September’s library program schedule is packed for all ages
September 4, 2026 | By Judi ByronThis month’s listings include some additional highlights of the annual Vermont Reads program.
Patrons are reminded that the library is closed on Monday, Sept. 6, for the Labor Day holiday.
Below are featured programs for adults followed by those for children and teens. As always, the library website has additional details and the most current information on all programs. Be sure to check waterburypubliclibrary.com for more.
The Vermont Reads book this fall is graphic novel 'Charity & Sylvia' by former Vermont Cartoonist Laureate Tilly Walden. Cover image
Vermont Reads ‘Charity & Sylvia’
Vermont Reads, the one-state/one-book program that has been running yearly since 2003 has chosen the new graphic novel by former Vermont Cartoonist Laureate Tillie Walden, “Charity & Sylvia,” as its selection.
Created by Walden from archival materials at the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History in Middlebury, and other primary and secondary sources, “Charity & Sylvia” is a groundbreaking biography that is also the story of 19th-century America. For 44 years Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake lived together as life partners in the small town of Weybridge, Vermont. In Walden’s graphic novel, America grows alongside these women. We see the arrival of railroads, the terms of 14 presidents, riots, rebellion and plagues.
The library has plenty of copies to go around – stop by the front desk to ask for one.
Sept. 9: Drawing from History
The library has planned events around this Vermont Reads book, the first being a visit by cartoonist, author, musician and educator Marek Bennett, who leads discovery-based comics workshops for all ages.
A New Hampshire resident, Bennett visits to share the process of creating comics and graphic novels drawn from historical primary sources. Bennett’s program “Drawing From History” demonstrates basic techniques of historical cartooning and explores the roles of research and imagination in the creative process.
His work includes the graphic novel series, “The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby,” as well as drawing, translating, and editing for “The Most Costly Journey” (2021) with the bilingual El Viaje Project. In September 2022, both books were featured at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. Marek is the recipient of the New Hampshire Governor’s Arts Award for Art Education.
Register with an email to judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com for this workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Sept. 12: Silent Reading Party at Vermont Artisan
Vermont Artisan Coffee and Tea is on Cabin Lane along Vermont Route 100 in Waterbury Center. Photo by Gordon Miller
Library staff will attend September’s Silent Reading Party at Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea to hand out copies of “Charity & Sylvia” for attendees to read there or take home. Presented with Bridgeside Books, the Silent Reading Parties are a monthly gathering of bibliophiles taking place at different venues around town. This month’s party is on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Vermont Artisan & Tea, 11 Cabin Lane, just off Route 100 in Waterbury Center.
See the Silent Reading Party event listing on the library website for upcoming dates and locations.
Thursday Bridge Club
The Waterbury Bridge Club resumes its weekly Thursday afternoon sessions this month, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Players play duplicate bridge, which is simply playing the hand twice but with different players. The group welcomes all, even if you haven’t played duplicate bridge before. For more information contact Millie Merrill at 802-522-3523 or Grace Sweet at 802-244-7123.
Federalist Papers Club
The Federalist Papers Book Club, led by history buff and Waterbury Select Board member Evan Hoffman, looks at key decisions made at the nation's founding, and how they've played out through history to the present day. The group meets upstairs on the library’s second floor in the back by the Red Room on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
September’s dates and topics are:
Sept. 2: Problems with the Articles of Confederation (Papers 15-23 & 27). Recommended reading: Articles of Confederation.
Sept. 16: Federal Powers, the military, taxation (Papers 24-36).
Sept. 30: Federalism and checks and balances (Papers 37-51).
This program has a webpage with a very detailed breakdown for each session of essential and recommended readings with notes. Find that on the Vermont 250 website here.
Sept. 13: Playreading with New Stage Players
The Waterbury Public Library is pleased to collaborate with the local community theater company, New Stage Players, in its kick-off of their 2026-27 monthly reading series. The community is invited to the Grange Hall Cultural Center on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 4 p.m. for a reading of the play “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker.
