Clapp Memorial Library

Let’s Talk Emergency Preparedness
2023-09-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
September is Emergency Preparedness Month! Join Kirsten Krieger, Public Health Nurse for the Quabbin Health District, for a presentation and learn about preparing for an emergency.

Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors
2023-09-27 18:30 - 19:00 | Virtual, MA
Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors with Tory Stephens Climate Fiction Creative Manager for Grist
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th 6:30—7:00 PM EST
Virtual Event: Email clapp@cwmars.org for Zoom link!
Join Tory Stephens of Grist Magazine, an independent non-profit media organization focused on the climate crisis, and learn how he created Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors. Imagine is a storytelling initiative that calls for fiction writers to envision the next 180 years of equitable climate progress, imagining intersectional worlds of abundance, adaptation, reform, and hope. The initiative also seeks narratives that center solutions from the communities most impacted by the climate crisis, and stories that are rooted in cultural authenticity (a deep sense of place, customs, cuisine, and more) and rich subcultures that uplift traditions not often seen in mainstream literature. Over the course of three years the project has encouraged 3,000 plus writers from 91 countries to submit stories, and of which 700,000 people have read. Writers and readers alike will enjoy this climate justice romp.
About the Speaker: Tory Stephens creates opportunities that transform organizations and shift culture. He is a resource generator and community builder for social justice issues, people, and movements. He currently works at Grist Magazine as their climate fiction creative manager, and uses storytelling to champion climate justice, and imagine green, clean, and just futures. In another life he owned a kick-butt streetwear company, and he would have gotten away with eating the last cookie too, if it weren’t for his three meddling kids.

Program is part of Climate Prep Week, and is hosted by libraries through out Massachusetts and is coordinated with CREW and Blue Marble Librarians. This year, CREW’s theme recognizes the interconnectedness of climate change with other injustices such as health, race, food, ableism, and so many more. The impacts of extreme weather affect all of us, but it’s also important to recognize that the consequences are not experienced equally. CREW is planning on hosting 3-5 central events this year focussing on climate education and uplifting the work of organizations supporting environmental justice (EJ) communities.

Preschool Story Time (3-6 years) Fall 2023
2023-09-28 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Preschool Story Time (3-6 years) Fall 2023
9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays, Sep 28, Oct 5, 19, 26, Nov 2 & 9
Raising Readers Story Time is for ages 3-6 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, click here to sign up. 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.

Historical Crafts from Ancient to Renaissance
2023-09-29 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
What did people do all day without computers, phones, and tablets? How did people copy a poem in Ancient Asia? How did we decorate our clothes in the past?
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. Learn about daily life and try a few crafts. We often think of the past as a foreign land that we can’t understand, but their lives were very similar to ours. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.
Program is outside on the Library lawn, all welcome

Crafternoon: Fingerloop Braiding
2023-10-06 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration Required – click here to sign up.
Can you braid a 10-strand braid? Finger loop braiding goes back 2500 years or more, and there are texts from different periods with unique techniques and patterns.
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. We will show you the fundamental techniques as you create your own piece of history. Learn how to make your own bracelets, trims, and more with finger loop braiding. It can be a relaxing and fun fidget or something to do with family and friends. We will have all the supplies and tools needed for you to make a fun project. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.

Concert: Peter Biedermann
2023-10-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturday, October 7, 3-4 Concert: Peter Biedermann
Peter Biedermann is a solo fingerstyle instrumental guitarist based in Green Valley, AZ that has performed in several different contexts since the mid 70’s. While his music doesn’t settle into any particular genre, it is a hybrid, contemporary style that melds elements of American, European and other world influences into a jambalaya of sound enhanced by subtle electronics and live looping on various guitars in unique tunings. PB began focusing on performing original music starting in the mid 80’s.
The focus of the concert program will be on pieces from his catalogue of recordings beginning with ‘Sound & Spirit’ (2000) through the latest live release ‘Say What?’ (2020). The program also encourages questions from the audience and will include some of the history and evolution of original fingerstyle guitar playing.

Library Closing: Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023
2023-10-09 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Friends’ Book Sale!
2023-10-09 16:00 - 20:00 | 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!

