Whiting Library Board of Trustees June Meeting
2026-06-16 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | 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]

Story Time
2026-06-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-01 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-07-08 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-07-15 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-07-22 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-07-29 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.

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: Nurturing Future Generations: Stories from the Heart of Grandfatherhood with Ted Page
2026-06-18 14:00 - 15:00
REGISTER FOR LIVE EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/162547/register
WATCH RECORDING AFTER EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/archive

Join us on June 18th at 2 PM in virtual conversation with storyteller and popular blogger Ted Page as we chat about his book Good Grandpa: Stories from the Heart of Grandfatherhood. This heartfelt book highlights his journey to bring together the stories and wisdom of grandfathers from all walks of life—all with a mission to nurture the next great generation.
When author Ted Page found out he was going to be a grandpa, he did a web search to learn more about the experience in store for him, but all he could find were references to the movie Bad Grandpa. He couldn’t help but wonder, “Where are the good ones?” Page started a blog, GoodGrandpa.com, and set out to talk with grandfathers across a diverse spectrum. This included an NFL pro athlete, a priest, a rabbi, an imam, newsman Tom Brokaw, comedy legend John Cleese, Chinese and Indians, physicians adapting to disability, an air force general, a Vietnam combat vet, and many more—plus his Aunt Lois and the Dalai Lama, because why not?
Along the way, Page delved into family histories—his own and those of the grandpas he interviewed—to reveal fascinating stories and lessons for living a good life. In every conversation he asked grandpas for their number one most important piece of wisdom—one thing that could help our grandchildren grow to become the greatest generation of all time. Would the collective wisdom Page gathered turn out to be one singular idea, or a constellation of north stars that illuminate a path toward a better future? A unified and unforgettable picture does in fact emerge.
Good Grandpa is inspiring, uplifting, evocative, and filled with genuine emotion. It is a recipe of hope for a divided America, and the book that will be on every grandparent’s reading list.
Register today and find out why Ted Page says “our greatest generation is to come.”
About the Author:
Ted Page is a storyteller and performer. He is the author of Good Grandpa: Stories from the Heart of Grandfatherhood (Regalo Press) featured on NBC’s The TODAY Show, NPR and in Forbes Magazine. His nonfiction stories have appeared in Boston Magazine and the Boston Globe Magazine, and his comedy screen credits include work with John Cleese and Florence Henderson. His blog for grandfathers—GoodGrandpa.com—has been featured in The New York Times. Ted’s book of true family stories, The Willoughby Chronicles, was published in 2017. He lives in New England and has a bunch of grandchildren.

Drop-In Tech Help
2026-06-18 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-25 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!

Juneteenth | Whiting Library Closed
2026-06-19
The Whiting Library will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”), commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. While considered the longest-running African-American holiday, it only officially became a federal holiday in 2021.
Juneteenth National Independence Day is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and in Texas, Emancipation Day.

Playgroup for Littles (0-3) & Caregivers
2026-06-23 10:00 - 11:30 | 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 7 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: Simple, Sustainable, and Powerfully Delicious Meals with Sana Javeri Kadri and Asha Loupy
2026-06-23 14:00 - 15:00
REGISTER FOR LIVE EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/164401/register
WATCH RECORDING AFTER EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/archive

Join us on June 23rd at 2 PM as we chat online with Sana Javeri Kadri and Asha Loupy about The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook, which celebrates beautiful, simple, and seasonal cooking with 85 recipes adapted from India and Sri Lanka’s best family spice farms.
Diaspora Spice Co. sources the most flavorful, fresh spices in the world from 150 regenerative farms across South Asia—from elders, indigenous communities, young changemakers, and brilliant multi-generational farming families across India and Sri Lanka who are leading the way in sustainable and climate change–resistant agriculture. Filled with culinary storytelling, The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook highlights these farmers and their spices with profiles and evocative photography, plus 85 recipes for simple, seasonal, and powerfully delicious meals.
CEO and founder Sana Javeri Kadri and recipe writer Asha Loupy realized that eating with the people who grow our spices unveils a whole new dimension in our cooking. Adapted for a global pantry, these recipes share the warmth of true South Asian home cooking at its truest and tastiest.
Sana and Asha also note which recipes are the most beginner friendly, freezer friendly, good for a dinner party menu (like a Diwali feast!), and which lend themselves to be pantry building blocks, all for a super easy-to-navigate cookbook.
Register now to learn more about Diaspora Spice Co., the progressive spice company rooted in flavor and equity.

