Join the Library at Holley Hall on Thursday, November 21st at 6PM for a celebration of local storytelling! We invite you to come listen as neighbors and fellow Vermonters share their true, spellbinding, and reflective narratives with the community.

Interested in sharing a story? Please contact Samara Anderson at anderson_samara@yahoo.com. First time storytellers are encouraged and welcome!

Our November Social Justice Discussion is to be about challenges facing seniors, and instead of hosting a zoom program we’re teaming up with the Bristol Recreation Department to PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO MIDDLEBURY for some great programming being offered by Elderly Services. These programs are 4:00-5:30pm in Middlebury:

"You Are Not Alone—Navigating Caring for an Aging Loved One" presented by ESI clinical social worker Eileen Lawson and Joanne Corbett, a clinical social worker heading up the new ESI Center for Positive Aging.

TRANSPORTATION:
If you want to join the BSJDG field trip and go in the Recreation Department Van together, email me to reserve your space (and I will RSVP to Elderly Services for us). We will meet in front of Holley Hall at 3:15pm and the van will depart Holley Hall at 3:30pm sharp!

If you want to drive to Middlebury on your own or with friends, RSVP to Elderly Services by calling Eileen Lawson 388-3983.

Join Marisa Hamilton, an educator of over 30 years and foraging expert, as she explores the fascinating world of local foraging. This informative session will highlight the nutritional and medicinal benefits of different plants and mushrooms available in our area. Space is limited to 10 folks, please register below.

PLEASE NOTE: The program is now full and we are only accepting waitlist registrations. Please register if you would like to be contacted in case a space opens.

Art Play for Adults is a space for you to play with art and enjoy stress-free creativity and camaraderie! The focus is on process, not outcome, so bring your curiosity and take a break from it all.

Each workshop will begin with a simple prompt, with art supplies provided (although you're welcome to bring your own). Fun for all levels. Four sessions available — come to any or all!

Registration required. Please register below.

Our November Social Justice Discussion is to be about challenges facing seniors, and instead of hosting a zoom program we’re teaming up with the Bristol Recreation Department to PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO MIDDLEBURY for some great programming being offered by Elderly Services. These programs are 4:00-5:30pm in Middlebury:

"Emergency Preparedness for the Elderly" presented by retired Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley. According to Hanley, older adults are more vulnerable during a disaster because they are more likely to have impaired physical mobility, diminished sensory awareness, chronic health conditions, or social and economic limitations.

TRANSPORTATION:
If you want to join the BSJDG field trip and go in the Recreation Department Van together, email me to reserve your space (and I will RSVP to Elderly Services for us). We will meet in front of Holley Hall at 3:15pm and the van will depart Holley Hall at 3:30pm sharp!

If you want to drive to Middlebury on your own or with friends, RSVP to Elderly Services by calling Eileen Lawson 388-3983.

Art Play for Adults is a space for you to play with art and enjoy stress-free creativity and camaraderie! The focus is on process, not outcome, so bring your curiosity and take a break from it all.

Each workshop will begin with a simple prompt, with art supplies provided (although you're welcome to bring your own). Fun for all levels. Four sessions available — come to any or all!

Registration required. Please register below.

All are invited to a Vets Town Hall at Holley Hall on Thursday, October 24th at 7pm in Bristol, Vermont. Veterans are invited to speak about what their service means to them. Non-veterans are encouraged to attend and listen. This event is non-political, and all perspectives are valued. There will be no debate on American foreign policy.

For more info and to register please visit VT Vets Town Halls

It’s movie night on the big screen at the Library, but with a crafty twist! Join us and Hermit Thrush Fiber Co. for a feature-length film and bring your knitting, crochet, or any handheld-friendly craft to work on while you watch. We'll be showing the Practical Magic (1998), starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Light conversation is allowed, and the Library will provided popcorn. Folks are welcome to bring their own snacks and a drink.

Art Play for Adults is a space for you to play with art and enjoy stress-free creativity and camaraderie! The focus is on process, not outcome, so bring your curiosity and take a break from it all.

Each workshop will begin with a simple prompt, with art supplies provided (although you're welcome to bring your own). Fun for all levels. Four sessions available — come to any or all! Registration required. Please register below.

Art Play for Adults is a space for you to play with art and enjoy stress-free creativity and camaraderie! The focus is on process, not outcome, so bring your curiosity and take a break from it all.

