Clapp Memorial Library

Maltese Falcon Book Group
2024-10-22 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-10-29 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | 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 six-session group we will discuss the classic detective novel The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. The discussion will be introduced and facilitated by retired professor David Spector, who has some expertise on birds in literature. There are, indeed, birds, including the famous title one, in this mystery story, but David hopes that discussion will range widely over many aspects of the plot and characters of this novel. After registration is confirmed, participants can pick up a copy of the novel to keep, while supplies last.
Registration & confirmation required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/DVBeozi3dHhqBYRG6
The group will meet 2 to 3:30 P.M. on Tuesdays, October 8, 15, 22, and 29, and November 12 and 19. There is no meeting on November 5. October 15th meeting location to be determined.
A public screening of the classic 1941 John Huston film version of the novel with Mary Astor, Humphrey Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Elisha Cook, Lee Patrick, et al., is tentatively set for Tuesday, 3 December, at 7 P.M.

SFF Book Club
2024-10-22 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

Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Reduction
2024-10-22 19:00 - 20:15, 2024-10-29 19:00 - 20:15, 2024-11-05 19:00 - 20:15 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Clapp Memorial Library is offering a Stress Reduction Awareness course. The eight-week introductory course starts on Tuesday, October 1 at 7 PM and runs every Tuesday through November 19. 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.
Registration closed. 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 October 29th, which will take place in the Activity Room.

Music with Pop (0-6 years old) Fall 2024
2024-10-23 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-10-30 10:30 - 11:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Music with Pop (ages 0-6)
10:30 am, Wednesdays, October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6th & 13th
Music with Jacques Hooten aka Pop! Wednesdays at 10:30 am in the Children’s Activity Room, geared towards infants to age 6. On October 16 Music with Pop will take place in the Town Hall Auditorium. Spaces will be filled first by children who reside within Belchertown. Enjoy singing and dancing in this interactive music series. Limited space so register today.
Registration is required and will remain open until program is filled, just sign up for the Program and Jennifer Whitehead, Children’s Librarian, will be in touch! Funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/AYyiQCozqpSy37Ju6
When the Belchertown Public Schools have a delay or closure due to the weather, story times are canceled.

Needle Felting Pumpkins
2024-10-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come learn the art of needle felting at the Clapp Memorial Library on Monday, October 21 from 2:30-5:30 OR Wednesday, October 23 from 6:00-9:00. Local fiber artist Anna Sunschauer will teach you how to sculpt fluffy wool fiber into a pumpkin 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. All necessary tools and materials will be provided.
This workshop is open to adults and teens. Space is limited and registration is required.
Register here: https://forms.gle/xJp85btxgZxPbg5y8
All adult seats have been filled.
This program is made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Preschool Storytime (3-5 year olds) Fall 2024
2024-10-24 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-10-31 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Preschool Story Time (3-6 years) Fall 2024
9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays, October 3, 10, 24, 31, November 7, 14 & 21
Preschool Story Time is for ages 3-5 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, sign up here: https://forms.gle/cdLAMAwfmz4r3to8A. 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.

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2024-10-24 17:00 - 18:30, 2024-10-31 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.

Halloween Spook-Tacular
2024-10-24 17:30 - 18:30 | Chestnut Hill Community School, 59 State St, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Halloween Spook-Tacular
Belchertown Pollinator Garden 5:30 pm on Sunday, October 20th and Thursday, October 24th. Registration is required, sign up here for your choice of date: https://forms.gle/Wfd5gTSa7Z54QPFX9. Space is limited.
Sunday is full, new Sunday signups will be added to the waitlist.
Have fun with spooky stories, a scavenger hunt, cider, cookies and crafts.
Bring a flashlight and come in costume to enjoy a story with Jennifer Whitehead, Youth Services Librarian!Registration is required at the Clapp Memorial Library. Geared toward ages 4 to 11.
The Pollinator Garden is located at 57 State St. at the School Gardens.
Donations for the garden are appreciated.

A Narrative of Dwight Village in Belchertown, Part 1
2024-10-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Michael Carolan will provide a two-part documented history and geographical genealogy of the indigenous and nonindigenous peoples, notable events, architecture and landscapes, from the Eighteenth to the Twentieth centuries, and the district’s contributions to art, industry, politics, science and religion, on October 24th and November 14th. Known as Logg-town, Hopetown, Dwight’s Station and Pansy Park, this narrowly-defined, eight-square-mile district has been subsumed historically into the larger community. The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher—the “most famous man in America”—gave his first sermon here. The hamlet was celebrated as the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln’s first biographer, J. G. Holland. Rare aquatic flower gardens drew hundreds through Dwight’s two railroad stops. And its chapel was established after a culmination of efforts said to have been initiated by Poet Emily Dickinson’s sister-in-law. There were feuds, accidents, suicides, drownings, fires, the millwright who outlived six wives and the portrait painter who rendered the place and its characters in colorfully detailed letters preserved to this day.
Michael Carolan writes for The Springfield Republican and his essays appear on New England Public Radio. He taught literature and writing at Clark University for 13 years.

