“April showers bring May flowers”… and this month also brings a full slate of library programs for all ages. Families will want to note the fantastic programs happening during school vacation week and see which ones require registration. Need a breath of fresh air? Our library grounds feature incredible views of the Connecticut River and Holyoke Dam, with ample wildlife to be seen on the water.
Library cards are free to anyone age 5 and up. Stop by to get yours or click here to complete our online application.
Adult Programs at SHPL
Tuesday Night Knitting Group. Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00
Join the library’s Tuesday Night Knitters for some quality knitting and crocheting time. All skill levels are welcome. The group meets on the second floor in the Mandrachia Quiet Study Room but may move to a larger meeting room when available.
Color Me Calm. Monday, April 3 at 4:00
Color Me Calm is a laid-back coloring group for ages 13 & up. Join us in the Community Meeting Room for an afternoon of coloring your cares away! Coloring pages and utensils will be provided, or BYOCB (Bring Your Own Coloring Book).
Virtual Author Talk with Kate Beaton. Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00
NYT Bestselling Cartoonist of Hark! A Vagrant! and Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands
See More and Register
Virtual Job Search and Networking Group for age 50 and Older. Every other Wednesday.
If you are age 50+, unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your “Encore Career”, this networking group program is perfect for you. Remember, 85% of jobs are found through networking!
· Wednesday Morning sessions from 9:30 – 11:30. Sign Up at https://tinyurl.com/h6x3csjm
April 5-- Create A Linkedin Profile
April 19 -- Linkedin and Personal Branding
· Wednesday Evening sessions from 6:00–8:00 Sign Up at https://tinyurl.com/yu2th934
April 12-- Create A LinkedIn Profile
April 26 -- LinkedIn and Personal Branding
Virtual Adult Writers Group. Saturday, April 8 at 11:30.
Limited to 6 participants. Register by clicking here. Writing workshops give writers of all experience the chance to foster their writing in an environment geared towards improvement. Writers come with work they have already written and share it with peers who then provide feedback (positive and constructive). This general workshop accepts all writing. A facilitator from InfinityEd will be here to guide conversation.
Job Seekers and Networking Group. Tuesdays, April 11 & 25 at 10:00.
Come and get the information you need to find that position you are looking for! Network and find like-minded individuals to help you achieve your goals. In the Trustees Room.
Lost Towns of the Swift River Valley with author Elena Palladino. Wednesday, April 12 at 6:30
Palladino’s new book tells the story of a community that was displaced to make room for a new Boston water supply, and conveys what was lost in the name of progress. The book covers the historical period from the 1860s to the 1940s, telling the stories of those who had to leave for the reservoir to be filled.
Spanish Conversation Circle. Saturday, April 15 at 10:30
An opportunity for Spanish speakers to practice their language skills. Participants should have some basic conversational skills to join the group. This is not a language class.
Maureen Shea Presents: Library Dances. Saturday, April 15 at 11:00
Words are to the writer, what movement vocabulary is to the dancer. Writers craft phrases, dancers craft choreography. Both artists improvise at some point during their artistic process. Dancing and writing are temporal & timeless, concrete & ephemeral, meditative & explosive. Each performance will be presented in three parts: a dance poem; a dance essay; and the chapter of a dance novel.
Leo Lebonte presents: One of the Power Houses of South Hadley. Wednesday, April 19 at 6:30
Historian Leo Labonte will highlight the industrial and retail beginnings of the Town of South Hadley, including its artistic and innovative industrial pioneers.
Author Talk: Have Comb Will Travel with Jean Loretta Dietrich. Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30
In her new novel, Dietrich details how at how middle-aged Joanna, a well-known hairstylist from Vermont, is doing on the exciting "hair competition circuit." She finds that travel and challenge bring her a whole new busy life and a chance at love a second time around. Follow her in her travels all over the USA, France, and Italy.
Virtual Author Talk with William Kent Krueger. Thursday, April 27 at 8:00
New York Times Bestselling Author of Ordinary Grace, This Tender Land, and Lightning Strike
See More and Register
Hello Sunshine Book Club. Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30
Are you a fan of the books chosen by Reese Witherspoon for her Hello Sunshine book club? Join other readers for a monthly discussion focusing on popular selections. The May title is Group by Christie Tate and copies will be available for pickup in April.
Teen Programs at SHPL (for ages 11 through High School unless specified)
Teen Advisory Board: Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 4 at 4:00
Come join the Teen Advisory Board. Open to those ages 13 through High School. Help plan library programs that you want! Meetings take place once or twice a month. Meetings are held in the Trustees Meeting Room unless noted.
