Clapp Memorial Library

Library Closing: New Year's Day 2024
2023-12-30 - 2024-01-01 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of New Year’s Day

Teen Advisory Board (Jan 2024)
2024-01-05 16:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board will meet in the library’s Activity Room on Friday, January 5th from 4:30-5:30PM to make cards for Cards for Hospitalized Kids. All teens in grades 7-12 are welcome to attend; teens do not need to be TAB members to participate. This is a great opportunity for teens looking for volunteer or service hours. Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

Navigating the Journey of Grief and Loss
2024-01-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Grief and loss are natural and normal processes to any change, and no response is the same as each person grieves in their own way. There is no timeframe for how one grieves as it shifts and changes, never fully going away. Learn about grief, typical grief responses, and resources available community-wide. There will be time for Q&A afterward.
Part of the series: Hospice Informational Series – From Start to Finish, Understanding Home Health Care

Hospice 101: Everything You Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask, 12/14
Navigating the Journey of Grief and Loss, 1/11
Making the Right Choice. Learn the Options for Home Health Care, 2/8

Sun on the Muddy: A poetry reading by Jim Armenti with photography by Dave Madeloni
2024-01-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Sun on the Muddy: A poetry reading by Jim Armenti with photography by Dave Madeloni
Join Jim Armenti (poet) and Dave Madeloni (photographer) as they share their work Sun On The Muddy, a book of poetry and fantastic photos published by Levellers Press, for a short presentation, poetry reading, a few songs, and conversation. Books will be available for purchase.

Library Closing: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2024
2024-01-15 | 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

Music with Pop Jan & Feb 2024
2024-01-17 10:30 - 11:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
10:30 am, Wednesdays, Jan 17, 24, Feb 7, 21, & 28
Music with Jacques Hooten aka Pop! Wednesdays at 10:30 am in the Children’s Activity Room, geared towards infants to age 6. Spaces will be filled first by children who reside within Belchertown. Enjoy singing and dancing in this interactive music series. Limited space so click here to register today.
Music on 2/21 will be held in the Town Hall Auditorium.
Registration & confirmation required.
Funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Winter Movie Afternoon
2024-01-19 14:00 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
**PROGRAM FULL – NEW SIGN-UPS WILL BE ADDED TO WAITLIST**
Join us for a movie afternoon! We will be showing a Haunting in Venice based on the Agatha Christie novel on Friday, January 19th, at 2PM.
Space is limited, registration is required. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/shTbbf14GsHZZz5Z8
For patrons 18 and over.

Disney Trivia Night
2024-01-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to the Clapp Memorial Library for its first-ever Disney-themed Teen Trivia Night! The winner will receive a gift card to a local business. This program will take place at the library on Friday, January 26th from 6:00-7:00PM. Teens are asked to email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
2024-01-29 14:30 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
**PROGRAM FULL**
Jigsaw Puzzle Competition at the Clapp Memorial Library
Teams of 2 are invited to participate in our Jigsaw Puzzle Competition for National Puzzle Day! The competition will be held on Monday, January 29th from 2:30pm – 5:30pm. Please try to arrive early in order to ensure that your team is able to begin on time – the clock will begin exactly at 2:30pm. Latecomers are welcome but won’t receive additional time.
Registration required – program full! Thank you for all your interest!
In case of inclement weather, the puzzle competition will be rescheduled to Monday, February 5th.
Competition Details:

Teams are limited to 2 people.
Teams may sign up at the library or by using the online registration form on our website.
The event is open to all ages. Per library policy, children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Each team will tackle the same 500-piece puzzle. No one gets a sneak peak – the puzzle will be revealed when the competition begins.
Teams will work in the Community Room at the Clapp Memorial Library.
The challenge concludes at 5:30 PM. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams. In case of unfinished puzzles, library staff will count the remaining pieces to determine the winners and the overall rankings.
All teams will get to take home their copy of the puzzle!

