Mindfulness Meditation
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:15, 2026-04-23 19:00 - 20:15, 2026-04-30 19:00 - 20:15 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Clapp Memorial Library is once again offering a Mindfulness Meditation and Stress Reduction Awareness course. The eight-week introductory course starts on Thursday, March 12 from 7:00pm-8:15pm and runs every Thursday through April 30. The course is designed to teach and practice mindfulness-based skills. Mindfulness meditation skills teach us to be fully present in the moment and, when practiced regularly, help decrease stress levels and improve general well-being and health. Skills covered in the course are gentle and free of judgment. Because each session of this course builds on the previous week, we ask that you register only if you are able to attend all sessions.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/mGhrxGTcd1D77ift6. If you have any questions please email clapp@cwmars.org
This course will be taught by Magda Bechar, a retired nursing professor who has taught mindfulness meditation skills to many groups, including at the Clapp Memorial Library, for many years.
Sessions will take place on the main library floor, except for April 2, which will take place in the Activity Room.

Photography for Beginners
2026-04-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturday, April 18 – Photography for Beginners with Ed Comeau
The classroom session will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by outdoor practical sessions at Lake Wallace (weather dependent), so come prepared to walk a short distance to Lake Wallace and spend some time outside!
ViewFinder workshops are open to anyone, you do not have to be a Belchertown resident. Seats are limited, and registration is required. Click here to sign up.
Instructor: Ed Comeau
Ed’s interest in photography goes back many years, but upon moving to Belchertown over 25 years ago this interest reached a whole new level with his proximity to the Quabbin Reservoir and access to the beauty of Western Massachusetts. While he can often be found sitting in some remote part of the Quabbin, waiting for wildlife to come his way, has also explored Maine, Alaska, and Colorado, resulting in a number of beautiful landscape and wildlife photographs. A number of local businesses have exhibited his works and his photographs have appeared in several calendars. He is a member of the Friends of the Quabbin Board of Directors, the Program Director of the Quabbin Photo Group, and has been an instructor for the Belchertown ViewFinder project since its inception. You can find his work at www.ComeauPhotography.com and on Instagram @edcomeauphotography.

Magic: the Gathering
2026-04-18 10:30 - 13:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us for Magic the Gathering in the Activity Room. Bring your own deck or use one of our learning decks. Everyone is welcome, however players must be fluent readers. Players under the age of 10 must have a caregiver who is at least 14 years old on the Library premises. Join us for every session or just one – it’s up to you!
We will have two instructors to help get games started and assist with the rules of the game. No registration is required. Check the Library website or Facebook page if there is inclement weather.
Saturdays, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
February 28th, March 14th, 21st, 24th, April 4th*, 11th, & 18th.
Magic will start at 11am on April 4th

Kalos Trio
2026-04-18 16:00 - 17:00 | Belchertown United Church of Christ, ​18 Park Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us for an evening of classical music with Kalos Trio.
Kalos Trio is comprised of Rebecca Hartka on cello, Julia Liao on violin, and Barbara Lysakowski on piano. This concert will be held at BUCC with Ms. Lysakowsi’s playing the library’s 1877 Steinway piano.
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.

Library Closing: Patriots’ Day 2026
2026-04-20 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Patriots’ Day

Frankenstein Reading Group
2026-04-21 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-28 14:00 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Have you ever wanted to take the time to discuss a novel in depth? In this five-session group, we will discuss the Gothic novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The discussion will be introduced and facilitated by retired professor David Spector. Copies of the book will be available to checkout at the circulation desk.
Registration and confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/PSFBMP9xJmUxE5Ru5
The group will meet from 2 to 3:30 PM on Tuesdays. The first meeting is on Tuesday, March 31 and meets weekly through April 28. All sessions take place in the Library’s activity room except for the April 14 session, which will meet in the Town Hall.
A public screening of Frankenstein, the 1931 film starring Boris Karloff will take place on Tuesday, April 7.

