Clapp Memorial Library

Library Closing: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025
2025-01-20 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Creative Art with Crayons
2025-01-21 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM FULL, WAITLIST OPEN
Tuesday, January 21, 7PM
Come and create Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night with crayons! Marie Tucker will lead you step by step to make their own beautiful work of art. All supplies provided. Please register in advance as space is limited, sign up here: https://forms.gle/n9KSJYjN5dXjRpEm8
This is an adult program.
This program is made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library

Teen Crafternoon: DIY Mood Board
2025-01-22 16:00 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to the library’s Activity Room on Wednesday, January 22nd for a Teen Crafternoon from 4:00-5:00PM. Teens will create a 2025 “mood board” collage using magazines, photos, and scrapbooking materials. All materials will be provided. Teens should email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

Teen Advisory Board (Jan 2025)
2025-01-24 16:30 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board will meet Friday, January 24th from 4:30-5:30PM in the Teen Section of the library. TAB will decorate the Teen Section for winter and create a new sign for the space. TAB is a group of 7th-12th grade students who meet monthly during the school year to propose library programming for teens, provide input on teen services, volunteer, and have fun. Teens can email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register. New members are welcome.

Aída O’Brien in Concert
2025-01-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Aída O’Brien is an Americana and roots musician from Belchertown, Massachusetts. Her music is a blend of old time, indie rock, blues and country. In June of 2020, she released an EP called Girl in the Blue Dress, chronicles the unfolding of her gender transition spanning seven years of heartfelt songwriting. She has performed at music festivals and well known venues like the Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance in Trumansburg, NY, Iron Horse Music Hall and Pearl Street Ballroom in Northampton, MA. Aída has been teaching guitar and performing in Brooklyn, NY since 2023 with artists such as Gemma Laurence, Willis Mathewson and Port Ross. She graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in music in 2020.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Wuthering Heights Book Group
2025-01-28 14:00 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Have you ever wanted to take the time to discuss a novel in depth? In this six-session group, we will discuss the Gothic novel, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. The discussion will be introduced and facilitated by retired professor David Spector. After registration is confirmed, participants can pick up a copy of the novel to keep, while supplies last.
Registration and confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/y8m4xFjRf86mVume9
The group will meet from 2 to 3:30 PM on Tuesdays from January 28 through March 4 in the Library’s activity room.
A public screening of the classic 1939 William Wyler film version with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon is set for Tuesday, March 4 at 7 PM.

Minding Midwinter Moods: Hygge for Adults
2025-01-28 17:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM & WAITLIST FULL! Thank you for your interest.
Do you get the blues as winter drags on? Are you itching for spring and resisting the cold months ahead? Have you been curious about hygge (pronounced HOO-GA), the Danish term for a sense of comfort, contentment, and pleasurable coziness? The Clapp Memorial Library’s Ruthie Sterling invites you to “Minding Midwinter Moods: Hygge for Adults,” a presentation and interactive program on self-care and the Danish concept of hygge. Tea, snacks, and hot chocolate will be provided. Attendees will leave with a newfound knowledge of winter self-care strategies and the concept of hygge, and will take home a “hygge kit” full of comforting goodies. Space is limited. Registration required.
Program will take place downstairs in the Activity Room.

Art Reception for Valentina Pavlyuk
2025-01-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
A reception for Valentina Pavlyuk will be held at the Clapp Memorial Library on January 30 from 6-7 PM to celebrate her art exhibit currently on display. Valentina Pavlyuk is a self-taught artist who began painting flowers and landscapes due to her love of gardening and has since expanded to include abstract works. Everyone is invited to this free event to view Valentina’s work and enjoy light refreshments.

Hot Chocolate Day!
2025-01-31 14:30 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Celebrate Hot Chocolate Day with Cocoa & Papercrafts!
January 31st is Hot Chocolate Day!
Drop by the Clapp Memorial Library from 2:30-5:30PM for free Hot Chocolate donated by Starbucks.
During this time, the library will have a card & scrapbooking station open for patrons of all ages.
Paper, glue, scrapbooking materials, and the library’s Ellison machine will be available. Patrons are also welcome to bring their own supplies.
There will also be a special station for making Valentine’s Day cards for Meals on Wheels. If you can’t attend and would like to add a handmade card to our collection, please bring it to the library by Feb. 7th.

National Take Your Child to the Library Day!
2025-02-01 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Take Your Child to the Library Day! Saturday February, 1st, 9:30 AM – 2 PM

Bring a child in your life to visit the Clapp Memorial Library!
Fran Ferry will be performing magic.
Special activities and a craft will be available all day.
Learn Magic the Gathering from 11 am to Noon. Open play of Magic the Gathering will be from 11 am to 1:30 pm, bring your own cards.
The Zoo in Forest Park will be offering Wildlife on Wheels at 10 am and 11 am. Registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/13gXnu5BuFBHJKRWA. Ages 5 to 10.

Funded in part by a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care, administered by Collaborative for Educational Services, a donation in memory of David Goff, and the Friends of Clapp Memorial Library.

