Playgroup for Littles (0-3) & Caregivers
2026-09-01 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Playgroup Update at Whiting Library. Reserve your spot here.
Our Tuesday Morning Playgroup has grown into something truly special, and I’m so grateful to see so many families connecting, playing, and learning together. It’s been wonderful to watch this community grow!
With that growth, we’ve reached a point where a few changes will help keep playgroup a calm, safe, and engaging experience for everyone—especially our youngest participants.
When playgroup resumes in April, here’s what to expect:

Attendance will be limited to 6 adults (with their children) per session
Advance sign-up will be required to help families plan ahead. RSVP here!
Drop-ins may be welcomed only if space allows.
Playgroup is designed with children ages 0–3 in mind

We’ll prioritize reservations for families with children ages 3 and under.
If space allows, families with older children are always welcome to join.

These adjustments will help create a more relaxed environment where little ones can explore, play, and build early literacy skills at their own pace.
Thank you for your understanding and for being such an important part of this growing playgroup community. Contact me, your Youth Librarian, for more information via youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org or call 802-875-2277.
Warmly,
Carrie
Youth Services Librarian
Whiting Library

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: The Democracy We Must Keep: Why the Ideas that Built America Still Matter with David O. Stewart
2026-09-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
Award-Winning Historian and Bestselling Author of Impeached and The Summer of 1787

REGISTER HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/195123/register

Join online on September 1st at 2pm for a talk with award-winning historian David O. Stewart about his newest work, The Democracy We Must Keep, and the question he explores throughout the book: What did America’s founders say about democracy, and can we remain true to their vision for America?
Two hundred fifty years ago, passionate men attempted to create something the world had never seen before: a nation built not on kings or armies, but on ideas where the people ruled.
In The Democracy We Must Keep, historian David O. Stewart takes readers inside the nine key documents that shaped the formation of the United States—from Patrick Henry’s thunderous cry for liberty to the carefully crafted design of a government chosen by the people, with limits on all officials holding power under the Constitution.
Through the words of seven visionary founders—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, and others—Stewart shows how a fragile experiment in self-government took shape.
These men were not saints. They argued passionately. They worried that the new nation might fall apart. Yet together, they forged the principles that must still define American democracy:

Power must be limited.
Leaders must answer to the people.
Individual rights must be protected by law.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, The Democracy We Must Keep urges readers to rediscover core ideas that built the nation—and to consider what it will take to protect them.
Register today to gain a deeper understanding of how American democracy started, why it still matters, and the active role each generation must play to uphold it.

About the Author:
David O. Stewart has published eleven award-winning and best-selling books of history and historical novels. In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Washington Independent Review of Books. His most recent fictional series, the Overstreet Saga, is inspired by family stories his mother told. He lives in Maryland with the light of his life, Nancy Floreen; they have three children and six grandchildren.

If you miss this virtual author talk (or any other), recordings are available at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary.

Story Time
2026-09-02 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-09-09 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-09-16 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-09-23 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-09-30 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-10-07 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-10-14 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-10-21 10:00 - 10:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
This weekly program is geared toward children ages 0–5 and their caregivers. You’re encouraged to arrive between 10:00–10:15 AM to give little ones time to get settled. We’ll begin with about 10-15 minutes of songs, poems and stories, followed by free play and art activities designed to support early learning.
Story Time is essential for building literacy skills—it fosters language development, imagination, and social-emotional growth. The program wraps up at 11:00 AM.
Look for us in the Community Room downstairs, or, if the weather is nice, we may be outside in the backyard.
Preregistration is appreciated but not required—drop-ins are always welcome! To sign up, call the library at 802-875-2277 or email Carrie at youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org.

Drop-In Tech Help
2026-09-03 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Have you run into a technology issue you just can’t figure out? Would you like some help? Every Thursday from 2-3 our “techie” librarian Kale sits down with folks to answer questions, teach skills, and talk through your pesky computer and mobile device problems with you.
Call to schedule at (802) 875-2277, email assistantlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org, or just come by the library!

Playgroup for Littles (0-3) & Caregivers
2026-09-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-09-15 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-09-22 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-09-29 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-20 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Playgroup Update at Whiting Library. Reserve your spot here.
Our Tuesday Morning Playgroup has grown into something truly special, and I’m so grateful to see so many families connecting, playing, and learning together. It’s been wonderful to watch this community grow!
With that growth, we’ve reached a point where a few changes will help keep playgroup a calm, safe, and engaging experience for everyone—especially our youngest participants.
When playgroup is in session, here’s what to expect:

Attendance will be limited to 6 adults (with their children) per session
Advance sign-up will be required to help families plan ahead. RSVP here!
Drop-ins may be welcomed only if space allows.
Playgroup is designed with children ages 0–3 in mind

We’ll prioritize reservations for families with children ages 3 and under.
If space allows, families with older children are always welcome to join.

