Exhibit Dates: July 2 - July 30, 2025
 

Judith Abraham: multimedia installation; Reception: July 12, 2-4pm

Ellie May Mandell: Sculpture

We'll Get There Eventually: A Print Exchange; Reception: July 22, 6-8pm

Join us for stories, songs, and puppets! We'll do a 20-minute storytime together, then we'll put out toys for free play and social time until 11:00. For babies under 18 months and their caregivers.

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology?

Come to a drop-in tech help session! Bring your device, or use one of the library's computers, to have your questions answered by a knowledgeable volunteer.

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology?

Come to a drop-in tech help session! Bring your device, or use one of the library's computers, to have your questions answered by a knowledgeable volunteer.

Three goats crossing a bridge? Sounds like a fairytale, but it's actually a great way to keep animals safe! Join a Hitchcock Center educator for this hands-on children's program. We'll read a quick story about a real-life animal crossing; then express your inner engineer as you and your adult design, build and test a bridge using simple materials. Can it stand strong in a salamander stampede or a mammal migration? And we'll end with a visit from a live critter who puts wildlife bridges to use.

Best for children ages 5 to 10 with an adult. Registration is required. Please register using the "Begin Registration" button above. Participants will be capped at 20.

Thank you to The Friends of Forbes Library for sponsoring this event.

AEIOUkes is Northampton's ukulele club. In addition to the open sessions every Saturday morning in the Coolidge Library, there are "guided sessions" on second Tuesdays. 

In these sessions, club founder Joe Blumenthal leads the group in working on new repertoire, technique and ensemble playing. These sessions lead up to a performance as part of Northampton's First Night celebration. 

Registration is required; for more information, email downtownjoeblumenthal@gmail.com.

Are you curious about how to get started on a family tree or use census records to explore the history of your neighborhood or house? Book a one-on-one appointment with genealogist Brian Tabor and learn how to research using genealogy resources such as Ancestry, Heritage Quest and American Ancestors databases.  

Family History Help is held on the second week of the month:

• Tuesdays, 6-7pm
• Wednesdays, 10:30am-12pm

Email archives@forbeslibrary.org to book an appointment with Brian. 

The Hampshire Room for Local History is also open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10-2 for appointments and drop in research.  

Join us this Tuesday for a poetry discussion about the work of Campbell McGrath. 

• Biography (Poetry Foundation)
• Wikipedia
• Campbell McGrath's website
• "The Rumpus Interview with Campbell McGrath" by Julie Marie Wade
• Poet Campbell McGrath reads at Emory University (YouTube)
   

Zoom meeting link

Meeting ID: 896 9249 9767
Passcode: 254365

This weekly poetry discussion group is open to everyone including regulars and drop-ins. All voices are honored: first-time poetry readers and life-long devotees. 

Each week, the group convenes to discuss the work of a particular poet, usually contemporary, and sometimes one reading in the area.  No prior reading or preparation required. Email hfaerstein AT aol.com to join the weekly mailing list.

Exhibit Dates: July 2 - July 30, 2025
 

Judith Abraham: multimedia installation; Reception: July 12, 2-4pm

Ellie May Mandell: Sculpture

We'll Get There Eventually: A Print Exchange; Reception: July 22, 6-8pm

On Wednesdays, the Writing Room meets virtually. In-person meetings have resumed for Saturday sessions.

On these mornings we will meet via videoconference at our regular time: 9:30-12:30, using the exact same structure as we would if we were gathered around the table in the Watson Room at Forbes. The only difference will be that we will be connecting by videoconference, rather than face-to-face.

Here's all you need to join the Writing Room via Videoconference:

• Join us in the Virtual Writing Room on Zoom.  
• I will come online 15 minutes before our starting time (at 9:15) to answer any questions you might have. 
• You will have the option to have your camera off or on, so you can join however you feel most comfortable.
• The sessions will NOT be recorded, and you have the option to be visible or not, so your privacy will be preserved just as it would if we were meeting at the library.

How the Writing Room Works: each session opens at 9:30 sharp with brief hellos, followed by the pleasure of getting work done in the company of others. At 11:45 we check in about how the work went and make announcements. At (roughly) 12, anyone who wishes to read for the group does briefly, without critique or spoken response. We're done by 12:30.

Writers are welcome to come for all or part of the session. No need to register in advance. 

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology?

Come to a drop-in tech help session! Bring your device, or use one of the library's computers, to have your questions answered by a knowledgeable volunteer.

Please see Annemarie from the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center for Career Center registration, job search assistance, UI and other available services. Meet on the Mezzanine between 10am and 1pm.