Xbox in the Afternoon
Teens, come to the Teen Room and play our Xbox1! Experience some new games and old favorites! No sign up is ever needed.
· Thursday, April 13 at 4:00
· Tuesday, April 18 at 4:00
Teen Mystery Program. Wednesday, April 19 at 3:00
Teens come and check out our surprise Mystery Program! All items provided. No sign up needed! This program will take place in the Teen Room.
Teen Takeaways: Cootie Catcher Poetry
Enjoy our monthly Teen Takeaways. Sign up once and receive a new Takeaway every month. A craft with all supplies and directions provided, as well as some other goodies in each bag. No monthly meetings or online meetings! Craft on your own time with no pressure or stress. This month's Teen Takeaway features Cootie Catcher Poetry!
Children’s Programs at SHPL
Monthly Take & Make Craft: CLOTHESPIN WHALE
Children up to age 10 are welcome to stop in for our monthly Take & Make craft. This month we are offering a CLOTHESPIN WHALE. NO pre-registration is needed. Just pop into the Children’s Room and grab a bag. Supplies are limited so ONE per child please so more kids will be able to participate. Craft bags are available from April 1, while supplies last.
Reading Buddies with Duchess & Gwen
Duchess the Yorkshire terrier and Gwen the greyhound are reading therapy dogs from Bright Spot Therapy Dogs. Kids in kindergarten and above can schedule a 15-minute time slot to read to one of them. Duchess will be here on Mondays, April 3 & 24 from 6:00 to 7:00. Gwen will be here on Wednesday, April 26 from 3:30 to 5:00. Pre-registration IS required. Parents or caretakers can sign their children up by either calling the library at 413-538-5045 or stopping into the library. If all time slots are filled feel free to give your information for future visits.
Chess Club for Kids & Teens RETURNS!
Children and teens are invited to join us for our returning Chess Club beginning on Wednesday, April 12 at 4:00. Any skill level from beginner to advanced can participate. Instructor Andy Morris-Friedman will teach how to use all the pieces and winning strategies. Each session runs for an hour and a half. Sessions will be held on April 12, 19, May 3, 10 & 17. Children in grade 3 and below must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is not required but encouraged. Call the library at 413-538-5045 or stop in to reserve your spot. Adults welcome if space permits.
SCHOOL VACATION WEEK, April 18 – 21
BINGO for Kids and Teens
Perennial favorite Bingo is back for school vacation week. On Tuesday, April 18 at 2:00 kids will be able to play eight exciting games of Bingo with cool prizes for winning Bingos. NO pre-registration needed – just come to the Community Meeting Room.
Moomaw Jackson Family Concert
Mark “Moomaw” Jackson will present an interactive family concert especially geared for young children and their grownups on Tuesday, April 18 at 10:30. Moomaw sings humorous original songs. He uses amusing gags and props to entertain the youngsters that attend. NO pre-registration needed. Join us in the Community Meeting Room.
Wingmasters Birds of Prey
Back by popular demand is Julie Collier of Wingmasters along with approximately a half dozen different birds of prey including owls and hawks. Julie will present her always exciting program on Thursday, April 20 at 1:00. This program is open to ages 6 through adult. Please respect the minimum age limit as the wild birds are disturbed by the normal actions and sounds of younger children. NO pre-registration needed – just come to the Community Meeting Room.
Yoga for Kids & Tweens
Children ages 7 to 12 can sign up for an introductory yoga class geared especially for them. Certified yoga instructor Barbara Paulo will lead participants in this special class on Friday, April 21 at 10:30. Participants will learn about mindfulness and more. Space is limited, so sign up soon! To pre-register, stop into the library or call us at 413-538-5045.
Pre-K/Kindergarten Readiness Event featuring Eshu Bumpus
The Coordinated Family & Community Engagement program (CFCE) will be presenting a Pre-K & Kindergarten Readiness event on Thursday, April 27 at 4:00. Families from South Hadley and Granby, with children who will be entering Pre-K or Kindergarten, are welcome to attend. There will be representatives from CFCE, the Granby and South Hadley schools and libraries, as well as other various family organizations. Entertainment will be provided by Eshu Bumpus who will captivate the audience with his songs and African/ African-American folktales. Join us in the Community Room.
Story Time & Rhyme Time
Families are invited to join us for Story Time every Monday and Thursday morning at 10:30 for an assortment of picture books followed by an age-appropriate craft or other fun activity. While geared for birth to age 5, we welcome older children to participate if desired. Join us in the Storytime/Craft Room.
