Brownell Library

Current Events
2026-05-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-05-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-05-05 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-04-28 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-04-21 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Kolvoord Community Room
In an age of instant news reporting from every corner of our world, sometimes the sheer volume of information can feel overwhelming. This current events discussion group will attempt to quiet the noise and step back to reflect on what the news means, what is its context, and what the ramifications are. We will look at, reflect on, and analyze daily events and try to discern trends and understand the national picture and the larger world basing the discussion on factual information in a non-judgmental framework. This discussion group is free and open to all. Registration is not required.

Must Read Monday - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
2026-05-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon – In Person and Online – Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own.

Tech Help with Clif
2026-05-18 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-11 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-04 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-27 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Offering one on one technology help. Reservation required. Please call 802-878-6955 at least 48 hours in advance.

Springtime Potluck
2026-05-16 15:00 - 16:30 | Kolvoord Community Room
Join the Brownell Library for a potluck! Please bring a dish to share.

Collecting Book & Media Donations
2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
The Brownell Library Foundation will be accepting books and media for their book sale.

Mah Jongg
2026-05-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Kolvoord Community Room
Mah Jongg takes place every Friday from 10am-12pm and it’s FREE!
If you know how to play, drop by and enjoy the great game of (American) Mah Jongg!
This is an EJRP/Essex Senior Center program. Questions? Please contact Julie: jshorter@ejrp.org or 802-878-1375 EXT 1553

Fairbanks Museum Lecture
2026-05-13 17:00 - 18:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Join the Brownell Library for a lecture about Climate Change by a guest speaker from the Fairbanks Museum! This lecture is for adults and is sponsored in part by Vermont Humanities. Attendees will be able to leave with a copy of “The Light Pirate” by Lily Brooks-Dalton, available while supplies last.

Kids Corner: Fairbanks
2026-05-13 16:45 - 18:15 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Bringing the kids? We’ve got you covered. While you attend your program, children ages 4 and up can join Youth Librarian River in the picture book area for stories, crafts, and free play. Older kids ages 9 and up are welcome to explore the youth area independently — think computers, board games, a scavenger hunt, and the Winnie Belle Maker Space — with Teen Librarian, Shadia, on hand if needed. Caregivers must remain in the building.
Kids’ Corner is a new pilot program. Tell us what you think in our program survey!

Librarian's Choice Book Discussion
2026-05-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Main Reading Room
“Alanna the First Adventure” by Tamora Pierce In a time when girls are forbidden to be warriors, Alanna of Trebond wants nothing more than to be a knight of the realm of Tortall. So she finds a way to switch places with her twin brother, Thom. Disguised as a boy, Alanna begins her training as a page at the palace of King Roald. But the road to knighthood, as she discovers, is not an easy one. Alanna must master weapons, combat, and magic, as well as polite behavior, her temper, and even her own heart. Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins—one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and make her a legend in the land.

Plant Swap
2026-05-09 10:00 - 13:00 | Library Pavilion
Bring plants to swap under the pavilion in front of the library! Garden starters and houseplants welcome!

Grief Group
2026-05-06 18:30 - 19:30 | Kolvoord Community Room
Join a compassionate community of others who are grieving. In this safe and supportive space, we come together to share, validate, and navigate the complexities of grief. Guided by certified death doula Karen Hergesheimer, our conversations offer understanding, education, and valuable resources to help you through this journey. Hot tea is provided.

CANCELED: Vermont Astronomical Society Meeting
2026-05-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Kolvoord Community Room

Fabric Swap
2026-05-02 09:00 - 13:00 | Kolvoord Community Room
Bring in your usable leftover fabric from the 27th-1st. Come in on Saturday the 2nd and pick up some new fabric! Don’t forget to check out our ongoing pattern swap too!

Adult Take and Make Kits - Painted Bird Houses
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-31 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Kits can be found on a cart to the left of the main circulation desk and are available while supplies last. Instructions will be included in each kit. 1 kit per family please. Share pictures of your making experience by emailing them to: frontdesk@brownelllibrary.org or tag @brownellvt on social media.

May's Daily/Ongoing Programs for Adults:
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-31 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Book Display: This month, check out books and films about, inspired by, and written during the 1920’s! This is party of the Brownell Library’s 100th programs!
Visit the KCR display! This month our display features art by the Essex Art League!
Magazine Swap: Need some new reading material? Check out the magazine swap!
Community Puzzle: Spend some time working on a puzzle in the Main Reading Room. Puzzles rotate as they are completed.
Pattern Swap: Bring in sewing, cross stitch, and knitting patters and take a few home!
Puzzle Swap: Bring a puzzle, take a puzzle. Adult and kid friendly puzzles welcome! Only puzzles that have all the pieces. Drop your puzzle off on the table next to the main desk.
Red Cards: Informational cards are available in different languages.
Coupon Swap: Do you have extra coupons that aren’t useful to you? Bring them in and take a few!
Battery Recycling Station: Do you have old batteries? Drop them off at our recycling station (no exploded batteries please!)
Lion’s Club Eyeglasses Drop Off Station. Do you have old glasses you no longer need? Drop them off at our recycling station!
Seed Swap: Have extra seeds you don’t need? Drop them off at our seed swap and take home seeds you want for your garden!

Must Read Mondays The Salt Stones
2026-04-27 18:30 - 19:30 | Kolvoord Community Room
The Salt Stones: Seasons of a Shepherd’s Life by Helen Whybrow
Set in Vermont’s Green Mountains, a profoundly moving meditation on the lessons and wisdom that come from raising a family, tending sheep, and living close to the land.
In the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, Helen Whybrow and her partner set out to restore an old two-hundred-acre farm. Knowing that “belonging more than anything requires participation,” they begin to intertwine their lives with the land. But soon after releasing a flock of Icelandic sheep onto the worn-out fields, Whybrow realizes that the art of shepherding extends far beyond the flock and fences of Knoll Farm.

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Fabric Swap Drop Off
2026-04-27 - 2026-05-01 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States

Brownell Library Trustees Meeting
2026-04-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Brownell Library is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Brownell Library Trustees Meeting
Time: Dec 16, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Third Tue, 44 occurrence(s)
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