Chair Yoga
2025-03-28 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Chair yoga allows you to get fit while you sit! Learn chair-adapted poses in this class focused on gentle movements to increase mobility and enhance flexibility. Move your body, stay healthy, and have fun!
This program is generously funded with a Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant.
Space is limited. Please contact Gail to register. Call 802-875-2277 or email director@WhitingLibrary.org.

About the instructor:
Tamasin Kekic owns Equipoise Occupational Therapy. She is also a certified occupational therapist and a certified yoga and tai chi instructor for fall prevention.

Play Group for the Wee Littles (0-5) & Caregivers
2025-04-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Whiting Library is home to a weekly playgroup for the Wee Littles (0-5 years old) and their caregivers on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. This is a free, fun and relaxed gathering where little kids play while their grown ups supervise and socialize.
No need to pre-register, simply drop in to the library Community Room downstairs. Stay as long or as little as you like. Geared towards Caregivers who want to find friendship and build connections in the greater wee little people (0-5 years old) community.
Fun & games, plus art & craft projects in the community room downstairs – available to enjoy anytime the library is open!
Everyone learns best through play! Contact our Youth Librarian, for more information via youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org or call 802-875-2277.

Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs)
2025-04-01 15:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-08 15:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-15 15:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-22 15:00 - 17:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Embark on Epic Adventures with Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs)!
Calling all gamers aged 13 and up! Dive into a world of imagination, strategy, and camaraderie at Whiting Library’s weekly tabletop gaming sessions.
🎲 Games We Love to Play: Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and more!
Whether you’re an experienced player or brand-new to the tabletop scene, there’s a seat for you at the table. Meet fellow enthusiasts, take on thrilling quests, and immerse yourself in epic adventures—all while building new friendships.
When: Tuesdays at 3:00 PM
Where: Whiting Library
Ready to roll the dice and start your next adventure? The table is set—let the games begin!

Story Hour
2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-23 10:00, 2025-04-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Story Hour is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome to join the fun! Each session runs from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with approximately 15-30 minutes of focused storytime, where children will enjoy engaging stories, hand plays, music, and occasional new book previews from the library. The remaining time is free choice, allowing children to explore hands-on learning through play, crafts, and social interaction.
Whether listening to a story, making a craft, or engaging in imaginative play, kids are strengthening the skills they need for future reading success!
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.

Wordsmith and Wonder: A Virtual Author Talk with Jodi Picoult
2025-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Online
Step into Spring with us as we chat with the highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult about her newest novel, By Any Other Name.
Register for this virtual Author Talk here: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/upcoming
In 1581, Emilia Bassano—like most young women of her day—is allowed no voice of her own. But as the Lord Chamberlain’s mistress, she has access to all theaters in England and finds a way to secretly bring her work to the stage. And yet, creating some of the world’s greatest dramatic masterpieces comes at great cost: by paying a man for the use of his name, she will write her own out of history.
In the present, playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. Although the challenges are different four hundred years later, the playing field is still not level for women in theater. Would Melina—like Emilia—be willing to forfeit her credit as author, just for a chance to see her work performed?
Told in intertwining narratives, By Any Other Name is a sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire that asks what price each woman is willing to pay to see their work live on—even if it means they will be forgotten. Register now to join the wondrous conversation!
About the Author: Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-nine novels, including By Any Other Name, Mad Honey (co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan), Wish You Were Here, The Book of Two Ways, A Spark of Light, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband.

Vermont Reads: Gather Book Discussion
2025-04-03 18:00 - 19:30
Join us for a book discussion of this year’s Vermont Reads selection, “Gather.”
“Gather is a dog, but ‘Gather’ is about gathering together resources, people, and love.” — Judge’s citation, National Book Foundation
Since 2003, Vermont Humanities has invited students, adults, and seniors across the state to read the same book and participate in a wide variety of community activities related to its themes.
“Gather” addresses issues around its themes — rural life, resilience, class differences, addiction, housing and food insecurity, a deep relationship to the land, and the power of community. These same issues impact every Vermont town right now, including Bethel. Join us for a discussion of this National Book Award finalist, the questions it raises, and how we are dealing with those issues in our own towns.
Eric Bye will facilitate this discussion. He has been active with Vermont Humanities since the ’90s. His M.A. is in French language and literature, and he has also done graduate studies in Spanish and German. A freelance certified translator, he has translated several nonfiction books into English for several publishers. He is devoted to 18th—and 19th-century American and European novels and history.
Books are available at the Whiting Library checkout desk.

