March is Women’s History Month, a celebration of women's contributions to history, culture and society. The theme for 2022 is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” to recognize the many ways in which women have provided healing and hope to humanity for countless generations.
Healing and hope seems to be what we all could use a dose of as we continue to struggle with the current international conflicts and the continuing challenges of Covid. The library remains open for patrons to visit, browse the stacks, use the computers, and enjoy Children’s Storytimes though we are not yet hosting adult gatherings – but soon, soon….
We are excited to add three new book discussion groups with more in the works! Be sure to sign up now so you have time to read the selected books!
“Potpourri,” Kathy Fiske’s exhibition in the Mezzanine Gallery will open on March 1st and the reception will be held - tentatively in person - on Friday, April 29th, just before the show closes.
March is the time for town meetings, school budgets, and other forward planning. Remember, spring is around the corner with warm weather, blossoms, birds, and hopefully healing!
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A note from Director Clare McFarland |
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The Norman Williams Public Library is an independent, nonprofit library and a cornerstone of the Woodstock community.
Each year we ask Woodstock taxpayers to approve a special article to authorize funding beyond what is allocated in the town budget. This year we are requesting $51,250, the same amount that was approved the previous two years.
In addition to the generosity of Woodstock taxpayers, we raise funds each year to cover the majority of our budget so that we may continue to offer a diverse collection and exciting programs as well as maintain our beautiful, historic building in the heart of the community.
On Tuesday March 1st, please vote in favor of our special article. Our Annual Report is available and we are happy to answer questions you have about the library. We greatly appreciate your support!
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Everyday Stories of Flood, Fire, Drought, and Displacement from Around the World
Thursday, March 10, 5:00 PM (EST)
via Zoom Webinar
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Join us for a conversation with journalist Devi Lockwood about the travels that resulted in her book, 1,001 Voices on Climate Change. She will be interviewed by Cheryl Elinsky, a Physician’s Assistant at DHMC.
Over five years, covering twenty countries across six continents – often by bicycle – Devi Lockwood collected personal stories about how climate change is changing communities. She discovered that sharing the stories of ordinary people does more to advance understanding and empathy than alarming statistics and studies. This book is a hopeful global listening tour for climate change, channeling the urgency of those who have already glimpsed the future to help us avoid the worst.
Splitting her time between New York and Vermont, Devi Lockwood has written about science, climate change, and technology for The New York Time and The Washington Post, among others. She graduated from Harvard and completed an MS in science writing at MIT. Cheryl Elinsky lives in Hartland and has worked at DHMC for 16 years.
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Presented by Ann McEntee
Wednesday, April 27, 4:00 PM (EST) via Zoom Webinar
Co-sponsored by NWPL and the Woodstock Garden Club.
Free & open to everyone!
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Open during regular library hours: March 1 - April 30
Closing Reception Friday, April 29, 4:00 PM (tentative)
Free & open to everyone!
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New Book Discussion Groups! |
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We are excited to add three book discussion groups with more in the works! The first meeting is just a few weeks away -- be sure to sign up soon so you have time to read the selected books. To begin with, we'll meet via zoom unless the library is open for gatherings by the start date. Please email programs@normanwilliams.org to register. We’ll keep you updated on meeting location or send the link to join online.
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Ben Kogan will bring his knowledge to the “Green Books" discussion group exploring non-fiction writing about the environment and sustainability. The group will meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 3:30 pm beginning March 17th. The first book may be Can I Recycle This? by Jennie Romer (to be confirmed at registration).
Ben is new to Woodstock having moved from Park Slope, Brooklyn, in 2021 with his wife and 3-year-old son. He's a local musician and runs a company called Reusable Solutions whose mission is to get the world to break free from fossil fuels and eradicate single use plastic. He reads a lot of sustainability books and is excited to discuss them with others!
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Donna Steed is excited to launch the “Read Between the Lines" discussion group with a focus on fiction beginning with Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. The group will meet monthly on the 4th Tuesday at 6 pm beginning on March 22nd.
