The Bookcase     ||     February 2021     ||     Agawam Library
We Are Going to the Birds this Month!

All  month long, the library will be promoting and counting along with the Great Backyard Bird Count. We will be highlighting our involvement with Cornell, The National Audubon Society and Birds Canada to highlight the world's love of birds. 
 
Between February 12 and 15, our patrons of all ages are invited to take an active part in getting out and counting the birds you see. All it takes is 15 minutes of being outdoors and recording the number of birds using the eBird Mobile App or the eBird website. (BirdCount.org) There is even the Merlin Bird ID mobile app to help identify birds. Families can enjoy spending time on an easy hike or walk in a local park, or simply count birds in their own backyards. 
 
Our staff would LOVE to see the birds that you come across over this four-day period. Please email photos to Laura Paul to be included on our website and social media platforms. Laura's email address is lpaul@agawamlibrary.org 
 
The library will also highlight bird-related materials in our collections and provide a Grab & Go Craft with the supplies to make your own birdseed ornaments. The author of Birder on Berry Lane, Robert Tougias, will also talk about his book on February 11th. See below for details on all of our programming this month. Stay tuned to our social media throughout the month for more resources!
 
For more information on our Bird Count programming, please contact Laura Paul. 413-789-1550 X8858. 
Author Talk Robert Tougias
Author Talk with Robert Tougias
Birder of Berry Lane
Thursday, February 11 @ 7:00 p.m. 
This is a virtual program. It will be held on Zoom.

Nature writer Tougias celebrates the avian visitors to his suburban Connecticut backyard in this affecting chronicle. He shares scientific information about birds’ life cycles, habitats sometimes imperiled by development, and identifying features, such as their distinctive calls—the sparrow’s trills, catbird’s meow, and owl’s hoots. (Publisher's Weekly)
 
Robert Tougias is the author of Birding Western Massachusetts, and Quest for the Eastern Cougar. His nature articles have appeared in articles across New England, and his birding column runs regularly in the New London Day News.
 
Please register here. Emails with the Zoom link will be sent on the day of the program. 
 
Adult Grab & Go Craft 
Let's spread a little love this month with Birdseed Ornaments and Heart-Shaped Book Folding!
 
Included in your bag are supplies to create Birdseed Ornaments to hang outside for our feathered friends ( an probably the furry ones too). Keep track of the type of birds you see during the Great Backyard Bird Count. The library has many resources to help you identify them. All you will need to provide are come cooking spray and a muffin pan.
 
The book folding craft creates a nice gift for yourself or someone special.  Pages are folded according to specific measurements and the result is a 3-D heart in the middle of the book!      A pencil and ruler with centimeters are provided.  You will need supplies from home if you wish to decorate the finished project.
 
Craft bags are limited and you will be notified when yours is ready to pick up.  Bags will be located in the lobby inside the bins and will be held for one week.
 
Sign-ups begin February 1, 2021 and continue through February 14, 2021 or until slots are full. Click here to register. 
 
Brushing Up Your Resume? Let Jackie help!
Just a Reminder!

When you receive notification that your holds are ready, please give us a day to get them ready for you. 
 
Those notifications are automatically sent from C/W Mars and we cannot edit the message. 
 
On our slowest days, we process 100 or more holds. We just need a little time to get them checked out, bagged up and brought to the lobby for your convenience. 
 
Thanks for your patience!
February Book Discussion Groups
Visit www.agawamlibrary.org to register!
February 2 @ 7:00 p.m

Swans of Fifth Avenue
by Melanie Benjamin
February 22 @ 7:00 p.m.

Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo
by Zora Neale Hurston
February 24 @ 2:00 p.m.

Audacity of Hope
by Barack Obama
 
Friends of the Library First Open Juried Virtual Photography Show

The Friends of the Agawam Library will be holding their first virtual photography show this month. For a complete list of winners, please visit their online gallery. Friends of the Library Photography
 
Library Announcements
The Library will be closed on Monday, February 15th for Presidents' Day.
 
In the event of inclement winter weather, please tune in to or log-on to Channel 22 (WWLP) or Channel 40 (WGGB/WSHM).
Tax Season Begins! Tax forms will be available inside the library's front lobby. It is not necessary to make an  appointment to come in and pick up forms. However, if you need tax form assistance, please make an appointment to visit the Reference Desk for help. We will be carrying the IRS 1040 forms and instructions and the Massachusetts Form 1. 
Follow us on social media!
Call 413-789-1550 to make an appointment to browse our collections or use a computer!
Agawam Library
750 Cooper St
Agawam, Massachusetts 01001
(413) 789-1550
https://www.agawamlibrary.org/