Creative Aging: Telling Your Story Through Collage Art
2025-04-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-11 10:00 - 11:00
This six-week class emphasizes community-building and artistic skill-building in a relaxed and fun setting. Participants will learn diverse collage methods in a community setting, emphasizing story-sharing, exchanging ideas, creating material to share, and relaxing time to develop. The class aims to build a community where creative exploration is possible, and students can explore at their level with support and without judgment.
Collage-making is a low-barrier accessible way to access natural creativity and intuition. Participants can approach making collages initially by exchanging stories, journaling, and spending time creating their own meaningful and personal materials for collage through diverse mediums: painting, drawing, writing, altered books/found poetry, and collecting material in their environment. In creating collage material, you’ll do so with the understanding that you might end up cutting up or using only part of the art you created; this enables a relationship with what you’re making that isn’t precious or attached to an idea of “good” or “perfection.” For many, this allows for more creative exploration, unencumbered by the aim to make something perfect. You’re just going to cut it up!
Artist Evie Lovett will teach this in-person learning opportunity and provide participants with clear instruction, demonstrations, and weekly challenges in a connected, supportive community of learners.
Evie’s work spans cyanotype, digital and analog photography, digital media, storytelling, encaustic painting, teaching, and public art and community art-making, in multiple mediums.
You don’t need any experience at all. All invited. All supplies provided.
To register, please get in touch with Gail. Call 802-875-2277 or email Director@WhitingLibrary.org.
This program is generously funded with a Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant.
Creative Aging programs engage elders in participatory, professionally run arts programs that focus on social engagement and skills building. These programs are for people ages 55+ of all abilities and are open to participants and their caregivers.

Using a PC
2025-04-04 13:00 - 14:00
If you know a bit about using a mouse and keyboard but don’t know how to use a computer, this is the class for you. Learn how to use a PC (Personal Computer) with the Windows 11 Operating System. These free digital literacy training workshops for the community to help close the digital divide as part of a national collaboration supported by the Public Library Association and AT&T. Using resources from Digitallearn.org and available through AT&T ScreenReady, workshops will help community members build skills and confidence using technology.
DigitalLearn.org Workshops and Modules were created by the Public Library Association, with support from AT&T.

Playgroup for Wee Littles (0-5) & Caregivers
2025-04-08 10:00 - 11:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Whiting Library is home to a weekly playgroup for the Wee Littles (0-5 years old) and their caregivers on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. This is a free, fun and relaxed gathering where little kids play while their grown ups supervise and socialize.
No need to pre-register, simply drop in to the library Community Room. Stay as long or as little as you like. Geared towards Caregivers who want to find friendship and build connections in the greater wee little people (0-5 years old) community.
Fun & games, plus art & craft projects in the community room downstairs – available to enjoy anytime the library is open!
Everyone learns best through play! Contact our Youth Librarian, for more information via youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org or call 802-875-2277.

The Stories, Science, and History of Trees with Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming
2025-04-08 14:00 - 17:00
Join us virtually or in person at Whiting Library as Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming guides us through the secret world of trees, as revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world—The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees.
Trees occur naturally throughout the world and have been a part of human history for almost as long as humans have existed. Used for shelter, tools, fuel, and food, they also help supply the atmosphere with oxygen and form astonishingly diverse ecosystems, as well as some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Now the intricate world of leafy woodlands and abundant rainforests is revealed in this extensive visual guide to trees, exploring their key scientific traits and their ecological importance, as well as their enduring significance in human history and culture. From ancient oaks and great redwoods to lush banyans and imposing kapoks, The Tree Book reveals the anatomy, behaviors, and beauty of these incredible plants and habitats in detail.
Combining natural history and a scientific overview with a wider look at the history, uses, symbolism, and mythology of trees, this book is a new kind of guide to these fascinating organisms. Register today to learn more about the beautiful world of trees!
To join the presentation virutally from your home or anywhere, please register here: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/72874.
You can also join our watch party at Whiting Library!
About the Presenter: Matthew Fleming has been a horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Facility in Suitland, Maryland since 2010. In addition to serving as a supervisory horticulturist, he manages three greenhouses with nearly a thousand tropical specimens that are displayed throughout the many Smithsonian gardens and landscapes along the National Mall during the warmer months. He has given talks on a wide variety of plant-related topics at the Smithsonian ranging from indoor pests to overwintering tropical plants. Prior to coming to the Smithsonian, Matt was a purchasing agent and garden center assistant manager for a full-service landscaping firm. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences where he studied Horticulture and Landscape Contracting.