Join us LIVE for a chance to win a copy of The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook! The giveaway link will be in the Resources area under the broadcast screen during the live event. Please ensure you are watching on your library’s webpage for the chance to participate.
About the Authors:
Sana Javeri Kadri is the founder and CEO of Diaspora Co., a farm-to-table spice company that puts equity, transparency, and high-quality products at its forefront. Sana founded the company in 2017 with just a turmeric blend; now her company sources 30 single origin spices from across 150 farms across India and Sri Lanka. A third-generation native of Mumbai, she now lives in Oakland, California.
Asha Loupy is a recipe developer and writer with more than a decade of experience in the specialty food industry, from cheese monger to grocery buyer and e-commerce manager. She’s written for Bon Appétit, Food52, Epicurious, and more. She’s based in Oakland, California.

Learning Right Meow: Wild Cats with The Nature Museum
2026-06-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Learning Right Meow: Wild Cats
Vermont and New Hampshire are home to two distinct species of wild cats: bobcats and lynx! Have you been lucky enough to spot either of these elusive predators? From feeding to frolicking, these fantastic felines play a crucial role in our ecosystem. Join us for some paws-on exploration into these cool cats, and discover what helps them thrive!
The Nature Museum aims to engage and educate in order to spark a lifelong connection and responsibility to the natural world. Our vision is that we help all people be inspired to explore the wonder, science, and beauty of the natural world and to protect the regional and global ecology.
Thanks to the generous support from Great River Hydro, The Nature Museum is excited to once again bring free environmental education programming to Whiting Library and at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center during the summer of 2026.
These programs aim to be engaging and highlight topics related to the unique ecology and landscape of Northern New England. These programs are geared towards youth ages Pre-K through elementary grades, but all are welcome! Programs will be approximately 45 minutes long with dedicated time for a story reading and any nature related questions you may have for our expert educators. Library programs will be both outdoors whenever possible and indoors as needed depending on weather and location. Join us to unplug, discover, and learn!

📅 Wednesdays, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5
🕒 1–1:45 PM
📍 Whiting Library
Contact Carrie King, Youth Librarian (youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org) for more info!

Summer Reading Challenge Kick Off
2026-06-27 10:00 - 13:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Summer Reading Challenge Kick Off: Unearth A Story! June 27
Something BIG is stomping its way to Whiting Library. This year, we’re going back in time to Unearth a Story. If you’re a tiny Triceratops or a sophisticated Stegosaurus, our Summer Reading Challenge has something for you! Grab your excavation tools (okay, just your library card) and get ready to dig into some legendary adventures.
Kickoff Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026, drop in all day, 10am-1:30pm.
Who: All ages
Kick off your summer of reading at Whiting Library! Kids are invited to drop in and sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge running from June 27 to August 1. Participants can choose the reading challenge that best fits their interests and goals, there’s something for everyone! Everyone who registers for the Summer Reading Challenge will receive a special prize from Whiting Library this summer.
Plus, make it your own by decorating a personalized fabric book bag, pick up your reading challenge materials, and browse for books to get started right away. Kids may adopt a dinosaur to read to everyday!
Stop by, get inspired, and start your summer reading adventure with us! Make reading a part of your daily summer adventure! The Summer Reading Challenge is all about spending time reading each day this summer and turning reading into a habit kids will love.
📚 How It Works
Tell your Youth Services Librarian who would like to participate or register them yourself by clicking on this link and filling out the form.
During the Summer Reading Challenge, read every day from June 27th to August 1st. Logging and reporting books read or time spent reading is optional.
Attend fun events throughout the summer at the library.

