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Showing posts from 2012

The Twelve Days of Christmas

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a well known holiday carol, whose familiar verses and repetitions seem to conjure an extended, jolly English holiday party.  Yet some scholars think the lyrics hold deeper symbolic meaning and tell a coded story.  Dr. Thomas Bernard will lead us on an exploration of the meaning behind the two turtledoves, the lords a-leaping, and all their friends.  Please join us in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 2:30 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012. Dr. Thomas Bernard is a professor emeritus of psychology at Springfield College.  Having become intrigued by the lyrics of the carol, he began to research the words, their meanings, and the evolution of the song from its earliest manuscript.  He is the author of a book on this project, “The Twelve Days of Christmas: the Mystery and the Meaning,” published by University Press Division of St. Charles Place. Free and open to the public.  For m...

jubilat/Jones makes Top 10 Reading Series list!!

Did you hear?  LitBridge just named the jubilat/Jones poetry series on of the " Top 10 Reading Series in the Northeast! " The money you donate to the Friends goes directly to programming like this.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay book discussion

Please join us tonight, Thursday, December 13, 2012; 7-8:30pm; in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library as Ilan Stavans, Amherst College, will lead a discussion of   The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and   Clay , by Michael Chabon. To see the list of upcoming discussion books which will be a part of this scholar-led series, as well as book reviews, please go to:   http://guides.library.umass. edu/peopleofthebook Hope to see you there!

Please give!

It’s 12.12.12, which means it’s Valley Gives Day!  Please consider a gift to the Jones Library!  Just click here and you're on your way to making the Jones & its branches even more amazing!

The Jones closes Friday, Dec.7, at 3 pm!

This is the North Amherst Library.  It is filled with awesomeness. The Jones Library will close at 3 pm tomorrow Friday, December 7, 2012 so that library staff can attend the annual Town Employee Holiday Party. Which is excellent because they deserve a terrific holiday party filled with egg nog and gingerbread cookies with lots of redhots. But, because the North Amherst Branch Library is full of awesomeness , they will remain open so that residents can still take advantage of Amherst library services that afternoon.  Stop by the North Amherst Branch and bring the librarians some holiday cheer!

Valley Gives on 12-12-12

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (12-12-12), thousands of area residents are going to show their support for their favorite nonprofit during VALLEY GIVES.  Valley Gives is a one-day virtual e-philanthropy  event that encourages residents of Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties to contribute to their favorite nonprofit organizations through a   single online giving platform on December 12, 2012.  On that day, every donation and donor we get will go further to help us claim our share of more than $150,000 in cash   awards. This is going to be a big event, and everyone will be talking about who they’re supporting.  So, we need you to help us with these three things: 1.         Mark 12-12-12 on your calendar and add this giving link:   http://valleygives.razoo.com/ story/Jones-Library 2.         Follow the Jones on Facebook  ( facebook.com/jon...

Betsy Ross and the Making of America

On Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 7pm in the Woodbury Room, American history comes to the Jones Library  in this presentation about Betsy Ross.   Betsy Ross is one of the best known, and most misunderstood, figures in the history of the American Revolution.  Renowned as the maker of the nation’s first flag, Elizabeth Griscom Ross Ashburn Claypoole worked for more than five decades as a Philadelphia upholsterer.  Dr. Marla Miller, author of  Betsy Ross and the Making of America , will explore the life of Betsy Ross, in search of the woman behind the legend.   This is the first program in a new Town/Gown Discussion Series by The Jones Library and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  Look for two additional programs this coming spring as the series continues. Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223 .

If you love us...

...like us!  Just click here to "Like" the new Friends of the Jones Library System Facebook page!

Books Into Films series

The Amherst Cinema and the Jones Library have joined forces to create a new series titled "Books Into Films."  For each title chosen, the Jones Library will hold a discussion, and the Amherst Cinema will show the film. The first selection in this series is "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy. *  The 2012 film version of "Anna Karenina" starring Academy Award- nominated actress Keira Knightley (Rated R; 130 minutes) will be playing at the Amherst Cinema from Friday, November 30, 2012 through Thursday, December 6, 2012.  Click here for more information and to buy tickets online:   http://amherstcinema.org/ films-and-events/anna-karenina *  On Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 7pm in the Trustees Room of the Jones Library, Dr. Boris Wolfson, assistant professor of Russian at Amherst College, will lead us in an exploration of "Anna Karenina," the world of the novel, the quest of its author, and some of the earlier attempts to reconstruct an...