Crafternoon: Tablet Weaving
2023-10-13 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration Required – click here to sign up
Was the Iron Age dull and drab? Certainly NOT! Learn a simple no loom required weaving technique that has been used for centuries to create beautiful trims, belts, and more.
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. Learn how to set up and weave using tablets to create a beautiful bookmark or short belt. We will start with a simple project and explore the basics of tablet weaving so you can design your own future projects. We will show you the fundamental techniques as you create your own piece of history. We will have all the supplies and tools needed for you to make a fun project. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.

Teen Advisory Board (Oct 2023)
2023-10-13 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 on Friday, October 13th from 4:30-5:30PM to suggest and discuss teen programs for the upcoming school year. TAB is a group of 7th-12th grade students who meet monthly to propose library programming for teens, provide input on teen services, volunteer, and have fun! New members are welcome. Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

Afterschool D&D (Fall 2023)
2023-10-16 14:30 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Calling all Belchertown Students for Afterschool D&D
2:30-4:00PM, October 16th, 23rd, 30th, November 6th, 13th, & 20th
When a cosmic enemy threatens to destroy their world, brave heroes must do everything in their power to save it. This quest will take them across the teeming oceans of Wildspace to the silvery void of the Astral Sea and beyond. Along the way, they’ll make friends, encounter terrifying foes, and face one cliffhanger after another. Can they save their world before time runs out? Players of all experience welcome.
Program will run weekly starting in October. Students may bring their own nut-free snacks. Please inform Librarian & Game Master Tegan Mannino, if there is a day they will not attend.
Game will cover the first half of the Spelljammer Light of Xaryxis Campaign. Students will have the option of continuing play when we restart Afterschool D&D in the Spring.
Space is limited! Register here: https://forms.gle/8oDEyTMWVWkkkitJ8
Confirmations will be sent out to students confirming enrollment or waitlist status.
Please email any questions to tmannino@cwmars.org

Candy & Crochet Night
2023-10-18 17:45 - 18:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to enjoy candy and crochet at the library on Wednesday, October 18th from 5:45-6:45PM. Teens can bring their own project or use the library’s crochet supplies. Crochet hooks, yarn, and instruction will be provided for those new to crochet. The candy will be peanut-free. This program will take place in the library’s Activity Room. Register for this program at the library or by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com

Friend's Annual Meeting
2023-10-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Friends of Clapp Memorial Library announce that they will hold their annual meeting for this year at 7 PM on October 19, 2023, in the Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA 01007. The meeting will review actions (including disbursement of funds) from the past year, hold elections for Board members, and discuss plans for the coming year. The general public is invited, and current members of the Friends group are highly encouraged to attend.

Crafternoon: Mail Bracelet
2023-10-20 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration Required – click here to sign up
Are you curious about mail armor? Mail dates back to the 5th century BC in texts and is still used today to protect people from cuts. Throughout history and today, mail is used as decoration.
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. Learn how to make your own mail bracelet. You will leave with a bracelet and some extra rings to play with. We will show you the fundamental techniques as you create your own piece of history. We will have all the supplies and tools needed for you to make a fun project. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.

Music with Caylin
2023-10-21 10:00 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 10:30 AM
October 21st, 28th, November 4th and 18th
Ages 7 and Under
Come join music time with Mrs. Caylin for a blend of music and movement for littles (ages birth to 5). This stay at home mom of two has been studying music since she was 10. She is well versed in guitar and ukulele. A former preschool teacher she understands the importance of music in early childhood years. Music and movement help promote language, gross motor skills, fine motor skills and fun! Along with her littles Mrs. Caylin brings a mixture of original songs, traditional and cover songs along with movement to her classes. We can’t wait to sing with you!
Space is limited, registration and confirmation required – click here to register! 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.

A Pleasant Pairing: Tea & Fine Chocolate
2023-10-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – Click here to sign up.
Join the Clapp Memorial Library on Saturday, October 21 from 2 – 4p.m., when we welcome Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations for a tea and chocolate workshop & tasting. This is an educational talk highlighting the history and health benefits of tea and dark chocolate (cacao) with insights from Kim’s commercial chocolatier background. This program includes samplings of tea, tea infused food, various chocolates, trivia, poetry, and an antique teapot/lace display. Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations has been teaching students 5 – 75+ for over 20 years. She has a commercial chocolate business and she is a licensed chocolatier. She holds programs at libraries, schools, women’s groups, retirement communities, and fundraising events in Connecticut and Massachusetts. You can find out more information about Kim Larkin at klassickreations.weebly.com.
This library program is free and open to the public. Due to the popularity of programs, registration is required. This program has limited space.

