Clapp Memorial Library

First Steps Storytime (12-24 months) Winter 2025
2025-12-08 10:00 - 10:45, 2025-12-15 10:00 - 10:45 (America/New_York) | 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
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, 2025-12-16 09:30 - 10:30
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.

RPG Night - Lost Mountain Saga
2025-12-09 18:00 - 20:00
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
2025-12-10 14:00 - 15:00
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
2025-12-10 16:00 - 17:00
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.

Anime & Manga Club
2025-12-10 16:00 - 17:00
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.
December meeting is full, new sign-ups will be added to the waitlist

Preschool Storytime (3-5 year olds) Winter 2025
2025-12-11 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-12-18 09:30 - 10:30
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
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

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2025-12-11 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-12-18 17:00 - 18:30
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.

Passage to Poros: A book talk with Edward Tick
2025-12-11 19:00 - 20:00
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
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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Magic: the Gathering
2025-12-13 10:30 - 13:30, 2025-12-20 10:30 - 13:30, 2025-12-27 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-01-03 10:30 - 13:30
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.

Babytime Story Time (3-12 months) Winter 2025
2025-12-15 09:00 - 09:45
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.

Escape the Under: a “Stranger Things” Escape Room
2025-12-16 15:00 - 15:45, 2025-12-16 16:00 - 16:45
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!

Community Bell Choir
2025-12-16 19:00 - 20:00
The Belchertown Community Bells Choir will be performing a free concert at the Clapp Memorial Library on Tuesday, December 16 at 7pm. They have been playing and presenting concerts for nearly 40 years. This volunteer musical group is led by Bill McClure and plays several different styles of music from religious to pop. They enjoy ringing, rehearsing, and sharing their music with others in the community. We hope you’ll join them at this musical performance.

Community Wellness
2025-12-19 15:00 - 17:00
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.

Winter Reading Begins
2025-12-20
Winter Reading Bingo starts today! Pick up your Bingo card at the library or take part online through Beanstack at clapplibrary.beanstack.org or using the Beanstack app! Programs for Teens & Adults, running December 20th – February 20th
For the first time ever, the Clapp Memorial Library is running a Teen Winter Reading Program! Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to sign up for Teen Winter Reading Bingo at clapplibrary.beanstack.org or on the Beanstack app! Physical Bingo cards are also available for pick-up at the library. Participating is easy – and, of course, there are prizes! Get all the details when you sign up. Save the date, and start earning tickets on December 20th! This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Early Closing: Christmas Eve 2025
2025-12-24
The Library will close early at 1PM Christmas Eve, save travels!

Library Closing: Christmas 2025
2025-12-25
The Library will be closed in observation of Christmas

Early Closing: New Year’s Eve 2025
2025-12-31
The Library will close early at 1PM for New Year’s Eve, save travels!

Library Closing: New Year’s Day 2026
2026-01-01
The Library will be closed in observation of New Year’s Day