Wildlife on Wheels
2025-02-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Programs are full, waitlist is open.
Register to learn about animal ambassadors from The Zoo in Forest Park. Saturday, February 1st for ages 5 to 10. A child can be registered for one of the two time slots; 10:00 am or 11:00 am.
Registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/13gXnu5BuFBHJKRWA
Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver that is 14 years old or older.
Funded in part by a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care, administered by Collaborative for Educational Services, a donation in memory of David Goff, and the Friends of Clapp Memorial Library.

Legacy with Cliff McCarthy
2025-02-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
For the first time, local historian Cliff McCarthy will speak publicly about his mixed-race family, telling the story of his grandfather’s “passing” over the color line, his accomplished family members, and describing how his family’s incredible story illuminates many aspects of African American history and the history of our nation – from Negro League baseball to the violence of the Red Summer of 1919. He will relate what he has learned about his enslaved ancestors in Georgia and their enslavers. He will share the adventure of his fifty-year genealogical journey and its moments of discovery, heartache, joy, and dumb luck.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

You Wrote a Book, Now What? Session II: Manuscript Feedback
2025-02-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Calling all writers! The Clapp Memorial Library invites you to learn about getting published and receive feedback on your work from a literary agent! Registration required, program is full. Thank you!
Session I: Publishing Tips – Saturday Jan 18, 2pm
Gain an insider’s view of book publishing with literary agent Jan Kardys from Black Hawk Literary Agency, Jan will share her 40 years of experience inside 10 major NYC book publishers on such topics as developing a concept, writing a manuscript, editing, finding a literary agent, book proposals, how to get the attention of a literary agent, components of a novel, self-publishing vs. traditional book publishing, subsidiary rights, marketing, utilizing the most cutting-edge technologies and social media services to increase visibility to literary agents, publishers and readers alike.
Session II: Manuscript Feedback – Saturday Feb 8, 2pm
Interested in getting feedback on your manuscript? In this session, writers may submit their query letter along with the first 15 pages of their manuscripts for Black Hawk’s editorial comments and feedback. Instructions on how to write a query letter will be provided in the first session. We encourage you to bring your 15-page manuscript to the first session to allow time for editorial feedback in the second session.
Both sessions will take place on the main floor of the library.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

BHS Honors Art Reception
2025-02-11 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, February 11 from 6-7pm for an Art Exhibit Reception for Lori St. Pierre’s Honors Art 1 and Honors Art 2 Classes. The Honors Art 2 class will display self-portraits, and the Honors 1 class will display their animal paintings that integrate fabric patterns. The reception will celebrate the young artists’ work, which will be on display in the library throughout the month of February. Light refreshments will be provided.

Teen Crafternoon: Diamond-painting Bookmarks
2025-02-12 17:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to a Teen Crafternoon on Wednesday, February 12th from 5:30-6:30PM in the library’s Activity Room. Attendees will learn the basics of diamond-painting and will create their very own diamond-painted bookmark! All materials and instruction will be provided. Space is limited. Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

NEW DATE: Be Ready to Save a Life with Hands Only CPR
2025-02-13 15:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
NEW DATE – program has been moved to 2/13 at 3PM.
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital each year. Learn how to deliver lifesaving CPR care without rescue breaths. When you immediately provide Hands-Only CPR, you can increase the chance of survival.
Program will take place in the Town Hall Auditorium. Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/UHZmg5ikZHu7mjfB9

Teen Advisory Board (Feb 2025)
2025-02-14 16:30 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board will meet Friday, February 14th from 4:30-5:30PM in the library’s Activity Room to celebrate Love Your Library Month! TAB will create their own miniature libraries and talk about what they love about the CML. TAB is a group of 7th-12th grade students who meet monthly during the school year to propose library programming for teens, provide input on teen services, volunteer, and have fun. Teens can email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register. New members are welcome.

Library Closing: Presidents’ Day 2025
2025-02-17 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Presidents’ Day

Teen Trivia Night
2025-02-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library is hosting a Teen Trivia Night on Friday, February 21st at 6:00PM. Test your knowledge on a wide range of topics through five differently-themed rounds! The winner will receive a gift certificate to the Friends of the Library Book Sale this Spring. Teens in grades 7-12 can register at the library or by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com.