Playgroup for Littles (0-3) & Caregivers
2026-06-30 10:00 - 11:30 | 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

Find Your Art: Drawing & Journaling for Youth
2026-06-30 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Join student artist Caro for a relaxed, creative drawing session designed to help kids explore art in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
Through simple prompts and journaling-style exercises, participants will be encouraged to experiment, build confidence, and discover their own unique artistic style. No experience needed. Just bring your imagination!
Supplies and snacks will be provided. Contact Carrie King, youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org for more information.

No Teeth, No Problem! with The Nature Museum
2026-07-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
No Teeth, No Problem!
From sharp beaks to flat bills, birds use their jaws to eat, communicate, build, and so much more! Join us in exploring how some of our native avian species have adapted to best utilize their beaks, and swoop in to try some methods yourself!
The Nature Museum aims to engage and educate in order to spark a lifelong connection and responsibility to the natural world. Our vision is that we help all people be inspired to explore the wonder, science, and beauty of the natural world and to protect the regional and global ecology.
Thanks to the generous support from Great River Hydro, The Nature Museum is excited to once again bring free environmental education programming to Whiting Library and at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center during the summer of 2026.
These programs aim to be engaging and highlight topics related to the unique ecology and landscape of Northern New England. These programs are geared towards youth ages Pre-K through elementary grades, but all are welcome! Programs will be approximately 45 minutes long with dedicated time for a story reading and any nature related questions you may have for our expert educators. Library programs will be both outdoors whenever possible and indoors as needed depending on weather and location. Join us to unplug, discover, and learn!

📅 Wednesdays, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5
🕒 1–1:45 PM
📍 Whiting Library
Contact Carrie King, Youth Librarian (youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org) for more info!

Who is Swimming in the Water? with The Nature Museum
2026-07-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Who is Swimming in the Water?
What’s going on beneath the ripples? Can swimmers move from one home to another? What’s a macroinvertebrate? There’s more in our rivers, streams, and ponds than just fish! Join us to learn about the Connecticut River and its tributaries that are home to fish, amphibians, insects, otters, and many non-swimming critters too! Explore pictures, hands-on biofacts, listen to a story, and get hands-on to learn more about many native water-loving creatures!
The Nature Museum aims to engage and educate in order to spark a lifelong connection and responsibility to the natural world. Our vision is that we help all people be inspired to explore the wonder, science, and beauty of the natural world and to protect the regional and global ecology.
Thanks to the generous support from Great River Hydro, The Nature Museum is excited to once again bring free environmental education programming to Whiting Library and at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center during the summer of 2026.
These programs aim to be engaging and highlight topics related to the unique ecology and landscape of Northern New England. These programs are geared towards youth ages Pre-K through elementary grades, but all are welcome! Programs will be approximately 45 minutes long with dedicated time for a story reading and any nature related questions you may have for our expert educators. Library programs will be both outdoors whenever possible and indoors as needed depending on weather and location. Join us to unplug, discover, and learn!

📅 Wednesdays, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5
🕒 1–1:45 PM
📍 Whiting Library
Contact Carrie King, Youth Librarian (youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org) for more info!

YA Book Club
2026-07-14 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
The Page Turners: Young Adult (YA) Book Club at Whiting LibraryLooking for a relaxed, welcoming space to talk books, share ideas, and connect with other teens? Join The Page Turners, Whiting Library’s new YA Book Club!
This low-pressure, monthly group is perfect for teens ages 12–18. There’s no stress to finish the book, just come as you are and enjoy good conversation and fun activities. Together, we’ll explore a variety of young adult books and help choose what we read next. Every page turn leads to endless adventures! Come hang out and be part of the YA #booktok.
Whether you’re a big reader or just getting into books, this is a space to unwind, be yourself, and discover stories that keep you turning the page.
🎯 For ages 12 – 18📅 Tuesday at 3:00 PM- 4:00 PM (2nd Tuesday of the month)
Snacks provided. New members always welcome!