Celebrate National Unicorn Day at Whiting Library!
2025-04-09 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Join Carrie for a magical hour filled with stories and creativity as we celebrate the legendary unicorn! We’ll read enchanting books and create unicorn-inspired art while learning about the history of this mythical creature. The unicorn has been a symbol on the Scottish coat of arms since the 12th century and has appeared in myths and legends throughout history. With such a long and fascinating past, it’s no wonder National Unicorn Day on April 9th was officially introduced in 2015!
Space is limited, please contact the library during opening hours to make a booking by calling 802-875-2277. Thank you to those who register—it helps us plan for everyone!
Perfect for elementary school-aged kids. Contact Carrie Roy King, Youth Librarian with any questions by emailing youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org or calling 802-875-2277.

Adult Book Discussion: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
2025-04-09 16:30 - 17:30
If you want to participate in the book club, please contact the library at director@WhitingLibrary.org or call 802-875-2277 to reserve a copy.

Library Week Button Making Drop-in
2025-04-10 14:00 - 19:00
Drop in and celebrate National Library Week by designing into wearable art!

Internet Basics
2025-04-11 13:00 - 14:00
In this workshop, you will introduce newly connected users to basic terminology, functionality, and navigation of internet browsers, search engines, and websites. These free digital literacy training workshops for the community to help close the digital divide as part of a national collaboration supported by the Public Library Association and AT&T. Using resources from Digitallearn.org and available through AT&T ScreenReady, workshops will help community members build skills and confidence using technology.
DigitalLearn.org Workshops and Modules were created by the Public Library Association, with support from AT&T.

Whiting Library Scanning Room Open House
2025-04-12 11:00 - 13:30
Find out about Whiting Library’s new scanners for digitalizing your old photographs, documents, slides, and more for free!
We will soon offer monthly Community Scanning days when staff will teach you how to digitize your items using our scanners.
If you’d like to donate digital copies to the Whiting Library Community Collection, a staff member will walk you through the donation proces

Acceptable items (no larger than 8.5” x 11.7”) include:

Print photographs
Hand-written and typed documents
Negatives and slides

Family Gardening Fun at the Whiting Library Playtime
2025-04-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Staff from the Springfield Area Parent Child Center will be on hand to introduce children to gardening with fun and engaging activities.
Whiting Library hosts a weekly playtime for young children(0-5 years old) and their parents and caregivers on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
No need to pre-register.. Stay as long or as little as you like. Contact our Youth Librarian for more information via youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org or call 802-875-2277.

Photo: An Australian preschooler plants seeds at Millner Preschool, Northern Territory, Australia, on May 28, 2016. U.S. Marines with Forward Coordination Element, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, volunteered with preschool teachers and parents to clean up the schoolyard for preschoolers. MRF-D is a six-month deployment of Marines into Darwin, Australia, where they will contribute to and engage with local communities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mandaline Hatch/Released)

Page to Screen Movie Series: It Ends With Us
2025-04-16 13:00 - 15:00
Join us to watch and chat about a feature movie based on a book. Reading the book is not a requirement.
IT ENDS WITH US, the first Colleen Hoover novel adapted for the big screen, tells the compelling story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) sparks an intense connection. Still, as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parent’s relationship. When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended. Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her strength to make an impossible choice for her future.
Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., 2024, 130 minutes, Rated PG-13

