Introduction to Basic Photography
2025-04-26 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration required, click here to sign up.
Learn how to capture beautiful images of nature in this series of photography workshops. Belchertown’s abundant natural resources offer limitless opportunities for creating amazing photos. Through these workshops, you’ll gain an understanding of photography fundamentals, and then go into the field to apply what you’ve learned. All levels of photographers are welcome, as are all types of cameras (including smartphones). Attend one or all workshops. All sessions are free to attend.
Open to Adults & Teens!
The ViewFinder workshop series is sponsored by the Clapp Memorial Library and the Town of Belchertown’s Creative Economy Committee, with support from the Belchertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library. For more on ViewFinder, visit https://clapplibrary.org/art-in-the-library/viewfinder/
Introduction to Basic Photography on Saturday, April 26 with Ed Comeau and Creative Nature Photography on Saturday, May 3 with Mark Lindhult will meet at the Belchertown Recreation Department, 66 State Street, Belchertown. The Art of Smartphone Photography workshop on Saturday, May 10 with Linda Repasky will meet at the Les and Terry Campbell Visitor Center at Quabbin Reservoir, 100 Winsor Dam Road, Belchertown
ViewFinder Workshop List – click here to sign up:

Saturday, April 26: Introduction to Basic Photography, 9am-12pm
Saturday, May 3: Creative Nature Photography, 9am-12pm
Saturday, May 10: The Art of Smartphone Photography: Nature and Landscape, 9am-12pm

Servas
2025-04-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Are you interested in having a greater cultural experience when you travel in the US or abroad? Do you have commitments preventing you from traveling yet you are still looking to make connections with the world? Are you 18 to 30 years of age and want a language or cultural immersion experience? Perhaps Servas is for you?
Servas connects hosts and travelers from over 100 countries to provide a network for its members to build friendships and broaden their understanding of the world. Are you interested in learning more about what Servas can offer you? Join this informational session where current members share their experiences and answer your questions about hosting and travelling.

Mindfulness Meditation
2025-05-01 19:00 - 20:15 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Clapp Memorial Library is offering a Stress Reduction Awareness course. The eight-week introductory course starts on Thursday, March 13 at 7 PM and runs every Thursday through May 1. The course is designed to teach and practice mindfulness-based skills. Mindfulness meditation skills teach us to be fully present in the moment and, when practiced regularly, help decrease stress levels and improve general well-being and health. Skills covered in the course are gentle and free of judgment. Because each session of this course builds on the previous week, we ask that you register only if you are able to attend all sessions.
Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/rFqoLh2NCX1QHSWB8. If you have any questions please email clapp@cwmars.org
This course will be taught by Magda Bechar, a retired nursing professor who has taught mindfulness meditation skills to many groups, including at the Clapp Memorial Library, for many years.
Sessions will take place on the main library floor, except for April 3 and May 1, which will take place in the Activity Room.

Creative Nature Photography
2025-05-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States

CANCELLED: Intro to Nature Photography for Kids at the School Gardens
2025-05-03 16:00 - 17:30 | Chestnut Hill Community School, 59 State St, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Program cancelled due to weather forecast and low registration
Learn how to capture beautiful images of nature in these photography workshops. Come for a short presentation and then go outside to explore for hands-on photography. You will gain an understanding of photography fundamentals, and then apply what you’ve learned. Attend one or both workshops. If you attended the Lake Wallace program, you are welcome to join us at 4 pm for the presentation or meet us at the School Gardens around 4:15 pm.
Geared towards photographers 5 & up. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Dress for the weather. Bring a camera or smartphone or take turns borrowing one of the Library’s cameras. There will also be some phone microscope lenses to borrow that can be used with most smartphones. Holly Fields and Meru Causeway will be our instructors, and Louise Levy and Jennifer Whitehead will help when we break up into groups. Come take a different look at the beautiful nature Belchertown has to offer.
The ViewFinder workshop series is sponsored by the Clapp Memorial Library and the Town of Belchertown’s Creative Economy Committee, with support from the Belchertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Intro to Nature Photography for Kids at Lake Wallace on Tuesday, April 22 will meet at the Belchertown Recreation Department, 66 State Street, Belchertown. Intro to Nature Photography for Kids at the School Gardens on Saturday, May 3 will meet at the Swift River Elementary pavilion, 57 State Street, Belchertown
Workshop List
Tuesday, April 22: Intro to Nature Photography for Kids at Lake Wallace, 9:30am-11am
Saturday, May 3: Intro to Nature Photography for Kids at the School Gardens, 4pm-5:30pm

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2025-05-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-02 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual, MA
Strum along with the Ukulele Play Along on the first Monday every month!
Grab your ukulele and play along – because playing your ukulele is more fun when you do it with others. We’ll be focusing on 3 and 4 chord songs, with lyrics and chords provided on screen. Participants will be muted, so don’t worry about how you sound!
To join, email Julie Stepanek (julie@musicjulie.com) for the Zoom link and to receive the songs for the program. Don’t have a Ukulele? Don’t worry – you can borrow one from us!

