Clapp Memorial Library

Seed Swap
2026-04-04 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Bring seeds (or not!) to the library and swap them for new ones. Please package your seeds for individual use in envelopes and label them with the plant, the date the seeds were collected, and original packaging if possible. Please do not bring invasive plant seeds.
This program is funded by the Belchertown and Around Plant Swap.

Mindfulness Meditation
2026-04-02 19:00 - 20:15, 2026-03-26 19:00 - 20:15, 2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:15 | 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.

What "YA" Readin' Book Club
2026-04-02 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, April 2nd at 7:00PM to discuss One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the circulation desk. New members are welcome!

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2026-04-02 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-03-26 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-03-19 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.

Full STEAM Ahead
2026-04-02 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-03-26 15:30 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Full STEAM Ahead – Afterschool Club
Dates; March 19th – April 16th Thursdays
Time: 3:30 pm to 5 pm
Ages: 8 to 11
Students ages 8 to 11 are invited to register for this afterschool series. Full STEAM Ahead will inspire kids to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) through interactive activities and problem-solving challenges, all while learning about the value of persistence and creativity.
Each session will begin with a book that will lead to a creative activity such as building mazes for Hex Bugs, creating with Lego, inventing with Makey, Makey kits, dissecting owl pellets, drawing maps, and much more! We will play games, sing some songs, practice some breathing to help with focus, and explore with arts and crafts.
Registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/Njhw535LBXRq1E4j7. Children under the age of 10 years must have a caregiver who is 14 years or older on the Library premises. Students who are 10 or 11 years old that would like bus transportation from a Belchertown Public School should contact Jennifer Whitehead, jwhitehead@cwmars.org

Preschool Storytime (3-5 year olds) Spring 2026
2026-04-02 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-03-26 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.

Clapp Writing Group
2026-04-01 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

An Evening of Music and Stories with The Klines
2026-03-31 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us on Tuesday, March 31 at 7pm at the Clapp Memorial Library for an evening of music and stories with the Klines. Michael and Carrie Kline perform country harmony duets from coal mining songs to gospel, family songs, front porch music, and songs of people in nature. Listeners may find themselves dancing a waltz to “Fiddler Jones,” the song that celebrates the role of music and old-time fiddlers in our lives and our
communities, those who play for family and friends or local dances, or those who play for no one at all. Since returning to the Valley after 26 years away, mostly in West Virginia, they have been performing with upright bass player Joe Blumenthal who has learned lots of coal mining music and songs of people and nature, as well as some traditional songs. Jim Armenti backs up the band with his precise and high-powered mandolin. As folklorist-musicians the Klines weave songs and stories, evoking the times that really matter, time with family and friends, spiritual times, wrapped in a patchwork quilt of vivid imagery.

Frankenstein Reading Group
2026-03-31 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.

Toddler Time (2 year olds) Spring 2026
2026-03-31 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-03-24 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.

First Steps Storytime (12-24 months) Spring 2026
2026-03-30 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-03-23 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.

Babytime Story Time (3-12 months) Spring 2026
2026-03-30 09:00 - 09:45, 2026-03-23 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.

Magic: the Gathering
2026-03-28 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-03-21 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

Teen Advisory Board (March 2026)
2026-03-27 16:30 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board will meet Friday, March 27th from 4:30-5:30PM in the library’s Activity Room for a special, teens-only Games Day! TAB is a group of 7th-12th grade students who meet monthly during the school year to propose library programming for teens, provide input on teen services, volunteer, and have fun! At this meeting, teens will play board games together and celebrate the success of their “Love Your Neighbor” Food Drive. Teens can email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register. New members are welcome!

Mat Pilates
2026-03-25 17:30 - 18:15 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Program is full, new sign ups will be added to the waitlist.
Join us for a rejuvenating Mat Pilates Pop-Up Class — a full-body, low-impact workout designed to strengthen your core, improve flexibility, and boost your posture. Perfect for all levels, this 45-minute session will leave you feeling strong, centered, and refreshed. Just bring a mat, water, and good vibes!
Registration and signed waiver are required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/SmP5qqM9WojempUY6
This program is funded by Pursuit Pilates Club

Teen Book Club (March 2026)
2026-03-25 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, March 25th from 3:00-4:00PM, teens will discuss Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. 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.

SFF Book Club
2026-03-24 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

Clapp Critics
2026-03-23 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.

ViewFinder 2026 Nature Photography Program - Launch!
2026-03-21 13:30 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
1:30pm Saturday March 21 @ the Pocket Park – by the B’town Skatepark, at the end of the late-winter Frog Hop Trail Tidy.
Links to follow on Library, Town, and Quabbin Photo Group pages. Updates will be posted on the Friends of Lake Wallace FB page.
A juried, all-ages, photo contest will run from March 21 through May 30. Photographs must be taken in Belchertown, open to residents and non-residents alike. Photographers agree to a nature photography code of ethics. Contestants will be juried alongside their peers in youth and adult age groups, and between wildlife, landscape, and macro/close up categories. Support will be offered through the library for any adults or youth seeking help completing the online submission process – Saturday, May 23, 10am-12pm, Tuesday, May 26, 5:30-6:30pm, Wednesday, May 27, 5:30-6:30pm More information is available at http://belchertown.org/viewfinder

Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Meeting
2026-03-19 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.