Each workshop will begin with a simple prompt, with art supplies provided (although you're welcome to bring your own). Fun for all levels. Four sessions available — come to any or all!

Registration required. Please register below.

While elections are about making choices, the political questions that inform those choices are much more complicated. How can we create generous and interesting discussions with our neighbors, family, and community members? Join us in person for a discussion at the library (40 North St.) with Sarah Stroup, Professor of Political Science at Middlebury College and Director of the KWD Collaborative in Conflict Transformation. Professor Stroup will lay out the ways that binary thinking prevents productive conversations and suggest ways to improve our interactions and the quality of our political discussions.

Registration required, please register below.

Join us for an evening of music and literature with Melanie Dexter and Dave Gusakov. Melanie will share on her process and inspiration of her musically-inspired Dortmund Quartet novels and guests will be able to enjoy live music. No registration required.

Art Play for Adults is a space for you to play with art and enjoy stress-free creativity and camaraderie! The focus is on process, not outcome, so bring your curiosity and take a break from it all.

Each workshop will begin with a simple prompt, with art supplies provided (although you're welcome to bring your own). Fun for all levels. Three sessions available — come to any or all!

Registration required. Please register below.

Art Play for Adults is a space for you to play with art and enjoy stress-free creativity and camaraderie! The focus is on process, not outcome, so bring your curiosity and take a break from it all.

Each workshop will begin with a simple prompt, with art supplies provided (although you're welcome to bring your own). Fun for all levels. Three sessions available — come to any or all! Registration required. Please register below.

In her two recent collections of poetry, former Bristol resident and long-time school librarian Kyra Freeman celebrates the small moments of midlife soaked in heartbreak and humor. She offers an invitation for all to collect seeds of wonder and plant them for ourselves.

Art Play for Adults is a space for you to play with art and enjoy stress-free creativity and camaraderie! The focus is on process, not outcome, so bring your curiosity and take a break from it all.

Each workshop will begin with a simple prompt, with art supplies provided (although you're welcome to bring your own). Fun for all levels. Three sessions available — come to any or all!

Registration required. Please register below.

Interested in learning about the world of wild mushrooms?

Join Lawrence Memorial Library and naturalist, mycologist and professional photographer Meg Madden for a curiosity walk at the Watershed Center on Plank Road in Bristol, VT. Meg will take participants on a two-hour guided hike and dive into the fascinating world of fungi, help participants learn more about local specimens.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. The walk will take place rain or shine. Registration is required and is limited to 20 participants. Carpooling to the site is encouraged as parking is limited.

Please Note:
This is not a foraging program. If you need to cancel please contact, Katie at director@lawrencelibraryvt.com.

Join the library and Zeno Mountain Farm for a special screening of Best Summer Ever, Zeno's own feature length movie musical filmed in Bristol, VT! There will be a special Q&A after the film and ice cream from Ben & Jerry's will be provided.

No registration required.

Learn More about Zeno Mountain Farm

Which one will win the vote?! The book or the movie?! 

Join us as we watch the movie The Outsiders at the library on June 7th at 6:00 PM. Bring a folding chair, pillows, blankets to view the movie in comfort. Come dressed as Pony Boy or Cherry? Maybe wear your Madras like a Soc? Or just come as you are! 

We will have popcorn and a few bologna sandwiches just like Pony and Johnny ate in the story. 

Mark your calendars, Jim Stapleton and Diana Bigelow are at it again! Join them at the library for a performance piece with commentary on Henry David Thoreau to benefit the library. No registration required. Donations appreciated, but not required.

Linneau Johnson joins the Bristol Social Justice Discussion Group to discuss how we can all have a better understanding of human sexuality. Recognizing that comprehension does not equal compassion, and how we can move away from harmful stereotypes and assumptions about people’s identities.

Join us for our monthly movie night at the library.

No registration required. We hope you can make it!

Upcoming Movies:

Dr. Deborah Richter practices primary care and addiction medicine in Vermont and is a past president of Physicians for a National Health Program. She currently serves as president of Vermont Health Care for All, an organization that educates the Vermont community about the structure and features of universal health care systems. Dr. Richter will discuss the issues many Vermonters face regarding access to healthcare. Time will be available for questions after her presentation.

