Toddler Time (2 year olds) Winter 2024
2024-12-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-01-07 09:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday Toddler Time (2 years) Winter 2024
9:30-10:30 am, Tuesdays, Dec 10, 17, Jan 7, 14, 21, 28 & Feb 4
Toddler Storytime is for children aged 2 years, and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Registration and confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/5HByTxejzhRaX9uP7. Registration open until all slots are filled. If the program is full you will be placed on a wait list. Confirmations and program information will be sent out several days before the program starts.

Clapp Writing Group
2024-12-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM FULL
The Clapp Memorial Library hosts a bi-weekly writing group for adults aged 18+. Whether you write romance, mystery, fantasy, non-fiction, poetry, children’s books, or screenplays, you’re welcome to join us! Come meet with other writers and share what you’ve been working on over the past month, work on your writing, and more. If you are interested, contact Annie at the library to sign up: macona@cwmars.org

Preschool Storytime (3-5 year olds) Winter 2024
2024-12-19 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-01-09 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Preschool Story Time (3-6 years) Winter 2024
9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays, Dec 12, 19, Jan 9, 16, 23, 30 & Feb 6
Preschool Story Time is for ages 3-5 and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Registration and confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/4Meyj3ueG6RT6ZQ97. Registration open until all slots are filled. If the program is full you will be placed on a wait list. Confirmations and program information will be sent out several days before the program starts.

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2024-12-19 17:00 - 18:30, 2024-12-26 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-01-02 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-01-09 17:00 - 18:30 | 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
2024-12-19 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.

Free Food Friday
2024-12-20 14:00 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens are invited to the library after school on the third Friday of the month (December 20th) for free snacks as they visit and use the library! Students must be in grades 7-12 and arrive between 2:00-3:30PM for a free snack, courtesy of the library, as supplies last.

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2024-12-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-12-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-04 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Woolies are a local fiber arts group who meet twice a week 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.

Clapp Critics
2024-12-23 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Our fiction book club, Clapp Critics meets every 4th Monday of the Month. Email mmarszalek@cwmars.org with any questions.

Early Closing: Christmas Eve 2024
2024-12-24 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will close early at 1PM Christmas Eve, save travels!

Library Closing: Christmas 2024
2024-12-25 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Christmas

Needle-felt a Baby Penguin (Teen Workshop)
2024-12-30 15:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to the Clapp Memorial Library to learn how to needle-felt a baby penguin! On Monday, December 30th from 3:30-6:30PM local fiber artist Anna Sunschauer will teach teens how to sculpt fluffy wool fiber using felting needles. No prior needle felting experience is necessary, but it is recommended that all participants have good fine motor skills to avoid injury with the sharp needles. All necessary tools and materials will be provided. Space is limited. Teens must email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or call the library to register.
This program is made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

POSTPONED 'Good Morning Farm Animals' with Ruth Sanderson
2024-12-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Program has been postponed. We are working on rescheduling and will announce it as soon as we can.
Join artist Ruth Sanderson as she reads and shows the illustrations from her new board book, Good Morning Farm Animals. Children are encouraged to imitate the sounds and movements of the animals they see for a fun-filled active story-time. Can they frolic like a lamb? Balance like a goat? This story and its companion book Good Night Farm Animals, will be available for purchase after the program. Suggested for ages 3-6. Ruth’s book illustrations on display in the library for the month of December. A book signing and craft will follow the reading of the book. No registration is required.
About the Illustrator
Over her long and award-winning career, Ruth Sanderson has illustrated over 90 books for children of all ages. Her collection of titles at Crocodile Books include her numerous fairytale retellings, Mother Goose and Friends, and A Storm of Horses: The Story of Artist Rosa Bonheur. She collaborated with her daughter Whitney Sanderson on five titles in the Horse Diaries chapter book series from Random House, as well as on Good Morning Farm Animals and Good Night Farm Animals. Ruth lives in Western Massachusetts with her family and two cats. Learn more about her books at www.ruthsanderson.com.

Early Closing: New Year's Eve 2024
2024-12-31 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will close early at 1PM for New Year’s Eve, save travels!