Spooky Stories & Flashlight Scavenger Hunt at the School Gardens
2023-10-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Chestnut Hill Community School, 59 State St, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Spooky stories and flashlight scavenger hunt at the School Gardens at SRE & CHCS
Tuesday, October 24th 5:30 pm
Join Debra Lapointe, a master gardener and Jennifer Whitehead, Head of Youth Services at the Clapp Memorial Library, for an evening of creepy stories and a dark scavenger hunt through the gardens.
Costumes welcome, come dressed for the weather and bring your own flashlight. Rumor is there will be free cookies by Cakes by Pip’s.
This program is geared toward brave children ages 5 to 9 and their families. Stories start at 5:30 pm in the garden. No registration is required.
Ending time will depend on how quickly you complete the hunt. Most likely done around 6:30 pm.

Mammoth, Massachusetts Book Launch Party & Reception
2023-10-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Meet local author Jordan J. Hall and celebrate the launch of his new book, Mammoth, Massachusetts. Enjoy a refreshment while he reads from this collection of speculative short stories.
After spending half his life on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin and half his life in film production in New York City, Jordan now resides in western Massachusetts. He is a husband and a father. Nature and society’s underbelly are often the focus of his work.
Mammoth, Massachusetts is a collection of sci-fi, fantasy and horror that combines unfortunate histories with the world of folk tales. Comprised of 20 stories spanning time and space, the mainstay is Mammoth, Massachusetts, a rural town where the weird rubs against everything. Rambunctious, inventive, and darkly compelling, these stories investigate the importance of local lore, legends and what it means to be part of a community. Mammoth, Massachusetts will show you parts of the world you never knew existed. Some of those parts are right in your back yard…

Teen Write Night: Info Night
2023-10-25 17:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Attention young writers, poets, playwrights, and novelists! Teen Write Nights, a weekly creative writing program for students in grades 7-12, will soon resume at the Clapp Memorial Library. This program celebrating National Novel Writing Month is a great opportunity for young writers to get feedback, build community, participate in writing exercises and grow their word count. There will be an Information Session for interested teens on Wednesday, October 25th from 5:30-6:30PM. Young writers should email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com for more information about the program and to register. No creative writing experience is necessary!

Things That Go Bump in the Night: The History and Impact of the Horror Film
2023-10-26 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come join film historian Frank Mandosa at the Clapp Memorial Library on Thursday, October 26 as he shows us the fascinating history of horror films on the big screen – just in time for Halloween! You will view all kinds of spooky and outrageous bits from great scary films through the ages in this fun event and learn more about them.
Even if you have never been a fan of horror movies, this funny, entertaining look at snippets of some brilliant films produced by American cinema shown on our big screen will send some thrills your way! Hopefully this program might entice you to then maybe watch a spine-chilling film all the way through! Mr. Mandosa is a very entertaining speaker and has tons of movie information to share.

Crafternoon: Block Printing
2023-10-27 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration Required – click here to sign-up
Potato decorating your clothing? YES! Block printing is a fun way to decorate paper, fabric, and any flat surface. Block printing is a craft thought to be thousands of years old.
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. Learn how to make your own block from a potato. Then print a sample or two with our replica blocks and your own potato blocks. If you would like to bring a garment or two to embellish, please do, only natural materials please. We will show you the fundamental techniques as you create your own piece of history. We will have all the supplies and tools needed for you to make a fun project. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.

Peanut’s Playhouse Presents: Be a Superhero, Not a Bully
2023-10-27 18:00 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Peanut’s Playhouse Presents: Be a Superhero, Not a Bully
Friday, October 27, 6 PM
You don’t need to be a superhero to stop bullying! This educational puppet show will show your kids what different kinds of bullying are and how we as a community and as individuals can stop it. Kids can participate and enjoy singing a special song.

