November 30, 2009

Shop at Amherst Books this Saturday and help the Jones Library


Do your holiday book shopping at Amherst Books this Saturday and you'll be helping the library buy books at the same time! Once again, Amherst Books is donating a portion of their sales for the day to the Friends of the Jones Library! They are located at 8 Main Street. Here's their web site for further information. Thank you, thank you Amherst Books!!

October 6, 2009

The Jones Library was at the town parade!




Children and adults carried colorful banners celebrating the town libraries at the 250th anniversary parade on September 27th. In spite of the rain, the banners looked great!

September 22, 2009

Fundraising for the Jones at the Harp on October 4th



Join the fun at the Harp on October 4th!
Come celebrate our libraries!
Help re-open the Jones on Friday afternoons!


All-You-Can-Eat Barbecue

The Harp
163 Sunderland Rd.,
North Amherst


Sunday, October 4th
12 noon to 5 p.m.

Rain or shine

Live Celtic music
Games for kids


Tickets $20 for adults, $10 for children
On Sale at the Children's Desk at the Jones Library



Tickets are contributions to the Jones Library, Inc. and qualify for a $3000 anonymous matching grant. $11,000 reopens the Jones on Friday afternoons from Oct. 9th to June 2010.

Many thanks to our co-sponsors: Mark "Harpo" Power and Collective Copies.

June 16, 2009

Museum Passes all over New England!

Are you aware of all the museum passes that the Friends sponsor for patrons of the Jones?
You can pick up the passes, or reserve a pass for the date that you're planning to visit one of the museums, at the Children's Desk in the Jones Library. Here's the list. Click on any museum to go to the institution's home page to check on hours, exhibits, directions, etc. Start exploring all the wonderful resources in and around Amherst!
Amherst History Museum - Strong House
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Forest Park Zoo
Historic Deerfield
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston
MassMOCA in North Adams
MA State Parks
Mystic Seaport in Mystic CT
Smith College Museum of Art
Springfield Museums
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown
Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford CT

May 11, 2009

Mother's Day Projects on Saturday


Happy Mother's Day!

Here is a photo of the Friends' birdfeeder/birdbath project which was organized by Sterling Bush.
All the children chose their own decorative tea cup and saucer and went home with a hand wrapped gift for Mother's Day.

April 24, 2009

New Pastel Painting Workshop in June



How to Pastel Paint As Impressionists:
Monet’s Magic Garden

A Pastel Workshop for adults with award-winning pastel painter Gregory Maichack (www.GregoryMaichack.com)

Tuesday
June 9, 2009
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
at the Jones Library
43 Amity Street, Amherst MA

All materials included: pastels ( Nupastels & Rembrandts), Canson
pastel paper, & pastel pencils.
No Experience Needed.
Seating may fill quickly so call (413)- 259–3090



This program is supported in part by the Friends of the Jones Library and by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

March 4, 2009

Every 2nd Grader A Reader Program


This spring, the Friends are once again sponsoring a program that introduces every 2nd grade student in the Amherst public schools to the Jones Library and encourages them to get a library card. Each 2nd grade class is bussed to the library on a Monday morning, where the students are treated to a tour of the children's rooms, a snack, a story and paperback book of their choice to take home. Volunteers from the Friends serve the snack and show the students how to paste a bookplate in the front of the book they choose. Those who don't already have a library card can sign up for one and can take their cards to Barts for a free ice cream cone! This very popular program is underwritten by funds from the Giles-Santangelo Fund. The Friends would like to thank Tina Harding at Barts and the staff at Barnes and Noble for their support of this program.

250th Anniversary Daffodils


Keep watching for the daffodils that the Friends donated to celebrate the town's 250th Anniversary! They should be blooming soon all around the library building.

Valentine Baskets


Once again, the annual Valentine Basket silent auction at the Jones has been a resounding success! We have raised over $5000 for the library, thanks to donations from many local businesses and supporters and the efforts of many volunteers. A huge thank you to everyone, and especially to our wonderful coordinator, Michele Santangelo, who did an outstanding job in her first year managing this event.

February 3, 2009

New Spring 2009 Beastly Abodes Programs

Beastly Abodes & Caches for Backyard Wildlife

The Friends of the Jones Library are sponsoring a new series of wildlife programs this spring, some for children, some for all ages.
Help the birds construct their nests and nourish a variety of backyard songbirds and learn about larger animals. Each program will begin with a talk, followed by a workshop in which each person independently builds a feeder or nest helper that they will take home. Instructors will be available to help participants. All sessions will take place in the Large Meeting Room (downstairs) of the Jones Library. Pre-registration is required. There is a fee for materials for some Beastly Abodes & Caches programs due at registration. Scholarships are available; please see the Children’s Librarian. The Turkey and Coyote talks are FREE.

Spring Sessions:

Let’s Talk Turkey MARCH 21st FREE 3:00–5:00 PM All ages are welcome.
(Lecture & Demonstration): Space is limited in the Large Meeting Room downstairs.
Ron Gleason, of the Pioneer Valley National Turkey Federation will speak about turkeys that live in western Massachusetts and different species elsewhere. He along with Doug Little, Regional Biologist, will focus on conservation and habitat, learning about their vast territories, and how they live trap the birds in the wild for transport elsewhere. A demonstration of different turkey calls will be heard. This will be a ½ hour power point presentation. There will be a question and answer period following the lecture.


Nesting Balls (easy): MARCH 28th 3:00 – 5:00 PM $3.00
Limited to 15 Ages 4 and up ** Must Pre-register**
We will help the birds build their nests. Birds use anything soft and naturally bendable to construct a bowl shaped nest for the eggs that are sure to come soon. This will be the home for young chicks for several months while they are growing. We will construct hanging balls with simple items from the around the house. Other ideas will be presented.


Coyote Talk: APRIL 18th FREE 3:00–5:00 PM All ages are welcome.
(Lecture & Demonstration) Space is limited in the Large Meeting Room downstairs.

Laura Hajduk, Wildlife Biologist with MA Div of Fisheries & Wildlife, will talk about the Coyotes that live our area. Her talk will focus on rural to urban movements, conservation and habitat, learning about their vast territories. How to avoid conflicts with this curious animal with the homeowner and how this creature is misunderstood. This will be a power point presentation including photo on coyotes. There will be a question and answer period following the lecture.

Garden Tea Cup Feeder (easy): MAY 9th 3:00–5:00 PM $5.00
( great Mother’s Day gift ) Limited to 20 Ages 4 and up ** Must Pre-register**
Learn how your backyard birds enjoy a splash and a drink of water plus nibble on seeds. A selection of seeds will be presented and which seeds are the best for which birds. We will construct stakes with a cup and a saucer that can be placed in the garden to nourish the birds in the summer months and show a little whimsy among the flowers.