Questions about other job seeker services? Please call the MassHire Greenfield office at 413-774-4361.

Are you curious about how to get started on a family tree or use census records to explore the history of your neighborhood or house? Book a one-on-one appointment with genealogist Brian Tabor and learn how to research using genealogy resources such as Ancestry, Heritage Quest and American Ancestors databases.  

Family History Help is held on the second week of the month:

• Tuesdays, 6-7pm
• Wednesdays, 10:30am-12pm

Email archives@forbeslibrary.org to book an appointment with Brian. 

The Hampshire Room for Local History is also open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10-2 for appointments and drop in research.  

We understand that mature jobseekers have unique needs and concerns. In this workshop, we will discuss how the job market has shifted post-pandemic, networking and finding age-friendly employers, and how to get around age bias. We will also provide tips on navigating online job applications and getting around Applicant Tracking Systems (never heard of ATS? We’ll go over those, too!)

Register by calling the Greenfield office at 800-457-2603 or 413-774-4361, or sign in to JobQuest, by Wednesday morning. Walk-ins are also welcome. 

An opportunity for mature jobseekers to meet, share experiences, and expand their professional network.

Drop in for part or all of these casual chess meets, every Wednesday from 1-3pm on the mezzanine. All experience levels welcome. Please bring your own set if you have one. 

Get guidance and feedback from MassHire staff on your resume and cover letter.

Hello! I'm Sunny and I'm Forbes Library's reading buddy dog! You can book a 15-minute appointment to read to me on Wednesdays between 3:30-4:30. I'm a good listener and like to look at the pictures, too. Reading to me is a great way for you to practice reading! We'll meet inside the Children's Department. 

To register, please call 413-587-1010 or sign up at the Forbes Library Children's Desk. This program is great for children ages 4-10. Happy reading! 

presented by River Valley DSA

Please contact facilitator Hilary Caws-Elwitt for updated meeting info.

The Nature and Environment Book Club is devoted to the best of nature writing and environmental reporting with discussions on the second Wednesday of each month. Readers and writers interested in books ranging from such classics as Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek to topical reportage like Elizabeth Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction will want to join the conversation.

This month's book is We Loved It All by Lydia Millet. 

A personal evocation of the glory of nature, our vexed position in the animal kingdom, and the difficulty of adoring what we destroy. Acclaimed novelist Lydia Millet's first work of nonfiction, We Loved It All, is a genre-defying tour de force that makes an impassioned argument for people to see their emotional and spiritual lives as infinitely dependent on the lives of nonhuman beings. Drawing on a quarter-century of experience as an advocate for endangered species at the Center for Biological Diversity, Millet offers intimate portraits of what she calls "the others"--the extraordinary animals with whom we still share the world, along with those already lost. Humans, too, fill this book, as Millet touches on the lives of her world-traveling parents, fascinating partners and friends, and colorful relatives, from diplomats to nut farmers--all figures in the complex tapestry each of us weaves with the surrounding world. Written in the tradition of Annie Dillard or Robert Macfarlane, We Loved It All is an incantatory work that will appeal to anyone concerned about the future of life on earth--including our own.

This month's discussion will cover Virginia Hall and reading A Woman of No Importance:  The Untold Story of the American spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell .  This title is available in print, large print, eAudio and eBook formats.  

The Coolidge Museum at Forbes Library has started a new book group in 2024 to focus of reading women's history and social history.  

As her husband John met in Philadelphia to discuss forming a new nation, Abigail Adams wrote to implore him, 'I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.' Alas, it would be another 150 years before they even got the right to vote. But women were neither silent nor passive then or now.

To elevate the voices of women in American history, a new book club is being offered by the The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum. The inspiration for the club, Herstory: Women in American History, came from some members of the museum's Presidential Book Club, who expressed a desire to read more about the context of historical figures, and to hear from and about the women involved in the building of our nation. 

Selections in the book club will include biographies of women interspersed with texts on significant periods in American history. This way, book club members can place the women they read about in context and gain a fuller understanding of their challenges and achievements.

This group meets on Zoom on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM 

This group is moderated by Coolidge Museum Committee members Leslie Skantz-Hodgson (Smith Vocational School Librarian) and Rob Weir (retired professor of history).  

To join the email list or for more information, email Coolidge@forbeslibrary.org

Exhibit Dates: July 2 - July 30, 2025
 

Judith Abraham: multimedia installation; Reception: July 12, 2-4pm

Ellie May Mandell: Sculpture

We'll Get There Eventually: A Print Exchange; Reception: July 22, 6-8pm

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology?

