Our Mission

The Charlotte Library advocates and supports life-long learning by providing information, services and programs for all ages in a welcoming atmosphere.

Getting a Library Card

Library cards and privileges are free to all those with Charlotte addresses. Parent/guardian signatures are required for juvenile cards issued to patrons 15 and under.

Library Staff

Charlotte Library Board of Trustees

Please go to the Board of Trustees page for more information.

e-Newsletter

The library offers an e-newsletter with updates on programs, new books, and more.

• Signup for the e-newsletter
• Explore e-newsletter archive

Special Collections

• Conservation Corner
• Library of Things
• Local History and Genealogy
• Natural Resources Information- Charlotte & Beyond
• Seed Library
  • The Seed Library’s mission is to help nurture a thriving community of gardeners and seed savers. In addition to providing access to free seeds, we hope to help support gardeners and seed savers, from beginners to expert, through the process of growing, harvesting, and seed saving. Click here for more information.

Services & Activities

• Children’s Programs: Story time, after school, early literacy and summer activities
• Book Groups: Adults and Children
• Selected Programs for Adults and Teens: Calligraphy, crafting, sprout gardening, tea tasting and more
• Public Computers: For Internet, email and word processing
• Wireless Internet: Free and always available
• Reference Services: Advice and assistance with research needs and reading material
• Outreach Programs: Book delivery, Vermont Department of Libraries Special Services delivery and library info sessions
• E-readers and Laptops for loan
• Tech Help: Sign up for Tech Time for 30 minutes of one-on-one instruction from our tech librarian.
• Food Shelf Conscience Box: Overdue book? Late library CD? Bring along a can of food for the Charlotte Food Shelf when you return your tardy takeouts.
• Meeting Space:  Quiet, confidential meeting space available for meetings after hours. Use subject to application to and approval by the library director.
• Work Space:  Need a quiet corner to linger on your laptop or finish a project? Ask library staff to set you up in the office workspace. Free WiFi and a cup of coffee!
• Yarn Exchange: Please drop off any yarn you no longer need and pick up a skein or two for a new knitting project.

Borrowing Options

Borrowing @ Charlotte Library

Circulation period

• Most library materials  circulate for two weeks.  Library of Things items circulate for one week.
• ILL due dates are scheduled by the interlibrary loan librarian.
• Six weeks after due date: Restriction notice and bill mailed to patron.
• Failure to return or replace missing materials will result in restriction of borrowing privileges at the Charlotte Library and all homecard libraries.

Renewals

• All materials except DVDs may be renewed twice.
• Materials on hold for another patron may not be renewed by current user.
• Materials may be renewed by phone, in person, via email or through patron’s library account.

Check-out limits

• No limit on books, magazines or other printed material
• Three-item limit each on DVDs and audiobooks

Chittenden County Homecard System

Charlotte Library card holders may borrow books from participating homecard libraries. Patrons in good standing may use their Charlotte Library cards to check out books directly from participating libraries. Books must be returned to the lending library. Residents of participating towns may borrow from the Charlotte Library with their town’s library cards. 

Participating towns include:

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

 Charlotte residents have access to books and other materials from libraries throughout Vermont through the state’s Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system. You may request materials by phone, in person at the Library or by using the form below.  Once requested, the material will be mailed to our library or delivered by courier service. This usually takes about one week. You will be contacted when items arrive. New books are generally not available through Interlibrary Loan.

Books and materials can also be borrowed from out-of-state libraries. There may be a fee for this service, but often there is no charge.

Items requested through Interlibrary Loan may be renewed if you contact the Charlotte Library before the due date by email or phone at 802-425-3864.

Request an Interlibrary Loan

Book Group Sets

The library has sets of adult fiction and nonfiction books available for loan to book groups. For a complete list of books go to Reader’s Corner.

Museum and Park Passes

Thanks to generous sponsors throughout the area, the Charlotte Library offers family passes to a variety of locations . Museum and Park passes may be checked out for one day unless otherwise noted. Only one pass may be checked out at a time. Check the organization’s website for location, dates and hours of operation, and other details. Passes are available for Charlotte residents only. Please note: coronavirus may impact hours and pass availability.

• American Precision Museum – Free family admission for two adults and two children and 10% discount on merchandise purchased from the museum shop. Three passes available.
• Birds of Vermont Museum – One-day free admission for one immediate family.
• Echo Center – $7 per person admission for parties up to four people.
• Maritime Museum – One-day free admission for one family.
• Shelburne Farms – One-day free admission for one family to the Walking Trails and Children’s Farm Yard.
• Shelburne Museum – One-day admission for adult library patron with one additional adult and up to four accompanying children for 50% off applicable admission rate.  Person with pass must present the library’s Shelburne Museum membership card, their valid library card and valid driver’s license or other ID.
• Vermont Granite Museum – One-day free admission  for two adults and their children.
• Vermont History Museum – One-day free admission for two adults and accompanying children.
• Vermont State Parks – One-day free admission for one vehicle holding up to eight people to any Vermont State Park. Summer only.
• Vermont State Historic Sites – One-day free admission to one family or group of eight in the summer to the following historic sites: Bennington Battle Monument, Chimney Point State Historic Site, Eureka Schoolhouse, Hubbarton Battlefield State Historic Site, Hyde Log Cabin, Justin Morrill State Historic Site, Mount Independence State Historic Site, Old Constitution State Historic Site, President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, President Chester Arthur State Historic Site.