Once again, lovers of gardens and Forbes Library may explore six delightful home gardens featured on this year’s 29th Annual Forbes Library Northampton Garden Tour. The Tour raises funds for the Friends of Forbes Library, Inc. that supports Northampton’s historic public library.
Tour tickets are $20 if bought in advance; tickets are available from May 1 to June 9 at Bay State Perennial Farm (Whately), Cooper’s Corner, State Street Fruit Store, Gardener’s Supply Company/Hadley, Wanczyk’s Nursery and Forbes Library.
Pre-pay on line at www.forbeslibrary.org/friends to reserve tour tickets through Wednesday, June 7, for pick up at Forbes Library ONLY ONThursday afternoon, June 8 from 4-8 pm; Friday, June 9 from 10:00 am-6:00 pm; and Saturday from 10:00 am-1:00 pm.
On Saturday, June 10th, tour day, tickets are $25 and available ONLY at Forbes Library from 10:00-1:00.
The Northampton Garden Tour also offers a raffle of items that appeal to both gardeners and other library supporters. Purchase raffle tickets at Forbes Library starting now and at one of the gardens on the day of the tour.
All proceeds benefit the Friends of Forbes Library, Inc. to support library programs, events, and projects that could not otherwise be funded.
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.
Alastair Moock is a 2013 GRAMMY Nominee, three-time Parents’ Choice Gold Medal Winner, and recipient of the ASCAP Joe Raposo Children’s Music Award. Long one of Boston’s premier folk artists, Alastair turned his attention to family music after the birth of his twins in 2006. The New York Times calls him “a Tom Waits for kids” and The Boston Globe declares that, “in the footsteps of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, Alastair Moock makes real kids music that parents can actually enjoy.” Moock and Friends’ live shows are rowdy, rootsy, singin’ and dancin’ fun for the whole family!
This event will be held on the library lawn. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held indoors in the Community Room.
This program is supported by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Montview Neighborhood Project invites you to join a community read of Rutherford Platt's book, Reclaiming American Cities:The Struggle for People, Place, and Nature since 1900 (University of Massachusetts Press, 2014). Platt is an urban writer and lecturer who lives in Florence. He is Professor Emeritus of Geography at UMass.
Join us for a panel discussion led by Rutherford Platt and inspired by his book.
Join us for a Zoom conversation with Shawna Yang Ryan, author of Green Island, and Smith College professors Sujane Wu and Sara Newland for a discussion of politics and identity in Taiwan and their representation in literature and film, and an audience Q&A with the author about Green Island.
With support from the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations’ Public Intellectuals Program, which is generously funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Join us to do a craft based on Expedition Backyard by Rosemary Mosco! We will meet outside on the library lawn from 4:00-5:00. In the event of rain, we will meet in the community room. Books are available in the children's department to check out. Please email jcornick@forbeslibrary.org with any questions.
Join us on the first Tuesday of each month at Forbes Library for Writers Night Out with a featured writer, Shanta Lee. This event is organized by Straw Dog Writers Guild.
Doesn’t it seem that the more we seek happiness, the more elusive it becomes? There is an easy fix, hiding in plain sight. Fun is an action you can take here and now, practically anywhere, anytime.
The Fun Habit: How the Disciplined Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life is the ultimate guide to reap the serious benefits fun offers. Grounded in current research, accessible science, and practical recommendations, Dr. Rucker will use The Fun Habit strategies to teach you:
How you can build having fun into an actionable and effortless habit; and
Why doing so will help you become a healthier, more joyful, more productive person.
The Fun Habit is an inspiring and motivational guidebook that you will want to share with everyone in your life.
President Warren G. Harding died from a heart attack while visiting San Francisco, nearly 100 years ago on August 2, 1923. Calvin Coolidge was sworn in during an unprecedented ceremony, lit by a kerosene lamp at 2:47 AM at his father's home in Vermont. As the Teapot Dome scandal was percolating, how did Coolidge navigate such a challenging transition? How did others fare upon suddenly stepping into the presidency while a nation grieved? Learn about the historic transition of power of Coolidge and others as we approach the centennial of Coolidge's Presidency.
Tem Blessed will use Hip Hop music, storytelling, and spoken word poetry to explore and promote a culture of peace and love in the community. The 1 hr performance is engaging and relatable to youth in their language while addressing mature concepts of sustainability, empathy, and tolerance. Tem Blessed will challenge the audience to look within themselves, internalizing challenges and values of community and personal responsibility through his presentation and themes found in his graphic novel. The presentation is educational, fun, interactive, and entertaining and great for people ages 9+.
We need picture books, board books, chapter books and YA books! Donations can be brought to the Children's Department at Forbes.
In collaboration with Lilly Library, beautifully refurbished newspaper boxes provide children, teens and adults access to free books in their neighborhoods. Boxes are replenished weekly by staff and volunteers, assuring that they remain neat, clean and easily accessible. Help us to keep these book boxes thriving!
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.
Forbes Library 20 West St Northampton, Massachusetts 01060 (413) 587-1011www.forbeslibrary.org