The entire community is invited to celebrate our new Children’s Garden on the west side of the library where we will dedicate this space in memory of longtime educator and community member Shelley Henson. Carpenter-Carse Library was awarded a SCHIP grant this year to create an outdoor gathering and play space for families and children. In addition to these grant funds, our library has received generous donations from community members in Shelley’s name, which we have used to further enhance this space and purchase reading materials for the children’s library. On September 13th we will gather outdoors at the library to place a plaque and remember Shelley’s contributions to our early childhood community. Please also join us for refreshments and child friendly activities.

Join the fun and learning on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM for picture books, songs, movement, and rhymes that are designed to promote early language, fine motor, and pre-literacy skills in a friendly environment!  Each week we will finish up Storytime with snacks, coffee for the adults, a simple craft or sensory activity, and book browsing. Storytime is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschool/kindergarten aged children and their caregivers, and no registration is required.

 LEGO Club is always a popular program and filled up especially fast this year! Please reach out to jen@carpentercarse.org to place your child on a LEGO Club wait-list or call-list. And we are happy to discuss other program options and events happening at the library this Fall and make sure your child has an opportunity to get involved!

Each week library volunteers work with students in grades 4-8 in learning the basics of Dungeons and Dragons, including character creation, understanding game mechanics, and how to work together to create and play in their own campaigns. We are in the process of determining what the capacity for this weekly group should be, and while we have reached our current cut-off point for sign-ups, we will discuss possible adjustments so we can consider new participants. If your child is interested in joining the wait list, please contact jen@carpentercarse to reserve a spot.ot.

We invite middle school students who are interested in reading and discussing all kinds of books (chapter books, memoirs, graphic novels) that are generally geared toward students in grades 6-8. Students will receive each month’s  book from the library then meet on the third Thursday of the month to engage in a fun discussion, eat snacks, hang out with friends, and decide what to read next! Email jen@carpentercarse.org to reserve your spot and receive all the necessary info to get started in this monthly club!

Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us in the library community room every Saturday morning for play time and socializing. Coffee and tea will be provided for adults, and families can browse for books afterwards. Library staff will provide a rotating selection of activities and play themes. No registration required.

Join the fun and learning on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM for picture books, songs, movement, and rhymes that are designed to promote early language, fine motor, and pre-literacy skills in a friendly environment!  Each week we will finish up Storytime with snacks, coffee for the adults, a simple craft or sensory activity, and book browsing. Storytime is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschool/kindergarten aged children and their caregivers, and no registration is required.

 After school LEGO Club happens every Wednesday 2:00 - 3:15 PM from September 3rd through October 8th. Students have the choice every week to work on their own or with others on weekly challenges or their own creations.

Registration for LEGO Club has ended

Each week library volunteers work with students in grades 4-8 in learning the basics of Dungeons and Dragons, including character creation, understanding game mechanics, and how to work together to create and play in their own campaigns. We are in the process of determining what the capacity for this weekly group should be, and while we have reached our current cut-off point for sign-ups, we will discuss possible adjustments so we can consider new participants. If your child is interested in joining the wait list, please contact jen@carpentercarse to reserve a spot.

Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us in the library community room every Saturday morning for play time and socializing. Coffee and tea will be provided for adults, and families can browse for books afterwards. Library staff will provide a rotating selection of activities and play themes. No registration required.

Join the fun and learning on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM for picture books, songs, movement, and rhymes that are designed to promote early language, fine motor, and pre-literacy skills in a friendly environment!  Each week we will finish up Storytime with snacks, coffee for the adults, a simple craft or sensory activity, and book browsing. Storytime is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschool/kindergarten aged children and their caregivers, and no registration is required.

 After school happens every Wednesday 2:00 - 3:15 PM from September 3rd through October 8th. Students have the choice every week to work on their own or with others on weekly challenges or their own creations.

Registration has ended

Each week library volunteers work with students in grades 4-8 in learning the basics of Dungeons and Dragons, including character creation, understanding game mechanics, and how to work together to create and play in their own campaigns. We are in the process of determining what the capacity for this weekly group should be, and while we have reached our current cut-off point for sign-ups, we will discuss possible adjustments so we can consider new participants. If your child is interested in joining the wait list, please contact jen@carpentercarse to reserve a spot.

Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us in the library community room every Saturday morning for play time and socializing. Coffee and tea will be provided for adults, and families can browse for books afterwards. Library staff will provide a rotating selection of activities and play themes. No registration required.

Join the fun and learning on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM for picture books, songs, movement, and rhymes that are designed to promote early language, fine motor, and pre-literacy skills in a friendly environment!  Each week we will finish up Storytime with snacks, coffee for the adults, a simple craft or sensory activity, and book browsing. Storytime is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschool/kindergarten aged children and their caregivers, and no registration is required.