Red Ribbon Week Bookmark Contest Award Announcement
2023-10-27 18:45 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Red Ribbon Week Bookmark Contest Award Announcement
Friday, October 27, 6:45 PM
Join the Clapp Memorial Library and Belchertown Overcoming Adversity Together (BOAT) as we announce the winners of our Red Ribbon Week Bookmark Contest. A winner will be chosen from each age category: ages 12-18 and 11 and younger. Free pizza will be provided by Sleigh City Pizza Co.

Teen Halloween Interactive Movie Night
2023-10-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Fly on your broom to the Clapp Memorial Library on Friday, October 27th at 7:00PM for a spooky and interactive movie night. Arrive early and dress like your favorite witch or zombie and get ready to be transported to a wild Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts… A gift card will be awarded to the teen with the best costume, and free pizza will be provided. This program is for teens in grades 7-12 and is co-sponsored by BOAT-Belchertown Overcoming Adversity Together. Register by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or by visiting the Clapp Memorial Library.

Teen Write Nights (November 2023)
2023-11-01 17:30 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to weekly Teen Write Nights throughout November as part of the Clapp Memorial Library’s annual program for young writers during National Novel Writing Month. Teen writers will get feedback, build community, participate in writing exercises, and grow their word count. Teens can attend as many Teen Write Nights as desired; frequent attendance means more chances to win prizes at the final party in December. Teen Write Nights will be on Wednesdays in November from 5:30-7:00PM. (There will be no Teen Write Night on the 22nd due to the holiday.) The first Teen Write Night of November will take place in the library’s Activity Room on Wednesday, November 1st, from 5:30-7:00PM. Young writers can e-mail clapplibrarytab@gmail.com for more information about the program and to register.

National Novel Writing Month Write-Ins
2023-11-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Fri. November 3rd & Wed. November 29th
6pm – 8pm
Join us at the Library for some NaNowrimo write-ins! Bring your laptop, notebook & pen, or even your typewriter and participate in some timed word sprints, where we’ll challenge ourselves to write as many words as we can in the allotted time. This event is for adults 18+.
For more information, contact Annie at the Library: macona@cwmars.org

Concert: Hungrytown
2023-11-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturday, November 4, 3-4 Concert: Hungrytown
Clapp Memorial Library continues its 2023 monthly concert series on Saturday, November 4 at 3PM with the phenomenal folk duo Hungrytown. After more than 15 years of world-wide touring and three album releases, Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson–otherwise known as Hungrytown–have earned a reputation for the quality and authenticity of their songwriting. Inspired by the grit and true-to-life experiences she heard in these traditional ballads, Hall was inspired to write the lyrics that later became her first songs, aided by Anderson’s flair for musical arrangement. In the winter of 2003, the duo quit their boring desk jobs, moved to the green hills of Vermont, and decided to pursue a full-time career as touring musicians. They released their first CD, Hungrytown, in 2008; Any Forgotten Thing in 2011; and Further West in 2015. The couple continue to spend more than half of each year on the road, especially roads in North America, Europe and New Zealand. Hungrytown’s music has received extensive radio airplay worldwide and has appeared on several television shows, including The Daily Show and Portlandia.

Bigfoot, Jr
2023-11-06 17:30 - 18:30 | Town Hall Auditorium, 1 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us in the Town Hall Auditorium on Monday, November 6 when the Clapp Memorial Library is hosting an evening of the strange and mysterious with Ronny LeBlanc from the Travel Channel / Discovery+ television series Expedition Bigfoot & Paranormal Caught on Camera and author of Monsterland: Encounters with UFOs, Bigfoot and Orange Orbs.
At 5:30pm, Ronny will host a program for kids ages 5 and up where he will talk about his experiences filming the Expedition Bigfoot series.
Then, at 7pm, Ronny will host a program for adults where he will talk about UFOs of New England, highlighting some historic and recent sightings. The truth may be closer to home than you think!

UFOs of New England
2023-11-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States

Stone Medicine with Leslie Franks
2023-11-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join local author Leslie Franks for a talk about her newly released book, Stone Medicine: a Chinese medical guide to healing with gems and minerals. She’ll be taking a look at how crystals and stones are used in healing Body, Mind, and Spirit, from both a Chinese medical and a western mineralogical perspective.
Leslie Franks is retired from more than 30 years practice in a Chinese Medicine clinic, where her modalities of treatment were bodywork, Chinese herbs, essential oils, and stones.
