desk and on Libby. Registration appreciated, but not required.

Men’s book discussion
Wednesday, May 22, 7:30 p.m.
Are trees social beings? In “The Hidden Life of Trees” forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that the forest is a social network. He draws on scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling and even warn each other of impending dangers. Copies available at the circulation desk. Join the discussion in person 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, May 1 & 15, 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

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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, May 2, 6 p.m. online and in person. Please contact the library or visit the library website for more information.