The Library Board of Commissioners meets on the 2nd Thursday
of each month at 5:15 pm.
Click Here to read the Agenda.

ART EXHIBITS

Vermont Photo Group Show
Pickering Room
July 1-30
Reception: Sunday, July 11, 2:00-4:00 pm
This marks Vermont Photo Group’s 22nd annual exhibit of members’ works.  Over twenty photographers display images in diverse styles.  Meet the photographers over light refreshments at the July 11th reception.

Kevyn CUNdiff: Stained Glass
Main Reading Room
Through August
Kevyn Cundiff grew up in Texas and received a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Archaeology, minoring in Studio Art.  Her classes were an eclectic mix of studio art classes, anthropology, osteology, cartography, and drafting.  After working as an archaeological illustrator both here and abroad, she moved through a variety of careers.  Her interest in stained glass began in the early 90’s, and she established a studio in Burlington in 2007 with a focus on pet portraits, capturing that curious feeling animals evoke in us.

Artist Statement:
Over 12,000 years ago humans began to befriend wolves.  This turned out to be a lovely  idea.  Cats, rodents, reptiles, fish, birds were coaxed into our homes.  Fine.  It makes us better humans.  I capture this camaraderie in glass.  Stained glass, using the copper foil method developed by Tiffany, can depict the charm of pets as well as their character.  Goofy, glamorous, gifted.  The most serene dog can give a grin and get a laugh.  And, playing to the laugh, I include a favorite toy in most of my pieces.  Pet’s props. Even the proudest cat has a plaything.  Possibly you.

PROGRAMS

Fletcher Free Library Book Discussion Group
Local History Room
Wednesday, July 14, 7:30 pm --POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER
The Fletcher Free Library’s book discussion group meets to discuss The Media Relations Department of Hizbollah Wishes You a Happy Birthday: Unexpected Encounters in the Changing Middle East, by Neil MacFarquhar.

Odyssey Book Discussion Series
Local History Room
Wednesday, July 7, 7:30 pm
The Odyssey book discussion group led by scholar Peter Burns meets to discuss Margaret Atwood’s Penelopiad.  Margaret Atwood’s shrewd, funny, and insightful retelling of the myth of Odysseus from the point of view of Penelope.  Describing her own remarkable vision, the author writes in the foreword, “I’ve chosen to give the telling of the story to Penelope and to the twelve hanged maids.  The maids form a chanting and singing Chorus, which focuses on two questions that must pose themselves after any close reading of the Odyssey: What led to the hanging of the maids, and what was Penelope really up to?  The story as told in the Odyssey doesn’t hold water: there are too many inconsistencies.  I’ve always been haunted by the hanged maids and, in The Penelopiad, so is Penelope herself.”

Odyssey Book Discussion Series
Derek Walcott’s Omeros and The Odyssey: A Stage Version
Local History Room
Wednesday, July 21, 7:30 pm
“Derek Walcott, winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1992, has regularly undertaken the re-envisioning of other writers' works throughout his career including his epic Omeros (1990), drawn from Homeric epic tradition.  Whatever vestiges of original sources may be retained through Walcott's process of adaptation, each original is strategically altered by his West Indian Creole aesthetic.”  (From Robert Hamner in Twentieth Century Literature, Fall 2001.)

LAUGHTER YOGA   -for Beginners-
Sundays, July 11 and 25, 4-5 pm
Laughter Yoga is a new mind-body experience that combines simple laughter exercises and gentle Yoga breathing to enhance overall health and happiness.  For more information call Casey at 802-860-1525 or e-mail casey8clark@gmail.com

OUTREACH  PROGRAMS

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES
Administrative Conference Room-- Beginner Level
Pickering Room, 2nd Floor-- Intermediate/Advanced Level
Wednesdays, 7-9 pm
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Administrative Conference Room
Temporarily postponed until further notice
Do you want to improve your English conversation skills and meet new people?  Practice and improve your English conversation with other English learners and native speakers at the Library.
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

