Get gift book inspiration; consider donations for mitten tree

Check out our best picks for the readers on your gift list. On display at the library in time for your holiday shopping and available at the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne.

The library’s annual mitten tree goes up this week. They welcome donations of cold-weather accessories to adorn the tree. These will go to neighbors in need at the start of the New Year.

Programs for kids

Babytime
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.
You’re invited to a monthly unstructured hour for parents, caregivers and babies to play, explore books and chat in the young children’s area. Ages birth to 18 months.

Preschool story time
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.
Come to the Charlotte 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.

Wildcard Wednesdays
Wednesdays, 2-3:30 p.m.
Who knows what Wednesday will bring? Science sessions? Crafts and games? Sign up and show up on Wednesdays to join in the fun activities for kids fourth grade and up. For registration information, contact the library at [email protected]. The December schedule is Dec. 4 — wildcard game day, Dec. 11 — pop-up circuit cards and Dec. 18— winter art.

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.

Tech help at senior center
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.
Email enigma? Kindle conundrum? App apprehension? Computer questions? Or maybe you want to learn how to use your library card to read or listen to books on a device.

Sign up for a 20-minute, one-on-one session at the senior center with Susanna, Charlotte Library’s Technology Librarian, for some tech support! She will troubleshoot with you and will provide suggestions for next steps. Make sure to bring your device and any necessary login information. When registering, please provide a specific topic/item that you need help with and include the device you will be bringing to the session (e.g. Windows or Mac laptop, Kindle, iPhone, iPad, Android phone). To register, call the senior center 802-425-6345.

Mystery book group
Monday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.
In “The White Priory Murders,” Marcia Tait is a Hollywood star who has come to England to make a historical film. She is found beaten to death in the Queen’s Mirror Pavilion, the 17th-century trysting place of King Charles II and his mistresses. The problem is particularly puzzling because the pavilion is surrounded by new-fallen snow, with only one set of footprints leading to it and none leading away. The suspects include a man who thought he was marrying her — and her husband, whose marriage was unknown to all. Sir Henry Merrivale joins the investigation, but is too late to stop the second murder. Copies available at the library circulation desk.

Book swap & recommendations
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.
You’re invited! Join the Better Together Book Club, a group that discusses books related to parenthood. Bring a list of favorite reads and, if you’d like, wrap up a book to swap. Light refreshments served.

Men’s book group
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.
The group is reading “Differ We Must” from journalist and historian Steve Inskeep, an exploration of the political acumen of Abraham Lincoln via 16 encounters before and during his presidency, bringing to light not only the strategy of a great politician who inherited a country divided, but lessons for our own disorderly present. This is a hybrid program. Copies available at the circulation desk.

Short story selections
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1 p.m.
Join library director Margaret Woodruff to share and discuss short stories old and new on the third Wednesday of each month. Story selections are sent out by email the Friday before the meeting date. Please contact [email protected] if you’d like to join the group.

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, library director 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.

Please note: The library will close at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25. The library will be open Dec. 26-30 (except Sunday, Dec. 29). We will close again at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.

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 at https://tinyurl.com/n5usd25r.

The Charlotte Library Board of Trustees meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., unless otherwise rescheduled following the Opening Meeting Law. Contact the library or visit the library website for more information.