Learn Computer Basics!
2025-05-09 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-23 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-06-06 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-06-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Learn Computer Basics at the Clapp Memorial Library!
We’re partnering with Tech Foundry to offer a series of computer basics classes and drop in tech-support on alternating Fridays starting on April 25th and running through June 20th. Computer Basics classes run from 12-1 in our Activity Room, with Drop-In Tech Support available for everyone’s computer questions in the Main library from 1-2.
Sign up for all or just some of the classes by visiting the Circulation Desk or calling the library, 413-323-0417
Computer Basics (4/25)
This beginner workshop helps you get comfortable with computers, covering basic skills like using a mouse, keyboard, and navigating the internet. Gain the confidence to handle everyday tasks!
Internet Basics (5/9)
Conquer the internet in this beginner-friendly workshop! Learn to use search engines, browse websites, and explore the online world with confidence—no prior experience needed.
Email Basics (5/23)
Connect with friends and colleagues from across town or across the world. Learn the basics of using e-mail and use this powerful tool to your advantage.
6/6: Online Safety & Avoiding Misinformation
This workshop teaches online safety basics, including creating strong passwords, securing information, and avoiding scams. Learn how to protect your privacy and navigate the web safely, as well as learn how to spot red flags, fact-check, and navigate the web confidently, becoming a savvy and critical consumer of online information.
6/20: Social Media Basics
This beginner workshop covers using Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger to connect, share posts, and manage privacy—no experience needed.

Drop-In Tech Support
2025-05-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
We’re partnering with Tech Foundry to offer drop-in tech support on alternating Fridays starting April 25th through June 20th!
Bring in your computer questions and quandaries, and let the troubleshooting begin. Find our Tech Foundry expert on the main floor of the library from 1-2PM, no appointment needed.

The Art of Smartphone Photography: Nature and Landscape
2025-05-10 09:00 - 12:00 | MA
Registration required, click here to sign up.
Anyone can take a snapshot with a smartphone, but what does it take to create photos that are worthy of hanging on your walls? Learn how to elevate your smartphone photos from meh to stunning with a Clapp Memorial Library program on Saturday, May 10th from 9am-noon at the Les and Terry Campbell Visitor Center at Quabbin Reservoir. We’ll cover smartphone camera basics, as well as tips for creating compelling images. Learn how to find interesting scenes and subjects that can lead to breathtakingly beautiful photos, with many examples that can provide ideas and inspiration. A Department of Conservation and Recreation staff member will be on hand to discuss the wide range of wildlife and natural resources at Quabbin Reservoir. We’ll finish by heading outdoors to try out some of the ideas covered during the workshop. What you’ll need: just bring your smartphone. Instructor: Linda Repasky
Open to Adults & Teens!
Location: Les and Terry Campbell Visitor Center at Quabbin Reservoir, 100 Winsor Dam Road, Belchertown, MA
The ViewFinder workshop series is sponsored by the Clapp Memorial Library and the Town of Belchertown’s Creative Economy Committee, with support from the Belchertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library. For more on ViewFinder, visit https://clapplibrary.org/art-in-the-library/viewfinder/
ViewFinder Workshop List – click here to sign up:

Saturday, April 26: Introduction to Basic Photography, 9am-12pm
Saturday, May 3: Creative Nature Photography, 9am-12pm
Saturday, May 10: The Art of Smartphone Photography: Nature and Landscape, 9am-12pm

Bio: Linda Repasky is a Belchertown resident who enjoys capturing the beauty of local natural resources with her iPhone. She particularly enjoys exploring around the Quabbin Reservoir, as well as pursuing macro photography to capture the tiny details in nature that are so easy to overlook. Her iPhone photos have received recognition in numerous international photography competitions. Her iPhone photos can be seen at: https://www.instagram.com/lindarepaskyphotography/

Wonder Women, Super Girls, and Villainous Vixens
2025-05-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
There’s been a lot of attention paid to female comics fans in the last few years, but the truth is women have always been part of superhero storytelling. We’ll explore the importance of female heroes and the women who brought them to life in the larger history of American superhero comics.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

The Marquis de Lafayette: Hero of Two Worlds
2025-06-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Betty Allen Chapter NSDAR presents the story of General Lafayette through the eyes of his wife. Please come and join us and learn of the importance that Lafayette played in the American Revolution and his stop in Belchertown during his Farewell Tour on June 14, 1825.
Sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution

Their Butt does WHAT?!??!
2025-06-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
June 27th, 10 AM – 11 AM
Town Hall Auditorium
Susie Maguire, from the Poop Museum returns with another educational, funny, and sometimes gross, science presentation. No registration required. Program is geared towards children ages 4 and up.
Not every animal has a butt, but for those that do, there is an almost infinite variety of ways in which their butts can surprise! Yes … there is a remarkable number of super powers built into the butts of the world! And we’re going to discover some true wonders!
In this program you’ll learn about …

an inflating butt
a deflating butt
a butt with it’s own chemical lab
butts that can grow eyes and a brain
butts that talk
butts that attack
butts that breath
and so many more!