CONVERSATION GROUPS

FRENCH-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
On vacation for the summer!  
Parlez-vous français?  Meet others in the community who do too.  Join the group and practice foreign language conversation.  Fluency not required (nor is attendance at every meeting).
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

JAPANESE-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Local History Room
Meets the second and fourth Monday of each month
July 12 & 26, 5-6 pm
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

GERMAN-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Local History Room
Meets the first and third Wednesday of each month
July 7 & 21, 7-9 pm
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?  Meet others in the community who do too.  Join the group and practice foreign language conversation.  Fluency not required (nor is attendance at every meeting).
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

RUSSIAN-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Local History Room
Meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month
July 14 & 28, 5:30-6:30 pm
Meet others in the community who speak Russian and English.  Join the group and practice foreign language conversation.  Fluency not required (nor is attendance at every meeting).
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

SPANISH-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Check at Circulation Desk for location
Thursdays, 5-6 pm
Habla espanol?  Meet others in the community who do too.  Join the group and practice foreign language conversation.  Fluency not required (nor is attendance at every meeting).
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

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ART EXHIBITS

Kevyn CUNdiff: Stained Glass
Main Reading Room
Through August
Kevyn Cundiff grew up in Texas and received a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Archaeology, minoring in Studio Art.  Her classes were an eclectic mix of studio art classes, anthropology, osteology, cartography, and drafting.  After working as an archaeological illustrator both here and abroad, she moved through a variety of careers.  Her interest in stained glass began in the early 90’s, and she established a studio in Burlington in 2007 with a focus on pet portraits, capturing that curious feeling animals evoke in us.

Artist Statement:
Over 12,000 years ago humans began to befriend wolves.  This turned out to be a lovely  idea.  Cats, rodents, reptiles, fish, birds were coaxed into our homes.  Fine.  It makes us better humans.  I capture this camaraderie in glass.  Stained glass, using the copper foil method developed by Tiffany, can depict the charm of pets as well as their character.  Goofy, glamorous, gifted.  The most serene dog can give a grin and get a laugh.  And, playing to the laugh, I include a favorite toy in most of my pieces.  Pet’s props. Even the proudest cat has a plaything.  Possibly you.

PROGRAMS

The Odyssey Book Discussion Series: Sailing Home: Using Homer's Odyssey to Navigate Life's Perils and Pitfalls
Wednesday, August 4, 7:30 pm
Local History Room
Vermont Humanities scholar Peter Burns concludes this series of works inspired by Homer’s epic.  Sailing Home by Norman Fischer incorporates Buddhist, Judaic, Christian, and popular thought, as well as his own unique and sympathetic understanding of life, in his reinterpretation of Odysseus's familiar wanderings as lessons that everyone can use.  Norman Fischer is a poet and Zen Buddhist priest.  For many years he has taught at the San Francisco Zen Center, the oldest and largest of the new Buddhist organizations in the West, where he served as Co-abbot from 1995-2000.

The LOst Cyclist author David Herlihy
Wednedsay, August 11, 7 pm
Fletcher Room
Historian, cyclist and freelance writer David Herlihy discusses his new book Lost Cyclist: The Epic Tale of an American Adventurer and His Mysterious Disappearance.  Herlihy’s book has been widely reviewed, including in the New York Times Book Review and recently was interviewed on the hour-long NPR program “On Point” with Tom Ashcroft.  Sponsored by The Old Spokes Home and Local Motion

Book description from Amazon.com:

In the late 1880s, Frank Lenz of Pittsburgh, a renowned high-wheel racer and long-distance tourist, dreamed of cycling around the world. He finally got his chance by recasting himself as a champion of the downsized "safety-bicycle" with inflatable tires, the forerunner of the modern road bike that was about to become wildly popular. In the spring of 1892 he quit his accounting job and gamely set out west to cover twenty thousand miles over three continents as a correspondent for Outing magazine. Two years later, after having survived countless near disasters and unimaginable hardships, he approached Europe for the final leg.