Students have the choice every week to work on their own or with others on weekly challenges or their own creations.

Registration has ended

Each week library volunteers work with students in grades 4-8 in learning the basics of Dungeons and Dragons, including character creation, understanding game mechanics, and how to work together to create and play in their own campaigns. We are in the process of determining what the capacity for this weekly group should be, and while we have reached our current cut-off point for sign-ups, we will discuss possible adjustments so we can consider new participants. If your child is interested in joining the wait list, please contact jen@carpentercarse to reserve a spot.

With Funding from the Vermont Space Grant Consortium, Carpenter-Carse Library is offering a series of monthly after-school programs for students in Kindergarten through grade 4 during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year. Educator and Mathematical Sciences Director for The Vermont Governor's Institute, Linda Segovia Wise has created a program called “STEM Explorers” that is designed to offer STEM enrichment in a fun and engaging environment. In this playful and curiosity-driven program, students will explore real-world challenges and creative problem solving through different themes. Our goal is for students to discover how STEM is part of everyday life and to give them an opportunity to build confidence in collaborative problem-solving and creative thinking. Contact jen@carpentercarse.org to sign up for one or all four monthly programs.

Session 2: Engineering Challenge - Build It Strong! Friday, October 10th, 3:00-4:15 Can you build a tower with just spaghetti and marshmallows? What makes a bridge sturdy? This month, students take on a fun and messy engineering design challenge, learning about the design process, testing ideas, and working together to build strong structures from everyday materials. Through testing, reflecting, and trying again, they’ll also practice one of the most important STEM skills: resilience. Skills: Engineering design, measurement, collaboration, perseverance. Big Idea: Great engineers try, test, and try again!

Join us for a Frog and Toad themed picnic, tea party, and story time! We will also get to do some fun Fall crafts, and hopefully we’ll get to have the whole event outdoors in our new Children’s Garden space! Bring a favorite stuffy or doll to join in on the fun. Our Tea Party Storytimes are designed for children ages 2-6 and their caregivers. Registration is required, and you can email jen@carpentercarse.org to reserve your family’s spot!

Join the fun and learning on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM for picture books, songs, movement, and rhymes that are designed to promote early language, fine motor, and pre-literacy skills in a friendly environment!  Each week we will finish up Storytime with snacks, coffee for the adults, a simple craft or sensory activity, and book browsing. Storytime is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschool/kindergarten aged children and their caregivers, and no registration is required.

Join educator, Jerry Schneider, for a presentation on bats and bat habitats followed by Halloween snacks and crafts. Every participant needs to bring a t-shirt that can be painted on. All other materials will be provided. This event is for children in kindergarten through grade 4, and registration is required.

We invite middle school students who are interested in reading and discussing all kinds of books (chapter books, memoirs, graphic novels) that are generally geared toward students in grades 6-8. Students will receive each month’s  book from the library then meet on the third Thursday of the month to engage in a fun discussion, eat snacks, hang out with friends, and decide what to read next! Email jen@carpentercarse.org to reserve your spot and receive all the necessary info to get started in this monthly club!

Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us in the library community room every Saturday morning for play time and socializing. Coffee and tea will be provided for adults, and families can browse for books afterwards. Library staff will provide a rotating selection of activities and play themes. No registration required.

Join the fun and learning on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM for picture books, songs, movement, and rhymes that are designed to promote early language, fine motor, and pre-literacy skills in a friendly environment!  Each week we will finish up Storytime with snacks, coffee for the adults, a simple craft or sensory activity, and book browsing. Storytime is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschool/kindergarten aged children and their caregivers, and no registration is required.

Stillness and Exuberance for Kids: Four Wednesdays: Oct. 22, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12. 2:00-3:15 pm.

Kids can learn meditation skills to help with stress-reduction, self-regulation and awareness of self and others. This workshop series features games for connection and trust building, and meditation teaching with an approach that includes kids’ natural energy levels. Whether your child is an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert, kids can develop greater confidence and improve social skills through meditation. Each weekly session will begin with fun ice-breakers and snacks. There will be four sessions in order to build skills in an accessible way, and develop friendship and community.  This workshop is led by Jennifer Decker, who has extensive experience in schools and youth group settings, and has lived experience of neurodivergence.

Each week library volunteers work with students in grades 4-8 in learning the basics of Dungeons and Dragons, including character creation, understanding game mechanics, and how to work together to create and play in their own campaigns. We are in the process of determining what the capacity for this weekly group should be, and while we have reached our current cut-off point for sign-ups, we will discuss possible adjustments so we can consider new participants. If your child is interested in joining the wait list, please contact jen@carpentercarse to reserve a spot.

Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us in the library community room every Saturday morning for play time and socializing. Coffee and tea will be provided for adults, and families can browse for books afterwards. Library staff will provide a rotating selection of activities and play themes. No registration required.

A fun, spooky craft for children in 2nd - 5th grade! Join us for snacks, a not-too-scary read aloud, and creating fairy or haunted house lanterns out of mason jars. Registration is required and you can reserve your spot by emailing jen@carpentercarse.org

We are always accepting donations of snacks for our youth programing; stop by the circulation desk to drop any donations off.

Join the fun and learning on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM for picture books, songs, movement, and rhymes that are designed to promote early language, fine motor, and pre-literacy skills in a friendly environment!  Each week we will finish up Storytime with snacks, coffee for the adults, a simple craft or sensory activity, and book browsing. Storytime is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschool/kindergarten aged children and their caregivers, and no registration is required.

Stillness and Exuberance for Kids: Four Wednesdays: Oct. 22, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12. 2:00-3:15 pm.

Kids can learn meditation skills to help with stress-reduction, self-regulation and awareness of self and others. This workshop series features games for connection and trust building, and meditation teaching with an approach that includes kids’ natural energy levels. Whether your child is an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert, kids can develop greater confidence and improve social skills through meditation. Each weekly session will begin with fun ice-breakers and snacks. There will be four sessions in order to build skills in an accessible way, and develop friendship and community.  This workshop is led by Jennifer Decker, who has extensive experience in schools and youth group settings, and has lived experience of neurodivergence.

Each week library volunteers work with students in grades 4-8 in learning the basics of Dungeons and Dragons, including character creation, understanding game mechanics, and how to work together to create and play in their own campaigns. We are in the process of determining what the capacity for this weekly group should be, and while we have reached our current cut-off point for sign-ups, we will discuss possible adjustments so we can consider new participants. If your child is interested in joining the wait list, please contact jen@carpentercarse to reserve a spot.

With Funding from the Vermont Space Grant Consortium, Carpenter-Carse Library is offering a series of monthly after-school programs for students in Kindergarten through grade 4 during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year. Educator and Mathematical Sciences Director for The Vermont Governor's Institute, Linda Segovia Wise has created a program called “STEM Explorers” that is designed to offer STEM enrichment in a fun and engaging environment. In this playful and curiosity-driven program, students will explore real-world challenges and creative problem solving through different themes. Our goal is for students to discover how STEM is part of everyday life and to give them an opportunity to build confidence in collaborative problem-solving and creative thinking. Contact jen@carpentercarse.org to sign up for one or all four monthly programs.

Session 3: Take It to the Limit with Candy Math Friday, November 14th, 3:00-4:15 What happens when you keep cutting something in half... again and again? Will you ever run out of halves? This month, students explore one of the coolest ideas in math - limits. Through hands-on fun with candy rope, paper, or stepping games, they'll test how many times they can split something in half. Skills: Fraction thinking, pattern recognition, early understanding of infinity and limits Big Idea: If you keep cutting in half, you’ll never quite run out—some things can go on forever!

Session 4: Unplugged Coding - Human Robots Friday, December 12th 3:00-4:15 Who needs a screen to code? This unplugged coding session introduces students to the building blocks of computer science through fun and active games. Students will write step-by-step instructions (“code”) for a “human robot” to follow and complete silly obstacle courses or dance moves. Along the way, they'll learn about algorithms, loops, debugging, and teamwork! Skills: Sequencing, logical thinking, collaboration. Big Idea: Coding is just giving clear directions- anyone can learn it!

With Funding from the Vermont Space Grant Consortium, Carpenter-Carse Library is offering a series of monthly after-school programs for students in Kindergarten through grade 4 during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year. Educator and Mathematical Sciences Director for The Vermont Governor's Institute, Linda Segovia Wise has created a program called “STEM Explorers” that is designed to offer STEM enrichment in a fun and engaging environment. In this playful and curiosity-driven program, students will explore real-world challenges and creative problem solving through different themes. Our goal is for students to discover how STEM is part of everyday life and to give them an opportunity to build confidence in collaborative problem-solving and creative thinking. Contact jen@carpentercarse.org to sign up for one or all four monthly programs.

Session 4: Unplugged Coding - Human Robots Friday, December 12th 3:00-4:15 Who needs a screen to code? This unplugged coding session introduces students to the building blocks of computer science through fun and active games. Students will write step-by-step instructions (“code”) for a “human robot” to follow and complete silly obstacle courses or dance moves. Along the way, they'll learn about algorithms, loops, debugging, and teamwork! Skills: Sequencing, logical thinking, collaboration. Big Idea: Coding is just giving clear directions- anyone can learn it!