Our youngest patrons and their grownups are encouraged to come to Rhyme Time every Tuesday morning at 10:30. Participants can sing and dance during this interactive music-based program. Children from birth through 5 or 6 will enjoy this fun activity. Rhyme Time takes place in the Community Meeting Room.
CFCE Wednesday Playgroup
Every Wednesday we host Dana from the Coordinated Family Community Engagement Program who presents a fun filled program with stories, games, circle time, music & more for children from birth to 5. Older siblings are always welcome to attend too. Playgroups take place at 10:30 except on the first Wednesday of the month when the playgroup will take place at 3:30. Watch the library website for what the weekly themes will be and join us in the Children’s Room.
COMING MAY 1: Tomas Eaglebear, Native American Dance Program
On May 1 at 10:30 we will be hosting Tomas Eaglebear who will present a program including Native American songs and dances. He will also introduce to families in attendance some indigenous teachings and practices from the Southwest along with displaying pelts and other items. Although this is primarily a children’s program, ALL ages are welcome to attend. Join us in the Community Room.
Gaylord Library Programs for Adults
Virtual Sit and Stitch with Timna Tarr. Thursday April 6 at 6:00. NOTE DATE CHANGE
Log in and spend an evening with your crafty neighbors. Bring your portable handwork of choice - quilting, crocheting, knitting, cross-stitch etc. - and enjoy the company of fellow slow stitchers while you work on your project from the comfort of your own home. Registration required. Timna Tarr is a professional quilter and South Hadley resident whose work has been in numerous exhibits, books, and magazines. The event is limited to 8 people.
Craft Supplies Swap. Thursday, April 13 at 6:00
Got craft supplies that you'll never use, but you know that someone else would LOVE? Bring your unused yarn, scrapbook paper, jewelry wire, knitting needles, embroidery thread, craft tools, etc.... and go home with someone else's! (Please note that we don't have storage space to keep large supplies, so if you bring fabric yardage or bags of yarn, you will have to take it back with you if it doesn't find a new home during the swap.)
Not Just Knitters. Friday, April 14 at 3:00
Bring your crochet, needlepoint, felting, hand-quilting and, yes, knitting! Share your crafting know-how, browse a selection of crafty books full of new skills, or just enjoy stitching in the Gaylord rotunda! Adults, teens, and children ages 10+ are welcome.
MHC Painting Exhibition & Reception. Thursday, April 20 at 6:00
Mount Holyoke College Studio Art Department and the Gaylord Memorial Library are pleased to present Paintings in Circulation, an exhibition showcasing artworks by spring 2023 Painting 1 taught by Associate Professor Lisa Iglesias. Joining the tradition of the book cover as subject matter, each student spent time observing and researching a tome of their choice at the Gaylord Memorial Library. The students then created renditions of the book covers in the form of acrylic paintings on stretched canvas, which are now available for checkout from any library in the CWMars network (a system made up of over 100 member libraries across MA) until September 2023. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 20 at 6:00pm and the books will be on display until they have been processed and are ready to circulate.
Crafter's UFO Party. Friday, April 28 at 3:00
Do you have a UFO... an UnFinished Object? Whether you want to seek advice on the perfect bind-off, or just need the moral support to finish a lingering project, we'd love to see you there. And if you don't have any pesky UFOs (good for you!), you can browse the craft books for a new project, or enjoy the company.
Gaylord Library Programs for Kids:
Story Stroll: What To Do With A Stick
Once the weather is warm enough, look for our first Story Stroll of 2023. Families will be able to enjoy What To Do With A Stick, written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Paolo Domeniconi.
Story Time with Miss Janet. Fridays at 10:30
Join Miss Janet Friday mornings at 10:30 for story time and a craft.
Drop-in Craft for Kids ages 5+. Thursdays, April 6 & 20 from 3:00-6:00
Visit the children's room anytime between 3-6pm and join Miss Janet for a special craft activity (for ages 5+). No registration necessary.
Lego Club. Thursdays, April 13 & 27 from 3:00-6:00
Build with Lego! If you like creating with various sizes and types of Lego bricks, stop by the library anytime between 3-6pm. Age 12 and under. No registration necessary.
Family Program: BYO Board Games. Thursday, April 27 at 6:00
Bring a board game (or card game) from home, and find players here! Ages 10+.
Need Books Delivered? Check out our Homebound Delivery Service
The Gaylord Memorial Library continues to offer a Homebound Delivery Service to residents of South Hadley who have health or transportation issues. Books and other library materials are delivered and picked up on a monthly basis. If you, or someone you know would like to learn more and sign up for Homebound Delivery, please visit: https://gaylordlibrary.org/homebound-delivery/ or call 538-5047.
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Enjoy your day,
Joe