Brownell Library

Mah Jongg
2026-05-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-17 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | 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

ART LAB: Wild Things
2026-05-01 09:00 - 2026-05-15 18:30 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Let the wild rumpus start! Grab some pipe cleaners, pom poms, googly eyes, and accessories and bring your own wild thing to life! Stop by the youth desk to introduce us to your puppet, and we’ll take a picture to display on the Winnie Belle windows. This program is made possible with support from the Winnie Bell Learned Fund and it is open to all ages!

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!

Snap and Code with Lego Robotics
2026-04-30 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-16 17:00 - 18:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Children ages 6-10 code with Legos and Scratch. Along the way they will grow more comfortable with the iterative nature of the design process, which involves experimenting, failing, and trying again. This program could be a good fit if you have a creative kid who loves solving puzzles. Registration is required (coming soon), and space is limited to 10 children, please sign up only if you can commit to coming to both sessions on 4/16 and 4/30. Lego Robotics programming is possible thanks to the support of the Brownell Library Foundation and the Al Bergendahl Fund.

Story Time
2026-04-30 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-04-16 10:00 - 10:30 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Picture books, songs, rhymes, crafts and early literacy tips. In the picture book area.

Whimsical Wednesday: Lego Fun
2026-04-29 15:30 - 18:30 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Every Wednesday we will do a fun activity, ranging from crafts to engineering and more! This time: Relax and play creatively with Legos. Your creations will be displayed in the library.

Play Time!
2026-04-29 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-04-15 10:00 - 10:45 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Read one story together and play! We have giant blocks and other creative play materials. Best for ages 0-5.

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

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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Tech Help with Clif
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.

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!

Read & Play
2026-04-25 10:00 - 10:45 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Looking for a weekend story time in a relaxed setting? Attend this program where we read picture books, free play with creative materials and end with a musical activity! Best for ages 0-5.

Switch It Up!
2026-04-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Switch up your Friday night routine and come play games at Brownell! We will be bringing out the Nintendo Switch at 6 PM – show up early to decide which game(s) we play. This program is designed for youth in grades 5 and up.

Whimsical Wednesdays: Play Dough Earth Models
2026-04-22 15:30 - 16:30 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Make a model of the earth’s core with play dough. This hands-on program helps participants understand the Earth’s structure by visually and physically layering each part.

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)
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Sustainable Libraries Initiative Celebration
2026-04-20 17:30 - 18:30 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Brownell Library is working towards Sustainable Library Initiative certification. Assistant Youth Librarian, Erna, will give an overview of how far we have come and we will celebrate with a treat. Participants will receive a free copy of The Light Pirate, available while supplies last.

Seed Bombs
2026-04-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Seed bombs are a great way to kick-start your spring planting and add color to your yard. Made with soil and native plant seeds, these little balls provide resources to pollinators that keep our environment healthy. Come play with dirt and revitalize the earth! This program is open to youth in grades 5 and up.

STEM Challenge: Kaleidoscope Constructions
2026-04-16 - 2026-04-30 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Unlock the science of color while constructing with Magnatiles in this hands-on STEM adventure. From simple color sorting and mixing explorations to advanced color theory and architectural challenges, this project offers inspiration for builders of all ages. Share your creation with a librarian to become part of our community photo wall. This program is made possible with support from the Winnie Belle Learned Fund.

Whimsical Wednesday: Kids Movie
2026-04-15 15:30 - 17:00 | Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT, 05450, United States
Every Wednesday we will do a fun activity, ranging from crafts to engineering and more! This time, join us for a movie and popcorn! A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of a grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. Rated PG

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.

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.
