Virtual Author Talks: On Writing Beloved Characters and Powerful Portrayals of Resilience in Virtual Conversation with Jason Reynolds
2026-04-30 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | VT
REGISTER TO ATTEND LIVE EVENT: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/148079/register
WATCH RECORDING AFTER EVENT: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/archive

Join us in an online conversation with bestselling author Jason Reynolds on April 30th at 7 PM as we discuss his latest work, Coach, the fifth–and last–entry in the highly popular Track series. Following the immersive stories of Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny, it’s finally time for Coach to shine in his own book as we discover: Who was Coach before he became an inspiring leader?
Before Coach was the man who gave caring yet firm-handed guidance to Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny on the Defenders track team, he was little Otie Brody, who was obsessed with Mr. 9.99 (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Like Mr. 9.99—and his own dad—Otie is a sprinter. Sprint free or die is practically his motto.
Then his dad, who is always away on business trips, comes home with a pair of Jordans. JORDANS. Fine as fine can be. Otie puts them on and feels like he can leap to the moon…maybe even leap like Mr. 9.99 when he won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump. But one morning he wakes up to find his brand-new secret weapon kicks are missing—right off his feet! And Otie just might have a fuzzy memory of his dad easing them off as Otie was sleeping, but that can’t be right, can it?
Unless all the reasons for his dad’s “gone’s” are very different from what he’s been told… Because now, not only are the Jordans missing, but so is his father.
Register now to join in on the online conversation about the final installment to Jason Reynold’s Track series!
About the Author: Jason Reynolds is an award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author. Jason’s many books include Miles Morales: Spider Man, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Correta Scott King Honor, and Look Both Ways, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Recently named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jason has appeared on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and CBS This Morning. He is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program and lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

Green Up Day, Saturday, May 2, 2026
2026-05-02 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Green Up Day 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026. This annual event encourages community members to come together and clean up their neighborhood roads, parks, and waterways.
Green Up Day Bags
Chester has Green Up Day bags available after 4/20/26 at multiple locations:

The Town Hall, in a bin on the front porch.
Whiting Library, in the tree out front.
Erskine’s Feed & Grain
Chester Mercantile and Hardware Store

How It Works
On Green Up Day, volunteers head outside to gather trash along the public right-of-ways, sidewalks, and parks. Only official Green Up Day bags can be used to dispose of litter. Household trash, bulk items, or clean recyclables will not be collected. Full bags can be brought to the Chester Town Garage (Depot St) parking lot and put in the dumpster. The dumpster will be available at the Town Garage from May 1st to May 6th for depositing your filled Green Up bags.
Report Your Work
Share your good work with Frank Kelley at or call Carrie at the Whiting Library 802-875-2277. Collecting stats on the number of volunteers, miles of roads, and the number of bags of trash picked up, helps us report progress to the state Green Up Day organizers.
Mentor Program
Encourage local high school students to join our Mentor Program for community service hours and a chance to get involved in their community. The extra set of hands and boots on the ground really helps! Plus, the feedback was that it was also very fun for those who participated last year. If you know of any high school students who want community service hours, this is a great way to get loads of hours!
Download the App
The Green Up App can help you build teams, track your routes, communicate, set challenges, and locate trash. Apple store or google play.
Safety Precautions & Online Information

PLEASE WEAR GLOVES during the entire cleanup.
If you find any sharps or hazardous items, please contact the Chester Police Department at 875-2035, and they will pick them up. Hazardous materials contact the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste District Facilities at (802) 674-9235 for information on where they can be dropped off.
Be prepared for the weather and wear appropriate clothing.
Wear bug spray and check yourself for ticks at the end of the day.
Watch for traffic: face oncoming traffic and wear light or bright colored clothes for visibility.

Visit www.greenupvermont.org for more information on safety.
More Information
Volunteers can contact Frank Kelley at fjmkelley@gmail.com or 802-289-1540 to provide their plans for Green Up Day, report stats, or request more information. You can also find additional information on the Green Up Day website www.greenupvermont.org.

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Playgroup for Littles (0-3) & Caregivers
2026-05-05 10:00 - 11:30 | VT
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

Story Time
2026-05-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-03 10:00 - 11:00 | 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.