The Power of Landscape
2025-04-17 18:00 - 19:00
Now that Vermont is reviewing Act 250—legislation that has done so much to create a unique rural landscape in our state—it’s worth asking what we value in landscape in the first place. Why are inhospitable mountains beautiful? What’s actually attractive about a ruined barn?
New York Times Bestselling author M. T. Anderson considers the politics of beautiful scenery and the hidden national longings behind our sense of landscape. He’ll look at the history of our attitudes toward landscape, traditional New England landscape painting, and the work of some contemporary Vermont artists to discuss how different societies have found the sublime in their surroundings—and what that might mean for us in the future. Anderson’s satirical science fiction novel Landscape with Invisible Hand has been made into a movie starring Tiffany Haddish and Asante Blackk.
This presentation is part of the statewide community reads program Vermont Reads which is exploring the book Gather by Kenneth Cadow. “Gather” explores themes of rural life, resilience, class differences, addiction and recovery, housing and food insecurity, a deep relationship to the land, and the power of community.
The book’s central character is Ian, a resourceful teenager from rural Vermont. He isn’t supposed to have a dog, but his adopted pup Gather soon becomes a good friend. Although he hasn’t yet finished high school, Ian works hard to take care of his mother, who is trying to overcome her addiction to opioids. In between classes and other responsibilities, Ian helps his family make ends meet by fixing things for neighbors and working at a sawmill off the books. Sadly, he needed to quit the school’s basketball team to support his family.
Above all, Ian wants his family to remain on the land where they have lived for generations. But after a tragedy, he and Gather leave Vermont. Living on the run, Ian draws on his well-honed survival skills to care for himself and his dog. At the same time, a community of folks come together to try to provide a way home for Ian and Gather.

Email Basics
2025-04-18 13:00 - 14:00
Attendees will learn how to perform basic email functions like sending, receiving, and replying to emails, recognizing and dealing with spam, organizing and deleting emails, and searching for messages. If participants do not already have an email account, they will register for one during this workshop. These free digital literacy training workshops for the community to help close the digital divide as part of a national collaboration supported by the Public Library Association and AT&T. Using resources from Digitallearn.org and available through AT&T ScreenReady, workshops will help community members build skills and confidence using technology.
DigitalLearn.org Workshops and Modules were created by the Public Library Association, with support from AT&T.

Drop In Black Out Poetry
2025-04-19 11:00 - 13:30
Stop by the library and create poetry from book pages. All materials and instructions are provided.

Playgroup for Wee Littles (0-5) & Caregivers
2025-04-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Whiting Library is home to a weekly playgroup for the Wee Littles (0-5 years old) and their caregivers on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. This is a free, fun and relaxed gathering where little kids play while their grown ups supervise and socialize.
No need to pre-register, simply drop in to the library Community Room. Stay as long or as little as you like. Geared towards Caregivers who want to find friendship and build connections in the greater wee little people (0-5 years old) community.
Fun & games, plus art & craft projects in the community room downstairs!
Everyone learns best through play! Contact our Youth Librarian, for more information via youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org or call 802-875-2277.

LEGO Builder Club
2025-04-23 15:00 - 16:00
Join us for an hour of creative, hands-on fun with building bricks aka LEGOs! Each month, young builders can let their imaginations soar in a relaxed and playful environment. While a monthly theme and inspiration cards are available for those who need a little guidance, kids are free to create whatever they dream up. Completed creations are proudly displayed in the library’s Youth Room for the entire month, with a “Builder’s Card” showcasing the name of their creation and their name.
This program isn’t just about building with bricks—it’s about building skills! Play is a powerful tool for developing early literacy and motor skills. Through constructing, designing, and storytelling about their creations, kids practice problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and expressive language—all critical for literacy development.
For younger siblings, a selection of larger building blocks is available, ensuring the whole family can participate and enjoy stress-free fun. A variety of build books are also on hand for inspiration and to check out.
Drop in, stay as long as you’d like, and join the fun!
The four rules of Lego Club are:

Respect the space.–No running around, just sit and work on your piece.
Respect others.–That means everyone has to share and help each other out. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Respect yourself.–Stay positive. We don’t compete with or put down other club members; we build just for fun.
Respect the Legos.–We don’t throw the Legos. We don’t eat the Legos. We don’t shove the Legos up our nose. We don’t shove the Legos up our friend’s nose. And the Legos have to stay in the library at the end of the day.