Come to a drop-in tech help session! Bring your device, or use one of the library's computers, to have your questions answered by a knowledgeable volunteer.

Join us for books, songs, and puppets and participate in an open-ended art activity designed to encourage creativity! Great for ages 3-5. 

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology?

Come to a drop-in tech help session! Bring your device, or use one of the library's computers, to have your questions answered by a knowledgeable volunteer.

Join us for a casual meetup for tweens & teens interested in the tabletop card game Magic: The Gathering

Curious about learning how to play? Know how it works but looking for other players? Hoping to trade cards, or get help building a deck?
All are welcome! 

Bring your own cards to use if you have them, or if you don't have any - that's ok - Forbes will provide pre-made decks to use at the library. And we also have free cards to take and use for deck building!

This program is for ages 10+ and meets biweekly, Thursdays from 3:45-5:00 pm in the Community Room (tables are generally set up by 3:30 for folks eager to get games going!) 

Any questions, please email jvrysen@forbeslibrary.org

Join us down in the Forbes Library Community Room on Thursday nights for some lite socializing, low-stakes sharing, and informal critique - as well as some time writing, of course! We warmly welcome writers of all genres and levels of experience.

We will start every meeting with a friendly check in, followed by a 15-20 minute writing prompt. After an optional share out, you are welcome to hang out and work on whatever you’ve got - flesh out the prompt, work on your novel, maybe get crafty with some visual poetry or collage.

This is an inclusive, expansive creative space. If you have a cool idea, bring it and share - we welcome collaborators with open arms! We also understand that one's capacity and enthusiasm for participation fluctuates - come when you can, and stay as long as you like. Absolutely no sweat if you can't make it - we look forward to seeing you next time you're here. We are also working toward online accessibility - contact noholitsociety@gmail.com for info on accessing our prompts online!


 Let’s get together, get some good work done, and enjoy each other's company!

Optional pre-registration is through Eventbrite, where you’ll find info on our open mics and other events as well. Updates are also on Instagram @noholitsociety 

About us:

Northampton Literary Society is a vibrant and supportive community of readers, writers, and artists of all kinds. We are always seeking and offering opportunities for creative expansion and collaboration. Let's make meaningful connections and grow our writing community!

Sign up for our mailing list to get our monthly newsletter featuring local literary news, events, and featured writing from our members each month!

General meeting of the Western Mass club of the CPUSA

Exhibit Dates: July 2 - July 30, 2025
 

Judith Abraham: multimedia installation; Reception: July 12, 2-4pm

Ellie May Mandell: Sculpture

We'll Get There Eventually: A Print Exchange; Reception: July 22, 6-8pm

Join us for Toddler Storytime every Friday morning! We will sing songs, read stories, and have fun. This event is best suited for 1.5-3-year-olds and their caregivers. 

Exhibit Dates: July 2 - July 30, 2025
 

Judith Abraham: multimedia installation; Reception: July 12, 2-4pm

Ellie May Mandell: Sculpture

We'll Get There Eventually: A Print Exchange; Reception: July 22, 6-8pm

Ukulele Strum Group is a community ukulele club, part of the larger Pioneer Valley Ukulele Community (Meetup). We meet weekly at Forbes Library in Northampton to sing and play together just for the fun and joy of it, but also to improve our skills. We are ukulele enthusiasts of all levels of playing experience, including beginners. And we always welcome new members to play, sing, or just watch and listen.

Find out more about our group on our Meet-Up page.

Artist Reception for Judith Abraham

This group is for writers and illustrators at any level of experience who are passionate about creating stories for kids and teens. We meet every Saturday from 3-4:30 pm in the Watson Room at the Forbes Library.

We alternate our meeting formats to keep things engaging: on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, we hold critiques and group discussions. On the remaining Saturdays, we host writing sprints, guest speakers, or other creative activities depending on the schedule.

Our focus is on building a supportive critique group where we can share work, offer constructive feedback, and grow as creators. While we lean toward picture book projects, writers and illustrators working on middle-grade and YA are welcome to join as well. Our group welcomes SCBWI members and hopes to connect with others in the SCBWI community, though you don’t need to be a member to join us. New members are especially welcome as we grow this creative community. Bring your work-in-progress, your ideas, or just your enthusiasm!

For more information, please contact Emily: Ellisbrune (AT) ellisbrune.com

Exhibit Dates: July 2 - July 30, 2025
 

Judith Abraham: multimedia installation; Reception: July 12, 2-4pm

Ellie May Mandell: Sculpture

We'll Get There Eventually: A Print Exchange; Reception: July 22, 6-8pm

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology?

Come to a drop-in tech help session! Bring your device, or use one of the library's computers, to have your questions answered by a knowledgeable volunteer.

