This Week at the Jones Library

We continue to make our way through February, and the kids are counting down the days until school vacation week arrives next week.  There's been a lot going on at the library, and many events on the horizon.  We've highlighted some of this week's events below, as well as other news and future programs.  We invite you to visit our website for complete information about library activities and events, and to follow us on social media to get all the latest there as well.

Little Kid Yoga

Monday, February 13 from 10:00 - 10:45 am

Join us for our final winter session of gentle stretching and playful yoga on Monday, February 13^th! This program is recommended for kids ages 2 - 5 and their caregivers. No registration required! Limited yoga mats will be provided, and although not necessary for participation, you are welcome to bring your own.

Reading the Classics

Tuesday, February 14 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Our virtual classics book discussions continue! 

Moderated by Amherst College professor Ilan Stavans, this series is a collaboration of the Jones Library, the New York Public Library, and Restless Books, and together we explore various world literature classics. Join us via Zoom to discuss this month's selection of three short stories by Jorge Luis Borges. Learn more and register.

50+ Job Seekers Networking Group

Wednesday, February 15 from 9:30 - 11:30 am

Are you a 50+ job seeker? Start the new year by building your job search tool kit with this online networking group!  This week's topic is applications and cover letters.  This topic will be covered in next week's evening session as well.  Attend either morning (1^st and 3^rd Wednesday) or evening (2^nd and 4^th Wednesday) sessions - whatever works best for you.  Job seekers can join the group at any time.  Learn more and register!

Participation in this series is made possible by the Friends of the Jones Libraries.

Sing with Your Baby

Wednesday, February 15 from 10:30 - 11:30 am

Our final winter session of Sing with Your Baby will be Wednesday, February 15^th. Join Wendy for our winter session in the Woodbury Room. Wendy will share songs and fingerplays, followed by time for children to explore musical instruments and socialize. This program is recommended for children ages 0 - 5 and their caregivers. Stay tuned for our spring session, beginning on March 1^st!

This program is made possible by the Friends of the Jones Libraries.

Early Release Teen Lounge

Wednesday, February 15 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Celebrate your ARPS early release day with snacks and some Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart! We'll be playing them on the big screen. There will also be some crafts and board games to enjoy. Come hang out with friends or make some new ones! No reservation required. This program is for ages 11 to 17.

This program is made possible by the Friends of the Jones Libraries.

Tea Party With Special Guest Giganta Smalls

Saturday, February 18 from 10:00 - 11:30 am

Join the staff of the Jones Library kids room and Drag Queen Giganta Smalls for a special storytime and tea party. We will be sharing stories that celebrate being yourself and feeling fancy! We will also create crafts and share a special tea party. This event is for kids between the ages of 4 and 9 and their special grown-up guests. To learn more and register, email us!

This program is made possible by the Friends of the Jones Libraries.

Words Together: A Poetry Workshop

Saturday, February 18 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Students from the Amherst College Poetry Club lead a poetry workshop for teens ages 11 to 17.This is part of an ongoing series that will meet regularly and culminate in a spoken word performance at Amherst College. Please email us for more information and to register.

Call for Submissions: I AM HOME

I AM HOME is a creative project in honor of Black History Month, to engage participants in understanding how miserable, horrible situations can bring about new expressions of human dignity in the world of art, education, community, and self realization. The influence of the Black Church is the inspiration for this community presentation. By looking at historical pictures of monumental figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, listening to Gospel hymns, reading quotations from leaders and poets, the public is invited to create their own interpretation of "home", where they find peace amidst storms of despair, no matter how great or small they may seem. The call for art is open to all, but artwork by youth ages 11-16 will be prioritized for this exhibit. Submissions are due by Wednesday, February 22. Learn more.

Call for Submissions: I AM HOME

I AM HOME is a creative project in honor of Black History Month, to engage participants in understanding how miserable, horrible situations can bring about new expressions of human dignity in the world of art, education, community, and self realization. The influence of the Black Church is the inspiration for this community presentation. By looking at historical pictures of monumental figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, listening to Gospel hymns, reading quotations from leaders and poets, the public is invited to create their own interpretation of "home", where they find peace amidst storms of despair, no matter how great or small they may seem. The call for art is open to all, but artwork by youth ages 11-16 will be prioritized for this exhibit. Submissions are due by Wednesday, February 22. Learn more.

Beginning ESL for Seniors Class

Thanks to a recent grant from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, the library currently has room in its “senior beginner” ESL class, and is encouraging families, neighbors, and friends to refer beginning-level immigrants who are 50+ (including those with limited educational backgrounds) to the free program. For more information, please contact Lynne Weintraub at [email protected] or 413-259-3093.

LitFest at Amherst College

From February 23 – 26, Amherst College will host their eighth annual LitFest, a literary festival celebrating fiction, nonfiction, poetry and spoken-word performance, along with the College’s extraordinary literary life. This year’s lineup includes Pulitzer Prize winner Hilton Als, MacArthur Fellowship winner Valeria Luiselli, and 2022 National Book Award finalists Meghan O’Rourke and Ingrid Rojas Contreras, among others.  The community is welcome to attend these events.  Learn more.