Grief Group
2026-04-01 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

AARP Tax Aide Appointments
2026-04-02 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-09 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Kolvoord Community Room
AARP Foundation provides in-person assistance free of charge with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 or have low-to-moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide and are trained and IRS-certified every year. Taxpayers must bring all information and documents that have been received that apply to their 2025 income taxes, as well as a copy of their 2024 returns. Appointments required. Please call 802-878-6955, in advance, to book a 60 minute appointment. The schedule fills up quickly!

Guardian ad Litem Information Session
2026-04-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
GUARDIAN AD LITEM LIBRARY SESSIONS Spring 2026
C H I T T E N D E N C O U N T Y
P U B L I C
L I B R A R I E S

Come to your local library and discover how someone like you can support children in your community. Current Guardians ad Litem and the Regional Coordinator will explain how you can give abused and neglected children a voice by becoming a court appointed Guardian ad Litem.
As a Guardian ad Litem, you get to work with the courts, DCF, attorneys, NFI, schools, and other community resources to help children through a very challenging time in their lives. It’s among the most challenging, impactful, and rewarding volunteer opportunities.
For those who can, it’s among the most important things you will ever do.

AARP Tax Appointments
2026-04-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Kolvoord Community Room

Mah Jongg
2026-04-03 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-24 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

Repair Cafe
2026-04-04 10:00 - 12:30 | Main Reading Room
What do you do with a broken toaster, a rusted bike chain or a sweater that’s wearing thin? Toss it? No way! Help reduce waste and save money by bringing it to Brownell Library’s Repair Café where volunteer repair experts will be available to help guide you in making repairs for free. Some tools and materials will also be on hand.
Registration is encouraged. Call us at 802-878-6955 to learn about the full list of possible repairs and appointment availability.
This program is based on the Repair Cafe model, you can learn more about this international movement at www.repaircafe.org/en/.

Tech Help with Clif
2026-04-06 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-13 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-20 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-27 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.

Adult Maker Kit - Pinwheels
2026-04-06 14:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Vermont Astronomical Society Monthly Meeting
2026-04-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Kolvoord Community Room
In-person and via Zoom
Ask for the Zoom link from paulwaav@together.net or theresamarie11@GMAIL.COM
Asteroids and Meteors
By Steve Grimsley
Asteroids and meteors are the leftovers of non gaseous material from the formation of the solar system. They are found throughout the solar system but are concentrated in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Much of what we know about the early history of the solar system comes from the study of these rocky remnants that made their way to Earth.
There are three main categories of meteors, stony, stony iron, and iron. These types mostly are based on where, in an internally melted and gravity segregated asteroid, they were formed.
Stony meteors that contain chondrules are known as chondrites. Chondrules are spherical grains of silicate minerals 1 – 3 mm in size from rapidly cooled molten droplets in the primordial solar nebula. They are composed of pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase, glass, iron nickel, and sulfate minerals that have not undergone a full melt since their formation. Their bulk composition is nearly identical to the Sun without hydrogen and helium and other light volatile elements and compounds. A special class of stony meteors are the lighter carbonaceous chondrites. These make up a higher proportion of asteroid bodies further away from the Sun. The carbonaceous meteorites represent the most unaltered non-gaseous material in the original cloud from which our solar system formed. They date to 4.55 billion years, back to the earliest formation of the solar system. Ordinary stony chondrite meteors are by far the most common type.
Achondrites are stony material that has undergone a full melt, cooling in a differentiated asteroid. These meteors are much like igneous rocks that form on earth. Fragments from the moon and Mars that have fallen on Earth are achondrites.
Stony irons and irons are from the interiors of large asteroids whose interiors melted and gravity segregated. Meteors of this type have been some of the largest that have finds. Polished surfaces of these have much visual appeal.
Following the main presentation, our recurring monthly presentations will include Constellation of the Month by Terri Zittritsch.

Current Events
2026-04-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-04-14 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-04-21 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-04-28 10:00 - 11:30 | 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.

Essex Community Historical Society Trivia Night
2026-04-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Trivia Night with the Essex Community Historical Society
April 8, 7 p.m.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Brownell Library, ECHS will present a trivia night.
First round of trivia will be on the Brownell family and library. The second round will be on events, movers and shakers, and other interesting facts pertaining to 1926.
Prizes will be awarded for those attendees with the most correct answers. So start studying and then join ECHS for an evening of fun.
This program is part of Brownell Library’s 100th Anniversary Celebrations!

Art Reception - Essex Art League
2026-04-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
The Essex Art League (EAL) was created in 1972 by a group of artists and art lovers. They meet monthly from September to June and welcome anyone to join them for community and learning. Annual membership includes hands-on activities, artist presentations, weekly en plein air, group exhibitions and more. For more information, please check out their website www.essexartleague.com.
Their art reception will be held at Brownell Library on April 9th from 4-6pm.

Book Launch: Beyond the politics of contempt
2026-04-11 13:15 - 14:15 | Kolvoord Community Room
Join local authors as they share insights from their new book Beyond the Politics of Contempt offering hopeful practical ways to heal divides and strengthen democracy.

Chess Time
2026-04-14 17:00 - 18:00 | Kolvoord Community Room
Play chess in our informal setting! Whether you’re just learning or already a pro, you’re invited to play this ancient game of strategy. All ages welcome.

Recycling 101 in the MRR in Partnership with Chittenden Solid Waste District
2026-04-14 17:00 - 18:00 | Main Reading Room
Recycling 101
Confused about what belongs in the recycling bin, compost, or trash? You’re not alone! Join us for this fun and informative presentation to learn about the ins and outs of recycling and composting. We’ll cover what belongs in each bin, address items that are frequent points of confusion (like pizza boxes, bottle caps, black plastic, and more), and answer your burning waste-related questions. Whether you’re new to the area or just want to sharpen your waste-sorting skills, you’ll leave confident about what goes where.

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)
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYscO6rpzwuHdaTWylSm6cQwO7kVKXNjQCc/ics?icsToken=[REDACTED]
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82177397472?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 821 7739 7472
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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
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!

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.

Please fill out this form to get the GoToMeeting sign in information.
https://forms.gle/UE9ZDT8ZD3a7UAQs8

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!
