Poetry Group
2025-12-15 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-12-22 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-12-29 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-01-05 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-01-12 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Norman Williams Public Library, 10 The Green, Woodstock, VT, 05091, United States
Writing poetry is a solitary endeavor. Are you looking for feedback on your poems? You are invited to join the Poetry Group at NWPL for sharing and critique. We meet weekly on Mondays 4 pm for about an hour and a half.*
What does it mean to critique something? According to the Oxford Dictionary, “noun: critique: a detailed analysis and assessment of something, especially a literary, philosophical, or political theory.”
Since “critique” has negative connotations, we operate in workshop format. How? Billy Collins suggested “5 Things to Consider When Analyzing Poetry in an online ‘MasterClass.’”
“Poetry involves different elements like language, rhythm, and structure. Together, they tell a story and create a complexity that is unique to poetic verse. When studying poems in-depth, look at these individual elements:

Theme: Poetry often conveys a message through figurative language. The central idea and the subject matter can reveal the underlying theme of a poem.
Language: From word choice to imagery, language creates the mood and tone of a poem. The way language is arranged also impacts the rhythm of a poem.
Sound and rhythm: The syllabic patterns and stresses create the metrical pattern of a poem.
Structure: The framework of a poem’s structure affects how it is meant to be read. A poet sculpts their story around stanzas, line breaks, rhyme patterns, punctuation, and pauses.
Context: The who, what, where, when, and why of a poem can help explain its purpose. Look at these elements to discover the context of a poem.”

This group is open to all; RSVP is appreciated. Please email Programs@NormanWilliams.org.
* Any changes to the schedule will be noted on the website calendar.

Needlepoint Get-togethers
2025-12-16 10:00 - 23:30, 2025-12-23 10:00 - 23:30, 2025-12-30 10:00 - 23:30, 2026-01-06 10:00 - 23:30, 2026-01-13 10:00 - 23:30
Calling all needlework enthusiasts! Join us Tuesday mornings at 10 am.
This is an informal gathering, welcoming needleworkers at all levels.
Bring your work in progress, needles, and threads or yarns, for a morning of sharing and encouragement.
Stitch by stitch…
Please email Programs@NormanWilliams.org for more information.
* Any changes to the schedule will be noted on the website calendar.

Baby Story Time
2025-12-16 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-12-23 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-12-30 10:30 - 11:00
This Story Time gathering features short stories, interspersed with songs, finger puppet plays, free play, and more. Geared for children aged birth to 20 months, we meet for about 20 minutes.
Information on our other scheduled Story Times can be found on the Children’s pages.
Any changes to the schedule for holidays will be noted on the website calendar. Please email Children@NormanWilliams.org for more information.

What’s On Your Nightstand? | Book Discussion Group
2025-12-16 11:30 - 13:30
December meeting moved to December 16 and will be offsite. Please email Kathy@NormanWilliams.org for details.
This is NOT your usual Book Club! There is no assigned reading…. We chat about books you’re currently reading, books you’ve loved, and the books you’ve always wanted to read.
Along with great recommendations, our discussions have ranged from the design and appeal of book jackets, the ebook revolution, listening to audiobooks, which books we reread and why, and the craft of writing.
Librarian Kathy Beaird has led this monthly gathering for over a decade. Everyone comes away energized and eager for more. Drop-ins welcome!
For annotated lists of participants’ past book recommendations, please visit the Book Discussion Group page.
Email Programs@NormanWilliams.org with questions or the link to join via Zoom if you can’t make it in person.

Kids' Chess Club
2025-12-16 15:15 - 16:30
Looking for other kids who share your excitement for playing chess? Is everyone at home getting tired of being asked to play?! NWPL has a solution for you: Chess Club!
Challenge yourself while practicing your strategies against an opponent. Whether you come with some friends or make some new ones here, it will be a fun time spent with like-minded kids.
We’ll set up the chessboards in the Room of Requirement, away from noise and distractions. Bring your own set if you have a favorite.
This series, geared toward students in grades 3-6, will run through Thanksgiving, to be extended if players wish. (Please note that the library will be closed, as will schools, on Veterans’ Day, November 11.)
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Children’s librarians for more information or to sign up.
“Chess helps you to concentrate, improve your logic. It teaches you to play by the rules and take responsibility for your actions, how to problem solve in an uncertain environment.” – Garry Kasparov

Read, Cook, Eat! | Cookbook Club
2025-12-16 18:00 - 19:30
Do you like to read about cooking, experiment with recipes, share stories about food with others, and eat good food? If so, we invite you to join Read, Cook, Eat!, a cookbook discussion group. We meet at the library monthly on the 3rd Tuesday at 6 pm to share our creations.*
Newcomers are always welcome; you don’t need kitchen credentials to join! Please email Programs@NormanWilliams.org to register – not required but it helps us figure out how to set up the tables and chairs. And we’ll keep you updated on the books selected, or visit the Book Discussion Group page for current and past book or topic selections.
Important Details

Cookbooks & Recipes – We will hold a copy of the cookbook at the circulation desk for you to browse and pick out recipes you might wish to try. We’ll copy them at no charge (or you can take a photo with your phone). A second copy of the cookbook will be available to borrow for 3 days during the month leading up to the meeting.
Quantity & Balance – This is a true potluck affair! There may be 3 desserts and 4 vegetable dishes or an appetizer and 5 different main dishes… Since recipe yields vary widely, there is no set amount of food to bring. The goal is to discover new combinations of ingredients and flavors.
Equipment & Utensils – While the library has a microwave and stove for reheating, the kitchen is very small so preparation and cooking should be done before the meeting. For sustainability reasons, we encourage everyone to bring their own place settings and utensils, including serving spoons. We have a supply of disposable plates and utensils on hand.
Ingredients & Allergens – The food will be cooked in home kitchens; food may contain or come into contact with common allergens. The library cannot guarantee the ingredients or preparation of any dish served at this program. We encourage everyone to bring the recipe they used noting any ingredient substitution, especially if it is a common allergen.