This quirky and humorous tale centered on drama classes at a community center in the fictional town of Shirley, Vermont. The play opened Off-Broadway in 2009 and received the Obie Award for Best New American Play (The Obie Awards are considered off-Broadway's highest honor, similar to the Tony Awards for Broadway productions). The New York Times called the play “...absorbing, unblinking and sharply funny.”
The New Stage Players welcomes all who would like to read the script, hear the play, and or join in the discussion of the play afterwards. No knowledge of the play or acting experience is necessary to participate; you can also come just to listen.
Those interested in reading, should arrive by 3:30 p.m. for the casting call. The reading starts promptly at 4. Copies of the play can be found at the library through the Interlibrary Loan system. Ask for the collection Vermont Plays of which “Circle Mirror Transformation” is a part.
To register for this event, email info.acrossroads@gmail.com or call 802-244-4168. The reading is a free event open to all. Light refreshments served. Sponsored by Across Roads Center for the Arts & Grange Hall Cultural Center in cooperation with the Waterbury Public Library.
Sept. 15: Bravery Boost
Bravery Boost continues its monthly meeting in September discussing the science of courage and brain changes when acting courageously. The group meets on Sept. 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is a drop-in event, and all are welcome. Come share your wins and your struggles and learn new techniques and tactics.
Sept. 26: Slow Flow Yoga
Having just completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training, Katie Gesser will lead a Slow Flow Yoga Class for both those just beginning yoga and lifelong practitioners. This session will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, 10-11 a.m.
This Slow Flow Yoga practice provides a grounding sequence designed to help reconnect the breath and body. Expect gentle movement, mindful transitions, and plenty of time to settle into each pose. This class is accessible to all levels, including beginners, and offers a peaceful opportunity to move, breathe and unwind in a group setting.
Gesser started yoga 10 years ago after moving to Burlington for college as a way to navigate the daily stress of life in a new city. Through dedication to the practice, yoga helped her foster deep connections within her new community and herself. She recently completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training through Sangha Studio in Williston. Through teaching, Gesser hopes to create a welcoming environment for participants to slow down, reconnect, and feel more at home in their bodies.
Sept. 26: Garden Harvest Festival
Also on Saturday, the 26th, the third annual Garden Harvest Festival celebrates all gardens and all volunteers at the library gardens, including the children. From 1 to 2 p.m., celebrate the harvest at the library gardens with Master Gardener Rachel Babin, library staff and volunteers.
This celebration honors the library Word Garden and Book Garden as well as its featured Children’s Garden. Food at the celebration will include produce from the Children’s Garden. In case of rain, the Harvest Festival will be moved inside to the Steele Community Room.
Children’s Programs
The library offers new children’s programs for the fall with Youth Librarian Shelby Gagne. Note that the library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, for the Labor Day holiday.
Mondays
Storytimes: Starting Monday, Sept. 14, little ones are invited to Storytime with Shelby from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Geared for children ages 2-5, Storytime features early literacy activities, including books, songs, rhymes and movement activities designed to develop your child’s language, socialization skills, and love of reading. There is also an optional craft project.
Cooking Club: On the second Monday of the month, Sept. 14, middle schoolers are invited to Cooking Club from 4 to 5 p.m. Learn new recipes, build kitchen skills, and create delicious food with friends. For youngsters in grades 5-8. September’s date is the 14th. In honor of Spanish Heritage Month, quesadillas and sopaipillas are on the menu. Register with an email to shelby@waterburypubliclibrary.com.
Art Club: Kids in grades 1-6 can meet for Art Club on Sept. 21, the third Monday of the month, from 4 to 5 p.m. to unleash their creativity with a fun hands-on art project. For this session, Shelby will be teaching Sunography or Cyanotypes, one of the oldest photographic processes. It has a distinctive blue color. Discover the magic of the sun by making unique blue-and-white prints with leaves, flowers, and other found objects.
