Two Vermont women with different stories to tell are featured at our next author events. 

• Jen Ellis, a mother, teacher, and crafter of Bernie’s infamous inauguration mittens, has written a memoir that weaves the stories of her life and challenges with humor and thoughtful insight. 
• Ann Aikens, who writes an advice column—appearing for decades in the Vermont Standard, now in the Herald in Randolph—has published a collection of essays featuring her signature blend of humor and candor. 

The creative librarians are having an eerily good time planning our SBOOKY Library Halloween Party! What goes on in the stacks after hours? What cookbooks do witches use to brew potions? Did spiders build those huge cobwebs? Was that ghost floating by looking for a book? Join us for this free, family-friendly, not-too-scary haunted library tour and party!

Got a pumpkin to carve? We have added pumpkin carving to the activities at the SBOOKY Library Party instead of scheduling a separate event. Bring a pumpkin with you on October 29; we’ll set up the tables and supply the tools.

Family Movie Night planned for the Side Garden in September was moved to the Mezzanine because it was rainy. The kids loved being in the library after hours so we hope to host movies on a regular basis. Do you have a suggestion for the next film to show? Visit the Children’s Room and drop your ideas in the popcorn box!

A note from the circulation desk: Please check your email spam filters for notifications from NWPL about requested books on hold or loans coming due. Because they are automated, they often get caught in the net. To avoid missing messages add circulation@normanwilliams.org to your address book or “white list” it. The longer a book sits on our hold shelf, the shorter time you have to read it...

We look forward to seeing you soon!

From silly to serious, quiet to rambunctious, we host events and programs for everyone -- kids, tweens, young adults, and grown-ups!

All are free and open to the public. You do not need to have a library card to participate.

We have begun requesting RSVPs for author events and some programs. This is not required but gives us a sense of how many chairs are needed. The sign-up forms will be at the bottom of an event's webpage if we are asking for an RSVP.

Find details by clicking on the image or the title of the event.

Jen Ellis - Bernie's Mitten Maker: The Story Behind Bernie Sanders' Infamous Inaugural Mittens

Tue, Oct 17, 6:00 pm

Vermont teacher, mother, and crafter, Jen Ellis shares an honest account of the joy and stress of sudden internet fame.

Ann Aikens - A Young Woman's Guide to Life: A Cautionary Tale

Thur, Oct 26, 4:00 pm

Local columnist Ann Aikens has collected the best of her uplifting advice to help young people avoid her mistakes—or at least make more interesting ones. 

SBOOKY Library:

Family Friendly Fun!

Sun, Oct 29, 3:00-5:00 pm

Navigate through cobwebs and creepy noises through the Spooky Stacks. Go down, down... to the Halloween Party! Not-too-scary tricks, treats, and fun for the younger set.

Discover reading possibilities and chat about the books you are enjoying with the What's on Your Nightstand group. The next meeting is Tuesday, November 14 at 10:30 am.

Read Between the Lines will discuss The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer on Tuesday, October 24 at 6 pm.

The Green Books Discussion Group has selected Changing Landscapes: Exploring the Growth of Ethical, Compassionate, and Environmentally Sustainable Green Funeral Practices compiled and edited by Lee Webster for the next meeting, Thursday, October 19, 3:30 pm.

We are pleased to offer programs in the library, online, and in a hybrid format: in person and via zoom. Please check each program for details.

Email programs@normanwilliams.org for information and link to join.

Poetry Group

Twice monthly on the 1st & 3rd Mondays

4:00 PM - in person

Are you looking for feedback on your poems? You are invited to join the Poetry Group at NWPL for study and critique. (MORE INFO)

Italian Film Series

Monthly on the 3rd Tuesday; Next meeting October 17

4:00 pm

Local language instructor Veronica DeLay is screening a series of Italian films for her students at NWPL and invites everyone to join! (MORE INFO)

Recite! Open-mic Poetry

Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday; Next meeting November 14

5:30 PM - in person & via zoom



Poetry lovers: bring a poem of your own or one from a favorite poet to read and share. Or simply join and listen. (MORE INFO)

Zentangle Workshops

Monthly on Wednesdays - dates on website; Next meeting October 18

4:00 PM - in person



Drawing Zentangles is easy to learn and relaxing. Led by Jenny Dembinski, these workshops are for beginners and experienced "tanglers." (MORE INFO)

Qigong

Weekly on Fridays

8:30 AM - online via Zoom

Gerry Sandweiss shares her knowledge of Qigong–the art of conscious movement–offering a pathway to enhance your quality of life. (MORE INFO)

“Pasture & Shore

The Calm Side of the Wild West of Ireland”

An exhibition of paintings by Gaal Shepherd

September 1 - October 30

Gaal Shepherd has lived and worked in Vermont for 30 years. She has taken part in more than 100 shows, primarily in New England. Although best known for her pastel landscapes, she has worked in many other media. In addition, she has been a graphic designer, an art director for an award-winning magazine, an art gallery proprietor, and an actor. (MORE INFO)