Teen Advisory Board (Feb 2024)
2024-02-02 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, February 2nd from 4:30-5:30PM to brainstorm and discuss community service ideas. 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. Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

Ukes for Ukraine
2024-02-03 15:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On Saturday, February 3 at 3pm, the Clapp Memorial Library will host a free acoustic concert by the Belchertown duo, Ukes for Ukraine. Terry Nagel (soprano ukulele) and Jimmy Burgoff (bass ukulele) will bring their street corner music, and their little blue tip bucket, indoors with an hour of favorite uke tunes and more stories about their adventures on the streets. Although the situation in Ukraine is grim, the music of Ukes for Ukraine is anything but. Drawing from the best Tin Pan Alley music of the 20’s and 30’s, classic string band tunes, and occasional big band classics, the duo presents cheerful and unique versions of familiar chestnuts, and some obscure songs that deserve to be dusted off and brought back to life.
So far, Ukes for Ukraine has raised over $3,300, a few dollars at a time playing on street corners and in outdoor markets. All the money has gone to Blagovist 2013, an NGO providing food, school supplies, and clothing to displaced families and children in the Karkhiv region.

Trustees “Meet & Greet”
2024-02-07 17:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Clapp Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Seeks New Members and Hosts Informal “Meet & Greet”
*Registration Required*
Are you a Belchertown resident? Do you love the Library? Do you want to support the Clapp Memorial Library and the amazing programming it provides our community?
If you answered “yes” to these questions then you might want to consider becoming a Trustee!
A Trustee is a great way to support all members of our community! We are looking for individuals with varied backgrounds and encourage all to inquire and apply. The Board will be hosting a “Meet & Greet” in the Activity Room of The Clapp Memorial Library on February 7, 2024 from 5:30pm-6:30pm as an opportunity to meet the current Trustees and get a feel for the issues and decisions the Board makes.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Trustee and would like to attend the “Meet & Greet,” please let us know via email (charbeson@cwmars.org) or phone (413) 323-0417 by Februrary 2, 2024.
We look forward to meeting you!
The Current Board of Trustees
The Clapp Memorial Library Board Trustees is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all board members, staff, volunteers, and members feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias.

Making the Right Choice. Learn the Options for Home Health Care
2024-02-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
When facing serious illness, understanding your healthcare options can be confusing and overwhelming. Trying to understand the differences between VNA, Palliative Care, and Hospice can lead to many questions. We will break down what each service is while also discussing the importance of advance care planning so that you are in control of your own care. There will also be time afterward for Q&A.
Part of the series: Hospice Informational Series – From Start to Finish, Understanding Home Health Care

Hospice 101: Everything You Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask, 12/14
Navigating the Journey of Grief and Loss, 1/11
Making the Right Choice. Learn the Options for Home Health Care, 2/8

PAWS to Read
2024-02-08 15:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
“Paws to Read” pairs certified therapy animals with young readers who gain reading confidence in a relaxed, stress-free environment. For reluctant or struggling readers in grades 1-5.
Our therapy dogs & bunnies visit the Library with their owners, who volunteer their time to help young readers. Children’s reading abilities improve as they gain confidence through reading to animals. Why? Animals listen uncritically and wag their tails or twitch their noses as the children read. Research indicates that under these conditions, children’s heart rates actually slow, resulting in a state of calm that leads to greater reading success.
Children involved in PAWS programs nationwide have shown:

Improved READING skills
A sense of PRIDE in their accomplishments
Willingness to become INVOLVED in other positive activities
Increased RESPECT and KINDNESS in their interactions with animals
Greater READING enjoyment and increased LIBRARY usage

Program is currently full, please contact Jennifer Whitehead and Judy Schmidt to join the interest list.
323-0417.

