Join us on in the Coolidge Museum and the Hosmer Gallery for history, music, and food to celebrate the centennial of Calvin Coolidge's Presidency! [Moved indoors due to the weather.] On August 2, 1923, Vice-President Coolidge was vacationing at his father's farm in Plymouth Notch, Vermont when he was notified by telegram of the death of President Harding. On August 3, 1923 at 2:47 AM, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in by his father, Colonel John Coolidge, a notary public.
Favorite hand pies of the Coolidge Family made by Florence Pie Bar will be for sale and Plymouth Cheese and 1920s mocktails will be served.
A new introductory film by Stan Sherer will debut in the Coolidge Museum.
Northampton band O-Tones will perform 1920s themed music.
Hosmer Gallery Seeks Artist Applications for 2024
Forbes Library is excited to invite exhibit proposals for the Hosmer Gallery! We’ll be planning exhibits for February 2024 through February 2025.
Applications close: September 8, 2023, 6 pm The schedule will be finalized in October.
The Hosmer Art Gallery, which opened in 2002, is designed to provide opportunities for local artists to show their work to the public. Exhibits include a wide range of media and content reflecting the diversity of the greater Northampton community. The Hosmer Gallery has versatile display panels, cases and pedestals to accommodate a variety of two- and three-dimensional art formats. We offer an inclusive space that builds community and belonging. Artists living and working in western Massachusetts (Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin and Berkshire counties) are eligible to apply. First-time exhibitors, individuals and groups are welcome. We value diversity and inclusivity in our gallery exhibitions. Criteria for review include technical and artistic quality, a coherent theme, and contribution to an interesting and varied program for the year.
Find the online applicationand information for prospective exhibitors on our website.
Library Programs
Visit our online calendar to see a complete list of library events. Filter using the category "VIRTUAL" to find events that can be attended remotely.
Based in Western Massachusetts, Tom Knight has been delighting children and their grown-ups with his original, interactive, musical puppet show since 1988. His unique blend of musicianship and puppetry celebrates reading (“The Library Boogie”), the environment (“The Garbage Monster”), and science (“The Solar System”), with hand-made puppets, catchy songs, and lots of audience participation.
The vibrant and amusing visual elements appeal to children as young as 2, while fun lyrics engage children up to twelve, and adults, too! Tom has performed more than 1000 times at libraries, schools, pre-schools, summer camps, museums, and festivals across the country. He just released his 6th studio album for families - Look Both Ways!
Thank you to The Friends of Forbes Library for sponsoring this event.
Cinema Northampton returns with Encanto, an animated musical fantasy from 2021.
*We encourage you to bring drinks, snacks, bug spray, flashlights, lawn chairs, blankets and light sabers to these free outdoor screenings. *If a screening is postponed due to rain we will update the Facebook event page. *We will have subtitles on. *We will have a bathroom open in the library. *Screening times are based on when the sun sets. The screen can not be seen during daylight.
Cinema Northampton is a collaborative film screening project between Northampton Open Media, Forbes Library, and the City of Northampton.
Join us on Tuesday, August 1, 6:00-8:00pm for Writers Night Out with featured writer D.K. McCutchen.
No registration required. If you want to participate in Open Mic and read, please sign up by 5:50pm. Ten names will be randomly selected. Each reader will have five minutes. The second half of the evening showcases our Featured Reader.
Hosted by Jacqueline Sheehan, Rick Paar and Beth Filson.
Far Out Film Discussion will meet in the Community room at 6:30 to talk about 1975's Wolf Guy, a bonkers mix of ultra-1970's style, horror, action and sci-fi from Japanese director Kazuhiko Yamaguchi.
You can stream this film on Kanopyusing your Forbes library card.
Tarot offers a pictorial representation of our soul’s journey through this lifetime. The cards depict our emotional and spiritual landscape and provide insight into our innermost selves. Readings validate our intuitive knowledge, help us gain confidence, and open us up to greater awareness. Come with questions or general curiosity to a 10-15 minute tarot reading with tarot reader Laura Campagna. Recommended for teens and young adults.
In addition to this newsletter, we have several other lists you can sign up for to receive news about film programs at the library, new and bestselling books, local history events, and more.