He never made it. His mysterious disappearance in eastern Turkey sparked an international outcry and compelled Outing to send William Sachtleben, another larger-than-life cyclist, on Lenz's trail. Bringing to light a wealth of information, Herlihy's gripping narrative captures the soaring joys and constant dangers accompanying the bicycle adventurer in the days before paved roads and automobiles. This untold story culminates with Sachtleben's heroic effort to bring Lenz's accused murderers to justice, even as troubled Turkey teetered on the edge of collapse.

Fletcher Free Library Book Discussion Group
Local History Room
Wednesday, August 11, 7:30 pm
The Fletcher Free Library’s book discussion group meets to discuss Herta Müller’s The Appointment.  Free copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.

John Dewey Lecture
Pickering Room
Wednesday, August 18, 4 pm
The philosophy and influence of Burlington-born John Dewey is the subject of a talk by artist and educator Frank Gonzales.  Gonzales explores Dewey’s progressive educational reforms, insights on civil society and his work as a psychologist and writer.  One of the University of Vermont’s most famous graduates, Dewey lived into his 90s, tirelessly defended human rights causes and counted among his friends Albert Einstein, Jane Addams and Bertrand Russell.

LAUGHTER YOGA   -for Beginners-
Sundays, August 18 and 22, 4-5 pm
Laughter Yoga is a new mind-body experience that combines simple laughter exercises and gentle Yoga breathing to enhance overall health and happiness.  For more information call Casey at 802-860-1525 or e-mail casey8clark@gmail.com

OUTREACH  PROGRAMS

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES
Administrative Conference Room-- Beginner Level
Pickering Room, 2nd Floor-- Intermediate/Advanced Level
Wednesdays, 7-9 pm
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Administrative Conference Room
Temporarily postponed until further notice
Do you want to improve your English conversation skills and meet new people?  Practice and improve your English conversation with other English learners and native speakers at the Library.
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

CONVERSATION GROUPS

FRENCH-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
On vacation for the summer!  
Parlez-vous français?  Meet others in the community who do too.  Join the group and practice foreign language conversation.  Fluency not required (nor is attendance at every meeting).
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

JAPANESE-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Local History Room
Meets the second and fourth Monday of each month
August 9 & 23, 5-6 pm
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

GERMAN-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Local History Room
Meets the first and third Wednesday of each month
August 4 & 18, 7-9 pm
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?  Meet others in the community who do too.  Join the group and practice foreign language conversation.  Fluency not required (nor is attendance at every meeting).
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

RUSSIAN-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Local History Room
Meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month
August 11 & 25, 5:30-6:30 pm
Meet others in the community who speak Russian and English.  Join the group and practice foreign language conversation.  Fluency not required (nor is attendance at every meeting).
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

SPANISH-ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
Check at Circulation Desk for location
Thur., Aug. 5, 5-6 pm, then temporarily postponed until further notice
Habla espanol?  Meet others in the community who do too.  Join the group and practice foreign language conversation.  Fluency not required (nor is attendance at every meeting).
For more information, contact Karin Johnson, FFL Outreach Department, 865-7211.

Top of Page

All programs are free and open to the public at the Fletcher Free Library, 235 College Street, Burlington.  For more information, contact Barbara at 865.7211.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, every effort will be made to make our programs accessible to individuals with disabilities.  Please contact us at least two weeks prior to the program you wish to attend.  To make arrangements, please call 865.7211  (TTY Relay 711).

Teens Read! Wednesdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 5:30 p.m. Participate in a book group for middle & high school students and get started reading. Free. Students in 6th grade and up are welcome. Please call the Youth Desk for more information or to preregister: 865-7216.

TAB (Teen Advisory Board). Monday, July 26th, 4:00-5:00 p.m. High schoolers: be a part of the process! Help decide what goes into the Young Adult (Teen) collection, and what activities we will have for teens. This could count toward your community service graduation requirement. No preregistration needed.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM:

Make a Splash, Write! Wednesdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Do you love to write or want to give it a try? Explore the world of writing poetry and short story fiction in a six-week informal atmosphere. Free. Ages 10 & up. Teens welcome! Please preregister: 865-7216.