* Any changes to the schedule will be noted on the website calendar.

Toddler Story Time
2025-12-18 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-01-08 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-01-15 10:30 - 11:30
Enjoy stories, socializing, and often a project tied to the theme of the books we read.
Geared toward young children aged 20 months to 3½ years, we gather for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on attention spans.
Information on our other scheduled Story Times can be found on the Children’s pages.
Any changes to the schedule for holidays will be noted on the website calendar. Please email Children@NormanWilliams.org for more information.

Knitters' Meet-up
2025-12-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-08 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-15 14:00 - 16:00
Attention knitters! Come and meet with other knitters in the library weekly on Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4 pm.*
All knitters – from beginners to experts – are welcome. We will knit together, learn together, and provide each other assistance when needed. Bring your current project, knitting questions or problems, or a pattern to share. Come when you can, stay as long as you like!
For more information or to be added to the notification list, please email Programs@NormanWilliams.org.
* Any adjustments to the schedule will be noted on the website calendar.

Play Bridge at NWPL
2025-12-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-08 14:00 - 16:00
The Friends of the Norman Williams Public Library host a weekly bridge game at the library weekly on Thursday afternoons.*
Members of the Friends will have priority at the tables. These are not bridge lessons, though beginners are welcome to observe.
Please email Peggy Fraser at FraserUSA@gmail.com to reserve a seat or for more information.
* Any changes to the schedule will be noted on the website calendar.

Author Event: Michael Caduto | Enchanted Night Before Christmas.
2025-12-20 11:00 - 12:30
Award-winning author, storyteller, and educator, Michael Caduto, has a brand new storybook to share: Enchanted Night Before Christmas.
This timeless fantasy tells the story of a Vermont family that doesn’t have much, but takes good care of one another and is generous to others. Each year, they make gingerbread cookies decorated like friends and neighbors as holiday gifts. Then, one Christmas Eve, after everyone falls fast asleep, something magical stirs, born in a star of snow, that will change their holiday – and their lives – forever. It is a reminder that the most powerful gifts are the ones we give away.
Join us at 11 for a reading of the book, followed by a gingerbread decorating activity with cookies supplied by the Pastry Team at the Woodstock Inn. This program has limited capacity, so entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.
Co-sponsored by the Yankee Bookshop; copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day | NWPL Closed
2025-12-24 - 2025-12-25
The Library will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25.
We wish everyone a meaningful time with friends and family!
***
When the library is closed, patrons can use our online catalog to renew books, and place books on hold in addition to accessing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and movies to download and stream.

New Year's Day | NWPL Closed
2026-01-01
The Library will be closed on Thursday, January 1.
Best wishes for the New Year!
***
When the library is closed, patrons can use our online catalog to renew books, and place books on hold in addition to accessing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and movies to download and stream.

Time to Talk Books | Discussion Group
2026-01-06 17:30 - 19:00
NWPL’s “What’s On Your Nightstand” Book Discussion Group on Tuesday mornings is so popular, we are forming a second group that will meet monthly in the early evening.
Like WOYN, “Time to Talk Books” has no assigned reading! We invite you to join us to learn what others are excited about reading, recommend authors and titles, talk about audio narrators, explore book jacket designs, and discuss other reading-related topics.
We will meet in person at NWPL and offer a hybrid Zoom option for anyone interested. Please register so we can send the link and – more importantly – contact you if the meeting needs to be changed for any reason. To sign up, fill out the online form or email Programs@NormanWilliams.org.

Second Saturday Story Time | Featuring Community Elders as Guest Readers
2026-01-10 10:30 - 11:30
Grandparents, parents, and caregivers are invited to bring their young charges to enjoy a story – or a few – read by volunteer “grands” and other elders in our community. Discover new picture books or savor old favorites with the newest family members. Stop by the library on the 2nd Saturday at 10:30 to join the fun! Everyone is welcome.
Are you interested in reading to young listeners? Contact the Children’s Librarians: 802.457.2295 x 102, email Children@NormanWilliams.org, or stop by to find out how to join the roster.
Information on our other scheduled Story Times can be found on the Children’s pages.
We’ll take a break in December and be back in January.

What’s On Your Nightstand? | Book Discussion Group
2026-01-13 10:30 - 12:00
This is NOT your usual Book Club! There is no assigned reading…. We chat about books you’re currently reading, books you’ve loved, and the books you’ve always wanted to read.
Along with great recommendations, our discussions have ranged from the design and appeal of book jackets, the ebook revolution, listening to audiobooks, which books we reread and why, and the craft of writing.
Librarian Kathy Beaird has led this monthly gathering for over a decade. Everyone comes away energized and eager for more. Drop-ins welcome!
For annotated lists of participants’ past book recommendations, please visit the Book Discussion Group page.
Email Programs@NormanWilliams.org with questions or the link to join via Zoom if you can’t make it in person.
