Clapp Memorial Library

Drawstring Fabric Bag
2025-06-25 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
People have always needed a way to carry things along with them. There are many common shapes in bag design. Ultimately, the purpose is to help us carry our belongings with us easily.
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. Learn how to make your own Drawstring Bag. Our teachers will show you the fundamental techniques as you create your own piece of history. Learn the basics of hand sewing. We will have all the necessary supplies and tools for you to create 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.
Class is limited to 12 participants. Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/ura5YZD8kyDujb8y8
Sponsored by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Celebrate Summer Reading with us! Sign up at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Their Butt does WHAT?!??!
2025-06-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
June 27th, 10 AM – 11 AM
Town Hall Auditorium
Susie Maguire, from the Poop Museum returns with another educational, funny, and sometimes gross, science presentation. No registration required. Program is geared towards children ages 4 and up.
Not every animal has a butt, but for those that do, there is an almost infinite variety of ways in which their butts can surprise! Yes … there is a remarkable number of super powers built into the butts of the world! And we’re going to discover some true wonders!
In this program you’ll learn about …

an inflating butt
a deflating butt
a butt with it’s own chemical lab
butts that can grow eyes and a brain
butts that talk
butts that attack
butts that breath
and so many more!

We humans are endlessly curious, and the world of animals butts is full of crazy curiosities. So bring your curiosity and join Susie for another fun, funny and fearlessly fact filled program, delivered with her trademark blend of science and silliness.
Program is funded by Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library and our Community sponsors
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program and attending is worth a Kids SRP Raffle Ticket! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Teen Pizza & Movie Night
2025-06-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Celebrate the kickoff of the Teen Summer Reading Program with a Teen Pizza & Movie Night on Friday, June 27th at 6:00PM! Pizza, popcorn, and drinks will be provided for free as the library hosts a showing of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle! Pizza will come from Antonio’s, which placed highly in both categories at last year’s Teen Pizza-Tasting Contest! Teens ages 12-18 are asked to call the library or email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register. All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program. This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Ducks & Trucks
2025-06-29 11:30 - 13:30 | MA
At Farmers Market on the Town Common
Come meet live ducks and learn about their diet, habitat, behavior and more. Duckworld Rescue at Ripley Farm will bring ducks and give children a chance to hold them and watch them swim. And the Belchertown Fire Department will be visiting with a truck for kids to explore.
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program and attending is worth a Kids SRP Raffle Ticket! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.
Made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library and our Community Sponsors

Pride Movie Matinee: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything
2025-06-30 15:00 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Grab your popcorn for this program series! Mondays in June we’re showing a series of films for Pride Month in our Activity Room! Features include a black & white classic, a teen coming of age, a cross country drive, and a documentary. Snacks provided, no registration required.
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), PG13, 108min
Three New York drag queens travel cross-country on their way to Hollywood, but a broken-down car strands them in a narrow-minded Midwestern town, where they share makeup tips with
the ladies and show the hostile men how to treat women right. Starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo.
Public performance rights provided through SWANK

West African Drumming Workshop
2025-06-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come out to play with the Wendell Warriors drumming ensemble and their leader Jafar Manselle! Jafar and his performance group will first perform and discuss the history of the rhythms and their meanings as used for village celebrations. He will then demonstrate the basic hand placements used to create the tones and participants will get to practice making the sounds. As a group, the ensemble and the participants will all play together and celebrate the day.
All the drums and percussion instruments will be provided, however if anyone has their own drum they can feel free to bring it.
All available drums have been claimed, but everyone is welcome to come and listen to the music. If you’d like to sign up for the waitlist for a drum, sign up here: https://forms.gle/2TkPV72UEjZ4xpa66
Celebrate Summer Reading with us! Sign up at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.
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.

ViewFinder Exhibit Reception and Awards Ceremony
2025-07-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library and the Belchertown Creative Economy Committee invite you to the ViewFinder Nature Photography contest exhibit reception and awards ceremony on Tuesday, July 1st from 6-7pm The winning photographs will be exhibited at the Library throughout the month of July and announced publicly in June, and viewable on the Library website. The exhibition opening will include an awards ceremony to acknowledge the creative achievements of our local photographers in capturing the beauty and natural diversity of Belchertown.
The ViewFinder 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. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Library Closing: Independence Day 2025
2025-07-04 - 2025-07-05 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Independence Day

Babytime Storytime (3-12 mo) Summer 2025
2025-07-07 09:00 - 09:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Babytime Story time (3-12 mo) Summer 2025
9:00-9:45 AM, Mondays, Jul 7, 14, 21, 28, Aug 4 & 11
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/fkMk9ovQtvXjEUSw7. 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 (13-24 months) Summer 2025
2025-07-07 10:00 - 10:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Monday Firststeps (13-24 months) Spring 2025
10:00-10:45 AM, Mondays, Jul 7, 14, 21, 28, Aug 4 & 11
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/pyy9xjVYx6zcUBR57. 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.

