Friends’ Book Sale!
2024-04-23 10:00 - 20:00, 2024-04-24 10:00 - 20:00, 2024-04-25 10:00 - 20:00, 2024-04-26 10:00 - 20:00, 2024-04-27 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Book Sale
Monday: 4:00-8:00pm Members Night – memberships available at the door
Tuesday-Friday: 10:00am-8:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm
The Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library Book Sale accepts cash, check, and credit card.
Want to join the Friends? The Friends meet every third Thursday of the month at 6:30PM!

Stories Told & Untold: Writing Between Memory & History
2024-04-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Parks & Recreation, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 7pm
Belchertown Recreation Center Front Room
Stories Told & Untold: Writing Between Memory & History will feature three local authors, Uzma Aslam Khan, Thérèse Chehade, and Hannah Moushabeck. Each author will read from and discuss their work in light of the panel’s focus and then we will open up the discussion to q&a with the audience. Justine Dymond will be introducing the panelists and helping moderate the q&a. The Clapp Memorial Library is co-sponsoring this event with Belchertown Voices for Justice.

PAWS to Read
2024-04-25 15:30 - 18:30, 2024-05-02 15:30 - 18:30, 2024-05-09 15:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
“Paws to Read” pairs certified therapy animals with young readers who gain reading confidence in a relaxed, stress-free environment. For reluctant or struggling readers in grades 1-5.
Our therapy dogs & bunnies visit the Library with their owners, who volunteer their time to help young readers. Children’s reading abilities improve as they gain confidence through reading to animals. Why? Animals listen uncritically and wag their tails or twitch their noses as the children read. Research indicates that under these conditions, children’s heart rates actually slow, resulting in a state of calm that leads to greater reading success.
Children involved in PAWS programs nationwide have shown:

Improved READING skills
A sense of PRIDE in their accomplishments
Willingness to become INVOLVED in other positive activities
Increased RESPECT and KINDNESS in their interactions with animals
Greater READING enjoyment and increased LIBRARY usage

Program is currently full, please contact Jennifer Whitehead and Judy Schmidt to join the interest list.
323-0417.

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2024-04-25 17:00 - 18:30, 2024-05-02 17:00 - 18:30, 2024-05-09 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.

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2024-04-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-05-04 10:00 - 12:00 | 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.

SFF Book Club
2024-04-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual, MA
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 Naming Song / Jedediah Berry (1/27)
The Children of Blood and Bone / Tomi Adeyemi (2/24)
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

Earth Day Ceremony with Ray LaChance
2024-04-29 15:30 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Community members from age 10 through adult are invited to join us on the front lawn of the Clapp Memorial Library on Monday, April 29 at 3:30 pm for a very special Earth Day Ceremony and Celebration of Indigenous People presented by Raymond LaChance (Nouba Tewk Tomakwa). The program will include a recognition of the land being the territory of the Indigenous Nipmuc People, flute playing and other music, interactive smudging of a tree in recognition of Earth Day and seed planting, and the making of an Indigenous Necklace.
This program is made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Space is limited and registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/xQiLqvCu25mQ3DKD8. In the event of rain, the program will take place in the Town Hall Auditorium.

Learning in Retirement
2024-04-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On Tuesday, April 30 at 2pm, Edie Kirk from Five College Learning in Retirement will be at the Clapp Memorial Library for an information session to provide the Belchertown community with information about continuing education opportunities.
For more information about Five College Learning in Retirement: https://fclir.org/
Contact: ‪(413) 200-9816‬, https://fclir.org/contact/

Music with Pop Spring 2024
2024-05-01 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-05-08 10:30 - 11:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
10:30 am, Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 22, 29, June 5th
Music with Jacques Hooten aka Pop! Wednesdays at 10:30 am in the Children’s Activity Room, geared towards infants to age 6. Spaces will be filled first by children who reside within Belchertown. Enjoy singing and dancing in this interactive music series. Limited space so click here to register today.
Registration & confirmation required.
Funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Award Ceremony for Photo Contest Winners
2024-05-03 17:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library, Belchertown Planning Department, and Belchertown Conservation Department invite the community to an exhibition opening and awards ceremony on Friday, May 3 from 5-6 pm for the Belchertown Wildlife & Landscape Photography Contest. The top three winners in each age group and wildlife or landscape category will be displayed at this in-person exhibition throughout the month of May at the Clapp Memorial Library.

Music & Movement with Julie (Spring 2024)
2024-05-04 10:30 - 11:15 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturdays, 10:30 am to 11:15 am
May 4th, May 11th, May 18th, May 25th, and June 1st
Music and Movement with Julie. Join us for a music series on Saturday mornings at the Clapp Memorial Library. Julie’s programs let babies and young children explore music in a fun and creative environment. Her program is geared toward ages 0 to 7, but all ages are welcome!
This series is funded in part by the Friends of Clapp Memorial Library and a grant from the Department of Early Education and Care through the Collaborative for Educational Services.
Registration required and confirmation. Click here to sign up: https://forms.gle/yy1G9UgDS9tKk5WCA
Registration open until all slots are filled – just sign up for the Program and Jennifer Whitehead, Children’s Librarian, will be in touch!