North Amherst & Cushman talk

Local history comes to the Jones Library on Saturday, December 1, 2012  at 2:30pm in the Woodbury Room.  Local historian Patricia Holland will  speak on her newly released book, entitled “North Amherst & Cushman,”  from the Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing, a publishing  house which focuses on local history. Holland and co-author William Robinson will give a talk and  presentation of the images used in the book, as well as other images  that were not included. Images used in the book came from a variety of sources, including  local residents and the University of Massachusetts.  The majority of  images were from the Special Collections archive at the Jones  Library. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing.  The  profits from the sale of the books will be donated to support the  Special Collections Department of the Jones Library. Free and open to the public.  For more informat...

Give books away. Please.

What do My Antonia , Bossypants , and The Phantom Tollbooth all have in common? Find out as a part of  World Book Night 2013 ! Want to make a little difference in someone's life?  Give a small piece of happiness to a stranger?  Promote reading to folks who might not otherwise pick up a book? Be part of World Book Night 2013 ! It's free!  It's easy!  And you'll be happy you did it!   World Book Night .  Spreading the love of reading, person to person. (Kind of like the Friends.)

jubilat/Jones Reading Series

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"The Giver" book discussion

Please join us on Thursday, November 15, 2012; 7-8:30pm; in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library as Barbara Goldin, children's book author and Director of the Edwards Library in Southampton, leads us in a discussion of the book "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. To see the list of upcoming discussion books which will be a part of this scholar-led series, as well as book reviews, please go to http://guides.library.umass.edu/peopleofthebook Hope to see you there!

Osteoporosis discussion at the Jones

Please join us on Thursday, November 8, 2012; 7-8:30pm at The Jones  Library, Inc. to learn: •  What causes osteoporosis? •  What laboratory tests are used for evaluating bone loss? •  Why nutritional support for bone health requires more than calcium  and vitamin D. •  How to take a balanced, multidisciplinary approach to bone health. This program will be presented by Dr. R. Keith McCormick, chiropractic  physician, competitive athlete and author of "The Whole Body Approach  to Osteoporosis: How to Improve Your Bone Strength and Reduce Your  Fracture Risk." This program is free and open to the public. For more information, please call  413-259-3132 .

No Room For Wishing

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Ed2go online classes

The Jones Library is very pleased to offer patrons access to a new lifelong learning resource called Ed2go. If you are a Jones Library cardholder, you can now take free instructor-led online courses from your home or office — at whatever times are most convenient for you! Choose from over 300 online courses on topics such as: Personal Finance, Creative Writing & Memoir Writing, Website & Graphic Design, Test Preparation, Grant Writing, Computer Skills & Programming, Accounting & Business Skills, Digital Photography, Resume Writing & Job Searching, Genealogy Research, Gardening, and much more! Expert instructors develop, lead, and interact with students in each course. All courses run for six weeks (with a two-week grace period at the end). Courses are project-oriented and include lessons, quizzes, hands-on assignments, discussion areas, supplementary links, and a final exam. And the best part is: you can complete your course work anytime — day or nig...

Grand opening celebration!

Please join us for the grand opening celebration of the Woodbury Room  of the Jones Library! Tuesday, October 9, 2012; 5-7pm; Woodbury Room Join members of the Amherst community in honoring Nathalie and Richard  Woodbury, two generous donors whose gift enabled the renovation of the  Jones Library. Hope to see you there!

Baseball and race -- Oct. 13th

Saturday, Oct. 13, 1:00 pm, Jones Library, Amherst: “The Mighty Jim Crow has Struck Out! The Story of How a Small New England Town Embraced the African-American Ball Player,” a talk by Dan Genovese .    The author of two books about 19th century baseball in Western Massachusetts,   The Old Ball Ground: The Chronological History of Westfield Baseball, Vol. 1   and  The Old Ball Ground: Volume 2: Town Teams & Bush Leaguers,   Genovese is captain and co-founder of the   Westfield Wheelmen Vintage Base Ball Club .    He is also the author of   Rough House,   a look at professional basketball in the early 20th century.  Genovese was born in Westfield and has played all levels of baseball in Westfield from Little League to college to   Vintage Base Ball .  He is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) . The event is co-sponsored by Jones Library and UMass Amherst.

We need your bedrooms!

