Clapp Memorial Library

Raising Readers Story Time (3-6 years) Summer 2023
2023-07-13 09:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
STORYTIME FULL WITH WAITLIST.
Raising Readers Story Time (3-6 years) Summer 2023
9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays, July 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10, 17
Raising Readers Story Time is for ages 3-6 and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Registration and confirmation required, click here to sign up. Registration open until all slots are filled. 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.
Summer Story Times are part of our Summer Reading Program, starting June 16th. Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Red Sox Nation
2023-07-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Take a fun and enlightening journey through Boston Red Sox history with the author of The Ultimate Boston Red Sox Time Machine Book. This presentation features exciting and nostalgic videos of the greatest and most fascinating players, teams, events and moments in franchise history. The program also includes trivia questions for patrons to ponder and covers Sox history from the Royal Rooters, who launched Red Sox Nation, to Babe Ruth to Ted Williams to The Impossible Dream Season of 1967 to Lynn, Rice and ’75 to the heartbreak of 1986 all the way to the four World Series championships and beyond. It will conclude with a question-and-answer period. Author Martin Gitlin will have autographed and personalized copies of his book available online following the program.

Drive by Book Drop Off
2023-07-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Friends of the Library are collecting donations for their Fall Book Sale! Clearing your shelves? Have boxes of books that need a home? Load your car up and drive up on Saturday, July 15th or Saturday, August 12th, from 9am-12PM. Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library will be on hand to unload any book donations. Event is rain or shine.
The Friends take more than just books:

DVDs
CD Audio Books
Records (LPs and 45s)
Music CDs
Comic Books
Hobby magazines & National Geographics
Postcards

The Friends cannot accept donations of the following items:

Cassettes – Music or Audio books
VHS
Encyclopedias over 5 years old
News, cooking, or decorating magazines
Reader’s Digest Condensed Books
Textbooks older than 15 years

Raising Our Voices with Davis Bates
2023-07-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Raising Our Voices Together: A Song and Story Performance and Workshop by Davis Bates!
Teens are invited to the library on Tuesday, July 18th at 2:00PM for a lively event by award-winning singer and storyteller, Davis Bates! The program will include sea shanties, songs from the sixties, union songs, civil rights songs, & stories about Davis’s journey as a storyteller and involvement in various social movements over the last 60 years. There will also be exercises designed to get folks to share their own stories. Register at the library or by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com.
This performance is funded, in part, by a grant from the Belchertown Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
To sign up for Summer Reading, visit clapplibrary.beanstack.com or use the Beanstack app.

Storytelling & Origami with Motoko
2023-07-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Town Hall Auditorium, 1 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us at 6PM on July 19th, Belchertown Town Hall Auditorium for storytelling and origami making with Motoko!
Motoko Dworkin, a native of Osaka, Japan, first came to the U. S. as an exchange student to University of Massachusetts. She has performed professionally since 1993, going to hundreds of schools, libraries, museums, festivals, and even “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood!
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program and attending is worth a Kids SRP Raffle Ticket! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

PAWS to Read with Max
2023-07-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Students in grades 1 through 5, who are reluctant or struggling readers, may register to read with Max the therapy bunny.
Sessions will last 20 minutes, please arrive on time.
Students must have a book picked out ahead of time.
To register, contact Jennifer at 413-323-0417 ext 709 or email at jwhitehead@cwmars.org.
Benefits!

Reduces stress, lowers heart rate and therefore allows for success.
No judgement
Builds confidence

Teen Write Night: Sundaes & Stories
2023-07-26 17:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to the Clapp Memorial Library on Wednesday, July 26th from 5:00-6:00PM for a Teen Write Night: Sundaes & Stories program. Teens will be invited to partake in an ice cream sundae-making station as they play writing games and write together. No creative writing experience is necessary to attend. All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program. Teens are encouraged to bring a laptop, or a notebook and pen/pencil to this program (as well as a sweet tooth!)
To sign up for Summer Reading, visit clapplibrary.beanstack.com or use the Beanstack app.

Pamela Means Jazz Project Concert
2023-07-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Wednesday, July 26th at 6 pm on the Library Lawn (in the case of rain, Town Hall Auditorium)
An evening of music for the whole family! Pamela Means returns to the CML to perform for families with the Pamela Means Jazz Project. Pamela is one of the fiercest guitar players and politically-rooted songwriters in the music industry and lives in Northampton. Bring your energy and enjoy an evening of music.
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program and attending is worth a Kids SRP Raffle Ticket! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Forensic Genealogy
2023-08-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Delve into the world of Forensic Genealogy, also known as investigative genetic genealogy, and advances in solving cold cases of missing and murdered persons!
Dr. Redgrave will present a general overview of forensic genetic genealogy, examples of cases that he has worked on with his team, and the particular difficulties inherent in cases involving LGBTQ+ victims. Dr. Redgrave will also be available to answer any technical or ethical questions presented by attendees.
Anthony Redgrave (he/him) of Redgrave Research Forensic Services is a founding board member of the Trans Doe Task Force, an organization that seeks to resolve cases of missing, murdered, and unidentified members of the queer community, especially Transgender individuals. His dissertation focused on determining barriers to communication between members of key stakeholder groups affected by the use of forensic genetic genealogy in order to develop standards of practice that support its use to resolve cold cases of fatal violence towards marginalized victims. He is also the founder and instructor of FG4LE (Forensic Genealogy for Law Enforcement), an online education program designed to teach forensic genetic genealogy to law enforcement professionals, and Redgrave Research Forensic Services, a forensic genetic genealogy research team for hire by law enforcement clients and private clients with difficult genetic genealogy questions that others haven’t been able to answer. He has assisted in the resolution of dozens of cold cases since 2018 and presents frequently at universities and academic conferences on the topics of forensic genetic genealogy and the reduction of postmortem violence towards Transgender individuals.
For more information on Dr. Redgrave, his work, and cases he has worked on, visit https://www.facebook.com/redgraveresearch