Teen Advisory Board (Oct 2024)
2024-10-25 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, October 25th from 4:30-5:30PM in the library’s Activity Room for its second meeting of the 2024-2025 school year! 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. Teens can email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com for more information and to register.

Fiber Arts with the Woolies
2024-10-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-11-02 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.

Babytime Story time (3-12 mo) Fall 2024
2024-10-28 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-11-04 09:00 - 10:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Babytime Story time (3-12 mo) Fall 2024
9:00-9:45 AM, Mondays, Sep 30, Oct 7, 21, 28, Nov 4 & 18
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, sign up here: https://forms.gle/mcZ5J6jKN45yG6b7A. 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.

First Steps Storytime (12-24 months) Fall 2024
2024-10-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Monday Firststeps (12-24 months) Fall 2024
10:00-10:45 AM, Mondays, Sep 30, Oct 7, 21, 28, Nov 4 & 18
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, sign up here: https://forms.gle/9yf3619iGU1pxuco8. 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.

Afterschool Ghostbusters RPG
2024-10-28 14:30 - 16:00, 2024-11-04 14:30 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Calling all Belchertown Students for Afterschool Gaming
2:30-4:00PM, Mondays, October 28th – December 9th.
*No game on November 11th
It’s time to grab your dice and slip on that proton pack and play Ghostbusters. For fans of the movies and D&D. No experience necessary to join in on this zany adventure.
Step into the shoes of a new team of Ghostbusters for Ghost Toasties, a nutritious, humorous, fun-filled and life-and-death campaign to save the world from demons, eldritch horrors, and crazed advertising executives for Ghostbusters: a Frightfully Cheerful Roleplaying Game
Program will run weekly starting in October for Middle & High School Students. Participants may bring their own nut-free snacks. Please inform Librarian & Game Master Tegan Mannino, if there is a day you will not attend.
Space is limited, sign up at https://forms.gle/7PGoWc6SP8q6pmiK9
Confirmations will be sent out to students confirming enrollment or waitlist status.
Please email any questions to tmannino@cwmars.org

Toddler Time (2 year olds) Fall 2024
2024-10-29 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-11-05 09:30 - 10:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Tuesday Toddler Time (2 years) Fall 2024
9:30-10:30 am, Tuesdays, October 1, 8, 22, 29, November 5, 12 & 19
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, sign up here: https://forms.gle/TFK36x16Ns9B3bew7. 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.

Ghosts of the Bridgewater Triangle
2024-10-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come to the library for a night of Massachusetts based paranormal mystery and exploration with Tim Weisberg!
Ghosts of the Bridgewater Triangle: How a paranormal vortex in southern New England has captured the imagination of the world through stories of ghosts, UFOs, cryptids, and true crime. Includes real-life ghost stories and ghostly voices captured in the Triangle
Tim Weisberg is the host and executive producer of “Spooky Southcoast” radio and of “Midnight Society with Tim Weisberg”. He is also the former host of “Midnight in the Desert,” the last radio program created and originally hosted by the legendary Art Bell. Tim is the author of “Ghosts of the SouthCoast” and “Haunted Objects: Ghosts On Your Shelf,” the latter co-written with Christopher Balzano.

Teen Pumpkin-Carving
2024-10-30 15:30 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library will be having a free outdoor Pumpkin-Carving program for teens in grades 7-12 on Wednesday, October 30th from 3:30-4:30PM. Registration for this program is required, and teens can sign up at the library or by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com. In the event of rain, this program will be moved inside to the library’s Activity Room.

Canning Basics
2024-11-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Always wanted to learn how to can foods but aren’t sure where to start? Well Lindsey Baird of Oak & Ash Farm is here you teach you that you can, can!
Using the USDA guidelines for safe canning, Lindsey will teach you the basic rules and simple tips and tricks. Maybe you want to preserve your harvest, or perhaps you want to have quick and easy meals in a jar ready to go. Or maybe you want to learn how to save money by preserving items you purchase in bulk. You’ll learn how, all while controlling the ingredients and without relying on having enough space in your freezer.
You will leave with a simple guide on how to use both a water bath canner or pressure canner, and the confidence to fill your pantry with safe, home canned foods.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2024-11-04 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!
