Library Closing: Memorial Day 2026
2026-05-25 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Memorial Day

ViewFinder Submission Support
2026-05-26 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-05-27 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Taking part in ViewFinder, Belchertown’s all-ages photo contest? Come by the library for assistance submitting your photos online:

Saturday, May 23, 10am-12pm
Tuesday, May 26, 5:30-6:30pm
Wednesday, May 27, 5:30-6:30pm

What is ViewFinder?
A juried, all-ages, photo contest will run from March 21 through May 30. Photographs must be taken in Belchertown. Contestants will be juried alongside their peers in youth and adult age groups, and between wildlife, landscape, and macro/close up categories.
Winning photos will be printed and exhibited at the library in July, with a reception on July 1st at 6PM to celebrate the winners. Winners will receive a certificate and 5 postcards with their photo, and can pick up and keep their photo after the exhibit.

SFF Book Club
2026-05-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-23 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:

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

Love and Loss After Wounded Knee: A Book Talk with Julie Dobrow
2026-05-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On Wednesday, May 27 at 7pm at the Clapp Memorial Library, Tufts University Professor Julie Dobrow shares the tumultuous and storied lives of Charles Eastman, and his wife, Elaine, former Belchertown residents. Like most star-crossed lovers, they came from vastly different worlds. Elaine Goodale, a white woman who grew up on a farm in the remotest part of the Berkshires, was a poet, writer and teacher who’d come to the Dakota Territory in 1884 to teach Native American children. Ohíye S’a, or Charles Alexander Eastman, was a Santee Sioux, born in Minnesota and one of the only Native Americans educated at Dartmouth College and Boston University Medical School. He’d come to Pine Ridge as a reservation physician. Elaine and Charles improbably met in December 1890, and more surprisingly, fell in love. And then the Wounded Knee Massacre happened, and changed everything. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2026-05-28 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-06-04 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-06-11 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-06-18 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-06-25 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-07-02 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.

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2026-06-01 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!

Clapp Writing Group
2026-06-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-07-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM FULL
The Clapp Memorial Library hosts a bi-weekly writing group for adults aged 18+. Whether you write romance, mystery, fantasy, non-fiction, poetry, children’s books, or screenplays, you’re welcome to join us! Come meet with other writers and share what you’ve been working on over the past month, work on your writing, and more. If you are interested, contact Annie at the library to sign up: macona@cwmars.org

What "YA" Readin' Book Club
2026-06-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The library’s What “YA” Readin’? Book Group, a group for adults who read Young Adult books, will meet Thursday, May 7th at 7:00PM to discuss The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. Copies of the definitive edition of the book and the graphic novel adaptation are available for checkout at the circulation desk. Members can choose which edition they would like to read, or they can read both! New members are welcome!

Pride Movie Matinee: Were the World Mine
2026-06-09 15:00 - 16:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Grab your popcorn for this program series! Tuesdays in June we’re showing a series of films for Pride Month in our Activity Room! Features include a Hayes-code era classic, a teen coming of age, parents helping their son propose, and a documentary. Snacks provided, no registration required.
Were the World Mine (2008), TV14, 1hr 36min
A coming of age romance at a private boy’s school where a gay teen is cast as Puck in his school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ending up with a love potion that causes havoc in his conservative town.
Starring Tanner Cohen, Nathaniel David Becker, Zelda Williams, Judy McLane, and Jill Larson.
Public performance rights provided through Kanopy

RPG Night - Lost Mountain Saga
2026-06-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Break out your dice and join us for a monthly game!
Our current RPG campaign, Vaesen: The Lost Mountain Saga & Other Tales, is a dark Gothic setting steeped in Nordic folklore and the old myths of Scandinavia! Dive into mysteries where old struggles against the new, and myths come alive.
Players can expect to encounter ancient mysteries, old Nordic folk tales, social intrigue, and unspeakable horrors lurking in every shadow as they travel across the North and slowly uncover the truth.
Our RPG campaigns meet monthly on the 2nd Tuesday from 6-8PM.
Space is limited! Email tmannino@cwmars.org to ask about seats at the table, future campaigns, or other any questions.
Previous campaigns have included Spelljammer (Dungeons & Dragons) and Ghostbusters: a Frightfully Cheerful Roleplaying Game!
Program is for adults 18+, our Teen RPG programs are listed separately.

