Valentine’s Day, also Douglass Day celebrates Black history

Friday, Feb. 14, was not only Valentine’s Day, but also Douglass Day. Although Douglass never knew his birth date, he chose to celebrate every year on this day. It is celebrated with a collective action that serves and celebrates Black history.

The library helped transcribe Black and African American-related archives from the Library of Congress.

The Charlotte Library thanks everyone who contributed to the MLK Day Care Kits. Your donations of “care kit” personal health items will help create kits for the Joint Urban Ministry Project to distribute in Burlington.

Programs for kids

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.

After-school book club
Tuesdays, 3 p.m.
Do you enjoy reading and talking about books? Ride the bus to the Charlotte Library and enjoy an afternoon of book sharing and crafts every Tuesday after school. Grades 1-3, registration required. Contact Cheryl.

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.

Houseplant Healthcare 101
Thursday, Feb. 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Master gardener Judy Mirro (aka: the Houseplant Hero) will provide an introduction on everything houseplants. Whether you’re better at making compost of your houseplants or whether you like a challenge, you’ll develop your green thumb and enjoy some great tips for growing green, indoors and year-round.

Tea and movie
Friday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
Join us for the showing of a movie based on a Jane Austen novel of the same name. Enjoy tea, homemade cookies and the good company of Jane Austen’s characters and fans.

Sunday afternoon music jam
Sunday, Feb. 23, 1-3 p.m.
A “jam” is sharing a tune or song of your choice going around in a circle of people. Participants may join in but no pressure to perform. Sit in or sit out. Share or pass. Any age or ability. Guitar, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, keyboard, harmonica, hand drums … anything goes. Questions: Sallie Mack 802-425-6212 or email.

Mystery book group
Monday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m.
Once again, the game’s afoot in “The House of Silk.” It’s London, 1890. 221B Baker St. A fine art dealer named Edmund Carstairs visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson to beg for their help. He is being menaced by a strange man in a flat cap, a wanted criminal who seems to have followed him all the way from America. In the days that follow, his home is robbed, his family is threatened. And then the first murder takes place. Holmes and Watson find themselves being drawn ever deeper into an international conspiracy connected to the teeming criminal underworld. Copies available at the circulation desk.

Short story selections
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1 p.m.
Join library director Margaret Woodruff to share and discuss short stories old and new. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Story selections are sent out by email the Friday before the meeting date. Contact Margaret if you’d like to join the group or would like the Zoom link to attend remotely.

‘How to Be Animal’
Wednesdays, Feb. 26-March 26, 7 p.m.
There will be a discussion of “How to be Animal” by Melanie Challenger on Wednesday through March 26. Blending nature writing, history and moral philosophy, the book is both a reappraisal of what it means to be human and a robust defense of all that is rewarding about being an animal. Register. Copies available at the circulation desk. The discussion will also take place on Zoom.

Men’s book group
Wednesday, March 19, 7:30 p.m.
The group book will be discuss “Agony Hill” by Sarah Stewart Taylor. The men’s book discussion group meets monthly. Join us at the library or on Zoom. Copies available at the circulation desk.

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.

Library contact information:
Margaret Woodruff, director
Cheryl Sloan, youth services librarian
Susanna Kahn, tech librarian
Phone: 802-425-3864
Email

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The Charlotte Library Board of Trustees meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., except the month of August or otherwise rescheduled following the Opening Meeting Law. The next scheduled board meeting is Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m. Contact the library or visit the library website for more information.