Summer Teen D&D
2025-07-07 16:00 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Calling all Belchertown Teens for Summer D&D
Mondays, 4-5:30, July 7, 14, 21, & 28
Sign up to play in a Summer D&D campaign with GM Zia!
The scenario takes place in Bremen, the remote village and part of the area collectively known as ten towns, located in Icewind Dale. Icewind dale is ruled by Auril the frostmaiden, who keeps a spell over the area, so that the sun will never rise and winter will never end. To keep the ire of the frost maiden at bay, all the villages of ten towns must sacrifice something, the biggest towns sacrifice people, the others food, and the smallest (like Bremen) who have nothing else to spare sacrifice warmth.
When each of the adventurers was approached by a snow white great horned owl. The owl said that warmth was not enough, and neither was food, the thing that the frost maiden wanted was people. The adventurers have been tasked with finding a worthy sacrifice.
The adventurers is player driven (though they are given a objective) and mainly heist based, with politics or combat as well (depending on what players choose)
Space is limited! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/kJHYdpby9wHWssU16
Confirmations will be sent out to teens confirming enrollment or waitlist status.
Please email any questions to tmannino@cwmars.org

Toddler Time (2-3 year olds) Summer 2025
2025-07-08 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday Toddler Time (2-3 years) Summer 2025
9:30-10:30 am, Tuesdays, Jul 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5 & 12
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/8nZpFboyZYt6PAG49. 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.

Getting Ready for Kindergarten Summer 2025
2025-07-09 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Getting Ready for Kindergarten Summer 2025
9:30-10:30 am, Wednesdays, Jul 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug 6 & 13
Getting Ready for Kindergarten is for children entering Kindergarten at Cold Spring School this fall and begins at @ 9:30 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.
Registration and confirmation required, sign-up here: https://forms.gle/iZs3HeqF8rNJcjov9 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.

Zine Workshop for Teens
2025-07-09 17:00 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library will be hosting a Zine Workshop for Teens in collaboration with Flywheel Arts Collective on Wednesday, July 9 from 5:00-6:30PM. Participants will be shown examples of zines and learn a little bit about their history. They will then be taught how to make their own one-page minizine using paper, markers, collage materials, and other supplies, and will leave the workshop with their own zine! This program is for students ages 12-18. Registration is required. Email macona@cwmars.org or call the library to sign up. All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program.

Caravan Puppets - “Level Up at Your Library”
2025-07-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us at 6PM on July 9th for an evening full of stories and music on the Library Lawn (in the case of rain, Town Hall Auditorium)!
Caravan celebrates the 2025 summer reading theme with our program “Level UP!” Tales of how we play! Level UP! features stories from classic children’s literature, original and international tales. The program also includes wildly creative puppets, humor and tons of interaction.
Program is funded by Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library and our Community sponsors.

Preschool Storytime (3-6 year olds) Summer 2025
2025-07-10 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Preschool Storytime (3-6 years) Summer 2025
9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays, Jul 10, 17, 24, 31, Aug 7 & 14
Preschool 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, sign up here: https://forms.gle/uMiU45Siq5qBZUgr8. 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.

Ants on a Log
2025-07-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us on Friday, July 11th for this fun family concert!
Ants on a Log plays music for children and other childlike people. Their award-winning music centers positivity, social justice, and silliness. Full of humor and harmony, Ants concerts are energetic, interactive, and a delight for children and adults.

Creative Art with Crayons: Water Lilies
2025-07-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come and create Claude Monet’s Water Lilies with crayons!
Marie Tucker will lead you step by step to make your own beautiful work of art.
Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/JTJC3mp2ToojGLKG8
Due to the high popularity of the program and limited capacity, seats will be filled by lottery drawn from all registrants signed up by Tuesday, July 8.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Celebrate Summer Reading with us! Sign up at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Magic Show with Ed Popielarczyk
2025-07-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Back by popular demand, Ed Popielarczyk, will present his comical magic show. Many in Belchertown know Ed as the “Balloon Guy” that has attended the Belchertown Fair for many years. Join us on the Library lawn for laughs and amazement geared to people of all ages. We will relocate to the town hall auditorium if there is rain. Please note: as of 7/14, the Town Hall elevator is out of service for an expected 6-8 weeks, limiting access to entrances with stairs until a ramp can be installed.
https://www.edpop.com/
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program and attending is worth a Kids SRP Raffle Ticket! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.
Program is funded by Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library and our Community sponsors

POSTPONED: Sister Detectives
2025-07-17 11:00 - 12:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Due to circumstances outside our control, this event is postponed. We hope to have information about the new date shortly.
Join local kid authors and sisters, Emma (12) and Belley (8), as they go on a detective adventure. Hear each page of their self-written and illustrated book in both English and Chinese. After the reading, there will be a fun craft for everyone to enjoy.
Funded by the BCC

Big Prize Bingo
2025-07-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to the library’s fourth annual Summer Reading Bingo program on Thursday, July 17th from 7:00-8:00PM. Teens will play bingo for the chance to win big prizes like gift cards, signed books and swag, puzzles, and more! All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program. Teens can sign up for the program at the library or by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com. Teens must be registered for the Teen Summer Reading Program to attend. This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Friend's Drop Off Day!
2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Have boxes of books you’re looking to get out of the house? Load up the car and come by on Saturday, July 19th and Saturday August 16th for Drive By & Drop Off with the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Volunteers will be in the Clapp Memorial Library parkin lot who will unload Books, DVDs, CDs, and Puzzles from your vehicle. You don’t even need to get out of the car.
Please note, the Friends to not accept VHS for their book sales.

