Lots of kits and equipment for summer activities at library

Margaret Woodruff, Library Director

Summer beckons with the warmer temperatures and blooming gardens. Take advantage of these outdoor-friendly days with some of our kits and equipment.

Enjoy a game of pickleball, disc golf or corn hole with a set from the library. Dig in the dirt with our gardening kit. Track the pollinators with the new pollinator citizen science kit. Learn about the lake with the Watershed Explorer Kit.

Information about these and all of the Library of Things collection can be found at https://bit.ly/49zx7lt.

Other summer activities the library is looking forward to are:

  • Summer Reading Kick-Off with Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, Wednesday, June 26, 1 p.m.
  • Grange on the Green, first concert, Thursday, June 27, 5:30 p.m.
  • Friends of the Library Book Sale, Sunday, July 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Donation drop-off times and information at https://bit.ly/3UXM7nl.

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 and Play Doh. 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.

Gallery talk
Tuesday, June 4, 5 p.m.
Karin Small, local artist, shares her vision and creative process in this informal gallery talk featuring her work on display through the end of June.

Mystery book group
Monday, June 17, 10 a.m.
In “The Shape of Water,” Silvio Lupanello, a big-shot in Vigàta, is found dead in his car with his pants around his knees. The car happens to be parked in a part of town used by prostitutes and drug dealers, and as the news of his death spreads, the rumors begin. Enter Salvo Montalbano, Vigàta’s most respected detective. With his characteristic mix of humor, cynicism, compassion and love of good food, Montalbano battles against the powerful and corrupt who are determined to block his path to the real killer. Copies available at the circulation desk.

Mount Philo’s 100th birthday
Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m.
Celebrate Mount Philo’s 100th birthday with Judy Chavez and learn the story of the amazing act of generosity that created Mount Philo State Park and started the entire Vermont State Park system. Chaves is the author of “Secrets of Mount Philo: A guide to the history of Vermont’s first state park.” There will be historic photos and maps, chill-inducing then-and-now comparisons, turn-of-the-last-century writings and a cast of admirable characters.

Better Together book club
Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m.
Consider joining this open group that discusses books related to parenthood. In ”I’ll Show Myself Out,” The New York Times bestselling author and Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Jessi Klein’s second collection, she hilariously explodes the cultural myths and impossible expectations around motherhood and explores the humiliations, poignancies and possibilities of midlife. Copies available at the circulation desk. The audiobook is available on Hoopla. Registration appreciated, but not required.

Library garden tour
Thursday, June 20, 6 p.m.
Visit the library garden with University of Vermont Extension master gardener Karen Tuininga for a tour of the beautiful and fragrant pollinator garden and the rain garden. No registration required and all are welcome. Bring a friend. Refreshments will be provided.

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, June 5 & 19, 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

For the latest information about programs, books and activity kits, sign up for the newsletter.

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, June 6. Contact the library or visit the library website for more information.