Due to the anticipated snow storm on March 23rd, the Seed Exchange will be rescheduled to Saturday, April 13TH from 10AM-12PM.

Whether you have seeds to share (saved from your garden or extra leftover from seed company packets) or are just looking to grab some from the libraries collection, we’re inviting all gardening enthusiasts into the library on April 13th for a community seed swap and giveaway! Exchange seeds and find resources to support you on your gardening journey this year. We’ll be welcoming UVM Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Volunteers, Nora Woolf and Courtney Vengrin, into the library to help answer all your gardening and soil questions! Registration Encouraged but not required.

If you plan on attending and bringing seeds, please bring them in separate envelopes, jars, or other containers, marked with the following information:

Plant Name (ex: Chard)
Variety (ex: Rainbow Chard)
Year Grown (ex: 2023)
Origin/Seed Company’s Name (ex: High Mowing)
GMO/Non-GMO
Organically Grown
Hybrid or Open Pollinated

We will provide small envelopes for taking home traded and gifted seeds.

Special Thanks to UVM Extension Master Gardener Program, Red Wagon Plants and Vermont Garden Network for their wealth of knowledge and generous seed donations.

Join the Library on Saturday, April 6th to pick up free solar eclipse glasses and enjoy some solar eclipse activities before the event!

We'll be distributing glasses on a first come, first serve basis, one per person or three per family. Plus, we'll have a special Eclipse display to teach community members all about this once-in-a-lifetime event and a family-friendly activity upstairs.

For folks who registered, please pick up your glasses on Monday, April 8th on your way to viewing festivities. Pick up will be from 10am-1pm. Thanks and happy viewing!

Join the Library and facilitator, Caitlin Cusack of Vermont Land Trust for a book discussion on Leila Philip's critically acclaimed 2022 book, Beaver Land, and explore how we can learn from beavers to restore the land we care about.

Copies of the book are available to check out from the library. Registration is not required but encouraged.

About the author: Leila Philip
”…For me, writing is always a journey with a wonderfully uncertain end; I write to discover what I don’t know yet. I strive to find the story, then shape that story with words and share. We live in a time of ongoing environmental crisis and fear is an appropriate response once we acknowledge the extent to which we have altered every aspect of life on earth. But so is hope. In writing Beaverland I discovered the natural wonder of beavers and the powerful ways they restore damaged environments. Beavers demonstrate the incredible powers of resilience and healing available to us as concrete solutions to help us meet the urgent challenges of climate change. Beavers can teach us. We can learn.” Visit Leila’s website for more info

About the Facilitator: Caitlin Cusack
Caitlin is a forester at the Vermont Land Trust and lives in Bristol, VT with her daughter and husband. She is co-owner of the sugaring business, Little Hogback Farm. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, skiing, running, and dancing.

April 18th | 7:00 pm at Shelburne Town Hall

Did you love the Book Chat at LML?! Then join Flying Pig Bookshop in welcoming author Leila Philip to Shelburne Town Hall for a conversation and lecture. For more information about this event CLICK HERE

Food Insecurity - What Is It? What Are the Causes and Effects? and What Are We Doing about it in Bristol and Addison County? We will address those questions and engage in a discussion about how we can work together to create a culture locally where no one goes hungry and where people feel safe, welcome, and unashamed seeking food assistance.

Join Mercedes de Guardiola via zoom as she discusses her book on Eugenics in Vermont.

In “Vermont for the Vermonters”: A History of Eugenics in the Green Mountain State, Mercedes de Guardiola examines how the state’s eugenics movement emerged out of the public policies of the nineteenth century and led to state-sanctioned programs of institutionalization, sterilization, family separation, and education aimed at the most vulnerable Vermonters. Exploring the social and political legacy of the movement, de Guardiola brings new scholarship and context to one of Vermont’s darkest chapters.

We’re kicking the five town library concert series off with DaddyLongLegs at Bristol’s Lawrence Memorial Library! Join us at the library at 7:30pm on January 18th for a foot tapping night filled with music!

All are welcome. Concerts are free and open to the public with donations optional.

Upcoming Concerts and Locations:

This talk will explore the history of medical racism and slavery in Early American colleges. Using extensive financial and administrative records from multiple institutions it will detail the experiences of Black men and women whose life was shaped by harrowing experiences with the American academy.