Celebrate Earth Day hearing stories of making a difference

Earth Day, since its founding in 1970, has inspired generations of people dedicated to improving and protecting the environment.

Celebrate Earth Day at the Charlotte Library. Join others at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 22, to hear and share stories of earth activism and taking action to make a difference. Get inspired by hearing how Charlotte’s conservation organizations got started.

Through the month of April, participants are being encouraged to swap seeds, plant trees, repair things, count frogs and promote pollinators among other things. Participants can use the Earth Month bingo card available to keep track of events.

‘Beaverland’ author talk
Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m.
Celebrate the release of “Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America” in paperback at the Pierson Library in Shelburne. In the rich naturalist tradition of “H Is for Hawk” and “The Soul of an Octopus,” “Beaverland” tells the tumultuous, eye-opening story of how beavers and the beaver fur trade shaped America’s history, culture and environment.

Children’s programs

Preschool play time
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 and creativity. We’ll be exploring the sensory table, sorting, playing with blocks, play dough. 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.
Babytime is an unstructured hour at the library for parents, caregivers and babies so they can play and chat during the dark winter months. Explore books and toys and general conversation every Thursday morning 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. There will be 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.

Men’s book discussion
Wednesday, April 24, 7:30 p.m.
Join the men’s book discussion of “Demon Copperhead.” The book is set in the mountains of southern Appalachia. It’s the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit and a fierce talent for survival. Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote “David Copperfield” from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours. 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, 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, May 1 & 15, 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 contact information:
Margaret Woodruff, director
Cheryl Sloan, youth services librarian
Susanna Kahn, tech librarian
Phone: 802-425-3864
Email

Please contact the library or visit the library website for more information.