A sign in the library designed by artist Hafuboti reminds us that “Libraries are for Everyone”. What does that mean exactly? As a place with free access for all, libraries help facilitate a range of “E’s” including education, employment opportunities, empowerment, and engagement.

A new and free online resource available at all Vermont libraries provides both education and employment opportunities. Supported by the Vermont Department of LIbraries, EBSCO’s LearningExpress Library includes skill-building opportunities in literacy and math, college admissions exam prep, occupational licensing tests and other career explorations. The subscription also covers their Job and Career center with access to internship and scholarship searches and resume writing help, as well as a computer skills center with self-paced tutorials on everything from basic operations to using popular software and the internet.

We also have a few engaging programs coming up to bring neighbors and friends together. Join the library and NOFA-VT at the Town Hall on Sunday, October 27th for a Harvest Halloween dinner and celebration. From 2-4pm we are hosting pumpkin carving or painting and monster gourd making complete with roasting pumpkin seeds and hot cider. After that, we will prepare and enjoy a simple meal together to celebrate the season with a chance to visit with local food producers. Visit the library’s website or contact us directly to sign up to bring an ingredient. In November, we welcome local artist Kelly O’Hearn for a workshop on designing and printing your own holiday greetings. Over 2 classes, Kelly will take you through all the steps to design and print your own single color block print cards. Tools, equipment and card stock/envelopes for 25 cards provided. The program is free, however you must register to attend by contacting the library as space is limited.

Finally, in our collection are innumerable stories both fiction and non-fiction that give us education, engagement and sometimes even empowerment with a gift of new knowledge. Popular social scientist Malcolm Gladwell lends his unique view to the problem of understanding those we don’t know in “Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know”. Examining recent stories in the news around people like Amanda Knox, Sandra Bland and Jerry Sandusky, Gladwell shows just how inadequate our current strategies are for making sense of those we don’t know. And Ta-Nehisi Coates enters the fiction genre with his new novel “The Water Dancer”, focusing on the journey of the enslaved Hiram Walker and his efforts to make a life with those he loves. Hope to see you at the library soon!