This Week at the Jones Library

It's hard to believe that February arrives this week!  As classes resume at the local colleges over the next week or so, the returning students will bring their presence and energy back to enrich our community.  We hope you are also enriched by all the things you find at the library!  We've highlighted some upcoming events and news items below, and invite you to visit our website and follow our social media for all the latest.

Little Kid Yoga

Monday, January 30 from 10:00 - 10:45 am

Join us for some gentle stretching and playful yoga! We have extended our session through February 13th! 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.

50+ Job Seekers Networking Group 

Wednesday, February 1 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 "Your Marketing Plan/Marketing Brief".  This topic will be covered in next week's evening session as well.  Attend either morning (1st and 3rd Wednesday) or evening (2nd and 4th 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 1 from 10:30 - 11:30 am

Sing with Your Baby is back and on a new day! 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, and will meet on Wednesdays through February 15. 

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

Artists' Gardens of New England

Thursday, February 2 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Some of our most beloved painters, sculptors and authors were inspired by the gardens they created. Visit the private havens of Edith Wharton, Julian Alden Weir, Childe Hassam, Daniel Chester French, Emily Dickinson, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Celia Thaxter and others in this Zoom presentation by Jana Milbocker.  Register directly on Zoom here.

This is the first in a series on Gardens and Gardening made possible by the Friends of the Jones Libraries.

Teen Lounge

Friday, February 3 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm

Stop by the Woodbury Room after school on Friday afternoons. Come play Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros on the big screen. There will also be some crafts, board games, and good times. Come hang out with friends or make some new ones! No reservation required. This program is for ages 11 to 17.

Author Event and Book Launch

Saturday, February 4 at 11:00 am

Join us for this book launch as local author Thomas Johnson discusses his new book about early public libraries in New England, Common Place: The Public Library, Civil Society, and Early American Values. The Munson Memorial Library in South Amherst served as one of the case studies, and the lone branch library, in his research.

This program is co-sponsored by the Jones Library & Branches and Levellers Press.

Graphic Novel Book Club

Join us on Tuesday, February 14 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm to discuss Freestyle by Gale Galligan. We'll also do a fun craft related to the themes of the book! This program is for ages 9 - 12. To learn more and register, email us!

Volunteer ESL Tutors Needed

The ESL Center is looking for instructional tutors for adult immigrants from a variety of countries. Volunteers should be fluent English speakers, but no prior teaching experience or second language skills are required. A user-friendly teacher’s guide makes it easy for tutors to plan and deliver two one-hour lessons a week. The scheduling of sessions is flexible, and volunteers are asked to make a (minimum) nine-month commitment to their student. Training is online and volunteers can work through it at their own pace. For more info, go to www.joneslibrary.org/tutor or contact ESL Coordinator Lynne Weintraub at 413-259-3093 or [email protected].

Staff Spotlight
Introducing Petra Pendroff!  Petra joined the Jones library team in July 2022 as the new Head of Branch Services. Petra moved to Massachusetts after ten years in Phoenix, Arizona, where she worked for Phoenix Public Library and Maricopa County Library District. She leads the North Amherst and Munson Memorial libraries, and loves working with such a wonderful team and getting to know the community. Outside of her work, Petra enjoys exploring Western Massachusetts with her husband and daughter.