Donna is a retired Special Educator teacher/administrator who loves all books and has been involved with many different book clubs from Texas to London! She is a long time volunteer at NWPL, a board member of The Woodstock History Center, The Woodstock Garden Club, and member of The Friends of the Library.
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NWPL librarians Kathy Beaird and Lori Mitchell have teamed up to host “Literary Pairs,” a discussion of books that complement each other. Because there are two books to read for each meeting, this group will meet quarterly on the 1st Wednesday at 1 pm beginning on May 4th. When we can gather in person, dessert will be provided!
The theme for the first discussion is "Offbeat Narrators To Boggle Your Mind" and the first titles are 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak and Nutshell by Ian McEwan.
Kathy has been in the book business (paid or unpaid) all her adult life and loved every minute of it. Lori has been matching readers and books for many years and has been happily ensconced at NWPL for the last six.
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Weekly Thursdays at 2:00 PM - via Zoom
All knitters – beginner to expert – are welcome. We'll knit together, learn together, and provide each other assistance when needed. Plan to bring your current project, knitting questions or problems, or a pattern to share. (MORE INFO)
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Weekly Fridays at 8:30 AM - via Zoom
Gerry Sandweiss shares her knowledge of Qigong with us weekly on Friday mornings. No matter your physical state of being, Qigong offers a pathway to enhance your quality of life. To read more about Qigong, click here. (MORE INFO)
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Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 10:30 AM
Next meeting is March 8th - via Zoom
This is NOT the usual book club. We chat about books you are reading, the books you've loved, and the books you've always wanted to read. (MORE INFO)
Please email Kathy Beaird at NWPL for link to join the next meeting.
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An online gathering of poets & those who love poetry
Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 5:30 PM
Next meeting March 8th - via Zoom
Everyone is welcome to participate - bring a poem of your own or one from a favorite poet to read and share. Or just come and listen. (MORE INFO)
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Monthly on various Wednesdays at 2:00 PM
Next meeting is March 30th - via Zoom
Take your Doodles to the next level while getting in touch with your Zen. Zentangle is great for everyone, children (12+) and adults, even if you don’t draw! (MORE INFO)
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STORYTIME!
Tuesdays at 10:30 AM - Weekly in Person
Thursdays at 10:30 AM - Weekly in Person
Please email or call a day in advance to let us know you plan to attend. It's a big help! (MORE INFO)
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Weekly Breakout Box Challenge
What’s the Break Out Box?... A great activity for parents and kids, or friends to do together. Each lock on the box is opened by working out the solutions to different puzzles: a combination of colors, directions found on a map, a set of shapes or numbers in a particular order or maybe words hidden with invisible ink! (MORE INFO)
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From Our Friends!
We are grateful to the Friends of Norman Williams Public Library for the donation of this bright and sturdy book cart. It has already helped us move many wonderful volumes from the sorting area downstairs to the book sale shelves in the foyer!
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With Kanopy Streaming Services you can watch up to five full-length movies each month - free to NWPL library card holders. Choose from films selected for Black History Month, Indie Cinema, Classics, Comedy, Romance, SciFi, Fantasy, and much more.
Click here or on the image to sign up online. Or give us a call for assistance.
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Curbside Pickup Available
You have options! Come into the library to browse OR we'll prepare your selections for contact-free pickup in the foyer. Let us know how we can help get your favorite books to you.
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Masks at the Library
Visitors to the library are required to wear a mask at all times.
Wearing a mask helps us keep the library open for all!
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NWPL Totes
Our totes are perfect to help haul the books you check out or your book sale selections. Made of sturdy canvas with the bold library logo, and - at just $15 - makes a great gift!
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COVID-19 Resources
During this pandemic, we are all facing different kinds of stress. COVID Support VT offers workshops about health issues, job loss, anxiety and a wide variety of other topics.
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