Clapp Memorial Library

Library Closing: Veterans’ Day 2025
2025-11-11 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Veterans’ Day

Anime & Manga Club
2025-11-12 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Exploring the Galapagos
2025-11-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Galapagos Islands are most famous for inspiring Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution. They are the home and habitat for many species of birds and wildlife that are unique to the islands. Photographer Mark Lindhult explored the Galapagos Islands in May and returned with images that illustrate many of the unique behaviors and characteristics that the wildlife exhibit. Join him on an armchair adventure to see the magic this place holds at the Clapp Memorial Library on Wednesday, November 12 at 7pm.

Fused Glass Pendant Workshop (Adults)
2025-11-13 16:30 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Program & waitlist are full
Belchertown adults and up are invited to the Clapp Memorial Library for a Fused Glass Pendant Workshop on Thursday, November 13th from 4:30-5:30PM in the library’s Activity Room. Under the tutelage of stained glass designer Deenie Pacik, participants will create their own dichroic fused glass pendants with colorful pre-cut glass in this easy and fun class. Deenie will fire the pieces in their studio kiln and then return them to the library for participants to pick up. Space is limited and registration is required.
Interested Teens should see the Teen Fused Glass Pendant Workshop at 6:30!
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Fused Glass Pendant Workshop (Teens)
2025-11-13 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens ages 13 and up are invited to the Clapp Memorial Library for a Fused Glass Pendant Workshop on Thursday, November 13th from 6:30-7:30PM in the library’s Activity Room. Under the tutelage of stained glass designer Deenie Pacik, teens will create their own dichroic fused glass pendants with colorful pre-cut glass in this easy and fun class. Deenie will fire the pieces in their studio kiln and then return them to the library for teens to pick up. Space is limited and registration is required. Teens can email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.
Interested Adults should see the Adult Fused Glass Pendant Workshop at 4:30!
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Free Food Friday (Nov 2025)
2025-11-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Free Food Fridays are back! Teens are invited to the library after school on the second Friday of the month October-December for free snacks as they visit and use the library! Students must be in grades 7-12 and arrive between 2:00-3:30PM for a free snack, courtesy of the library, as supplies last. This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
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Games Day 2025
2025-11-14 14:30 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us in celebrating International Games Month at the library! Patrons of all ages are invited to the library’s Games Day on Friday, November 14th, from 2:30-5:30PM. Drop in, have fun, and enter to win a game of your own.
Board games, card games, puzzles, and more. Bring your Magic: the Gathering decks! Like Disney? Learn to play Lorcana with Jonathan. Ask Tegan about RPGs. Enter into our free games raffle!
All welcome

Teen Advisory Board (Nov 2025)
2025-11-14 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, November 14th from 4:30-5:30PM on the main floor of the library to celebrate Games Day! TAB members will play board games, enjoy free snacks, and make new friends. 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. New members are welcome!

Cookbook Club (Nov 2025)
2025-11-14 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Do you like browsing cookbooks and trying new recipes? In the Cookbook Club, we each make a recipe from a cookbook and bring it for everyone to try. Taste, enjoy, and chat with your new cookbook friends!
This month’s book is Gatherings: Casual-Fancy Meals to Share.
Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/A4tUx5bSHyodufry6

Nipmuc Story Time
2025-11-15 09:30 - 10:15 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Nipmuc Story Time with Hassanamisco Nipmuc tribal members
Saturday, November 15 & 22, 9:30-10:15am
Join us in celebration of Native American Heritage Month for this drop-in story time! All ages are welcome; the event is geared towards K-3rd grade children.

Magic: the Gathering
2025-11-15 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.

Writing Contest Workshop
2025-11-17 14:15 - 15:00 | Belchertown High School, 142 Springfield Road, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The BHS Writing Club and the Clapp Memorial Library are teaming up for a writing workshop for teens! Ruthie Sterling, a novelist and the library’s Teen Services Coordinator, will run a writing workshop based on the Letters About Literature Writing Contest at a BHS Writing Club meeting. The workshop will take place from 2:15-3:00PM on Monday, November 17th in Room 318 at Belchertown High School. Just last year, a BHS student placed in this contest, which has a maximum cash prize of $200! Attend this workshop, and you might be next! Teens who do not attend Belchertown High School must email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

Jane Eyre Movie Screening
2025-11-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us at the Clapp Memorial Library on Tuesday, November 18 at 7pm for a movie screening of the 2011 adaptation of Jane Eyre featuring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Judi Dench, and Holliday Grainger. Popcorn will be provided.
Public performance rights provided by SWANK

Friend's Annual Meeting
2025-11-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Friends of Clapp Memorial Library announce that they will hold their annual meeting for this year at 7 PM on November 20, 2025, in the Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA 01007. The meeting will review actions from the past year, hold elections for Board members, and discuss plans for the coming year. The general public is invited, and current members of the Friends group are highly encouraged to attend.

Community Wellness
2025-11-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
BOAT and Clapp Memorial Library welcome anyone in the community needing access to health care, mental health/substance use resources to the library on the 3rd Friday of every month from 3:00pm to 5:00pm! Free refreshments will be available.

Early Closing: Thanksgiving 2025
2025-11-26 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will close at 5pm in observation of the Thanksgiving holiday. Safe travels!

Teen Book Club (Nov 2025)
2025-11-26 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, November 26th from 3:00-4:00PM, teens will discuss The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas. 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.

