As exciting as the holidays can be, we look forward to returning to a full schedule of ongoing programs and an eclectic array of special events at the library after the New Year's Day break.

The first addition to the calendar is a new Play Mahjong group. Experienced players will set up weekly games beginning on Friday, January 2, at 1 pm.

Mahjong is a tile-based game of skill, strategy, and luck that developed in China in the 19th century.

A weekly Saturday Family Story Time at 10:30 am will replace Tuesday’s Baby Story Time beginning on January 10.

Grandparents, parents, and caregivers are invited to bring their young charges to discover new picture books or savor old favorites.

For a special treat, elders from the community will be guest readers on the second week of each month.

Please let the Children’s Librarians know if you are interested in reading to the younger set.

Time to Talk Books, a new book discussion group, is recruiting avid readers! We meet monthly on the first Tuesday at 5:30 pm.

There is no required reading! Join us to learn what others are excited about reading, recommend authors and titles, and discuss other reading-related topics. For now, we are meeting in person; a hybrid option is possible.

Due to popular demand, two activities for children introduced in the fall have been extended through the school year:

• Family Game Days, meeting monthly on the 1st Tuesday at 3 pm, is an opportunity for parents to introduce their children to favorites or learn new games.

• Kid’s Chess Club meets weekly on Tuesdays from 3:15-4:30 pm.

In January and February, the Mezzanine Gallery features Flower Power: An Exhibition of Watercolors, Prints, and Collages by Patsy Highberg.

Patsy is a long-time Woodstock resident and noted plantswoman. She has generously offered to donate a portion of the proceeds from any sales to Planned Parenthood and the Norman Williams Public Library.

Please join us for the Artist Reception on Saturday, January 10, at 11 am. 

The first Library After Hours in 2026 is on Thursday, January 15, from 6:30-9:30 pm. Musicians and listeners alike are invited to enjoy the Interplay Jazz Jam Session on the Mezzanine.

To “jam” is to improvise music, except for when the group is playing well-known jazz standards. These sessions are a social gathering and a communal practice session for instrumentalists and singers.

Join us on Tuesday, January 20, at 2 pm,to learn about Act 39: Vermont’s Patient Choice at End of Life Law.

Jenifer Carlo, Program Manager at Patient Choices Vermont, will talk about how Act 39 and Medical Aid in Dying works, what the law requires, and how to talk with medical professionals about your wishes.

This program, co-sponsored by the Thompson Senior Center, will provide opportunities to ask questions, learn, and share stories. Everyone is welcome.

If you missed some of our 2025 offerings, we invite you to enjoy a dozen events that were captured on video by Woodstock Community Television (WCTV).

Discover talks about cooking, fiction, artificial intelligence, and more by subscribing to the WCTV's channel or on the library's website under Programs>Past Events.

Our program and event calendar is full and patrons are actively using the library building so we will keep the usual open hours this winter, including staying open until 8 pm on Tuesdays.

If we need to close due to stormy weather, we will post a banner on the homepage of our website. If you regularly attend one of our ongoing programs, please share your email address with Programs@NormanWilliams.org so we can reach out with any scheduling changes.

Stop by soon and warm up by the fireplace in the Reading Room!

"Flower Power"

An Exhibition of Watercolors, Prints & Collages by

Patsy Highberg

January & February, 2026



Artist Reception

Saturday, January 10, 11 am - 12:30 pm

Patsy Highberg is a long-time Woodstock resident, noted plantswoman, and local philanthropist. Her work is inspired by the world of plants in her garden.

Patsy has generously offered to donate a portion of the proceeds from sales to Planned Parenthood and the Norman Williams Public Library.

Intrigued by the topic, the titles, or books in general? NWPL hosts a variety of lively book discussion groups. We invite you to join a session–or several! All groups are open and welcome new participants. Click on the group name for more details.

The hybrid format offers you the choice of attending some group meetings in person or virtually via zoom. Please email Programs@NormanWilliams.org for the links to sign in.

Tuesday, January 6, 5:30 pm: Time to Talk Books: Another "Not-A-Book-Club" Book Club offers a time to share what you are reading and learn what books others are excited about. No required reading! (meets monthly)



Tuesday, January 13, 11:30 am: What's on Your Nightstand has no required reading! Chat about the books that excite you and discover what others are enjoying. (meets monthly, hybrid,)

Tuesday, January 20, 5 pm: Read, Cook, Eat!: A Cookbook Club will experiment with tapas, hot or cold small dishes in Spanish cuisine. (meets monthly, in person)

Wednesday, January 21, 4 pm: Read Between the Lines will discuss James by Percival Everett. (a week earlier than usual, meets monthly, hybrid)

Wednesday, February 4, 1 pm: Literary Pairs will explore the theme “The Devil pulls the strings that make us dance.” We will discuss Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov and Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner. (meets quarterly, hybrid)

The next "One-off" Book Discussion has not been scheduled. Suggestions welcome!

Free and open to all, we are pleased to offer programs in the library, online, and in a hybrid format (in person and via zoom). Programs below are in person unless otherwise noted.

Email Programs@NormanWilliams.org for information and links to join.

The Norman Williams Public Library offers free services and programs to everyone in our community. With each addition to our lending library and every program we offer, we’re building on the foundation set more than 14 decades ago. To sustain and grow these services, we need your contributions more than ever.

A not-for-profit organization, the library receives only a portion of its funding from the town. We rely on fundraising to cover more than two-thirds of our operating budget. 

Please consider a gift to our 2025 Year-end Appeal. Your generous support for the Norman Williams Public Library makes such a difference! 

Details on alternative ways to donate – check, Venmo, etc. – can be found on our website HERE.

NWPL Bag Mobile

Sometimes mobility issues and transportation challenges make it hard to get to the library.

Enter the Bag Mobile! We are happy to fill a special tote bag with your choice of books. This may be picked up at the library by a caregiver or friend.

We now have regular off-site delivery services to library patrons within a 3-mile radius of the village green. Currently, we pick up and deliver items weekly, on Tuesday afternoons. We will do our best to accommodate requests outside of those locations if you cannot send someone to pick up the Bag Mobile at NWPL.

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