Pokémon Day
2025-02-27 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
All ages are invited to the Clapp Memorial Library on Thursday, February 27th to celebrate Pokémon Day! Did you know the library is a gym on PokémonGo? Challenge a staff member to a battle! Complete a Pokémon word search or crossword puzzle. Bedazzle an Eeveelution keychain. Play Pokémon Bingo! And more! The schedule of events is below:
All Day: Pokémon Scavenger Hunt
Pokémon have taken over the library! All ages are invited to go on a scavenger hunt to find them in the building. Turn in your scavenger hunt to enter to win a fun prize fit for all Pokémon trainers and fans!
9:30-10:30AM: Pikachu & Friends Storytime, Bingo, and Craft in library’s Activity Room
Join our Head of Children’s Services for a special Pikachu & Friends Storytime, followed by Pokémon Bingo and a Pikachu craft.
3:00-4:30PM: Pokémon Cross Stitch Demo and Instruction with Jon Rymaz
Learn how to cross stitch a Pokémon or two or more! Rymaz will demonstrate cross stitching and assist others in learning on the main floor of the library. (Open to all patrons old enough to use a needle. Patrons under 10 must be accompanied and continually supervised by a parent or caregiver while in the Library per our Unattended Child Policy)
3:30-5:00PM: Diamond-Paint an Eeveelution Keychain in the library’s Activity Room
Students in grades 6-12 are invited to diamond-paint Eevee or one of its Eeveelutions! Teen Services Coordinator Ruthie Sterling will teach the basics of diamond-painting. All materials will be provided. Space is limited; email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.
4:00-5:30PM: Pokémon Bingo
Do you know your Pokémon? Patrons of all ages are invited to drop-in during this hour for Pokémon Bingo on the main floor of the library! Win a sticker prize! Patrons under 10 must be accompanied and continually supervised by a parent or caregiver while in the Library per our Unattended Child Policy.

Pikachu & Friends Storytime, Bingo, and Craft
2025-02-27 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Part of our Pokemon Day festivities!
Join our Head of Children’s Services for a special Pikachu & Friends Storytime, followed by Pokémon Bingo and a Pikachu craft in the library’s Activity Room.

Pokémon Cross Stitch Demo and Instruction with Jon Rymaz
2025-02-27 15:00 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Part of our Pokemon day festivities!
Learn how to cross stitch a Pokémon or two or more! Rymaz will demonstrate cross stitching and assist others in learning on the main floor of the library. (Open to all patrons old enough to use a needle. Patrons under 10 must be accompanied and continually supervised by a parent or caregiver while in the Library per our Unattended Child Policy)

Diamond-Paint an Eeveelution Keychain
2025-02-27 15:30 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Part of our Pokemon Day festivities!
Students in grades 6-12 are invited to diamond-paint Eevee or one of its Eeveelutions! Teen Services Coordinator Ruthie Sterling will teach the basics of diamond-painting. All materials will be provided. Space is limited; email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

Pokémon Bingo
2025-02-27 16:00 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Part of our Pokemon day festivities!
Do you know your Pokémon? Patrons of all ages are invited to drop-in during this hour for Pokémon Bingo on the main floor of the library! Win a sticker prize! Patrons under 10 must be accompanied and continually supervised by a parent or caregiver while in the Library per our Unattended Child Policy.

Cookbook Club
2025-02-28 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The program is full. If you’d like more information, please email Marcin.
Do you like browsing cookbooks and trying new recipes? In the Cookbook Club, we each make a recipe from a cookbook and bring it for everyone to try. Taste, enjoy and chat with your new cookbook friends!

Friends Wine Tasting Event
2025-03-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Friends of Clapp Memorial Library invite you to come by the Library on March 1st, 7PM to 9PM, when they will be hosting their annual free wine tasting event Light refreshments and nonalcoholic beverages will be available. This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and see your library. You must be 21+ to attend.
Snow date is March 8th.

Wuthering Heights movie screening
2025-03-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us at the Clapp Memorial Library on Tuesday, March 4 at 7 PM for a public screening of the classic 1939 William Wyler film version of Wuthering Heights with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. Popcorn will be provided. All are welcome – even if you haven’t read the book, come see the movie!

What "YA" Readin'? Book Group
2025-03-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The library’s What “YA” Readin’? Book Group, a group for adults who read Young Adult books, will meet on Thursday, April 3rd at 7:00PM to discuss “The Boy Lost in the Maze” by Joseph Coelho. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the circulation desk.
We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00PM.
Visit the library’s circulation desk to pick up a copy of each month’s pick. New members welcome.

Jazzified Pop
2025-03-07 18:30 - 19:30 | Belchertown United Church of Christ, ​18 Park Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Embark on a captivating musical journey with “Jazzified Pop,” and immerse yourself in an evening that not only celebrates the enduring appeal of popular music but also delves into the boundless realms of jazz interpretation. From iconic melodies of The Beatles to the timeless tunes of Elvis Presley and the legendary tracks of Queen, both jazz enthusiasts and devoted lovers of pop melodies will experience an unforgettable night that showcases the power of musical innovation. This program will take place at the Belchertown United Church of Christ.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

TAB Community Can! Food Drive
2025-03-10 - 2025-03-14 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Community Can!… make a difference!
The Clapp Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board will be collecting nonperishables at the library in their first ever Community Can! Food Drive March 10th through the 14th. There will be a designated donation box inside the library during those dates. Donations will be sorted by Teen Advisory Board members and distributed amongst Belchertown food pantries. TAB is a group of 7th-12th grade students who meet monthly during the school year to propose library programming for teens, provide input on teen services, volunteer, and have fun. New members are welcome.