Library Closing: Thanksgiving 2025
2025-11-27 - 2025-11-28 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Thanksgiving

Magical Winter Lights
2025-11-29 18:00 - 19:00 | Lawrence Memorial Hall (Town Hall) Auditorium, Belchertown, 01007, United States
Magical Winter Lights: From Fire Festivals to Electronic Illuminations – a fun-filled family holiday magic show.
Join the Clapp Memorial Library to warm up in the Town Hall Auditorium after the Belchertown Cultural Council’s Winter Light Night on Saturday, November 29 at 6pm for a performance of Magical Winter Lights: From Fire Festivals to Electronic Illuminations. Award-winning writer Jonah Knight will present a 60-minute interactive storytelling magic show about winter holiday lights exploring how using light in winter celebrations began with early fire festivals, how they evolved with lanterns and candles, and now with spectacular electronic illuminations. This show is warm-hearted, bringing the magic of winter lights to everyone. Topics explored include the early fire festivals of the Vikings, lights in Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas, the electronic lights of Eid al Fitr and the Japanese Winter Illuminations, Yule Logs, Butter candles and Diya lamps, and the lanterns of St. Martin’s Day and Yi Peng.
Funding provided by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library and the Belchertown Community Alliance.

Needle Felting Penguins - Adult
2025-12-01 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us for a Penguin Needle Felting program on Monday, December 1st from 3:00-6:00PM in the library’s Activity Room! Local fiber artist Anna Sunschauer will teach you how to sculpt fluffy wool fiber into a penguin using felting needles. No prior needle felting experience is necessary, but it is recommended that all participants have good fine motor skills to avoid injury with the sharp needles. Tools and materials will be provided. Due to anticipated popularity and limited capacity, seats will be filled by lottery drawn from all registrants signed up by November 24th. Priority will be given to Belchertown patrons.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/zzQY93s8kRgC4KnPA

Mat Pilates Class
2025-12-03 17:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Program is full, all 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 required, click here to sign up. All participants must agree to the Pursuit Pilates Club waiver.

Babytime Story Time (3-12 months) Winter 2025
2025-12-08 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, Dec 8, 15, Jan 5, 12, 26, Feb 2 & 9
Babytime is for ages 3 – 12 months and begins @ 9:00 AM. Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/Qf2E3WgPx55qVY6j9. 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) Winter 2025
2025-12-08 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, Dec 8, 15, Jan 5, 12, 26, Feb 2 & 9
First Steps is for ages 12 – 24 months and begins @ 10:00 AM. Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/KzMruTZyL3gjwfm7A. 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.

Quabbin Calendar Sale and Signing with J.R. Greene
2025-12-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Historian and author J.R. Greene returns to the Clapp Memorial Library on Monday, December 8 at 6pm for a 2026 Quabbin History Calendar Sale and Signing. The program will consist of a slideshow with scenes relating to the calendar images, followed by the sale and signing of the 2026 calendar and many of his books. The Library is very grateful to be the recipient of a portion of the proceeds from this evening’s calendar sales.

Toddler Time (2 year olds) Winter 2025
2025-12-09 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
9:30-10:30 AM, Tuesdays, Dec 9, 16, Jan 6, 13, 27, Feb 3 & 10
Toddler Time is for children 2-3 years old, and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/Yr5p7XnCzujL6hEw8. 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.

Preschool Storytime (3-5 year olds) Winter 2025
2025-12-11 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, Dec 11, 18, Jan 8, 15, 29, Feb 5 & 12
Preschool Story Time is for children ages 3 to 5, and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/35swosbUaPgxTFke6. 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.

Doughnut Forget the Sprinkles!
2025-12-11 16:30 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
A Doughnut Drawing Class for Kids with Nicole Gibbs
Thursday, December 11th 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Join us for a class sprinkled with drawing, story, and DOUGHNUTS (well, at least on paper). We will treat ourselves to a good laugh and some deliciously, fun illustrations as we read Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller for inspiration. Together we’ll explore using the basic elements of art (with a focus on line, shape, value) to draw a doughnut.
This is an introductory, instructional drawing class for kids 7 to 11. During the class, we will work out our drawing muscles, test out doughnut drawing by drawing what we know, learn to draw what we see, and leave with our original and final drawing of a doughnut to see our own growth.
Registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/4ugFZMcVTjwPAcEs5

Passage to Poros: A book talk with Edward Tick
2025-12-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us at the Clapp Memorial Library on Thursday, December 11 at 7pm for Passage to Poros: In the Sanctuary of the Sea God, a book talk with Dr. Edward Tick. Explore the reawakening of ancient Greek healing practices by taking this journey of transformation, myth, and divine presence to the sacred island of Poros, a site of pilgrimage and healing for more than 3,000 years. This book examines pilgrimage, sanctuary, and asylum, the duties of Poseidon who was the ruling god of Poros. Edward Tick rediscovers asylia, the original practice of sanctuary that provides safety and inspiration while facilitating healing and connection to divinity. He explores “crossing the strait” as safe passage between the visible world and the invisible realms of the sacred. Drawing on ancient traditions, Tick shows how we know ourselves, our destinies, and our connection to the divine through dreams, visions, oracles, and synchronistic events. Passage to Poros offers wisdom for anyone seeking healing, sanctuary, spiritual presence, and reconnection with ancient and eternal forces. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Free Food Friday (Dec 2025)
2025-12-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States

Escape the Under: a “Stranger Things” Escape Room
2025-12-16 15:00 - 15:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Can you escape before time runs out? The library will host “Escape the Under: a Stranger Things Escape Room” run by librarian Tegan Mannino on Tuesday, December 16th with sessions at 3:00PM and 4:00PM in the library’s Activity Room. Teens will have 40 minutes to look for clues, solve puzzles, and work together to escape before time runs out! Space is limited. Teens in grades 7-12 should email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register for either the 3:00PM or 4:00PM session.
Solving puzzles does not require any knowledge of Stranger Things, but dressing up in Hellfire Club, Scoops Ahoy, or other Stranger Things swag is encouraged!