Journaling for Self-Care
2024-05-04 12:30 - 13:00 | Chestnut Hill Community School, 59 State St, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join Ruthie, the library’s Teen Services Coordinator, at BOAT’s Umbrella of Wellness Fair at Chestnut Hill Community School on Saturday, May 4th at 12:30PM for a session on Journaling for Self-Care! Students in grades 6-12 will learn techniques for journaling with a reflective mindset. Attendees will receive journals courtesy of BOAT.

Storytime at Umbrella of Wellness Fair
2024-05-04 12:30 - 13:00 | Chestnut Hill Community School, 59 State St, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join Jennifer at BOAT’s Umbrella of Wellness Fair at Chestnut Hill Community School on Saturday, May 4th at 12:30PM for a storytime!

A Musical Afternoon with Eloise & Co.
2024-05-04 14:30 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us at the Clapp Memorial Library on Saturday, May 4 at 2:30pm for a musical afternoon with Eloise & Co., featuring the combined creative force of three of the country’s most sought-after traditional musicians: Becky Tracy, Rachel Bell, and Bethany Waickman. These three dig into powerhouse reels with electrifying grit and unapologetic drive, while savoring the spacious beauty of jigs and waltzes, with styles ranging from French to Celtic to Quebecois. Originally thrown together at an event where Becky led the contra dance portion of the evening and Rachel led the French dance part of the evening, they have continued to fuse these two elements into their concerts and dances, as well as adding songs and original compositions to the mix. Their latest project was a series of music videos filmed in unique Vermont places, all of which are available at www.rachelbellmusic.com/eloiseandco
This program is made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Sourdough Starter Workshop
2024-05-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM & WAITLIST FULL
On Monday, May 6 at 6pm, Brandon Cochran, a sourdough maker, baker, and blogger, will be at the Clapp Memorial Library to teach participants how to make, maintain, and store a sourdough starter. Each participant will leave with a piece of Brandon’s sourdough starter of their own.
Registration required to ensure sufficient supplies.
Program made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2024-05-06 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!

Mindful Mandala Dot Painting Workshop
2024-05-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM FULL – WAITLIST ONLY
Spend an evening at the Clapp Memorial Library learning the meditative art of Mandala Dot Painting. On Tuesday, May 7 from 6-8pm, artist Karen Miller will guide you through this relaxing workshop with easy step-by-step instructions on how to sketch your mandala outlines, choose your unique color pallet, and use dot-making tools with acrylic paint to fill in the details.

You will create colorful, hand-painted designs on your own beautiful mandala coaster. Your coaster will add an item of interest to your home or workspace, or you may decide to give it as a one-of-a-kind gift.
No experience is necessary. This event is free of charge and all supplies will be provided.
Space is limited, so please only register if you are certain that you can attend.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED, sign up here: https://forms.gle/9EwzAh7uoALmBvqYA
Program is currently full, all new registrations will be added to our waitlist and notified if a seat opens!
Funded by the Belchertown Cultural Council.
Bio: Belchertown resident Karen Miller first became interested in Mandala art creation at a workshop with the Belchertown Women’s Collaborative. Since then she has enjoyed many hours of mindful creating. She wants to share her love of the mandala art with others. Karen believes in the potential and power of art to change lives while fostering a sense of community.

Wednesday Whodunnits
2024-05-08 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 1:00 p.m. Join us as we discuss a different mystery novel each month. Email mmarszalek@cwmars.org with any questions.

Comic Book Workshop with Jonathan Todd
2024-05-08 14:30 - 15:30 | Lawrence Memorial Hall (Town Hall) Auditorium, Belchertown, 01007, United States
May 8 at 2:30PM, Lawrence Memorial Hall auditorium
Belchertown kids in grades 3-6 are invited to come by for an afternoon with comic book creator Jonathan Todd, author of Timid, a semiautobiographical graphic novel about frenemies, fitting in, and finding your voice! The Clapp Memorial Library is teaming up with Mass Center of the Book for their Mass Kids Lit Fest to host this comic book-focused workshop.
Learn how to make your own comic from a pro! In this workshop, Jonathan Todd will teach the elements of a story, panel planning, creating thumbnail sketches, and penciling and inking your very own graphic novel page.
Registration & confirmation are required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/3nLkshx6WXr1U9ER8. Students under the age of 10 must have a caregiver present.
The Odyssey Bookshop will be present with copies of Timid for purchase.

Teen Advisory Board (May 2024)
2024-05-10 16:30 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join TAB and upcycle tea tins into planters!
The Clapp Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board will meet on Friday, May 10th from 4:30-5:30PM in the library’s Activity Room. Teens will upcycle tea tins into planters to take home and enjoy. Attendees will leave with their own planter and spider plant. All teens in grades 7-12 are welcome to attend. 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! Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.
