Clapp Memorial Library

Library Closing: Labor Day 2022
2022-09-05 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Labor Day

Author Talk: “What the Children Told Us” with Tim Spofford
2022-09-07 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Wednesday, September 7 @ 7pm
Author Tim Spofford joins us to talk about his new book, What the Children Told Us: The Untold Story of the Famous “Doll Test” and the Black Psychologists Who Changed the World. Spofford tells the story of the towering intellectual and emotional partnership between two Black scholars who highlighted the psychological effects of racial segregation. The Clarks’ story is one of courage, love, and an unfailing belief that Black children deserved better than what society was prepared to give them, and their unrelenting activism played a critical role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. The Clarks’ decades of impassioned advocacy, their inspiring marriage, and their enduring work shines a light on the power of passion in an unjust world.

Author Talk: “On Her Feet” with Lu Wanda Cheney
2022-09-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturday, September 10 @10:30am (Activity Room)
Local author Lu Wanda Cheney joins us to talk about her new book, On Her Feet, which she wrote with her daughter, Ashley Cheney. When she was 14, Ashley jumped off a roof, thinking it would be fun, and suffered a permanent spinal cord injury. Her doctors tell her she will never walk again; her mother tells her to get out of bed and on her feet. On Her Feet is the true story of her mother’s contagious positive attitude and Ashley’s courageous battle to walk against nearly impossible odds.

Babytime Storytime (3–12 months) Fall 2022
2022-09-19 09:00 - 09:45 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Babytime Storytime (3 – 12 months)
9:00-9:45 AM, Mondays, Sept. 19th, 26th, Oct. 3rd, 17th, 24th, 31st & Nov. 7th
Babytime is for ages 3 – 12 months and begins @ 9:00 AM. Registration & confirmation is required. Our storytimes feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Register here: https://forms.gle/E3sXqty666JKyLwx8
Due to the parking lot construction, Fall 2022 Storytime programs will be held at the Belchertown Parks and Recreation building behind the police station. Jennifer will send more detailed information and registration confirmation before the start of the program. When the Belchertown Public Schools have a delay or closure due to the weather, story times are canceled.

First Steps Storytime (6-23 months) Fall 2022
2022-09-19 10:00 - 10:45 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
First Steps Storytime (6-23 months)
10:00-10:45 AM, Mondays, Sept. 19th, 26th, Oct. 3rd, 17th, 24th, 31st & Nov. 7th
First Steps is for ages 12 – 24 months and begins @ 10:00 AM. Registration & confirmation is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Register here: https://forms.gle/gpHBUwaKeVPNervT8
Due to the parking lot construction, Fall 2022 Storytime programs will be held at the Belchertown Parks and Recreation building behind the police station. Jennifer will send more detailed information and registration confirmation before the start of the program. When the Belchertown Public Schools have a delay or closure due to the weather, story times are canceled.

Toddler Time (2 year olds) Fall 2022
2022-09-20 09:30 - 10:30 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Toddler Time (2 year olds)
9:30-10:30 am, Tuesdays, Sept. 20th, 27th, Oct. 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, Nov. 1st & 8th
Toddler Time is for children 2 years old, and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration & confirmation is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Register here: https://forms.gle/dbSCftnaAqdFdRHQ8
Due to the parking lot construction, Fall 2022 Storytime programs will be held at the Belchertown Parks and Recreation building behind the police station. Jennifer will send more detailed information and registration confirmation before the start of the program. When the Belchertown Public Schools have a delay or closure due to the weather, story times are canceled.

Author Talk: “Images of America: Belchertown State School” with Kate Anderson
2022-09-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Wednesday, September 21 @ 7pm
This program is an overview of the history of the Belchertown State School and its place in special education and the treatment of individuals with disabilities. Based on the Images of America: Belchertown State School book, Kate Anderson will present a collection of historical images and artifacts illustrating the evolution of the state school.
Kate Anderson is the author of a number of volumes on the history of state schools and institutions including Images of America: Belchertown State School. She has been a special educator for over twenty years and is the Director of Education at RFK Academy in Springfield. Kate is also the president of the Belchertown State School Friends Association, an organization dedicated to preserving the history of the state school and institutions for the disabled.