These adjustments will help create a more relaxed environment where little ones can explore, play, and build early literacy skills at their own pace.
Thank you for your understanding and for being such an important part of this growing playgroup community. Contact me, your Youth Librarian, for more information via youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org or call 802-875-2277.
Warmly,
Carrie
Youth Services Librarian
Whiting Library

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: Writing the Nightmare: A Ship Called Sickness and One Unforgettable Space Crew with Daniel Kraus
2026-09-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
2026 Pulitzer Prize Winner and New York Times Bestselling Author of Whalefall and Angel Down

REGISTER HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/194442/register

Prepare to launch into the darkest depths of deep space! Join online on September 8th at 7pm for a talk with master storyteller Daniel Kraus, winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, to celebrate the release of his breathtaking new novel, The Sixth Nik.
Deep into space, far past the triworld outposts, beyond range of the lethal trollbot internet, soars The Sickness: a ship woven from biomatter and capable of reacting to every need of its human crew. Sisilla, a nine-year-old cultist with a brain enhanced by arcane tech known as “niks,” has boarded to investigate the enigma of Fém—a plague-riddled planet that has abruptly gone rogue.
The mysterious crew includes a faceless assassin, a beautiful engineer jigsawed by plastic surgery, a peyote-addicted medic, and—most lethal of all—a rugged, NonModded captain with a score to settle with Sisilla. Other dangers abound. A hacked robot begins to believe Sisilla is its daughter. The Sickness itself is mutating, possibly even pregnant. And the secret of Fém is more horrific than anyone could have imagined. To survive, Sisilla will need to forsake her predetermined fate and embrace the unknown.
Register now to gain exclusive insight from one of the most visionary voices in modern fiction.

About the Author:
Daniel Kraus is a Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times bestselling writer of novels, TV, and film. His novel Angel Down was the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner, a New York Times Top 10 Book of 2025, and a national bestseller. His novel Whalefall received a front-cover review in the New York Times Book Review, won the Alex Award, was an L.A. Times Book Prize Finalist, and was a Best Book of 2023 from NPR, the New York Times, Amazon, Chicago Tribune, and more.
With Guillermo del Toro, he co-authored The Shape of Water, based on the same idea the two created for the Oscar-winning film. Also with del Toro, Kraus co-authored Trollhunters, which was adapted into the Emmy-winning Netflix series. He co-wrote The Living Dead and Pay the Piper with legendary filmmaker George A. Romero. Kraus’s The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch was named one of Entertainment Weekly‘s Top 10 Books of the Year. Kraus has won the Bram Stoker Award, Scribe Award, two Odyssey Awards (for both Rotters and Scowler), and has appeared multiple times as Library Guild selections, and more.
Kraus’s work has been translated into over 25 languages. He lives with his partner in Chicago. Visit him at danielkraus.com.

If you miss this virtual author talk (or any other), recordings are available at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary.

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: The Art of Fighting: Building Better, Stronger Relationships with Priya Parker
2026-09-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
Bestselling Author, Master Facilitator, and Acclaimed Strategic Advisor

REGISTER HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/195804/register

Join online on September 15th at 4pm for a paradigm-shifting, essential event as we sit down with world-renowned master facilitator Priya Parker to discuss her groundbreaking new book, The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict.
In The Art of Fighting, Priya Parker explains that we can’t form and grow effective relationships without a fight. She rejects the idea that conflict is abnormal or that good groups don’t fight. All groups change and evolve; indeed, it’s because people disagree that good groups flourish.
As she did in the now-classic The Art of Gathering, Parker draws on her far-reaching experience as a conflict facilitator, her own detailed research, and real-world examples to lay out the ways that people can identify disputes, determine how to address them, and what to do if they are insurmountable. Whether people disagree in the boardroom or the locker room, on a playground or in church, online or in person, conflict is a part of life, and understanding healthy conflict and how to harness its power is more important than ever. The Art of Fighting is a vital primer to help all of us understand how to do that.
Register today to learn how to turn everyday arguments into profound moments of connection and trust!

About the Author:
Priya Parker is an internationally recognized expert on creating purposeful gatherings and reimagining how we come together in our communities and our workplaces. She is a conflict facilitator, strategic advisor, speaker, and author of the acclaimed book The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters and the host of The Art of Gathering Digital Course. Whether addressing CEOs, non-profit leaders, students or community organizers, Parker captivates audiences with her unique blend of storytelling, research-backed insights, and practical strategies.

If you miss this virtual author talk (or any other), recordings are available at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary.

Whiting Library Board of Trustees September Meeting
2026-09-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Monthly meeting of the library’s Board of Trustees. All meetings are recorded and available publicly in accordance with Vermont’s Open Meeting Law.

