From the Director:
Dear Library Friends and Followers,
Happy New Year. We wish the best to you and yours, and we’re hoping for a vibrant and active year here at the Library. Thank you so much for your overwhelming response to our fundraising call this winter–your support means that we can begin the new year on a strong and hopeful financial footing, and put those funds directly into serving you better! Your kind notes and words of support also mean the world, and your trust in us is the most valuable currency.
Construction continues on our Annex at 52 Main Street, and we hope to be able to open the space for Library events in early Spring! Follow our social media for more frequent updates on our building progress. All the books that you know and love will be staying here at 9 Park Street for the near future.
That pesky Grinch was holding all of the books we ordered this fall in a sack at the Ingram warehouse, and since his late December change of heart we’ve been receiving boxes and boxes of books every day! Visit our New Year, New Books display by the front desk to check out all of the new titles that can’t even fit on the New Books shelf! While you’re here, head over to the stacks to find our Learn a New (Year) Skill display of cookbooks, guides, and craft manuals. We’re also hosting a special display this month curated by EPL patron Alice Levine, based on her research into lesser-told stories of racial segregation and civil rights struggles outside of the Southern USA.
The next meeting of the Library Board will take place on Thursday, January 9th, at 6:30 pm, at the Easthampton Public Library. The public is welcome to attend, there will be no public speak. If you or someone you trust is interested in supporting the Easthampton Library as a Board member or Committee member, please reach out and share a little about yourself and your skills and interest. Keep up with Library planning, governance, and more here.
Now, what’s happening here this month?
Events for Adults:
In an effort to provide a broader range of support, we are now offering two Tech Help times weekly! Sign up for a half hour session if you need some one on one assistance.
Join us on January 31 from 3:45-5:15 for All Ages Watercolors, a fun and inclusive art foray for all.
We now have FOUR different book discussion groups AND a Movie Discussion Club! Find out all the details about the Monday Night Book Club, Intersectional Speculative Fiction Club, Easthampton Council on Aging Book Club, Graphic Novel Book Club, and Movie Club. Is one or all right for you?
Working on a family tree? Getting the hang of Ancestry? We offer a monthly Genealogy Help session with Brian Tabor–registration required!
Events for Youth
Winter Chess Club for youth starts next week! Don’t miss your chance to grab a spot.
We are hosting a special, four session Dungeons and Dragons adventure for youth ages 9-11!
Perler Beads and Pizza At this event, for youth ages 12+ we’ll design perler bead creations and snack on pizza. Information about how to get involved in our teen advisory group will be available for anyone interested.
Come for a storytime with Emily and family craft time supporting healthy coping strategies making Worry Monsters with public health nurse, Chris Southworth.
Baby and toddler storytime will start back on Monday (we’ll be reading and singing about hibernating bears!)
Lego Club this Tuesday will feature an eye mask challenge where builders will have to create something without looking!
The annual Winterfest Snowflake Making Contest starts next week and we will have a table ready with all the supplies you’ll need. Everyone is eligible to enter, or just come and spend some time making.
Start your new year reading with our therapy dog, Molly. Spots are available weekly.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for our latest updates on programming and new titles. We also welcome suggestions–if you have a book, DVD, or audiobook that you’d like to see in our collection, let us know.
For our full lineup of January activities, check out our Calendar.
We’ll see you soon at the Library!
Happy reading,
Katya