Free Teen Book Hours
2023-08-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Celebrate the end of the Teen Summer Reading Program by picking out a free teen book to keep for good! The Clapp Memorial Library is having “Free Teen Book Hours” on August 2nd from 3:00-4:00PM and August 11th from 5:00-6:00PM. A table with bins of books will be set up outside the side door of the library during this hour for teens to pick a new favorite. Teens must be registered for the Teen Summer Reading Program to pick out a book, and they may register at the table. Teens who attend will also be eligible for an additional raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program. Teens may attend both book hours for a maximum of two books as supplies last. Books are donated by the library and the Friends of the Library.
To sign up for Summer Reading, visit clapplibrary.beanstack.com or use the Beanstack app.

Raising Our Voices with Davis Bates
2023-08-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Wednesday, August 2nd at 6 pm on the Library lawn (Swift River School Pavilion if rain)
Davis Bates, one of favorite local performers, will present Raising Our Voices. Join us for songs from the labor, civil rights and environmental movements, and ballads and tales of strength and transformation. It also includes short family narratives designed to get folks remembering their own stories, and to connect us to each other and our various communities. Also, lots of singalongs with easy to learn choruses. Bring your VOICES!
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program and attending is worth a Kids SRP Raffle Ticket! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.
Funded by the Belchertown Cultural Council

Critters of Lake Wallace
2023-08-05 09:00 - 10:00 | Foley Field, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
UPDATE: PROGRAMS FULL
Join us on Saturday, August 5th at 9:00 AM or 10:30 AM to investigate fascinating creatures and critters in Lake Wallace. Join local biologists and parents Caralyn Zehnder and Will Duncan as we learn about the life cycles of aquatic invertebrates like dragonflies and damselflies and sample the lake to see what we can find.
Geared towards ages 4 years and up.
Registration and confirmation required – sign up here (https://forms.gle/aMWEeARa5LLVdnXb9). Registration open until all slots are filled. 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.
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2023-08-07 08:00 - 17:00 | 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!

Concert with Ann Marie & Pop!
2023-08-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Wednesday, August 9th at 6 pm on the Library lawn (Town Hall auditorium if rain)
Singing dancing and fun for all agat the library with Ann Marie Messbauer and Jacques “Pop” Hooten
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program and attending is worth a Kids SRP Raffle Ticket! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

The Muddy Ground of Fences that Kept Me
2023-08-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Visit the Clapp Memorial Library for the public premiere of the documentary “The Muddy Ground of Fences that Kept Me,” a documentary on the Belchertown State Schools. The documentary was created by local high school seniors Nora Dyer-Murphy and Ori Sussman and features local author and historian Kate Anderson. A Q&A will follow.

Teen Summer Reading Finale Party
2023-08-16 17:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens are invited for free pizza and tie-dye at the Teen Summer Reading Finale Party at the Clapp Memorial Library on Wednesday, August 16th! Pizza will be served at 5:30PM in the library’s Activity Room. At 6:00PM, the winners of the Teen Summer Reading prizes will be announced after which the Party will move outside to allow for tie-dye. Teens are asked to bring their Summer Reading shirt to tie-dye, and shirts will be available as supplies last. Participants of the Teen Summer Reading Challenge can register at the library or by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com

Taylor Swift Appreciation Party
2023-08-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
There will be a Taylor Swift Appreciation Party for teens ages 12-18 at the Clapp Memorial Library on Friday, August 18th from 6:00-7:00PM. Be fearless; come dressed in your best “eras” costume and compete in our Eras Costume Contest! Can I ask you a question? How well do you know all things Taylor Swift? Play Taylor Trivia, Musical Bingo, and more! If you don’t win, shake it off! There will also be Make-Your-Own Eras Bracelets! We know all too well how much fun this will be! Teens should register by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or by visiting the library’s circulation desk. The heat may have made this a cruel summer, but this party is going to be something from your wildest dreams! Are you ready for it?

Media Sale!
2023-08-26 09:00 - 13:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Friends of Clapp Memorial Library will conduct a Media Sale on Saturday morning, August 26th, from 9 to 1, in the Belchertown municipal parking lot near the back entrance to the library. A large selection DVDs and CDs (for both children and adults) will be offered for $1 each.. All funds raised will be used to support library programs.