Preschool Storytime (3-5 year olds) Fall 2022
2022-09-22 09:30 - 10:30 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Preschool Storytime (3-5 year olds)
9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays, Sept. 22nd, 29th, Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, Nov. 3rd & 10th
Explorers Story time is for children ages 3 to 6, and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration & confirmation is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Register here: https://forms.gle/J7C4Ms8BnH2zuCN19
Due to the parking lot construction, Fall 2022 Storytime programs will be held at the Belchertown Parks and Recreation building behind the police station. Jennifer will send more detailed information and registration confirmation before the start of the program. When the Belchertown Public Schools have a delay or closure due to the weather, story times are canceled.

Early Closing: Belchertown Fair 2023
2022-09-23 14:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closing at 2PM

Library Closing: Belchertown Fair
2022-09-24 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed during the Belchertown Fair

Concert: “Earth Rhythms: Songs for the Environment” with Roger Tincknell
2022-09-26 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Monday, September 26 @ 6:30pm
Help us usher in Climate Preparedness Week by joining us for Earth Rhythms: Songs for the Environment performed by returning favorite Roger Tincknell. Earth Rhythms is an exciting music and storytelling program that celebrates and teaches environmental awareness and responsibility. Lively songs, interesting facts and humor combine with audience participation to make this an ideal family event for all ages.

SFF Book Club
2022-09-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual, MA
A monthly book group for lovers of high fantasy, hard science fiction, fable, far future, and all of the speculative fiction options.
We meet online via Google Meet.
Upcoming reads:

The Naming Song / Jedediah Berry (1/27)
The Children of Blood and Bone / Tomi Adeyemi (2/24)
The Tainted Cup / Robert Jackson Bennett (3/24)
Nettle & Bone / T. Kingfisher (4/28)
Stories of Your Life and Others / Ted Chiang (5/26)
The Last Hour Between Worlds / Melissa Caruso (6/23)

To sign-up or ask questions email Tegan at tmannino@cwmars.org

Garden Design 101 with Mary Jo Maffei (Virtual)
2022-09-28 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Garden Design 101 with Mary Jo Maffei
Wednesday, September 28th at 6:30pm
Virtual program
Combining concepts from architecture, interior design, and garden design, Maffei will provide gardening basics about texture and shape, rhythm and repeat planting, timing and massing, color, maintenance, and more!
Email clapp@cwmars.org for the Zoom link!

Teen Advisory Board Kick-Off Party
2022-09-30 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 Clapp Memorial Library for the Teen Advisory Board Kick-Off Party on Friday, September 30th from 4:00-5:00PM. This program will take place in the Children’s Activity Room in the lower level of the library (or outside weather permitting). Current TAB members or teens interested in learning about TAB can register for this Party by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or by visiting the library’s circulation desk. TAB will be kicking off its first meeting of the school year with ice cream and games. TAB is a group of 7th-12th grade students who propose library programming for teens & provide input on teen services.

Cookbook Club [REGISTRATION REQUIRED]
2022-10-03 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Do you like browsing cookbooks and trying new recipes? Register at the circulation desk and pick up a copy of this month’s cookbook. Pick a recipe and let us know (to avoid duplicates), then make and bring your dish for everyone to try at our meeting. Registration is required for each meeting, no alcoholic beverages.

Concert: Andy & Judy: New England Folk in Concert
2022-10-07 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Friday, October 7 @ 6:30pm (main library)
Andy & Judy are a Boston area folk duo who perform original, lyric driven songs that combine their beautiful vocals and instrumentation. They’ll be joining us for a one-hour concert that’s sure to offer a good time.

Library Closing: Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2022
2022-10-10 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Chess Class
2022-10-11 15:30 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: https://forms.gle/N7itpSqxjVDDf7so8
The Clapp Memorial Library will be offering a series of chess classes for students in 4th, 5th and 6th grade. Mike Vital will teach students game strategy on Tuesday afternoons from October 11th to November 15th in the Children’s Activity Room. Students that attend CHCS will be able to ride the bus to the Library. Pick up time will be at 5:00 pm and students will need to bring their own nut-free snacks.
Caregivers will need to write a note to CHCS giving permission for the student to ride the bus to the Library on Tuesdays from October 11th to November 15th. They must also inform Head of Youth Services, Jennifer Whitehead, if there is a day they will not attend. Caregivers must come into the Library to sign out students.

Wednesday Whodunnits
2022-10-12 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.