The Friends of The Jones Library System organize a program titled "Beds For Books."  Program hosts open their homes to the families of students at the Colleges during Family Weekends in October and Commencement in May. All of the money collected goes to the book fund of the Amherst Town Libraries. The Friends are in desperate need of more hosts!  They especially need accommodations for parents on the following Family Weekends: *  October 12-14 *  October 26-28 Even if you can only host for one night, the Friends would love to have you! In order to register, or for more information, please call call the "Beds for Books" line at   413-259-3184   or click here http://www.joneslibrary.org/ friends/beds.html    and complete the "Host Registration Form" at the bottom of the page.

Woodbury Room grand opening celebration!

Please join the party!   OnTuesday Oct. 9th, from 5-7, we will be celebrating Natalie and Richard Woodbury's wonderful donation to the Friends of the Jones Library.  Come see the newly renovated Woodbury Room in the lower level of the Jones Library.  Enjoy light refreshments.  See old friends.  We hope to see you there. (Please click on the invitation to enlarge.)

Amherst Biennial 2012

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A Tale of Love and Darkness

Please join us on Thursday, September 13, 2012; 7-8:30pm; in the  Amherst Room of The Jones Library as Lisa Lieberman, author and  historian, leads us in a discussion of the book "A Tale of Love and  Darkness" written by Amos Oz. This is the first in a series of scholar-led book discussions which  will be held at The Jones Library.  To see the list of upcoming  discussion books as well as book reviews, please go to  http://guides.library.umass. edu/peopleofthebook Hope to see you there!

Jones Library Classics book club

The Jones Library Classics book club will meet to discuss Henry James "Portrait of a Lady" on Wednesday October 17th, 24th, and 31st from 2:00 to 4:00 in the Jones Library Trustees Room. Anyone can participate. Sign up and get a copy of the book at the Jones Library Reference   Desk. Please finish the novel by our first meeting. Questions? Contact Seth Rothberg at   rothbergs@joneslibrary.org   or call the Reference Desk at   413-259-3096 .
"Best of the Books" Book Sale on Sept. 13 Find super bargains on high quality books at the Friends "Best of the Books" Book Sale on Thursday, September 13 starting at 4 p.m. in the Atrium of the Jones Library. Hundreds of fiction and non-fiction books for all ages will be available, cu lled from donations received throughout the year. These books are in like new condition and priced at a maximum of $2.00. Children's books will be available at even lower prices.  Come early and shop before the BID Block Party!  This is a one day only event.  All book sale purchases support the collections and programs sponsored by the Friends of the Jones Library System at the Amherst Public Libraries.

Language Development Presentation at the Jones

A presentation for parents interested in learning more about language  development in their children is being  offered at The Jones Library on  Saturday, September 8. A team from the Department of Communication Disorders at the  University of Massachusetts - Amherst will discuss typical language  development from birth to 4 years of age, how to encourage language  and literacy, and how to spot areas of concern.  A question and answer  period will follow the presentation.  Join us in the Amherst Room at  The Jones Library at 2:30 pm. The presenters are from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst.   Gwyneth Rost, Ph.D. CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor in the  Department of Communication Disorders and a certified speech-language  pathologist, with an area of concentration in child language  development.  Erin Andrews is a graduate student in that department,  studying to become a speech pathologist. This ...

Legos! Legos! Legos!

Want to be part of a Lego Club?  If you're between 6-10 years old, come to the Woodbury Room at the Jones Library on Saturday Nov. 10, Dec. 8, and Jan. 12 and build to your heart's content! Got unused Legos?  PLEASE donate them to the Jones.  They are desperately needed and will be very happily used.

Jones Library Closed Monday!

Jones Library Renovations Cause Closings The Jones Library will be  closed all day Monday, Sept. 10 th , to facilitate the flooring installation in the Woodbury Room. The  public restrooms in the lower level will be closed  on Wednesday, September 5 th , and on Thursday, September 6.  This will facilitate new flooring installation adjacent to the Woodbury Room. The Jones Library staff is thrilled to see the progress of the renovations thanks to the forward thinking of the Friends of the Jones Library System.  You can see that progress by going to:  www.joneslibrary.org .

Woodbury Room update

The Large Meeting Room in the basement of the Jones Library is being transformed into the Woodbury Room.  To watch its progress, click here !

Bruins mascot Blades at the Jones Tuesday, July 31!

