First Steps Story Time (6-23 months) - Summer 2022
2022-07-05 09:00 - 09:45 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
9:00-9:45 AM, Tuesdays, July 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, Aug 2nd & 9th
First Steps is for ages 6 – 23 months and begins @ 9:00 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities. Program will take place on the Library lawn, weather allowing, families need to bring chairs/blankets and water, sunscreen, and bug repellant are suggested.
Registration (click here) and confirmation required. Registration open until all slots are filled – just sign up for the Program and Jennifer Whitehead, Children’s Librarian, will be in touch!
Registration: https://forms.gle/m3dKnv3sXNh8d7vE8

Little Explorers Story Time (2 yrs) - Summer 2022
2022-07-05 10:00 - 10:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
10:00-10:45 am, Tuesdays, July 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, Aug 2nd & 9th
Little Explorers Story Time is for children 2 years old, and begins @ 10:00 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities. Program will take place on the Library lawn, weather allowing, families need to bring chairs/blankets and water, sunscreen, and bug repellant are suggested.
Registration (click here) and confirmation required. Registration open until all slots are filled – just sign up for the Program and Jennifer Whitehead, Children’s Librarian, will be in touch!
Registration form: https://forms.gle/TCuRBB8dRSST3VLE9

Getting Ready for Kindergarten - Summer 2022
2022-07-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
10:00-11:00 am, Wednesdays, July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, Aug 3rd & 10th
Getting Ready for Kindergarten is for children entering Kindergarten this fall and beings at @ 10:00 AM. Registration is required. Getting Ready for Kindergarten feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities independent of their caregivers to prepare young children for school. Program will be held in the Children’s Activity Room.
Registration (click here) and confirmation required. Registration open until all slots are filled – just sign up for the Program and Jennifer Whitehead, Children’s Librarian, will be in touch!
Registration form: https://forms.gle/Xves7k94xoHEwpUj9

Caravan Puppets presents Puppet Stories for Outdoor Adventure
2022-07-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Wednesday, July 6th at 6 pm.
Join us for a return visit from the Caravan Puppets with new stories to share with families participating in our summer reading program. Bring a blanket, chairs and even a picnic, if you would like. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will be in the town hall auditorium. No registration is required and it is open to all ages.

Explorers Story Time (3-6 yrs) - Summer 2022
2022-07-07 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Program is FULL. All new registrations will be added to a waitlist.
9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, Aug 4th & 11th
Explorers Story time is for children ages 3 to 6, and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities. Program will take place on the Library lawn, weather allowing, families need to bring chairs/blankets and water, sunscreen, and bug repellant are suggested.
Registration (click here) and confirmation required. Registration open until all slots are filled – just sign up for the Program and Jennifer Whitehead, Children’s Librarian, will be in touch!
Registration form: https://forms.gle/tWPKREv2frRUn6369

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2022-07-07 17:00 - 18:45 | 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.

How to Bake a Universe
2022-07-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Calling all cosmic chefs! Author Alec Carvlin will be reading his debut picture book, How to Bake a Universe, at the Clapp Memorial Library on July 8th at 10:00am!
Geared towards ages 4 to 9 but all are welcome.
Kids will love decorating their own cosmic sunglasses, hearing the book read aloud by the author, and asking questions about the fun and funky science at the end. So come on down and bring nothing! Just make sure you have enough curiosity. This program does not require registration and will be held in the Children’s Activity Room.

Take a Tromp through the Swamp!
2022-07-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Take a Tromp through the Swamp!
A top-ten lineup of the world’s most fun, upbeat, and participatory kids’ and camp songs – many are even a bit athletic, with singer/guitarist/banjoist Tom Sieling.
Free – Everyone is invited.
Wednesday, July 13th at 6PM on the Library Lawn
In the case of rain, event will be moved to Townhall Auditorium)

Critters of Lake Wallace
2022-07-16 09:00 - 10:00 | Foley Field, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us on Saturday, July 16 at 9:00 am. to investigate fascinating creatures and critters in Lake Wallace. Join local biologists and parents Caralyn Zehnder and Will Duncan as we learn about the life cycles of aquatic invertebrates like dragonflies and damselflies and sample the lake to see what we can find. Geared towards ages 4 years and up.
Registration is required – sign up here.
We will meet at the end of the ball fields. Play clothes and bug spray are highly suggested. If the 9 am program fills up, we offer a second program starting at 10:15 am.
Any questions, call the Clapp Memorial Library at 413-323-0417

Critters of Lake Wallace
2022-07-16 10:15 - 11:15 | Foley Field, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us on Saturday, July 16 at 10:15 am. to investigate fascinating creatures and critters in Lake Wallace. Join local biologists and parents Caralyn Zehnder and Will Duncan as we learn about the life cycles of aquatic invertebrates like dragonflies and damselflies and sample the lake to see what we can find. Geared towards ages 4 years and up.
Registration is required – sign up here.
We will meet at the end of the ball fields. Play clothes and bug spray are highly suggested.
Any questions, call the Clapp Memorial Library at 413-323-0417

Music with Jacques "Pop" Hooten and Ann Marie Messbauer
2022-07-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Wednesday, July 20th at 6 pm. Music with Jacques “Pop” Hooten and Ann Marie Messbauer on the Library lawn. Bring a blanket, chairs and even a picnic dinner, if you would like, and enjoy a range of music from two members of Rising Tide band.
If it rains, we will be in the town hall auditorium and then food will not be allowed, but you will still want a blanket to sit on.
Make sure to sign-up for our Summer Reading Program if you’re not already!
https://clapplibrary.beanstack.org/

Teen Trivia Night - Jul 2022
2022-07-22 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, July 22nd at 6:00PM. Test your knowledge on everything from pop culture, to the outdoors, to local lore and knowledge! All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program, and the winner will receive a gift card to a local business! Teens ages 12-18 can register at the library or by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com.

