December 14, 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 more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

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.

December 13, 2012

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: 

Hope to see you there!

December 12, 2012

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!

December 6, 2012

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!

December 4, 2012

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/joneslibraryand Twitter (twitter.com/JonesLibraryMA) and help build the buzz.
3.       Spread the word!  Forward this email to your family and friends, along with a personal note as to why you believe in our work, and why they should give on 12-12-12.

Help spread the excitement.  Tell your friends and family why you think they should help us with their donation.  Please be our champion, and help us see it to the top.  We can’t wait to celebrate the difference your generosity will make on 12-12-12.

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 at413/259-3223.

December 3, 2012

If you love us...


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