STEM Lab: On the fourth Monday of the month, Sept. 28, kids in grades 3-6 can experiment, build and discover in STEM Lab from 4 to 5 p.m. Each session features hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities where kids can explore, create, solve problems, and have fun through exciting challenges and experiments.
Tuesdays
Gaming: The first Tuesday of the month, Sept. 1, offers gaming from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Relax and hang out, eat snacks and play Nintendo Switch games with friends. Choose from a variety of popular multi-player or single-player games. No experience necessary. This is a drop-in with no registration required.
Red Clover Book Club: On the second Tuesday of the month, Sept. 8, preschoolers and homeschool families can visit for Red Clover Book Club from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The group explores Red Clover Book Award nominees through read-alouds, crafts, games and hands-on activities. Discover wonderful stories together and cast a vote for your favorite book.
Poetry Club: Kids in grades 3-8 meet on Sept. 8 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Explore different styles of poetry, read and share favorite poems, try fun writing activities, and create your own unique poems in a welcoming setting for young writers and word lovers.
Around the World: Go “Around the World” every third Tuesday for a new adventure in a new country. Through stories, crafts, games, music, and hands-on activities, kids will explore a different country each month. Discover fascinating traditions, try fun cultural activities and snacks, and learn about the people, places, and celebrations that make each destination unique without leaving the library. This session is Sept. 15, 3:30-5 p.m.
Graphic Novel Book Club: A Graphic Novel Book Club for grades 2-6 meets on the fourth Tuesday, Sept. 29. Each month, the group will read a different graphic novel. Come share your favorite characters and moments and connect with others comic and illustrated story fans from 3:30-5 p.m.
Wednesdays
Wednesdays at the library are Teen Time.
On the first and third Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m., teens are welcome to hang out at the library, socialize with friends, and the SAL Room is available for just that.
On the first Wednesday of the month Teen Queer Reads Book Club for ages 12-18 provides a safe space for teens to share thoughts around the books they are reading and to talk about ideas and issues. That’s from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This month’s book discussion date is Sept. 2 for “Beetle and the Hollowbones,” by Aliza Lane.
The Teen Advisory Board meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Students in grades 6 to 12 are invited to share ideas and help plan programs for their age group, suggest books and activities, and earn volunteer hours. This month’s meeting is Sept. 9.
On Sept. 16, kids in grades 3-8 can check out the Early Release Movie Matinee from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. There’s popcorn, friends and a big screen.
Also on Sept. 16, Makerspace follows Teen Hangout from 6 to 7 p.m. with a social evening of crafting. September’s craft is vision boards, and participants are welcome to bring their own craft or project, as well.
On Sept. 30, students ages 11-18 meet for book club from 4 to 6 p.m. If you like Manga, this club is for you! It meets the last Wednesday of the month and features a different read with a themed activity and snack inspired by that month’s selection.
Thursdays
For the wee ones, Busy Bees Playgroup offers an opportunity for free play for babies and their siblings, Thursday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For ages up to 2 years.
On the fourth Thursday of the month, Puzzle Masters meet in the Red Room upstairs on the second floor. Participants from grades 2-6 can challenge their minds with jigsaw puzzles, brain teasers, logic games, ciphers and escape room challenges in this fun drop-in for puzzle lovers. From 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Fridays
Pokémon Club is back on the first and third Fridays of the month from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Bring your cards, trade with friends, and battle if you play! Enjoy Pokemon-themed activities and connect with fellow fans. Sept. 4 and 18.
Toddler art adventures happen on the second Friday of the month with painting, creating, exploring and messy fun. Toddlers discover the joy of process art through hands-on activities at Toddler Art from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The Sept. 11 session will be apple stamping.
On the second and fourth Fridays – Sept. 11 and 25 – from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., LEGO fans get together to build, create, and imagine. Kids take on fun building challenges and design their own creations.
Judi Byron is the Adult Program Coordinator at the Waterbury Public Library. Contact: 802-244-7036 or judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.