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: Small Towns and Big Secrets: In Conversation with Bestselling Author Karin Slaughter
2026-07-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
International and New York Times Bestselling Author of Pretty Girls, the Will Trent series, and The Good Daughter

REGISTER HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/176990/register

Join us online for a thrilling evening with acclaimed author Karin Slaughter as we chat about her North Falls series, consisting of We Are All Guilty Here, in which two teenage girls vanish in rural Georgia, and her upcoming sequel, The Secrets We Hide.
In The Secrets We Hide, Slaughter welcomes readers back to North Falls. A small town with big secrets…
1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behind closed doors.
When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead.
Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town.
And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth…
Register now to take part in the discussion, and for an exclusive sneak peek of The Secrets We Hide, coming out August 11, 2026!
About the Author:
Karin Slaughter is one of the world’s most popular storytellers. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels, including the Edgar nominated Cop Town and standalone novels Pretty Girls and False Witness. An international bestseller, Slaughter is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. Pieces of Her, based on her novel, debuted at #1 worldwide on Netflix as an original series in 2022. Her bestselling thriller series, Will Trent, is now a television and streaming sensation in its 4th season. The Good Daughter has been adapted into a limited series starring Rose Byrne and Meghann Fahy, and further projects are currently in development for film/TV. Karin Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta.

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

Magnificent Migration with The Nature Museum
2026-07-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Magnificent Migration
Many critters, whether living underwater, on land, or flying in the sky, migrate. This includes wildlife that call New England, and our backyards, home! We’re going to look at the different migrations of some of these animal and insect neighbors to help us understand why migration is so magnificent!
The Nature Museum aims to engage and educate in order to spark a lifelong connection and responsibility to the natural world. Our vision is that we help all people be inspired to explore the wonder, science, and beauty of the natural world and to protect the regional and global ecology.
Thanks to the generous support from Great River Hydro, The Nature Museum is excited to once again bring free environmental education programming to Whiting Library and at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center during the summer of 2026.
These programs aim to be engaging and highlight topics related to the unique ecology and landscape of Northern New England. These programs are geared towards youth ages Pre-K through elementary grades, but all are welcome! Programs will be approximately 45 minutes long with dedicated time for a story reading and any nature related questions you may have for our expert educators. Library programs will be both outdoors whenever possible and indoors as needed depending on weather and location. Join us to unplug, discover, and learn!

📅 Wednesdays, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5
🕒 1–1:45 PM
📍 Whiting Library
Contact Carrie King, Youth Librarian (youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org) for more info!

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: Migrant Heart: The Hidden Cost of the American Dream and Healing Through Storytelling with Reyna Grande
2026-07-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
Award-Winning and Bestselling Author of The Distance Between Us and A Dream Called Home

REGISTER HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/177637/register

Please join us online for a discussion with author Reyna Grande. In her ambitious new memoir, Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can’t Forget, beloved bestselling author Reyna illuminates the hidden cost of the American Dream and the complex journey of healing that follows survival.
What is the true power of stories? Can they heal the jagged edges of a traumatic childhood? Is the cost of telling the story worth the price of the cure?
With her signature blend of sophistication and raw honesty, Grande interrogates how living between two nations, two languages, and two identities has shaped the woman, mother, and writer she has become. Moving from the legacy of violence in her hometown of Iguala, Mexico, to a bittersweet family vacation in Europe spent reconciling her own impoverished past with her children’s world of abundance, she uncovers startling truths about the nature of survival.
Whether being racially profiled in the Arizona borderlands or finding unexpected wisdom from the slugs in her garden, Grande unflinchingly asks: How do we bridge the gap between who we were and who we have become? How do we turn pain into power? When memory threatens to define us, how can we use story to heal while still honoring our boundaries?
Register today for this virtual talk if you identify as a seeker, a dreamer, or “anyone who believes in the enduring, transformative power of finding one’s voice.”
About the Author:
Reyna Grande is an award-winning author, motivational speaker, and writing teacher. As a young girl, she crossed the US–Mexico border to join her family in Los Angeles, a harrowing journey chronicled in The Distance Between Us, a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. Her other books include the novels A Ballad of Love and Glory, Across a Hundred Mountains, and Dancing with Butterflies, the memoirs Migrant Heart, The Distance Between Us: Young Readers Edition, and A Dream Called Home, and the anthology Somewhere We Are Human: Authentic Voices on Migration, Survival, and New Beginnings. She lives in Woodland, California, with her husband and two children. Visit ReynaGrande.com for more information.