See this page for more information. To join the meeting via Zoom, use the following information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88950242700?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 889 5024 2700
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Fun & Games Club: Kids Make Things
2026-09-16 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Join us at Whiting Library for an afternoon of playful learning and hands-on creativity! As part of our bi-monthly Fun & Games Club for school-aged kids, participants will explore a variety of Future Makers STEM kits designed to spark curiosity through science, engineering, and math.
Kids can choose from different table top building and problem-solving activities to create something fun while experimenting, designing, and discovering how things work. Whether you love building, inventing, or simply trying something new, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore and create in a relaxed, supportive environment.
Come imagine, build, and play with us at the library! Contact Carrie King, youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org for more information. Reserve your spot by registering here.

Find Your Art: Teen Drawing & Journaling Guild
2026-09-22 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Calling all teen artists, illustrators, doodlers, manga fans, comic creators, and creative thinkers! Continue your artistic journey with a relaxed, supportive space designed for self-expression and creative exploration.
Inspired by the summer drawing workshops with Caro, this ongoing program invites teens to explore drawing through creative prompts, visual journaling, comic and character design, still art, manga-inspired illustration, and self-directed artistic practice. Whether you love sketching detailed worlds, creating characters, or simply drawing to relax and reflect, this is a space to focus on your art and develop your creative voice.
Drawing journals, pencil and eraser will be provided. No experience necessary. Just bring your curiosity and imagination.
For questions or registration, contact:
Carrie King, Youth Librarian
📧 youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: Where the Paletero Man Goes: A Journey of Neighborhood, Music, and Art with Lucky Diaz
2026-09-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
GRAMMY Award-Winning Artist and Celebrated Children’s Author

REGISTER HERE FOR ENGLISH EVENT: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/197847/register
REGISTER HERE FOR SPANISH EVENT: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/198528/register

On September 24th grab a pocketful of change and get ready to dance down the street! Join online for an energetic conversation as we celebrate the joy of community and summer fun with Latin GRAMMY-winning musician Lucky Diaz, author of the sensational bilingual picture book, Paletero Man.
What’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero José!
Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now.
Inspired by the vibrant rhythms of Los Angeles and Diaz’s own hit song, this beautiful story invites readers into a sun-drenched neighborhood where the ring of a bell means the best treat of the day is just around the corner.
Register today and discover how we can all bring a little more sweetness and community spirit into our daily lives!

Please note that we will be hosting Lucky Diaz twice on this date. The English language event is at 7pm and the Spanish language event is at 8pm. Each event is 30 minutes. Be sure that you are registering for your preferred format.

About the Author:
Lucky Diaz is a GRAMMY Award-winning, multi–Latin GRAMMY Award-winning artist,
acclaimed author, and a leading voice in contemporary children’s literature. A six-time
Emmy-nominated songwriter and Berklee College of Music alumnus, Diaz made history
as the first North American children’s artist to win a Latin GRAMMY. His work bridges
music and storytelling, creating a distinct body of bilingual work rooted in the cultural life
of Mexican American communities in Los Angeles.
As an author, Diaz has earned some of the highest honors in publishing. His books
have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers
Weekly, and Booklist, placing him among a rare group of creators recognized across
every major literary journal. His breakout title Paletero Man received a Kirkus star and
audiobook distinction and was awarded the 2024 Alma Flor Ada Award for its lasting
contribution to Latino-centered storytelling. He is also a recipient of the Parent’s Choice
Gold Award and a NAPPA Award, further recognizing his impact on family audiences.
His latest book, Fix-It Familia, continues to build national recognition, with a Spanish
edition arriving this summer, expanding access to bilingual readers and classrooms
across the country.
Diaz’s work has been featured and praised by NPR, Billboard, The New York Times,
and People Magazine, positioning him as a trusted creative voice at the intersection of
culture, music, and literature.
Through his books, recordings, and performances with Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam
Band, Diaz continues to expand the possibilities of American storytelling. He is not only
contributing to the field, he is helping define it.

If you miss this virtual author talk (or any other), recordings are available at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary.

Fun & Games Club: Cardboard Costume Lab
2026-09-30 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-14 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Get ready to build a Halloween costume that’s truly out of this world!
Join us at Whiting Library for a creative “Makedo” 3D cardboard art workshop where kids can design and build their own costumes, props, and wearable creations using cardboard construction tools and simple materials.
The library will provide cardboard, masking tape, Makedo tools, and plenty of creative support to help bring imaginative ideas to life. Participants can try simple costume ideas provided by library staff or dream up their own original cardboard creations, from robots and octopuses to spaceships and magical creatures!
This hands-on program encourages creativity, problem-solving, sustainability, and imaginative play using everyday materials.
Come build, invent, and create something unforgettable for Halloween! Contact Carrie King, youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org for more information. Reserve your spot by registering here.

Whiting Library Board of Trustees October Meeting
2026-10-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