From Doormats to Dynasty: History of the Perennial Powerhouse Patriots
2024-02-09 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
From the struggles of the Boston Patriots to the decades of Super Bowl crowns, this lively and illuminating program will take you on a roller coaster ride through the history of the franchise that has captured more crowns than any other. Author and veteran sports writer Marty Gitlin, who covered the NFL in the newspaper field and for CBS Sports, will discuss and show videos of the greatest and most interesting players, teams, events and moments of the team since its birth in the American Football League in 1960. Watch the exploits of such early standouts as Gino Cappelletti and Babe Parilli, relive the disappointment of the Jim Plunkett era and talents of Steve Grogan and Sam “Bam” Cunningham. Experience again the transition from Drew Bledsoe to Tom Brady. And enjoy greatest highlights from the Greatest of All Time under Bill Belichick, including Super Bowl triumphs. This presentation is fun and enlightening so don’t miss it! Marty will host a Q&A following the program.
Funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Focus on Youth
2024-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Join Youth Services Librarian, Jennifer Whitehead, at the DCR Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor Center for some fun with photography. This event is for families with preschool to 4th grade students. We will meet as a group at noon on Sunday, February 11th. After a brief discussion where we’ll share ideas on where and how to take photographs of the Quabbin, families will venture off to explore on their own. Wear proper clothing and footwear for hiking and the weather. Bring your cameras, binoculars, and sense of adventure.
Registration required – click here to sign up.
For youth grades 5-12, check out our Teen Beginner Photography Workshop!

Teen Beginner Photography Workshop
2024-02-11 13:00 - 14:00 | MA
The Clapp Memorial Library is offering a Beginner Photography Workshop for students in grades 5-12 on Sunday, February 11th at 1:00PM. This program will take place at the Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor’s Center.
Learn basic nature photography (landscape and wildlife) from local photographer Ed Comeau who will present on different topics like photography techniques, composition, lighting, etc. There will be a short discussion about nature and wildlife at Quabbin followed by opportunities for photography in the Quabbin. Students are asked to register by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or by visiting the library at 19 S. Main Street.
For youth preschool-grade 4, check out our Focus on Youth photography program!

Snow Day RPG!
2024-02-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual, MA
In light of our snow closing, our monthly D&D game is canceled, with a one-shot being run instead on Roll20! Email tmannino@cwmars.org for more information.
Tamir and the Palace of Dreams
A lonely asteroid, a damaged spacecraft and an unusual paradise where there should only be barren and uninhabited lands. The players have the task of solving the mystery and trying to find their way home.
System: Coriolis: The Third Horizon
Coriolis is a science fiction RPG set in a remote cluster of star systems called The Third Horizon in a setting reminiscent of Firefly and The Expanse. Colonists arriving in two waves hundreds of years apart have built new civilizations in the ancient ruins of the Portal Builders, and those living there today have mysteries to uncover, politics to navigate, and adventures to follow.
Coriolis uses a d6 dice pool resolution mechanic known as Year Zero Engine.
Dice Pool = Attribute + Skill, 6 = Success.
No previous knowledge or experience with the system needed.
Want to read more? Free quickstart available at Free League Publishing and DriveThruRPG

Winter Movie Afternoon
2024-02-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
February movie selection based on popular demand! It’s fantastic!
Adult library patrons are invited to join us for a movie afternoon. On Friday, February 16 at 2p.m., the Clapp Memorial Library will be showing a recently-released movie about a famous plastic doll featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Popcorn and beverages will be provided.
PROGRAM FULL, additional registrations will be added to the waitlist. Click here to sign-up: https://forms.gle/27ArzKw7QZKt1qes9
For patrons 18 and over

Library Closing: Presidents’ Day 2024
2024-02-19 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Presidents’ Day

Delayed Opening: Staff Training
2024-02-20 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The library will be opening at 11am due to a staff training in the morning.

Teen Crochet Night
2024-02-21 17:45 - 18:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Rescheduled from December!
Learn how to crochet an amigurumi tea bag bookmark at the Clapp Memorial Library’s next Teen Crochet Night on Wednesday, February 21st at 5:45PM. All materials will be provided, (though teens are encouraged to bring their own 3.5mm crochet hook if they have one). Teens new to crochet may also attend. Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or visit the library to register.