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

Whiting Library Board of Trustees July Meeting
2026-07-21 18:30 - 20:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States

Owls: What’s all the Hoot About? with The Nature Museum
2026-07-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Owls: What’s all the Hoot About?
Owls are magnificent predators that we often think of as hooting birds of the night. But there’s more to owls than their distinctive calls and nocturnal activity. Come discover how they hunt, what twelve species of owls call New England home (eight in Vermont!), and why these birds are such amazing creatures. Hear a story, see and touch real owl biofacts, and get talons-deep in an owl pellet!
The Nature Museum aims to engage and educate in order to spark a lifelong connection and responsibility to the natural world. Our vision is that we help all people be inspired to explore the wonder, science, and beauty of the natural world and to protect the regional and global ecology.
Thanks to the generous support from Great River Hydro, The Nature Museum is excited to once again bring free environmental education programming to Whiting Library and at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center during the summer of 2026.
These programs aim to be engaging and highlight topics related to the unique ecology and landscape of Northern New England. These programs are geared towards youth ages Pre-K through elementary grades, but all are welcome! Programs will be approximately 45 minutes long with dedicated time for a story reading and any nature related questions you may have for our expert educators. Library programs will be both outdoors whenever possible and indoors as needed depending on weather and location. Join us to unplug, discover, and learn!

📅 Wednesdays, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5
🕒 1–1:45 PM
📍 Whiting Library
Contact Carrie King, Youth Librarian (youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org) for more info!

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: The Power of Connection: Creating Lasting Friendships in an Increasingly Lonely World with Dr. Marisa Franco
2026-07-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
Dr. Marisa Franco: Psychologist, Professor, and New York Times Bestselling Author

REGISTER HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/178284/register

Join us in virtual conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection. Her book, Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make–And Keep–Friends, explores the science of different attachment styles and how they impact our relationships–often in ways we don’t realize!
How do we make and keep friends in an era of distraction, burnout, and chaos, especially in a society that often prizes romantic love at the expense of other relationships? In Platonic, Dr. Marisa G. Franco unpacks the latest, often counterintuitive findings about the bonds between us—for example, why your friends aren’t texting you back (it’s not because they hate you!), and the myth of “friendships happening organically” (making friends, like cultivating any relationship, requires effort!). As Dr. Franco explains, to make and keep friends you must understand your attachment style—secure, anxious, or avoidant: it is the key to unlocking what’s working (and what’s failing) in your friendships.
Making new friends, and deepening longstanding relationships, is possible at any age—in fact, it’s essential. The good news: there are specific, research-based ways to improve the number and quality of your connections using the insights of attachment theory and the latest scientific research on friendship. Platonic provides a clear and actionable blueprint for forging strong, lasting connections with others—and for becoming our happiest, most fulfilled selves in the process.
Register today to learn more about how to harness the science of human connection to create cultures of belonging.
About the Author:
An enlightening psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and TED speaker, Dr. Marisa G. Franco is known for digesting and communicating science in ways that resonate deeply enough with people to change their lives.
Dr. Franco works as a professor at The University of Maryland and authored Platonic: How The Science of Attachment Can Help You Make – and Keep – Friends. She writes about friendship for Psychology Today and has been a featured connection expert for major publications like The New York Times, The Telegraph, and Vice.
Dr. Franco speaks on belonging at corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and universities across the country, including Harper Collins Publishers, Cisco, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and The Department of State.