We humans are endlessly curious, and the world of animals butts is full of crazy curiosities. So bring your curiosity and join Susie for another fun, funny and fearlessly fact filled program, delivered with her trademark blend of science and silliness.
Program is funded by Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library and our Community sponsors
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program and attending is worth a Kids SRP Raffle Ticket! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

West African Drumming Workshop
2025-06-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come out to play with the Wendell Warriors drumming ensemble and their leader Jafar Manselle! Jafar and his performance group will first perform and discuss the history of the rhythms and their meanings as used for village celebrations. He will then demonstrate the basic hand placements used to create the tones and participants will get to practice making the sounds. As a group, the ensemble and the participants will all play together and celebrate the day.
All the drums and percussion instruments will be provided, however if anyone has their own drum they can feel free to bring it.
All available drums have been claimed, but everyone is welcome to come and listen to the music. If you’d like to sign up for the waitlist for a drum, sign up here: https://forms.gle/2TkPV72UEjZ4xpa66
Celebrate Summer Reading with us! Sign up at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Belchertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

ViewFinder Exhibit Reception and Awards Ceremony
2025-07-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library and the Belchertown Creative Economy Committee invite you to the ViewFinder Nature Photography contest exhibit reception and awards ceremony on Tuesday, July 1st from 6-7pm The winning photographs will be exhibited at the Library throughout the month of July and announced publicly in June, and viewable on the Library website. The exhibition opening will include an awards ceremony to acknowledge the creative achievements of our local photographers in capturing the beauty and natural diversity of Belchertown.
The ViewFinder program is funded in part by a grant from the Belchertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Creative Art with Crayons: Water Lilies
2025-07-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come and create Claude Monet’s Water Lilies with crayons!
Marie Tucker will lead you step by step to make your own beautiful work of art.
Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/JTJC3mp2ToojGLKG8
Due to the high popularity of the program and limited capacity, seats will be filled by lottery drawn from all registrants signed up by Tuesday, July 8.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Celebrate Summer Reading with us! Sign up at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Longsword Training
2025-07-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Monday, July 21, 6-8pm
One of the historical martial arts that had died out, is being brought back to life! Join Castle Nitor for a fun lesson on the German Longsword. See how they reconstruct the techniques from period texts and try it out yourself. Must be at least 16 years old to participate in this program.
Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/g8Aemp5zKPiMnvtWA
Due to the high popularity of the program and limited capacity, seats will be filled by lottery drawn from all registrants signed up by Monday, July 14.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Creative Art with Crayons: Almond Blossoms
2025-07-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come and create Vincent Van Gogh’s Almond Blossoms with crayons!
Marie Tucker will lead you step by step to make your own beautiful work of art.
Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/JTJC3mp2ToojGLKG8
Due to the high popularity of the program and limited capacity, seats will be filled by lottery drawn from all registrants signed up by Tuesday, July 15.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Oriole Needle Felting
2025-08-05 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday, August 5, 3-6pm
Come explore the exciting world of needle felting in this intergenerational program to be enjoyed by teens and adults! Learn and practice new skills while making a cute bird ornament! Join fiber artist, Tracy Kochanski, as she helps you develop your needle felting skills. In this workshop you’ll learn how to choose wool, use proper needle technique and how to sculpt and attach basic shapes to create the various elements of the bird. Explore form, texture, and detail in a relaxed atmosphere while working with an array of wool. All materials and tools will be provided. All experience levels are welcome.
Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/HExU7jULKMw1cvE97
Due to the high popularity of Program and limited capacity, seats will be filled by lottery drawn from all registrants signed up by July 25. Priority will be given to teen/adult pairs.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Celebrate Summer Reading with us! Sign up at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Billy Goats and Beyond: Wildlife Bridge Challenge
2025-08-15 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM FULL – to join waitlist, please email jwhitehead@cwmars.org
Beyond Billy Goats: Wildlife Bridge STEM Challenge Presented by the Hitchcock Center for the Environment
Three goats crossing a bridge? Sounds like a fairytale, but it’s actually a great way to keep animals safe! Join a Hitchcock Center educator for this hands-on children’s program. We’ll read a quick story about a real-life animal crossing; then express your inner engineer as you and your adult design, build and test a bridge using simple materials. Can it stand strong in a salamander stampede or a mammal migration? And we’ll end with a visit from a live critter who puts wildlife bridges to use.
Best for children ages 5 to 10 with an adult. Registration is required.
Program is funded by Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library and our Community sponsors
Celebrate Summer Reading with us! Sign up at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Genealogy Basics
2025-09-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Learn the basics of effective family research with Dave Robinson of Old Bones Genealogy of New England. Dave will introduce research strategies and best practices when exploring records and documents on ancestry.com, familysearch.org, and others. There will be a Q&A session at the end of the program.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