Ditch the Plastic - Using a soil blocker for seed starting
2026-04-21 16:30 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Soil blocking is a method of creating cubes of soil to hold and germinate seeds. Come learn about the benefits of soil blocking and make some soil blocks to take home. Space is limited and registration is required to attend. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/Zay35MSA6FUg7YQ49
The soil for the program was generously donated by the Gardener’s Supply Company in Hadley.

Cinderella Story Time with Pioneer Valley Ballet
2026-04-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Date: Wednesday, April 22nd
Time: 11:00 AM – Noon
The Pioneer Valley Ballet (PVB) will host a story time that will be followed by a craft and meet the characters. PVB is putting on a production of Cinderella on May 9th at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Come get a peek of what it is all about. Space is limited. Registration is required, click here to sign up.
Geared towards ages 4 to 10. Children under the age of 10 must have a caregiver at least 14 years old on the Library property.

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2026-04-23 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-04-30 17:00 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Woolies are a local fiber arts group who meet weekly 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.

NEW DATE: Astral Evening: Star Party with the Library
2026-04-23 20:00 - 22:00 | Foley Field, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Thursday, April 23: Astral Evening: Star Party with the Library, 8-10pm
Date has been shifted to 4/23 due to forcasted viewing conditions.
Members of Springfield STARS Astronomy Club will be setting up telescopes to lead us on a tour of the night sky. Witness some of the most impressive sights!
We’ll be outside, so please wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Foley Field is located behind the Police Station off Rt. 202 in Belchertown.

Advanced Nature Photography
2026-04-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturday, April 25 – Advanced Nature Photography with Mark Lindhult
The classroom session will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by outdoor practical sessions at Lake Wallace (weather dependent), so come prepared to walk a short distance to Lake Wallace and spend some time outside!
ViewFinder workshops are open to anyone, you do not have to be a Belchertown resident. Seats are limited, and registration is required. Click here to sign up.
Instructor: Mark Lindhult
Mark’s passion in photography is capturing the beauty of nature and the unique behaviors of birds and wildlife in their environment. As a Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Principle Emeritus at The Berkshire Design Group and a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, he brings his knowledge of landscape, ecology, design and composition to inform his photography and advocate for habitat preservation. His photographs have been exhibited at UMass Amherst in the Design Building Gallery, the US Fish and Wildlife Headquarters Gallery, Cooley Dickinson Hospital Gallery, Franklin Medical Center Gallery and the Baystate Medical Center Gallery. He has also granted permission to several non-profit groups to use his photographs in newsletters, reports, note cards and postcards, including the Friends of Quabbin, the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance and the Kestrel Land Trust.. You can see his work on his website at www.MarkLindhult.com.

Celebrate Springtime with Author/Illustrator Christine Copeland
2026-04-25 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join Author/illustrator, Christine Copeland, who will read her book Spring in the Forest. She will teach us about illustrating a book and will lead us in a fun craft workshop. Space is limited. Registration is required, click here to sign up.
Geared towards ages 3 to 8. Children under the age of 10 must have a caregiver at least 14 years old on the Library property.

Babytime Story Time (3-12 months) Spring 2026
2026-04-27 09:00 - 09:45, 2026-05-04 09:00 - 09:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Babytime Story Time (3-12 months)
9:00-9:45 AM, Mondays, Mar 16, 23, 30, Apr 6, 27, May 4
Babytime is for ages 3 – 12 months and begins @ 9:00 AM. Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/uZjXjHN6ZJkiNcwN6. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
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 (12-24 months) Spring 2026
2026-04-27 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-05-04 10:00 - 10:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
First Steps Story Time (12-24 months)
10:00-10:45 AM, Mondays, Mar 16, 23, 30, Apr 6, 27, May 4

First Steps is for ages 12 – 24 months and begins @ 10:00 AM. Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/Xb2xXyQhxDnQGNbHA. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
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.