Bruins mascot "Blades" to visit The Jones Library on Tuesday, July 31,  2012; 3-4pm.  The Jones Library has been selected to receive a special visit from  Boston Bruins mascot "Blades."  The visit will take place in the Large  Meeting Room of the Library. The visit will include a story and craft,  and participants will also receive a "goody bag."  This event is  recommended for ages 4-9. The Boston Bruins have been active partners and advocates for reading  and literacy since 2009 when they joined the Massachusetts Board of  Library Commissioners (MBLC) and the Massachusetts Library System  (MLS) to create “When you read, you score!” Milan Lucic, Tyler Seguin, Brad Marchand and other players also helped  libraries develop Favorite Books of the Boston Bruins, a recommended  reads list, to encourage children and teens to read a variety of books  over the summer. The complete list is available on  mass.gov/li...

17th Annual Amherst Garden Tour & the North Amherst Library

The North Amherst Branch of The Jones Library System will be one of  the stops along this Saturday's (June 30, 2012; 9:30am-4pm) Garden  Tour. Seven other unique gardens will also be featured, including the  historic garden at The Renaissance Center, the award-winning  Permaculture garden at UMASS, and an original garden at the Amity  Place Condominiums. This year's tour will feature artists Edith Hunsberger and Annie  Shaver-Crandell working "en plein air."  See the creative process at  work in an inspirational setting! Tickets are for sale at the following locations: •  A.J. Hastings Inc. •  Andrew's Greenhouse •  Amherst History Museum •  Annie's Garden and Gift Store •  The Hadley Garden Center Tickets are also for sale online. Go to  www.AmherstHistory.org  to buy  your tickets now!

Lemonade and cookies for YOU!

On Monday, June 25, 2012, from 1-5pm, the Jones Library will be serving lemonade to its patrons.  (Bonnie Isman, Former Library Director and current Friend of the Jones, and Tamson Ely, Library Trustee, will be our servers.) We want to thank you , all our patrons, for being so patient during this transition to Evergreen.  We realize how hard it has been on you, and we want to reassure you that the system will get better. Along with the lemonade/cookies, staff members will be available to answer Evergreen questions.  Also, we will have a suggestion box available so that patrons can write down their comments/concerns about the new OPAC; we will forward patron comments on to C/W MARS staff. Come with your questions.  Come with your comments.  Come thirsty!

Workshop Cancellation

Artist Gregory Maichack has canceled the pastel workshop originally scheduled for tomorrow evening.  Those who have signed up can get their refunds at the Main Office in the Jones. With deep apologies, The Friends

Give Me Space!

Celebrate space, reading, and laugh out loud with children’s book  author, Jane Schoenberg , on Saturday, June 16, 2012, at the Basset  Planetarium, Amherst College, 201 Morgan Hall, from 3-4:00pm. For directions to the Plantarium, please click here: https://www.amherst.edu/ museums/bassett/directions Jane will be reading the first story, "Give Me Space," from her new  book, "Stuey Lewis Against All Odds," the sequel to "The One and Only  Stuey Lewis." After the reading there will be a book signing, and a special  planetarium show. This free event, for 5-10 year-olds and their families, is co- sponsored by The Jones Library, Inc. and the Bassett Planetarium of  Amherst College, and will launch The Jones Library's Summer Reading  Program, whose theme this year is "Dream Big: Read."

Still time to sign up!

(click on image to enlarge) Next Thursday's class still has a few openings!  If you want to spend two hours immersed in the art of Georgia O'Keeffe and pastels, sign up by calling 259.3090.

Bay State Clarinet Trio

Tuesday, June 5, 2012; 7pm; The Jones Library Large Meeting Room ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ Please join the Air Force Band of Liberty Bay State Clarinet Trio for a memorable evening of musical entertainment on Tuesday, June 5th at 7pm in the Large Meeting Room of the Jones Library, 43 Amity Street in Amherst. Stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA, these outstanding musicians bring audiences of all ages to their feet with sparkling performances of a program featuring something for all musical tastes: popular, Broadway, patriotic, jazz and folk music, as well as original pieces for clarinet. As professional military musicians, The United States Air Force Band of Liberty is dedicated to using the power of music to inspire Air Force members and the public, producing innovative musical programs and products, and communicating Air Force excellence throughout New England and around the globe. This program is sponsored by the Jones Library and is free and open to the public. For ...