Wednesday Whodunnits
2026-06-10 14:00 - 15:00 | 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 2:00 p.m. Join us as we discuss a different mystery novel each month. Copies of the current month’s pick available at the library. Email mmarszalek@cwmars.org with any questions.

Anime & Manga Club
2026-06-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library is hosting an Anime and Manga club for tweens and teens in grades 6-8! The club meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 4-5pm in the library’s Activity Room. During club meetings, we will watch 1-2 episodes of an anime, discuss manga, share artwork, eat snacks, and more! Registration is required–email macona@cwmars.org to sign up.

Fabric of the Revolution Workshop
2026-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On June 13 at 10am, local fiber artist Holly Field will be hosting an activity at the Clapp Memorial Library where participants can make their own copy of George Washington’s headquarters flag, the Washington Standard. This flag was flown during the Revolutionary War to mark Washington’s position in camp and on the battlefield. During the activity, participants will dye a Washington Standard of their own using a natural Indigo dye bath to color our flags blue. The cotton fabric we will be using has been pre-treated so that the dye will not stick to the area where the stars are, creating the star pattern as if by magic when the flag is removed from the dye. The dyeing process can be messy so please dress appropriately. This activity is limited to 18 participants, ages 10 to adult, and will take place on the front lawn of the library. Kids under 13 need to be accompanied by an adult. Click here to sign up.
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.

Pride Movie Matinee: The Children’s Hour
2026-06-16 15:00 - 16:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Grab your popcorn for this program series! Tuesdays in June we’re showing a series of films for Pride Month in our Activity Room! Features include a Hayes-code era classic, a teen coming of age, parents helping their son propose, and a documentary. Snacks provided, no registration required.
The Children’s Hour (1962), PG, 1hr 47min
Based on the play of the same name by Lillian Hellman, this movie tells the story of two women who start a boarding school and have their lives ruined by a lie. This movie was only possible due to an amendment to the Hayes code the previous year, and is the second film adaptation of the play by director William Wyler.
Starring Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, and Miriam Hopkins
Public performance rights provided through SWANK

Plant Swap
2026-06-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Bring a plant (or not!) to the library and swap it for a new one. The program takes place on the library lawn. Monthly on the third Tuesday of the month from May to September.
This program is funded by the Belchertown & Around Plant Swap

Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Meeting
2026-06-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
All are invited to the The Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Board Meeting in the Activity Room at 6:30pm. For information email friendsofclappmemoriallibrary@gmail.com
http://www.friendsofclapplibrary.org/
​The Friends of Clapp Memorial Library is a volunteer not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising monies to assist the Library beyond the ordinary scope of the Library’s budget to reach its potential in our community. The group’s additional purpose is to promote and maintain close relationships between the Library and the people it serves, to increase public awareness of Library resources, and to encourage community participation in Library activities.

Library Closing: Juneteenth 2026
2026-06-19 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Juneteenth

Clapp Critics
2026-06-22 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.

Pride Movie Matinee: The Birdcage
2026-06-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Grab your popcorn for this program series! Tuesdays in June we’re showing a series of films for Pride Month in our Activity Room! Features include a Hayes-code era classic, a teen coming of age, parents helping their son propose, and a documentary. Snacks provided, no registration required.
The Birdcage (1996), R, 2hr
A gay couple who run a nightclub are challenged to play it straight when their son brings home his fiancée—the daughter of an ultraconservative senator.
Starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman
Public performance rights provided through SWANK

Pride Movie Matinee: Stonewall Uprising
2026-06-30 15:00 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Grab your popcorn for this program series! Tuesdays in June we’re showing a series of films for Pride Month in our Activity Room! Features include a Hayes-code era classic, a teen coming of age, parents helping their son propose, and a documentary. Snacks provided, no registration required.
Stonewall Uprising (2010), TV14, 1hr 22min
In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City. Such raids were not unusual in the late 1960s, an era when homosexual sex was illegal in every state but Illinois. That night, however, the street erupted into violent protests and demonstrations that lasted for the next six days.
The Stonewall riots, as they came to be known, marked a major turning point in the modern gay civil rights movement in the United States and around the world.
Public performance rights provided through Kanopy