Library Closing: Labor Day 2023
2023-09-04 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed in observation of Labor Day

Saving Nature with Doug Tallamy: A Film Viewing & Discussion
2023-09-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us at the Clapp Memorial Library on Tuesday, September 5th at 7pm for a showing of “Saving Nature with Doug Tallamy” followed by a discussion led by Heidi Dollard. In his presentation, Dr. Tallamy breaks down the concept of “You don’t have to save biodiversity for a living but you CAN save it where you live” with specific strategies to improve your own immediate local ecology. After the presentation, Heidi Dollard will invite attendees to dive into the topics introduced in Dr. Tallamy’s presentation, and how to apply these ideas to our homes and town!
Heidi Dollard will return to the library on September 19 to present “Transform Your Yard to Support Pollinators: A 12 Step Program” and this film provides excellent background information for that talk

Pro-Wrestling Storytime
2023-09-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Bring a blanket or chair to sit on & join us on the library lawn for… PRO-WRESTLING STORYTIME on Saturday, September 9th at 10am!
Professional wrestlers are visiting the Clapp Memorial Library with some of their favorite picture books and a craft for a slamming good time and family friendly entertainment.
Location: Clapp Memorial Library Lawn
Rain Location: Town Hall Auditorium

Drum Away the Blues
2023-09-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Using assorted percussion instruments, music educator/percussionist Craig Harris provides adults and children with the key to stress relief tools for emotional balance. “Stress is about dreading the past or fearing the future,” said Harris, “When one plays a drum or percussion instrument, they’re immediately transported into the present.
His workshops, classes, and performance are multi-faceted experiences. To guide his vocal, imagery, and drumming exercises and interactive participation, preschoolers to senior citizens discover the joys of creating music, strengthen their ability to work with a group, cooperate with others, follow directions, make decisions, build self-esteem, improve abstract thought processing, creatively express themselves, foster a lifelong love of music, establish a positive mood, and relieve stress.

Teen Advisory Board (Sept 2023)
2023-09-11 16:30 - 17:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to the first TAB meeting of the school year!
TAB is a group of 7th-12th grade students who propose library programming for teens & provide input on teen services. New members are welcome! Visit the library or email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com for more info & to register.

Babytime Story Time (3-12 mo) Fall 2023
2023-09-18 09:00 - 09:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Babytime Story time (3-12 mo) Fall 2023
9:00-9:45 AM, Mondays, Sept 18, 25, Oct 2, 23, 30, & Nov 6
Babytime is for ages 3 – 12 months and begins @ 9:00 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Registration and confirmation required, click here to sign up. Registration open until all slots are filled.
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.

Firststeps Story Time (12-24 mo) Fall 2023
2023-09-18 10:00 - 10:45 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Monday Firststeps (12-24 months) Fall 2023
10:00-10:45 AM, Mondays, Sept 18, 25, Oct 2, 23, 30, & Nov 6
Firststeps is for ages 12 – 24 months and begins @ 10:00 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Registration and confirmation required, click here to sign up. Registration open until all slots are filled. 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.

Tuesday Toddler Time (2 years) Fall 2023
2023-09-19 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday Toddler Time (2-3 years) Fall 2023
9:30-10:30 AM, Tuesdays, Sep 19, 26, Oct 3, 24, 31, & Nov 7
Toddler Storytime is for children aged 2 years, and begins @ 9:30 AM. Registration is required. Our story times feature age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and art activities.
Registration and confirmation required, click here to sign up. Registration open until all slots are filled. 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.

Transform Your Yard to Support Pollinators: A 12 Step Program
2023-09-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Many people now realize the importance of pollinators and other essential wildlife. They want to make their yard pollinator-friendly, but don’t know where to start. This talk will step you through the process of evaluation, planning, and implementation, with many options for large and small changes.
Heidi Dollard is Co-chair of the Massachusetts Pollinator Network’s Steering Committee. She works to educate gardeners and homeowners on how they can support pollinators and other beneficial wildlife while creating a beautiful and low maintenance landscape. She has a MS in Biology and is a Master Gardener. She has been an enthusiastic native plant gardener for many years.

Early Closing (Belchertown Fair 2023)
2023-09-22 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will close at 2pm.

Library Closing (Belchertown Fair 2023)
2023-09-23 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Library will be closed during the Belchertown Fair

The Jellyfish: A Pastel Painting Workshop
2023-09-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – click here to sign up. Program full, waitlist open.
Artist Greg Maichack returns to the Clapp Memorial Library for another pastel painting workshop, this time featuring the jellyfish for adults (18+) on Tuesday, September 26th from 1pm to 3pm.
This is a pastel painting workshop designed for both sheer beginners to advanced participants. In this new, fun, two-hour workshop, all participants produce their very own personalized and original pastel based on these captivating sea creatures. Maichack guides everyone in drawing, blending, and layering.
All materials supplied (pastels, paper, blending material, etc.) with the process broken down into easy steps and methodically planned out to make it so easy. Participants will come out with a lovely pastel painting to keep.
Space is limited! Confirmations will be sent out before program confirming enrollment or waitlist status.
