Lots of gift, gardening and cooking ideas at the library

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

Check out our best picks for the readers on your gift list. Library displays have gift ideas in time for your holiday shopping.

In January, join master gardener Karen Tuininga for a five-week course based on “The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Permaculture.” Register. Copies are available at the library circulation desk.

For the cooking book club during January, featuring Yotam Ottolenghi, select a recipe from his newest cookbook, “Comfort.” Make and bring your dish to share.

The library will also offer sessions on keeping your favorite houseplants hale and hearty during the winter.

Programs for kids
If you’re looking for some fun vacation activity, come to the library for some fairy golf. Library patrons can get everything they need over the winter holiday to create a mini-miniature golf course, complete with obstacles. Once the work of art is completed, it will be added to the fairy golf course around the library.

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 fifth grade and up. For registration information, contact the library. The rest of the December schedule is winter art on Dec. 18.

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.

Book swap & recommendations
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.
You’re invited to the Better Together Book Swap. Join this open 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.
“Differ We Must,” from journalist and historian Steve Inskeep, is a compelling and nuanced 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. Join in person or on Zoom. Copies available at the circulation desk.

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.

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 Margaret 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.

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. The next scheduled board meeting is Thursday, Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. Contact the library or visit the library website for more information.