Teen Movie Night
2024-02-23 18:00 - 20:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to a movie night at the Clapp Memorial Library on Friday, February 23rd from 6:00-8:30PM! Watch the movie based on Suzanne Collins’s popular book! Hint: the prequel to the movie we’ll show came out this past winter. There will be songbirds in this movie, but no snakes. Popcorn and beverages will be provided. Register by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com.

Nature Photography Workshops
2024-02-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturdays, February 24 & March 2, at 2pm
Participants in the workshops will learn more about wildlife and landscape photography from photographer Mark Lindhult, who leads the Quabbin Photo Group. The first session will focus on technique during a lecture format and the second session will meet at the library before heading outside to practice using the techniques in the first session. The Belchertown Wildlife & Landscape Photography program is an intergenerational opportunity to participate in learning, exploration, and expression. It’s a partnership between the Clapp Memorial Library, Town of Belchertown Planning Department, and Town of Belchertown Conservation Commission. Meet other local photographers while learning new skills, build a portfolio of work, and then submit your top photos to the photo contest.

Babytime Story Time (3-12 mo) Spring 2024
2024-02-26 09:00 - 09:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Babytime Story time (3-12 mo) Spring 2024
9:00-9:45 AM, Mondays, Feb 26, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 1 & 8
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, 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.

Firststeps Story Time (12-24 mo) Spring 2024
2024-02-26 10:00 - 10:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Monday Firststeps (12-24 months) Spring 2024
10:00-10:45 AM, Mondays, Feb 26, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 1 & 8
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, 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.

Afterschool D&D (Spring 2024)
2024-02-26 14:30 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM FULL.
Calling all Belchertown Students for Afterschool D&D
2:30-4:00PM, February 26th, March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, & April 1st.
In the case of a weather closing, program will extend to April 8th.
After an attack from a cosmic entity threatened to destroy their world, this band of brave heroes launched themselves into silvery void of the Astral Sea to save their home. So far they’ve met enemies, made friends, and discovered the powers behind the attack. Can they save their world before time runs out? Players of all experience welcome.
Program will run weekly starting in February for Middle & Highschool Students. Participants may bring their own nut-free snacks. Please inform Librarian & Game Master Tegan Mannino, if there is a day you will not attend.
Game will cover the second half of the Spelljammer Light of Xaryxis Campaign, started this past fall.
Space is limited! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/MPPq452YfGUqAhqR8
Confirmations will be sent out to students confirming enrollment or waitlist status.
Please email any questions to tmannino@cwmars.org

Tuesday Toddler Time (2 years) Spring 2024
2024-02-27 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday Toddler Time (2-3 years) Spring 2024
9:30-10:30 AM, Tuesdays, Feb 27, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26, Apr 2 & 9
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, 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.

Preschool Story Time (3-5 years) Spring 2024
2024-02-29 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Preschool Story Time (3-5 years) Spring 2024
9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays, Feb 29, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4 & 11
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.

The Real Score: Unraveling Myths about Trans People in Sports with Erin Reed
2024-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library is excited to partner with a cohort of many Massachusetts public libraries to host journalist Erin Reed for a virtual presentation titled “The Real Score: Unraveling Myths About Trans People in Sports” on Tuesday, March 5 at 7:00pm on Zoom. Sign up here to join via Zoom!
In this presentation, we will explore the complex and often misunderstood world of transgender athletes in sports. Delving into the history and current controversies, we will address the myths and misinformation surrounding “biological advantages.” We will also discuss the discriminatory nature of recent sports bans targeting transgender individuals, and interrogate how similar arguments have been historically used to marginalize other minority groups. We will look at the real world impact of these sports bans, and how they might touch places you didn’t think about. Finally, we’ll put it all together in considering what transgender inclusion means for society at large.
About the presenter: Erin Reed (she/her) is a transgender journalist based in Washington, D.C. She tracks LGBTQ+ legislation around the United States for her subscription newsletter, Erin In The Morning. Her work has been cited by the AP, Reuters, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many more major media outlets. You can follow her on twitter and tiktok @ErinInTheMorn.