The Light Pirate: A Facilitated Book Discussion
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Please join us at Whiting Library on May 7th from 6 – 7 PM for a fascinating discussion on the Vermont Reads 2025 book The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton, led by facilitator Eric Bye.
The Light Pirate follows Wanda, born into a rapidly changing world of rising sea levels and devastating weather. As she moves from her childhood in a coastal Florida town into a wider adulthood, Wanda must adapt and find meaning in a remade world. The book is a poignant and ultimately hopeful meditation on the beauty and violence of our environments, and how humans continue to connect even after our systems fail.
After learning about the background of the book, we’ll delve into characters, plot, and style– then go wherever else the discussion leads us!
Don’t have a copy of The Light Pirate yet? Pick up a free copy when you stop by the library. Haven’t read it but are still interested? Come by anyway. All are welcome.
This event is sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: On Courage, Turmoil, and the Transformative Power of Love with Marjan Kamali
2026-05-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
REGISTER FOR LIVE EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/155483/register
WATCH RECORDING AFTER EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/archive

Join us on May 7th at 7 PM for an exciting online conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali as we delve into the timeless wonder of her New York Times bestselling novel, The Lion Women of Tehran.
In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams for a friend to alleviate her isolation.
Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions of becoming “lion women.”
But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives.
Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.
Register now to hear directly from the author about the crafting of her tender, yet immensely powerful work.
About the Author:
Marjan Kamali, born in Turkey to Iranian parents, is the New York Times bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran, The Stationery Shop, and Together Tea. She is the 2022 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Award. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages. Marjan lives with her family in the Boston area.

Talk to Them Early and Often: A Caregiver’s Guide to Intentional Language Development for Infants and Toddlers
2026-05-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Join local early childhood expert Cara Tyrrell, teacher trainer, parent educator, and author of the recently published Talk to Them Early and Often: A Caregiver’s Guide to Intentional Language Development for Infants and Toddlers, for an engaging talk on the science of infant and toddler language development. Cara will share practical, research-based guidance on how to use intentional language to support connection, communication, and early learning in everyday moments.
Perfect for parents, caregivers, and educators, this session will be followed by a Q&A, offering the opportunity to ask questions and gain personalized insights you can use right away.
This author chat with Ms. Cara Tyrrell will be held at Whiting Library on Saturday, May 9, 10:30AM, offering caregivers and families the opportunity to ask questions and receive additional guidance on applying these communication strategies at home.
This program is part of Whiting Library’s ongoing commitment to supporting families and building foundations for early learning in the community.

Discover how everyday moments can become powerful opportunities for connection and learning.

Playgroup for Littles (0-3) & Caregivers
2026-05-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-05-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-06-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: How to Robot-Proof Your Kids (and Yourself) with Dr. Vivienne Ming
2026-05-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
REGISTER FOR LIVE EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/156118/register
WATCH RECORDING AFTER EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/archive
Join us May 12th at 2 PM online for a timely conversation on AI, humanity, and the next steps towards building a better future with self-proclaimed “mad scientist” Dr. Vivienne Ming as we discuss her new book, Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People.
In Robot-Proof, Dr. Vivienne Ming helps readers grasp the ugly and the amazing of how individuals, companies, and societies will respond to the changes that are already taking hold due to the advent of AI. Robot-Proof is a book about people, exploring what it means to be human in an increasingly automated world.
This book presents, then answers, pressing questions that readers may or may not have thought to themselves, such as:

What predicts long-term life outcomes across millions of little kids?
Why is the Informational-Exploration Paradox the most terrifying phenomenon you’ve never heard of?
What predicts the smartest team and how will AI change it?
Why are ill-posed problems the future work, education, and a robot-proof humanity?

With poignant insight and delicate care to keep us grounded in the human perspective, Robot-Proof is an entertaining and thought-provoking read for all individuals seeking to understand the next steps in a new and completely unprecedented world.
Register today to take part in the discussion!
Join us LIVE for a chance to win a copy of Vivienne’s book, Robot-Proof! 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 Author:
Dr. Vivienne Ming explores maximizing human capacity as a theoretical neuroscientist, delusional inventor, and demented Author. Over her career she’s founded 7 startups, been chief scientist at 2 others, and founded The Human Trust, a philanthropic data trust and “mad science incubator” building a foundation model for human development. She co-founded Possibility Sciences to advance scientific discovery via massive scale hybrid intelligence. She also develops AI tools for learning at home and in school, models of bias in hiring and promotion, and neurotechnologies for dementia, TBI, and postpartum depression.
In her free time, Vivienne designs AI systems to treat her son’s diabetes, predict manic episodes in bipolar sufferers, and reunite orphan refugees with extended family members. For relaxation, she writes science fiction and spends time with her wife and children.
Vivienne was named one of “10 Women to Watch in Tech” by Inc. Magazine and one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2017. She is featured frequently for her research and inventions in The Financial Times, The Atlantic, Quartz Magazine and The New York Times.