RPG Night - Call of C'thulhu
2022-10-13 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Register by email Tegan – tmannino@cwmars.org
Come to the library, roll some dice, and investigate a spooky murder mystery with “The Dead Boarder” a Call of C’thulhu scenario.
“Mr. James Gardiner, a recluse who lives in your boarding house, has not been seen or heard from for two days. Each of you has a reason to see if he is in his room. Through persuasion, bribes, or your own means, the landlord of this boarding house has been convinced to unlock the door and check on the tenant, while also letting you inside.”
No experience with the system necessary, everything you need to play will be on hand

Pumpkin Carving
2022-10-14 15:30 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library will be having a free outdoor Pumpkin-Carving program for teens in grades 7-12 on Friday, October 14th from 3:30-4:30PM. Registration for this program is required, and teens can register at the library or by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com. The rain date for this program is Wednesday, October 19th at 3:30PM.

Teen Advisory Board (Oct 2022)
2022-10-14 16:30 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) will meet following the Teen Pumpkin-Carving Program outside the library on Friday, October 14th, from 4:30-5:00PM. The Teen Advisory Board is a group of 7th-12th grade students who propose library programming for teens and provide input on teen services. New members are welcome.

Friends Board Meeting
2022-10-20 18:30 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Board Meeting in the Activity Room at 6:30pm on October 20th
For information email Paul Geoffroy at pdgeoffroy52@gmail.com

Friends Annual Meeting
2022-10-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library on Thursday, the 20th of October at 7pm. All members and community members are invited to attend. This is a great opportunity to learn about The Friends, how to volunteer, and their impact on the success of our library.
For information, contact Paul Geoffroy at pdgeoffroy52@gmail.com

Teen Write Night
2022-10-21 16:00 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Calling all young writers, poets, playwrights, and novelists! The Clapp Memorial Library will resume in-person creative writing programs, or “Teen Write Nights,” for students in grades 7-12 throughout the month of November. This program celebrating National Novel Writing Month is a great opportunity for teen 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 Friday, October 21st, from 4:00-5:00PM. Young writers should e-mail clapplibrarytab@gmail.com for more information about the program and to register. No creative writing experience is necessary!

RPG Night – Call of C’thulhu
2022-10-27 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Register by email Tegan – tmannino@cwmars.org
Come to the library, roll some dice, and investigate a tomb with “The Necropolis” a Call of C’thulhu scenario.
“What ancient horrors lie slumbering in a newly discovered tomb deep in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings? Are you allowing local superstitions and the unfortunate events surrounding the opening of Tutankhamen’s tomb to play on your mind as you wait to step down into the darkness…”
No experience with the system necessary, everything you need to play will be on hand

Teen Write Nights (November 2022)
2022-11-02 17:00 - 18:30 | 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. This is a great opportunity for teen writers to get feedback, build community, participate in writing exercises, and grow their word count! Attend as many Teen Write Nights as you want, but frequent attendance means more chances to win awesome prizes at our final party in December. Young writers can e-mail clapplibrarytab@gmail.com for more information about the program and to register.
Teen Write Night #1
November 2, 5:00-6:30PM
Teen Write Night #2
November 9, 5:00-6:30PM
Teen Write Night #3
November 16, 5:00-6:30PM
Teen Write Night #4
November 23, 5:00-6:30PM
T.G.I.O. Party!
December 7, 5:00-6:30PM

Nine You Should Know: Nine People from Belchertown’s History with Cliff McCarthy
2022-11-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Thursday, November 3, 7 PM
Do you know which Belchertown native has had a full-length Hollywood movie devoted to his life and has been portrayed by actors John Carradine and James Coburn in other films? Do you know who the first American Protestant missionary to China was? or Belchertown’s connection to the first Governor of Kansas? What Belchertown woman drew the plans for remodeling the Stone House into a museum? To learn the answers and more interesting things about former Belchertown residents, come to hear “Nine You Should Know,” presented by Cliff McCarthy, Stone House archivist and local historian.
This talk will present nine historical figures connected to Belchertown that will astonish and surprise. Some you will admire, some you will despise, but all have interesting stories to tell. You will travel to China and the gold fields of California; you will visit utopian communities in Utah and New York states. You will learn about our town’s connection to “bleeding Kansas” and the U.S. Colored Troops in the Civil War. You will land back home to learn of extraordinary people who lived right here in Belchertown.

National Novel Writing Month Meetup
2022-11-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Date: November 4th, 2022 6pm – 8pm
Are you participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November? Join us at the Clapp Memorial Library for a write in! Bring your laptop, notebook and 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 within the allotted time. This event is for adults 18+. For more information, contact Annie at the library: macona@cwmars.org