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

Underground but Still Around… with The Nature Museum
2026-07-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Underground but Still Around…
We love living on Earth, but have you considered living within it? Right under our feet and paws is an exciting underground world! Let’s dig deep into what’s going on in the soil: from macroinvertebrates to mammals, we’re excited to get our paws dirty and take a closer look at how life thrives beneath the surface.
The Nature Museum aims to engage and educate in order to spark a lifelong connection and responsibility to the natural world. Our vision is that we help all people be inspired to explore the wonder, science, and beauty of the natural world and to protect the regional and global ecology.
Thanks to the generous support from Great River Hydro, The Nature Museum is excited to once again bring free environmental education programming to Whiting Library and at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center during the summer of 2026.
These programs aim to be engaging and highlight topics related to the unique ecology and landscape of Northern New England. These programs are geared towards youth ages Pre-K through elementary grades, but all are welcome! Programs will be approximately 45 minutes long with dedicated time for a story reading and any nature related questions you may have for our expert educators. Library programs will be both outdoors whenever possible and indoors as needed depending on weather and location. Join us to unplug, discover, and learn!
📅 Wednesdays, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5
🕒 1–1:45 PM
📍 Whiting Library
Contact Carrie King, Youth Librarian (youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org) for more info!

Summer Reading Challenge Ends!
2026-08-01 10:30 - 12:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Summer Reading Challenge Party: Unearth A Story! August 1, 2026
Closing Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026, drop in between 10:30-12:30pm to celebrate your success and pick up your Summer Reading Challenge Prize.
Who: Everyone who registerd for the Summer Reading Challenge 2026
We hope you enjoyed making reading a part of your daily summer adventure! The Summer Reading Challenge is all about turning reading into a habit kids will love.
📚 How It Works
Read every day from June 27th to August 1st.
Attend fun events throughout the summer at the library. Kids may enjoy a pick from the little free prize library when they visit.
Completion Prize: Kids will receive a special prize awarded in the last week of July simply by participating in the Summer Reading Challenge and visiting the library this summer!

summer reading begins June 27. Unearth a story

The Nature Museum programs June 24-August 5

Schedule of Summer Unplugged events at the library this summer.

Unearth a story! Coming Soon Summer 2026

Unearth a story above a red dragon eye.

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: The Legacy of Julia Child's Kitchen with Smithsonian Curator Paula J. Johnson
2026-08-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
REGISTER FOR LIVE EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/102544/register
WATCH RECORDING AFTER EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/archive

Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart (and make your stomach rumble), as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space. The book includes interviews with chefs who knew Julia well, commentary on her favorite culinary tools and kitchen gadgets, and a stunning array of photos.
Julia Child’s 20’ x 14’ kitchen was a serious workspace and recipe‑testing lab that exuded a sense of mid‑century homey comfort. It has been on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., for most of the past twenty-three years, and museum goers have made it a top destination.
The kitchen contains more than one thousand parts and pieces—tools, appliances, utensils, furniture, artwork, knick‑knacks, books, and bits of whimsy—all reflecting Julia’s status as an accomplished chef, gastronome, delightful cooking teacher, television trailblazer, women’s advocate, mentor, and generous, jovial friend.
Julia Child’s Kitchen (and this online conversation) is a must‑have for every serious home cook and Julia Child fan. Register now to enter the discussion and learn more about how Julia Child continues to influence food today!
About the Author:
Paula J. Johnson is a curator and public historian at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. She conducts research and collects objects relating to the history and culture of American food and serves as the Director of the Smithsonian’s Food History Project. Johnson was one of the curators who collected Julia Child’s home kitchen in 2001 and led the team that created FOOD: Transforming the American Table, a multi-layered exhibition that explores the major changes in food production, distribution, and consumption in the United States since the 1950s. She has shaped and contributed to many public programs on food history and leads the annual “Food History Weekend.” Johnson is the author of many articles and three books, including Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space (2024). She received the Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar in the Humanities Award in 2020.
Johnson began her museum career at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland, and has worked at the Smithsonian since 1991. She is a member of the Association for the Study of Food and Society and Les Dames d’ Escoffier. She serves on the editorial collective for Gastronomica: The Journal for Food Studies.