YA Book Club
2026-05-12 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
The Page Turners: 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📅 Tuesdays at 3:00 PM- 4:00 PM
Snacks provided. New members always welcome!

Adult Book Discussion
2026-05-13 16:30 - 17:30 | VT
If you want to participate in the book club, contact the library at director@WhitingLibrary.org or call 802-875-2277 to reserve a copy.

Drop-In Tech Help
2026-05-14 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-21 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-28 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-04 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!

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: Reshape Your Beliefs and Unlock Your True Potential with Nir Eyal
2026-05-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
REGISTER FOR LIVE EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/157388/register
WATCH RECORDING AFTER EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/archive

Join us on May 19th at 2 PM for an online author discussion. What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible…was belief? This is the question posed by bestselling author Nir Eyal in his new work, Beyond Belief.
Most of your limits aren’t physical. They’re psychological. In Beyond Belief, Nir Eyal reveals how the hidden assumptions you carry shape what you see, how you feel, and what you do—and how to replace them with beliefs that unlock your true potential.
Grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and unforgettable case studies, Eyal introduces the Three Powers of Belief: Attention, Anticipation, and Agency. Mastering these powers transforms how you see challenges, feel about the future, and act when it matters most.
You’ll learn how to:

Spot hidden opportunities and solutions others overlook.

Reclaim your mood, energy, and confidence by reshaping your beliefs.

Stay calm, decisive, and in control when life feels uncertain.

Break free from beliefs that sabotage your health, relationships, and career.

Push further, last longer, and achieve beyond your limits.

If you’ve ever quit too soon, stalled in your career, or sabotaged your own goals, this book gives you the science and the system to go further than you thought possible.
Surgeries without anesthesia. Placebos that heal. Resilience multiplied 240 times longer. Beyond Belief reveals the science behind these breakthroughs and shows why your limits aren’t fixed—they’re learned. And with the right beliefs, you can achieve breakthrough results.
Register now to learn more about how we can unlock our true potential.
About the Author:
Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and human potential. He previously taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. He is the author of the international bestsellers Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, which have sold over 1 million copies in more than 30 languages. As an active angel investor, Nir has backed multi-billion-dollar companies that implement his methodologies, including Canva, Kahoot!, and others. In addition to blogging at NirAndFar.com, his writing has been featured in The New York Times and Harvard Business Review, and he is a regular contributor to Psychology Today.

Whiting Library Board of Trustees May Meeting
2026-05-19 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]

Origami Ninja Stars🥷✨
2026-05-20 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Get ready to fold, flip, and create! Join us for an exciting origami program where kids will learn how to make their very own ninja star (shuriken) using just one sheet of paper.
With step-by-step guidance, participants will transform simple paper into a cool, spinning design. Once you learn how, you won’t want to stop at just one! Each star takes about 10 minutes to make, so there’s plenty of time to practice and create more.
Shuriken, also known as ninja stars, were once used in Japan as tools to distract or surprise, but today, we’ll focus on the art of paper folding and creative fun!
📅 Wednesday, May 20🕒 3:00–4:00 PM📍 Whiting Library
Perfect for elementary school-aged kids. Come give it a try and become a paper-folding ninja!

Memorial Day Book Sale
2026-05-23 10:00 - 17:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Love Books? Love Sales? Whiting Library is putting on a special sale for the Chester Town Wide Yard Sale. So come on down on the 23rd and shop till you drop!

Playgroup for Littles (0-3) & Caregivers
2026-05-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Playgroup Update at Whiting Library. Reserve your spot here. The number of participants will be limited in order to provide a higher quality of experience.
Play, Connect, and Learn: A Family Place Immersion Experience
With Cara Tyrrell | Week of the Young Child Special Program
Join us for a 90-minute interactive, play-based learning experience designed especially for families with infants and toddlers.
This special session will be facilitated by Cara Tyrrell, a Chester-based early childhood teacher trainer, author, and parent educator. Instead of a traditional author talk, this experience takes place right in our Family Place play environment—where learning happens through play, connection, and real-life moments.
Drawing from her new book, Talk to Them Early and Often: A Caregiver’s Guide to Intentional Language Development for Infants and Toddlers, Cara will guide caregivers through simple, powerful ways to support their child’s development through everyday language.
What to expect:

Live modeling of intentional language during play
Opportunities to practice with your child in real time
Gentle coaching and reflection throughout the session
A free copy of the book to take home

You’ll learn:

Why language plays a key role in brain development and emotional regulation
What intentional language sounds like in everyday moments
How to adapt your words to your child’s temperament
How to stay connected—even during challenging moments

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

LEGO Builders Club
2026-05-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Build, play, and create at the library! At this event kids can design their own masterpiece, then display it in the Youth Room. Play isn’t just fun—it builds problem-solving, motor skills, and storytelling, all essential to literacy growth. Younger siblings can enjoy big blocks, and building books are on hand for inspiration.

📅 Wednesdays, May 27
🕒 3–4 PM
📍 Whiting Library
📞 RSVP at 802-875-2277 — contact Carrie King, Youth Librarian (youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org) for more info!
And don’t forget—you don’t have to wait for program days to build. When you come to the library, I’ll be happy to show you our big box of LEGOs and a comfy spot to make your masterpiece. It’s also a great place to meet up with friends after school and get creative together!
—Carrie

Thirty-Eight: The Hurricane That Transformed New England
2026-05-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Chester Town Hall, 556 Elm St, Chester, VT, 05143, United States
Please join us at Chester Town Hall on Thursday, May 28th from 7-8:30 PM as we welcome presenter Stephen Long. His talk will focus on the historic hurricane of 1938 that rocked New England and its aftermath. See more details below.

This presentation is sponsored in part by Vermont Humanities and is held in partnership with the Chester Historical Society.

A hurricane will never surprise us again. But that’s what happened to the people of New England on September 21, 1938. Without any warning, the most destructive weather event ever to hit the Northeast pummeled the coast and blasted its way to Vermont and New Hampshire with torrential rain, flooding, and sustained winds over 100 miles per hour.
Stephen Long tells the story of New England’s Katrina, focusing on the devastation to the region’s forests and the daunting challenge facing New Englanders still in the throes of the Great Depression. His presentation is richly illustrated with archival photos of storm damage and the unprecedented recovery operation, making the storm and its aftermath come alive. A journalist and co-founder of Northern Woodlands magazine, Stephen Long is the author of Thirty-Eight: The Hurricane that Transformed New England.

Decorate Your Ride! Bike Art Workshop
2026-06-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Whiting Library, 117 Main St., CHESTER, VT, 05143, United States
Get ready for the Decorated Bike Ride at the Alumni Day Parade with a one-of-a-kind bike decorating party at Whiting Library!
In this hands-on workshop, kids will transform everyday materials like streamers, pipe cleaners, felt, and cardboard into imaginative bike creations. Add flair to your handlebars and spokes, and make your own unique creation to attach to your bike. With a little creativity, you can turn your ride into something magical and unforgettable!
Kids may bring their bikes to the library where library staff will provide plenty of supplies, inspiration, and support to help them decorate. Can’t bring your bike to the library? No problem! Take some supplies from the library to decorate your bike at home. This program celebrates creativity, sustainability, and the joy of making something amazing from simple materials.
While you’re here, be sure to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and kick off a summer full of stories, programs, and prizes with the library!
Ages 5–12
For more information contact Carrie King, Youth Librarian
📞 802-875-2277
📧 youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org
Cool, creative, and full of possibilities! Join us at the library this summer!

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: Your Ticket to the Best State Fair Crafts with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig
2026-06-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Online at https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary
REGISTER FOR LIVE EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/161311/register
WATCH RECORDING AFTER EVENT HERE: https://libraryc.org/whitinglibrary/archive

Join us on June 3rd at 2 PM online for a fascinating discussion with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig on the history and significance of craft at state fairs—from blue-ribbon quilts to sculpted butter cows, and so much more!
A Dolly Parton crop art portrait. Size-96 cowboy boots. A button quilt. State Fairs: Growing American Craft features more than 100 photos of extraordinary and unconventional crafts from state and tribal fairs, including needlework, basketry, jewelry, ceramics, crop art, butter sculpture, and saddles. The catalog highlights personal stories and regional and cultural traditions, creating a vibrant portrait of American life. Come one, come all! State Fairs has a little something for everyone.
Register now to hear about the fascinating (and often surprising) world of American state fair crafts!
About the Author:
Mary Savig is The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. She holds a PhD in American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park.
