Enjoy blueberries and blueberry books on Aug. 9
Programs for kids
I Am the Storm
A new story walk, I Am the Storm, has been installed on the Charlotte Library green with the support of the Vermont Department of Libraries. Put on your raincoat and enjoy some warm family stories of finding the joy in preparedness and resilience in the event of frightening extreme weather.
Blueberry story time
Friday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m.
Join a special story time to celebrate the season. Make a blueberry treat from the “Blueberries for Sal Cookbook” and enjoy all kinds of blueberry books.
Music on the Porch
Monday, Aug.12, 10 a.m.
Music on the library porch with Chris Gribnau and Lisa Henry. All ages encouraged to attend.
Kindergarten library card party
Monday, Aug.19, 5:30 p.m.
All incoming kindergarteners and their parents are invited to stop by the Charlotte Library, enjoy some snacks, meet new friends, and most importantly, sign up for their very own library card. No registration required.
Read & Win
Aug. 23-Sept. 1
After reading three books, students in kindergarten-eighth grades can fill out a voucher at the Charlotte Library and trade it for a Read and Win at the Champlain Valley Fair ribbon.
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
Tech help
Tuesday-Thursday, 30-minute sessions
Meet with our tech librarian Susanna Kahn for a half-hour of personalized tech help. The library has devices to use in the building and to check out and take home. Sign up for a session: 802-425-3864 or email.
Short story selections
Wednesdays, Aug. 7 & 21, 1 p.m.
Join library director Margaret Woodruff to share and discuss short stories old and new. Our group meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month via Zoom.
Better Together book club
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m.
Join this group to discuss books related to parenthood. This month, a discussion of “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. The story features Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant scientist shunned from the 1960s all-male world of research, who finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show. Her unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo. Copies available at the circulation desk.
Spanish conversation group
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Vengan a disfrutar conversación casual y nuevos amigos en la biblioteca. Un grupo de conversar es una oportunidad de practicar su español o compartir con el grupo. Speakers of all levels and ages, including beginners, are welcome. Chat, relax, listen to music and enjoy some snacks while exploring the Spanish language.
Mystery book group
Monday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.
It’s a winter morning in 1978 in “A Distant Echo” by Val McDermid. The body of a young barmaid is discovered in the snow banks of a Scottish cemetery. The only suspects in her brutal murder are the four young men who found her. Twenty-five years later, the cold case file on Rosie Duff has been reopened, which also reopens old wounds, haunting memories and new fears. Copies available at the circulation desk.
Thursday book group
Thursday, Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m.
“North Woods” is an inventive novel from Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Mason that brims with love and madness, humor and hope. Following the cycles of history, nature and even language, “North Woods” shows the myriad, magical ways in which we’re connected to our environment, to history and to one another. Copies available at the circulation desk. Join conversation on Zoom.
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.
Music on the Porch
Saturday, Aug. 24, 1 p.m.
Enjoy old-time and Irish music performed by Zachary DeFranco. He’ll take time to discuss the instrument history as well as the history of the tunes being played.
Love your lake like a book
Monday, Aug. 26, 5:30 p.m.
From the depths to the surface, Lake Champlain has many parts and like in a good book these “chapters” come together as one body. Join experts from the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds and the Agency of Natural Resources for an enlightening and informative panel and conversation. Learn what you can do on shore and at home to help our lake, its tributaries and our surrounding landscape. Rescheduled from July 10.
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. Come every time or as often as you can. 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. except the month of August unless otherwise rescheduled following the Opening Meeting Law. The next scheduled board meeting is Thursday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. Please contact the library or visit the library website for more information.