Noon Year's Eve Party
2024-12-31 10:30 - 12:15 | Lawrence Memorial Hall (Town Hall) Auditorium, Belchertown, 01007, United States
PROGRAM FULL – WAITLIST ONLY
Noon Year’s Eve Party
Tuesday, December 31st
10:30AM-12:15PM
Help us ring in 2025 without staying up past your bedtime! Children ages 3-11 and their families are invited to a fun morning of celebration and community hosted by the library in the Lawrence Memorial Hall Auditorium. Dress up or wear your comfiest clothes! Doors open at 10:25AM. There will be stations around the auditorium with crafts, activities, and games to get us ready for the countdown at noon! Attendees can enjoy a “quieter” time to visit the stations until 11AM, after which the music and dancing will start. Stations will close and attendees will gather to count down the New Year at 11:55AM.
Space is limited; registration is required. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iLFnG1pa5YCHrmKu5
Please email or call Jennifer at 413-323-0417 or jwhitehead@cwmars.org if you register and cannot attend, as we anticipate a waitlist for this event.
Parking is available at the Library/Town Hall lot and across the street at the Town Common lot. Please enter LMH by following the sidewalk to the far left of the back of the building. There will be a sign on the entrance door. Those who need to use the elevator will take it to the first floor and then continue straight to the auditorium. Offices in the town hall will be open. Please be considerate, and stay quiet in the hallways. Don’t stray from the auditorium. Water bottles are encouraged, and no other food or drink is allowed or will be provided.

Library Closing: Near Years Day 2025
2025-01-01 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of the new year.

Creative Art workshop with Caoin O'Durgy
2025-01-04 14:30 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Help Caoin O’Durgy, a Massachusetts based illustrator and Muralist, prepare his design for a mural at our own Transfer station in Belchertown on Saturday, January 4th 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
We are very excited and proud to welcome you all to an event designed specifically to allow community input of a mural in our town. Students will design their own character that will be part Caoin’s mural.
Students K- 6th. No registration required. Children under the age of 10 must have a caregiver age 14 or older in the Library.

Babytime Storytime (3-12 mo) Winter 2025
2025-01-06 09:00 - 10:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Babytime Story time (3-12 mo) Winter 2024
9:00-9:45 AM, Mondays, Dec 9, 12, Jan 6, 13, 27, Feb 3 & 10
Babytime is for ages 3 – 12 months and begins @ 9:00 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Registration and confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/jRT4QmiCVsHQw5p1A. Registration open until all slots are filled.
If the program is full you will be placed on a wait list. Confirmations and program information will be sent out several days before the program starts.

First Steps Storytime (12-24 months) Winter 2024
2025-01-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Monday Firststeps (12-24 months) Winter 2024
10:00-10:45 AM, Mondays, Dec 9, 16, Jan 6, 13, 27, Feb 3 & 10
Firststeps is for ages 12 – 24 months and begins @ 10:00 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Registration and confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/Pj4YcjA1nLCsPKot5. Registration open until all slots are filled. If the program is full you will be placed on a wait list. Confirmations and program information will be sent out several days before the program starts.

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2025-01-06 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!

Wednesday Whodunnits
2025-01-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Our Mystery Book Group is held on the second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. Join us as we discuss a different mystery novel each month. Email mmarszalek@cwmars.org with any questions.

POSTPONED: Outdoor Survival Skills Workshop
2025-01-08 13:30 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Due to severe cold, program is being rescheduled. We are reaching out to registered participants.
Outdoor Survival Skills Workshop with Frank Grindrod, author and director of Earthwork Programs LLC
Students under the age of 10 must have a caregiver who is 14 years old or older on Library property during the workshop. Registration is required.
Learn how to make a Survival Shelter like in Hatchet, how to set a survival trap like Katniss from The Hunger Games, and how to tie Buck’s # 1 Call of the Wild Rescue Knot, and so much more. Students will get items during the course to start building their own outdoor survival kit.
The workshop starts indoors with a basic discussion of a few very popular outdoor themed books and then quickly moves outside to learn Outdoor & Survival Skills Hands-On. Students will build a primitive survival shelter, learn how to use an emergency survival blanket, signal for rescue, and learn what to do when lost!
Students are encouraged to read a survival themed book such as Hatchet, Hunger Games, The Wild Robot, My Side of the Mountain, The Last Beekeeper, Night of the Howling Dogs, Colonization and the Wampanoag Story and more.
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.

Becoming Darlene: The Story of Belchertown Patient #4952
2025-01-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On Wednesday, January 8 at 7PM, join us at the Clapp Memorial Library for a book talk with Ed Orzechowski. Becoming Darlene: The Story of Belchertown Patient #4952 is Orzechowski’s second account of life within the Belchertown State School following You’ll Like It Here: The Story of Donald Vitkus. After the presentation, books will be available for purchase and signing.
“Born in a Massachusetts mill town in 1956, Darlene Rameau is number eight of what would become 14 children. When she is three years old, a social worker reports that Darlene is segregated from the rest of the family in a filthy room, treated like an animal, and unable to walk. At age seven, Darlene is sent to Belchertown State School, a de-humanizing institution where she meets a sister she didn’t know she had. Darlene considers herself an “it,” unworthy of a name. Little Girl, Boy, and Brains are voices in her head who help her survive. Her dream is to raise a family of her own, but at 17 she is discharged into a world where she has no idea how to make that dream a reality.”
