Library wants to know what you want at library
From story times to cooking book clubs, from book discussions to selectboard meetings, the Charlotte Library is here as a community resource, meeting place and activity center. Let us know if there are programs and events you’d like to see here; we welcome the opportunity to work with you.
‘Just Getting By’ film
Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m.
A sweeping, and yet intimate look at the lives of Vermonters who are struggling with food and housing insecurity. These are big issues for a small state. “Just Getting By” focuses on these issues in the lives of everyday people. This is the first in a series of events related to Kenneth Cadow’s “Gather” and its themes of rural life, resilience, class differences, addiction and recovery, housing and food insecurity, a deep relationship to the land and the power of community. Copies are available; stop in to pick one up.
Programs for kids
Wildcard Wednesdays
Wednesdays, Sept. 11-Nov. 20,
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Who knows what Wednesday will bring? Science sessions? Crafts and games? Charlie Cart cooking? Sign up and show up on Wednesdays to join in the fun activities from kids grades 5 to 8. If you’re a Charlotte Central School student, you can take the bus to the library with a parent’s note. For more information and registration details, email.
Read & Win
Aug. 23-Sept. 1
After reading three books, students in grades K-8 can simply fill out a voucher at the Charlotte Library and trade it for a Read and Win Ribbon at the Champlain Valley Fair.
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 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.
Better Together book club
Thursday, Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m.
This magisterial and highly inventive novel from Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Mason 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. It is not just an unforgettable novel about secrets and destinies, but a way of looking at the world that asks the timeless question: How do we live on, even after we’re gone? Copies available at the circulation desk. Join 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.
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.
Join in 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 at [email protected], 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: [email protected]
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. Contact the library or visit the library website for more information.