Beyond the Book Club
2022-07-27 16:00 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Open to Kids going into 4th-6th Grade
Read Diverse Books! Help Your Community! Make Bookish Friends!
Join us at our next meeting to talk about this month’s book, Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson, and to decorate kindness rocks! The Beyond the Book Club meetings are hosted by Jennifer Whitehead (Head of Youth Services) and Camryn Scoon (Upcoming 9th-grader and lover of books). This month’s meeting will be held on the Clapp Memorial Library’s lawn.
Being part of the Belchertown Beyond the Book Club means to have an open mind and a full heart. We are a unique group made up of creative kids who want to create a positive change in our world, no matter how small.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/XBr773nXg6Dnro7P8

Teen Write Night: S'mores and Stories Edition!
2022-07-27 17:30 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Wed, July 27th 5:30-7:00PM
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to a special Teen Write Night outside the Clapp Memorial Library! S’mores are included! No creative writing experience is necessary to attend this creative writing program. Teens who attend will earn an additional raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program.
Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or visit the library to register.

Frisbee Fun with Todd Brodeur
2022-07-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Jabish Brook Middle School, 62 North Washington St, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Hosted by Clapp Memorial Library at the gym at Jabish Brook Middle School
Frisbee Fun with two-time Freestyle Frisbee Champion, Todd Brodeur.
Todd educates, entertains and motivates his audience with his captivating Frisbee show. He promotes staying active throughout your life by playing disc sports. He focuses on healthy lifestyles, creativity, flexibility and balance, all aimed at improving self-esteem and confidence.
Before the show, stop by the Library between 10:00 am and 5:45 pm to enter a raffle to win a Frisbee!
This raffle is attended only for children registered for our summer reading program and planning to go to the Frisbee show.

Songs Around the Campfire with Julie
2022-08-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
A musical program exploring some fun and funny campfire songs, chants and call and responses. All ages welcome
Wednesday, August 3rd at 6 pm
Bring chairs, sleeping bags or blankets to join the fun on the library lawn. If it rains, we move inside to the town hall auditorium.

An Evening of Opera with McKenna Troy and Ryan Nash
2022-08-06 20:00 - 21:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturday, August 6 at 8pm
Come to the Clapp this Saturday for a free evening of opera with McKenna Troy (soprano) and Ryan Nash (tenor). Having just returned from their international debut together in Novafeltria, Italy, they’re very excited to share the beautiful Italian music they fell in love with in the Belchertown community. Amidst a program of French Cabaret songs, Bernstein, and lots of opera, come prepared to enjoy a super casual, fairy lit evening full of romance and fun.

Trap the Zhu Zhu
2022-08-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Trap the Zhu Zhu – August 8th at 10:00 AM
Come join real scientists as we use the engineering design process to create a trap to stop a moving ‘animal’. Use your ingenuity, creativity, and reasoning skills to design a prototype trap and then re-design it to make it even better!
Students ages 5-10 are welcome.
Registration is required as space is limited – click here to register.
This program is brought to you by SEED, Inc. and supported by the Belchertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council.
This program will be held in the Children’s Activity Room. You will receive a confirmation email from Jennifer a few days before the program. Caregiver should remain in the Library unless you make other arrangements with Jennifer. All children should be registered for our summer reading program.

Ed Popielarczyk's Comedy Magic Show
2022-08-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Wednesday, August 10th at 6:00 pm
Library Lawn (Town hall auditorium if rain)
Come for a family comedy magic show with professional magician, balloon sculptor, and flea circus ring master Ed Popielarczyk.

Summer Reading Bingo
2022-08-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens entering grades 7-12 are invited to the library’s first-ever Summer Reading Bingo program on Friday, August 12th at 6:00PM. Teens will play bingo for the chance to win awesome prizes like Wii U games, board games, gift cards, books, and more! All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program. Teens can sign up for this program at the library or by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com. Teens must be registered for the Teen Summer Reading Program to attend this program.

SRP Final Party
2022-08-17 17:00 - 19:30 | MA
By invite only! For children & families that have completed our Summer Reading Program.
Entertainment by The ToeJam Band.
Sponsored in part by Country Bank.

Teen Tie-Dye
2022-08-19 17:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens entering grades 7-12 are invited to tie-dye their free summer reading shirts outside the Clapp Memorial Library on Friday, August 19th from 5:30-6:30PM. The program will take place on the library’s lawn. Teens who did not sign up to receive a shirt may bring their own clean shirts to tie-dye. There will also be extra shirts as supplies last. Attendees will also get an extra raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program. Teens can email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or visit the library’s circulation desk to sign up.

$1 DVD & Music CD Sale!
2022-08-27 08:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Friend of the Library are hosting a one-day $1 DVD & Music CD Sale on August 27th, from 8am-3PM in the Library parking lot!

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 | 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.
