Clapp Memorial Library

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2025-03-13 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-03-20 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-03-27 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-04-03 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-04-10 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-04-17 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-04-24 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-05-01 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Woolies are a local fiber arts group who meet weekly at the library to socialize and work on their various projects. Whether you’re interested in knitting, crocheting, felting, weaving, embroidery, needle point, sewing, or another fiber art, you’re welcome to join the fun.

Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Meeting
2025-03-20 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-04-17 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
All are invited to the The Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Board Meeting in the Activity Room at 6:30pm. For information email friendsofclappmemoriallibrary@gmail.com
http://www.friendsofclapplibrary.org/
​The Friends of Clapp Memorial Library is a volunteer not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising monies to assist the Library beyond the ordinary scope of the Library’s budget to reach its potential in our community. The group’s additional purpose is to promote and maintain close relationships between the Library and the people it serves, to increase public awareness of Library resources, and to encourage community participation in Library activities.

The Magic of Mushrooms: Explorations in the Wonderful World of Fungi
2025-03-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Jonathan Kranz offers an introduction to mushrooms: what they are, how they live, why they’re fascinating. The talk will cover the basics of fungal life with insights on foraging for food and avoiding toxins, with a special emphasis on common mushrooms you are likely to find in our neck of New England.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Friends' Book Sale!
2025-04-07 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-08 10:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-09 10:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-10 10:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-11 10:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-12 09:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Book Sale
Monday: 4:00-8:00pm Members Night – memberships available at the door
Tuesday-Friday: 10:00am-8:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm
The Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Book Sale accepts cash, check, and credit card.
Want to join the Friends? The Friends meet every third Thursday of the month at 6:30PM!

Intro to Gardening
2025-04-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Would you like to start a garden but not sure where to begin? This introductory class is for you! Lindsey of Oak & Ash Farm will walk you the basics; everything from soil health, the best style garden for your property and how to get the most out of a small space. Companionship planting, starts vs. seeds and mulching will all be covered.
Sign up to let us know you are coming (click here)! The first 15 people that sign up will receive “Provider” Bean seeds from the Common Seed Project. Must be present at the program to participate.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2025-04-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-05 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!

BHS Artists’ Exhibit Reception
2025-04-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The public is invited to the Clapp Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 8 from 6-7pm for an Art Exhibit Reception for Elizabeth Texeira’s Studio 3, Studio 4, and Honors Classes. The reception will celebrate the young artists’ work, which will be on display in the library throughout the month of April. Light refreshments will be provided.

CANCELED: Ask-a-Nurse
2025-04-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come and see the Public Health Nurse, Kirsten Krieger RN, BSN, Quabbin Health District! No appointments needed, no charge!

Blood pressure and blood sugar screening
Health and wellness education
Community resource connection
Harm Reduction resources
And more!

Intro to Nature Photography for Kids at Lake Wallace
2025-04-22 09:30 - 11:00 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
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.
Registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/wjKvvdZCbqhHRxPh6
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

Astral Evening - Stargazing at the Library
2025-04-23 20:00 - 21:00 | Foley Field, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Telescopes will be set up on Foley Field and a representative of Springfield STARS will lead us on a tour of the night sky and some of its most interesting and impressive sights. Please wear comfortable footwear and clothing to be able to stand outside for an extended period of time. To get to the event, turn onto Whitlock Way from State St (Rt.202). You will pass the Belchertown Police Department and then the Rec Department on your left. As you near a turn, go straight onto the unpaved road and follow it to Foley Field.

Introduction to Basic Photography
2025-04-26 09:00 - 12:00 | 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.

Fairy Seats & Future Sculpture: Creative Play at Lake Wallace
2025-05-02 16:30 - 17:30 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Imagination and nature will come together at Lake Wallace on Friday, May 2, from 4:30–5:30 PM for Fairy Seats & Future Sculpture: Creative Play at Lake Wallace, a free, all-ages event inviting the community to spark creativity and collaboration in the outdoors.
Led by Kiran Jandu, a professor of fine arts and MFA candidate at UMass Amherst, this playful hour of making will blend the magic of tiny fairy chairs with STEAM/STEM-inspired thinking. Using clay and found natural materials — twigs, moss, flowers, and stones — participants will design and build miniature fairy-sized seats that celebrate curiosity, problem-solving, and the joy of creating something together.
This event is more than just an afternoon of fun — the designs crafted on May 2 will help inspire Kiran’s full-scale public bench sculpture, coming to Lake Wallace in Fall 2025. No experience is needed, and all materials will be provided. Just bring your imagination!
The upcoming bench sculpture is funded by the Belchertown Cultural Council (BCC), a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

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

Acres of Clams Documentary Screening
2025-05-03 14:30 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On Saturday, May 3 at 2:30pm, the Clapp Memorial Library will host a screening of the documentary, Acres of Clams. Eric Wolfe’s Acres of Clams is a feature-length video history of the Clamshell Alliance’s direct-action campaign against the Seabrook nuclear plant in the 1970s. Acres of Clams combines archival film footage and music with the personal remembrances of the activists themselves to reveal how disciplined nonviolence can have an out-sized impact on the world – when people take action together. The screening will be immediately followed by a Q&A/discussion of the film with Cliff McCarthy and Sharon Tracy of the Clamshell Alliance.

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
