Thanks to Friends of the Library for a successful book sale

It was a busy day at the library. More than 30 people waited patiently for the doors to open at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 14.

A steady stream of book lovers came to the Friends of the Library successful book sale with over 120 people enjoying the well-curated offerings. Lulu’s ice cream provided refreshment. Mary Jean Egglefield was the raffle winner of the book-themed quilt by Amanda Herzberger.

Garden inspiration

The youngest gardeners can enjoy Mr. McGregor’s Garden, designed and planted by youth services librarian Cheryl Sloan and volunteer Barbara Jetton and inspired by Beatrix Potter’s story about Peter Rabbit’s adventurers in a neighboring garden.

Older garden fans take inspiration from the Welcome Garden on the south side of the library. Two artists set up their easels for en plein-air painting last week.

If you’re interested in learning more about the library gardens, ask at the circulation desk or join one of the Garden Circle sessions each week.

Story time spotlight
Fridays, 10 a.m.
We’ve added a story-time session on Friday mornings at 10 a.m. Genevieve Trono brings her good cheer and fun to share stories for kids ages 2 and up.

Busy Morning Duo
Thursday, Aug. 1, noon
Join Busy Morning Duo as they tour Vermont libraries. They will perform on the library porch with family-friendly music and storytelling.

Very Merry Theatre
Friday, Aug. 2, 6-8 p.m.
The Very Merry Theatre traveling show brings the classic musical “42nd Street” to the Charlotte Library lawn. Please bring low lawn chairs and blankets. Library open for restroom use only.

Saturday Babytime
Saturday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m.
You’re invited to an unstructured hour for parents, caregivers and babies to play, explore books and chat in the young children’s area. Ages birth to 18 months.

Adventure Monday
Mondays, 10 a.m.
Great activity for age 7 and above on July 29 — What would you do? Stories of survival.

Preschool story time
Tuesdays & Fridays, 10 a.m.
Come to the library for preschool stories, crafts and activities. No registration required. Age 2 and over.

Preschool free play
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. Explore the sensory table, sorting, playing with blocks, playdoh — 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.
You’re invited to an unstructured hour for parents, caregivers and babies to play, explore books and chat 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. We’ll have 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.

Grange on the Green
Thursday, July 25, 5:30-7 p.m.
Enjoy lively bluegrass music on the Charlotte Town Green from Forest Station & Friends. The rain location is the Charlotte Senior Center. The concert is sponsored by Lake Champlain Chocolates, and Grange on the Green is sponsored by Otter Creek Awnings and Shearer Audi-VW-Acura.

Thursday Night Book Club
Thursday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
Join a discussion of “The Art Thief” on Zoom. No one has been as successful at art theft as master thief Stéphane Breitwieser. Carrying out more than 200 heists over nearly eight years, in museums and cathedrals all over Europe, Breitwieser stole more than 300 objects, until it all fell apart in spectacular fashion. Copies available at the circulation desk.

Going Solar 101
Tuesday, July 30, 5-6 p.m.
You may have seen some of the large solar arrays going up all over Vermont. Curious about how to participate in this on a smaller scale and be a part of the climate solution? As part of their mission to promote energy efficiency and renewables, the Charlotte Energy Committee has launched the Solarize Charlotte Program to promote residential solar installations throughout town, allowing residents to go solar at a discount. Stop by the library to chat with the Charlotte Energy Committee and learn more about how you can go solar for your home, business or as an investment opportunity and contribute to Charlotte’s goal of transitioning to 90 percent renewable energy by 2050. They will be joined by local solar provider AllEarth Renewables, which will run through the basics of solar.

Cooking book club
Wednesday, July 31, 5:30 p.m.
Join a feast of local foods al fresco on the library porch or green, weather permitting. Bring a dish to share and, if you wish, a story to tell. The library has many cookbooks if you need inspiration including “Edible: A Celebration of Local Food” by Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian, “From the Cook’s Garden” by Ellen Ecker Ogden, “Local Dirt” and “Dishing Up Dirt” by Andrea Bemis and “The Vermont Non-GMO Cookbook” by Tracey Medeiros. Organizers will also be delighted if you bring a favorite recipe of your own. The cookbooks will be at the circulation desk for you to select from. Please email if you plan to attend.

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, July 17, 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 Garden Circle
Wednesdays, 4:30-6 p.m. & Fridays, 8:30-10 a.m.
Enjoy tending gardens and seeing them respond? Like friendly conversation while you pull weeds? Appreciate learning from others’ gardening experiences and sharing your own? The Garden Circle of volunteers who tend the library’s educational gardens would love to have you join the Friday morning group work. Experienced and new gardeners welcome. Sign up, and you’ll be contacted if plans change due to weather, etc. Coordinated by garden stewards Karen Tuininga and Linda Hamilton.

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 the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. unless otherwise rescheduled. For example, the next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m. Contact the library or visit the library website for more information.