Clapp Critics
2026-04-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Our fiction book club, Clapp Critics meets every 4th Monday of the Month. Email mmarszalek@cwmars.org with any questions.

Toddler Time (2 year olds) Spring 2026
2026-04-28 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday Toddler Time (2 years) Spring 2026
9:30-10:30 am, Tuesdays, Mar 17, 24, 31, Apr 7, 28, May 5
Toddler Time is for children 2-3 years old, and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/EUYVfSKvghX9Fuw96. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
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.

SFF Book Club
2026-04-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
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:

A Letter to the Luminous Deep / Sylvie Cathrall (8/25)
Kaiju Preservation Society / John Scalzi (9/22)
Of Monsters and Mainframes / Barbara Truelove (10/27)
The Mimicking of Known Successes / Malka Older (11/24)

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

Viet Nam in Peace and War
2026-04-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Most Americans, especially our veterans, only know of Viet Nam as a place of horrible warfare. But Viet Nam is an ancient culture with a rich spiritual, artistic, and historical heritage stretching back 3,000 years. This week marks the 51st anniversary of the end of the Viet Nam-American War.
Join Belchertown resident and psychotherapist Dr. Ed Tick and area war veterans Gene Herman and Pete Rogers for a program on Tuesday, April 28 at 7pm presenting Viet Nam in both peace and war. Ed has led 19 healing and reconciliation journeys to Viet Nam since 2000. Pete has returned on his own. In Viet Nam we find loving, forgiving people with no wartime PTSD who say, “Please bring your veterans here so we can heal them with our love.”
Join us to explore Viet Nam in peace and war. Share stories of Viet Nam during the war and at peace. Learn why these remarkable people have no wartime PTSD and how understanding and reconciliation brings healing. Immerse with us in Vietnamese culture and honor our veterans and the end of that war. Ed Tick will also read from his full poetry collection, Coming Home In Viet Nam. Books will be available.

Teen Book Club (April 2026)
2026-04-29 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 in grades 7-12! On Wednesday, April 29th from 3:00-4:00PM, teens will discuss The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the library’s circulation desk and on the Libby and hoopla apps. Snacks will be provided at the meeting. Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com with any questions.

Teen Crafternoon: Perler Bead Earrings
2026-04-29 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 library’s Activity Room for a Teen Crafternoon on Wednesday, April 29th from 4:00-5:00PM! Teens will make their own earrings using perler beads. Design options are endless, but patterns will be provided for those needing inspiration. No prior experience is necessary. Space is limited; email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register. This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Preschool Storytime (3-5 year olds) Spring 2026
2026-04-30 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Preschool Story Time (3-5 year olds)
9:30-10:30 AM, Thursdays, Mar 19, 26, Apr 2, 9, 30, May 7
Preschool Story Time is for children ages 3 to 5, and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/26pDnS3jV5Hbg2Se9. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
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.

Andy & Judy
2026-05-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us on Saturday, May 2 at 3pm as Andy & Judy return to the Clapp Memorial Library for an afternoon of musical entertainment. Andy & Judy are a Boston-area folk duo who perform original, lyric-driven songs that combine their beautiful vocals and instrumentation. This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Crochet
2026-05-04 16:00 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
May 4th, 4 PM
Join us to learn how to crochet a chick amigurumi with Melissa Rivera of Nerdy Mom Craft. All materials are provided. Registration and confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/gGWzikNefwP8bMDs6
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2026-05-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual, MA
Strum along with the Ukulele Play Along on the first Monday every month!
Grab your ukulele and play along – because playing your ukulele is more fun when you do it with others. We’ll be focusing on 3 and 4 chord songs, with lyrics and chords provided on screen. Participants will be muted, so don’t worry about how you sound!
To join, email Julie Stepanek (julie@musicjulie.com) for the Zoom link and to receive the songs for the program. Don’t have a Ukulele? Don’t worry – you can borrow one from us!