Longsword Training
2025-07-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Monday, July 21, 6-8pm
One of the historical martial arts that had died out, is being brought back to life! Join Castle Nitor for a fun lesson on the German Longsword. See how they reconstruct the techniques from period texts and try it out yourself. Must be at least 16 years old to participate in this program.
Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/g8Aemp5zKPiMnvtWA
Due to the high popularity of the program and limited capacity, seats will be filled by lottery drawn from all registrants signed up by Monday, July 14.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals
2025-07-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday, July 22nd, 11am
Meet the author and illustrator of Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals, an award-winning STEM picture book based on and informed by real-world veterinarians. Jennifer, the author, and Rozillia, the illustrator, will first tell the story behind the book of Dr. Rosie and then engage kids in an interactive reading.
Registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/Vt3LHtLrwstsczGU6
This program is for ages 4 to 8. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver who is 14 years of age or older.
Following the reading will be a hands-on activity where kids (and their grownups) diagnose and treat a stuffy. Each participant will receive a mini vet kit and diagnostic/treatment sheet to take home. This program will take place in the Activity Room.
https://drrosiehelpstheanimals.org/

Dr. Rosie's Science of Helping Animals
2025-07-22 13:00 - 14:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday, July 22nd, 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Meet the author and illustrator of Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals, an award-winning STEM picture book based on and informed by real-world veterinarians. Jennifer, the author, and Rozillia, the illustrator, will first tell the story behind the book of Dr. Rosie and then engage kids in an interactive reading. Following the reading, students will perform some experiments, make hot/cold compresses (Kitty Compress), aloe vera bath crystals and a working stethoscope. They will learn how to give stitches to their Kitty Compress and take vitals on a Brightspot Therapy Dog using real veterinary instruments.
Registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/rPwnLH9Z7QaThDng6
This program is for ages 8 to 12. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver who is 14 years of age or older.

Creative Art with Crayons: Almond Blossoms
2025-07-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come and create Vincent Van Gogh’s Almond Blossoms with crayons!
Marie Tucker will lead you step by step to make your own beautiful work of art.
Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/JTJC3mp2ToojGLKG8
Due to the high popularity of the program and limited capacity, seats will be filled by lottery drawn from all registrants signed up by Tuesday, July 15.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Teen Book Club (July 2025)
2025-07-23 15:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library has a book club for teens entering grades 7-12! This Teen Book Club is in conjunction with the MA Teen Choice Book Awards (MTCBA), the only book award in the state selected by teens. Each month teens will read and meet to discuss one book from the nominee list. On Wednesday, July 23rd from 3:00-4:00PM, teens will discuss this month’s pick. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the library’s circulation desk and on the hoopla app. Snacks will be provided at the meeting. Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com with any questions. All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program.

Rolie Polie Guacamole
2025-07-23 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
July 23rd at 6PM on the Clapp Memorial Library Lawn! (In the case of rain, Town Hall Auditorium. Please note: as of 7/14, the Town Hall elevator is out of service for an expected 6-8 weeks, limiting access to entrances with stairs until a ramp can be installed)
Don’t miss the return of this fantastic band from Brooklyn, NY! Winner of the prestigious Parents’ Choice® and NAPPA Awards, Rolie Polie Guacamole has developed a smart, parent-friendly musical style that dresses up original tunes and classic covers with vibrant harmonies and deft instrumental layers, plugging in a sizzling electric current of rhythm that lights up lyrics humming with relevance and humor.
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program and attending is worth a Kids SRP Raffle Ticket! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.
Program is funded by Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library and our Community sponsors.

The Dale: Author Talk with Michael Parzymieso
2025-07-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On Wednesday, July 23 at 7PM, the Clapp Memorial Library is hosting an author talk with Michael Parzymieso where he will talk about his debut novel. The Dale is a supernatural thriller set in the town of Cold Springs, a fictionalized version of Belchertown. Parzymieso has written for local, regional, and national magazines. His love of the outdoors was inspired during his youth living in western Massachusetts and roaming the wild, lost, and forgotten places in the Quabbin. As a novelist, he writes about the power of faith and friendship in the face of malevolent evil. Copies of his book will be available for purchase and signing.
Celebrate Summer Reading with us! Sign up at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Teen Card-making for C4HK
2025-07-25 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to the library to do good by making greeting cards to be sent to Cards for Hospitalized Kids. This program will take place Friday, July 25th from 6:00-7:00PM. Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or call the library to register. All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program.