We've got bricks, baseplates and minifigs--now all we need is you! Join us for LEGO Club Mondays at 3:30 in the Forbes Library Community Room. Pick a design challenge out of the bowl or simply build a creation of your own choosing. This program is great for ages 4+.

Come learn the fundamentals of juggling in a relaxed, supportive environment! This beginner-friendly workshop covers basic patterns, hand-eye coordination techniques, and fun skill-building exercises. The space also welcomes more advanced jugglers, offering opportunities to explore new tricks, share techniques, and connect with others.

Everyone is encouraged to be both a teacher and a student—this is a space to build community through play, learning, and collaboration. Led by juggling instructor Joseph Goldin.

These workshops will happen on Mondays in July, 6-7pm. Meet on the West Lawn.

Registration is appreciated but not required. Juggling balls will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have them.

We'll be reading Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone by James Baldwin. Request a copy of this book by placing a hold. 

About the book: 

At the height of his theatrical career, the actor Leo Proudhammer is nearly felled by a heart attack. As he hovers between life and death, Baldwin shows the choices that have made him enviably famous and terrifyingly vulnerable.For between Leo's childhood on the streets of Harlem and his arrival into the intoxicating world of the theater lies a wilderness of desire and loss, shame and rage. An adored older brother vanishes into prison. There are love affairs with a white woman and a younger black man, each of whom will make irresistible claims on Leo's loyalty. Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone is overpowering in its vitality and extravagant in the intensity of its feeling.

Literary minded discussion. Open to new members. Join us in person or join via Zoom!

Exhibit Dates: July 2 - July 30, 2025
 

Judith Abraham: multimedia installation; Reception: July 12, 2-4pm

Ellie May Mandell: Sculpture

We'll Get There Eventually: A Print Exchange; Reception: July 22, 6-8pm

Join us for stories, songs, and puppets! We'll do a 20-minute storytime together, then we'll put out toys for free play and social time until 11:00. For babies under 18 months and their caregivers.

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology?

Come to a drop-in tech help session! Bring your device, or use one of the library's computers, to have your questions answered by a knowledgeable volunteer.

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology?

Come to a drop-in tech help session! Bring your device, or use one of the library's computers, to have your questions answered by a knowledgeable volunteer.

Join us to make your own sock puppet! We'll provide all the supplies-from socks, to felt, to googly eyes and fake fur! Great for ages 5+.

Join us this Tuesday for a poetry discussion. 

Zoom meeting link

Meeting ID: 896 9249 9767
Passcode: 254365

This weekly poetry discussion group is open to everyone including regulars and drop-ins. All voices are honored: first-time poetry readers and life-long devotees. 

Each week, the group convenes to discuss the work of a particular poet, usually contemporary, and sometimes one reading in the area.  No prior reading or preparation required. Email hfaerstein AT aol.com to join the weekly mailing list.

Exhibit Dates: July 2 - July 30, 2025
 

Judith Abraham: multimedia installation; Reception: July 12, 2-4pm

Ellie May Mandell: Sculpture

We'll Get There Eventually: A Print Exchange; Reception: July 22, 6-8pm

On Wednesdays, the Writing Room meets virtually. In-person meetings have resumed for Saturday sessions.

On these mornings we will meet via videoconference at our regular time: 9:30-12:30, using the exact same structure as we would if we were gathered around the table in the Watson Room at Forbes. The only difference will be that we will be connecting by videoconference, rather than face-to-face.

Here's all you need to join the Writing Room via Videoconference:

• Join us in the Virtual Writing Room on Zoom.  
• I will come online 15 minutes before our starting time (at 9:15) to answer any questions you might have. 
• You will have the option to have your camera off or on, so you can join however you feel most comfortable.
• The sessions will NOT be recorded, and you have the option to be visible or not, so your privacy will be preserved just as it would if we were meeting at the library.

How the Writing Room Works: each session opens at 9:30 sharp with brief hellos, followed by the pleasure of getting work done in the company of others. At 11:45 we check in about how the work went and make announcements. At (roughly) 12, anyone who wishes to read for the group does briefly, without critique or spoken response. We're done by 12:30.

Writers are welcome to come for all or part of the session. No need to register in advance. 

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology?

Come to a drop-in tech help session! Bring your device, or use one of the library's computers, to have your questions answered by a knowledgeable volunteer.

Please see Annemarie from the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center for Career Center registration, job search assistance, UI and other available services. Meet on the Mezzanine between 10am and 1pm.

Questions about other job seeker services? Please call the MassHire Greenfield office at 413-774-4361.