Sandtastic Summer Sandals. Design your own duct tape sandals and enjoy the sweet summer sun. Thursday, July 8th, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Free. Ages 10 & up. Teens welcome! Please preregister: 865-7216.

Hula Hooping's Happening on the library lawn to groovy Rock 'n' Roll tunes. Hand-made water hoops made by Michelle Lefkowitz will also be available for purchase. Rain lcoation: the Fletcher Room in the Library. Wednesday, July 14, 11:00-11:20 a.m. Ages 5 & up. Grownups too! Please preregister: 865-7216.

• Check out the Teen Webpage for links to booklists and local sites.   
• We've also started a Teen Blog.  Read about new releases, see pictures from events at the library, and post your own comments

Teens Read! Wednesdays, August 4th & 25th, 5:30 p.m. Participate in a book group for middle & high school students and get started reading. Free. Students in 6th grade and up are welcome. Please call the Youth Desk for more information or to preregister: 865-7216.

TAB (Teen Advisory Board). Monday, August 9th, 4:00-5:00 p.m. High schoolers: be a part of the process! Help decide what goes into the Young Adult (Teen) collection, and what activities we will have for teens. This could count toward your community service graduation requirement. No preregistration needed.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM:

Make a Splash, Write! Wednesday, August 4th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Do you love to write or want to give it a try? Explore the world of writing poetry and short story fiction in a six-week informal atmosphere. Free. Ages 10 & up. Teens welcome! Please preregister: 865-7216.

Splashy Send-Off. Celebrate all your great reading with marvelous music, wonderful watermelon, certificates and prizes at our annual "End of Summer Reading Program. Wednesday, August 11th, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Free. All ages. No preregistration needed. Family and friends welcome!

• Check out the Teen Webpage for links to booklists and local sites.   
• We've also started a Teen Blog.  Read about new releases, see pictures from events at the library, and post your own comments

Creative Tuesdays. July 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th, 3-5 p.m. Join us at the library for various arts and crafts projects. Free. All ages, but children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. No preregistration required. 

Read to a Dog. Saturdays, July 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, 10:00-11:00; and Sundays, July 11th, 18th, 25th, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Read to an adorable dog from Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Free. Recommended for ages 5 to 10 years. No preregistration needed. 

SPECIAL EVENTS:

"Make a SPLASH, READ!" The last day to sign up for Summer Reading Program is Sunday, July 11th.

Water Wonder Activity Stations at the Library begin Tuesday, June 29th and continue throughout the summer. Stop by the Youth Area anytime to enjoy a water-related science or craft activity. Ages 5 & up. No preregistration needed.

Comedy Magic Show. Celebrate the magical world of water with Vermont's Magic Man - Tom Joyce. Thursday, July 1st, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Ages 5 & up. No preregistration needed. 

Treasure Island and Summer Reading Program Check-In at Battery Park. Come see this original Very Merry Theatre performance based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure. Wednesday, July 7th. Free. Ages 5 & up. No preregistration needed. Bring your reading logs!
    11:30 a.m.-12:00 noon: Summer Reading Program check-in
     12:00 noon -1:00 p.m.: Performance

Make a Splash, Write! Wednesdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Do you love to write or want to give it a try? Explore the world of writing poetry and short story fiction in a six-week informal atmosphere. Free. Ages 10 & up. Teens welcome! Please preregister: 865-7216.

Sandtastic Summer Sandals. Design your own duct tape sandals and enjoy the sweet summer sun. Thursday, July 8th, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Free. Ages 10 & up. Teens welcome! No preregistration needed.

Simmering Summer Stories. Mondays, July 12th, 19th & 26th. 11:00-11:30 a.m. Love being read to? Children entering kindergarten through second grade are invited to join Megan for a treasure trove of splashy summer stories. Free. Ages 5-8 years. No preregistration needed.

Hula Hooping's Happening on the library lawn to groovy Rock 'n' Roll tunes. Hand-made water hoops made by Michelle Lefkowitz will also be available for purchased. Rain location: the Fletcher Room in the Library. Wednesday, July 14th, 11:00-11:30 a.m. Ages 5 & up. Grownups too! Please preregister: 865-7216.

Lake Monsters Baseball. Visit with players from Burlington's minor league baseball team, the Vermont Lake Monsters, who will share books, answer your questions, and sign autographs. Tuesday, July 20th (rescheduled) Friday, July 16th, 11:00-11:45 a.m. Free. Ages 5 & up. No preregistration needed.

Pinocchio and Summer Reading Program Check-In at Battery Park. Come see this original Very Merry Theatre performance based on Carol Collodi's classic story. Wednesday, July 21st. Free. Ages 5 & up. No preregistration needed. Bring your reading logs!
     11:30 a.m.-12:00 noon: Summer Reading Program check-in
      12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.: Performance

X-Theatre Presents a wondrously wacky play, written and performed by kids for kids. A production of the Burlington Parks and Recreation Youth Drama Program. Thursday, July 22nd, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. Free. Ages 5 & up. No preregistration needed.

Very Merry Theatre's Wigwag Performing Arts Festival and Summer Reading Program Check-in. Enjoy performances by Burlington children at the Integrated Arts Academy at H.O. Wheeler school. Wear your library t-shirt, bring your reading log, and join the fun! Friday, July 23rd, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Free. Ages 5 & up. No preregistration needed.

Undersea Costume Ball. Come dressed as your favorite sea creature (or character!) and join us for sea-themed music, dancing and refreshments. Wednesday, July 28th, 11:00-11:45 a.m. Free. All ages welcome. No preregistration needed.

Children Gather Round Native American Drumming. Come celebrate the lakes and rivers around us while you listen and drum and sing - and even dance! Check out www.youtube.com for their short video. Thursday, July 29th, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. Free. Ages 5 & up. No preregistration needed.

*Check out our Kids Blog: www.fletcherkids.blogspot.com!

REGULAR PROGRAMS:

Music with Robert. Tuesdays, August 3rd, 10th & 17th, 11:00-11:30 a.m. Sing along with Robert for great family fun! Free. All ages. No preregistration needed.

Creative Tuesdays. August 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, 3-5 p.m. Join us at the library for various arts and crafts projects. Free. All ages, but children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. No preregistration required. 

Read to a Dog. Saturdays, August 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 10:00-11:00; and Sundays, August 1st, 8th, 15th, 29th, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Read to an adorable dog from Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Free. Recommended for ages 5 to 10 years. No preregistration needed. 

SPECIAL EVENTS:

"Make a SPLASH, READ!" Our Summer Reading Program continues. All reading hours must be reported by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 8th.

Simmering Summer Stories. Monday, August 2nd. 11:00-11:30 a.m. Love being read to? Children entering kindergarten through second grade are invited to join Megan for a treasure trove of splashy summer stories. Free. Ages 5-8 years. No preregistration needed.

X-Theatre Presents another wondrously wacky play, written and performed by kids for kids. A production of the Burlington Parks and Recreation Youth Drama Program. Wednesday, August 4th, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. Free. Ages 5 & up. No preregistration needed.

Splashy Send-Off. Celebrate all your great reading with marvelous music, wonderful watermelon, certificates and prizes at our annual "End of Summer Reading Program" party. Wednesday, August 11th, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Free. All ages. No preregistration needed. Family and friends welcome!

*Check out our Kids Blog: www.fletcherkids.blogspot.com!

Please note: All groups must receive special permission to attend any program from Rebecca Goldberg. Please call 865.7216.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, every effort will be made to make our programs accessible to people with disabilities.  To aid us in making accommodations, please contact us a minimum of two weeks prior to the program you wish to attend.  Please call 865-7216 (TTY relay 711).