May 28, 2013

What have you been missing in the non-fiction lower level of the Jones?

Art!!

Tara Kuzmeskus, Amherst Regional Middle School art teacher, has loaned to the Jones her students’ art work.  Come see what our wonderful teens have created!

When they're famous, you can say you knew them when …

May 27, 2013

The Burnett Gallery Committee wants YOU!




The Burnett Gallery Committee, at the Jones Library in Amherst, is seeking volunteers to help oversee the Gallery.  Committee members need not be artists, simply patrons of the arts.  The gallery exhibits the work of local artists, who receive month-long shows.



Participation requires:
·         Attendance at one-hour monthly meetings, held the first Tuesday of the month, in the evening.
·         Acting as the contact / informational resource person for exhibiting artists once or twice annually (may include giving artists a tour of the gallery and equipment, regular e-mails with the artist to make sure they're on track for their show, attending the artist's opening reception, and answering general questions).
·         Participation in our annual jury process, held in November.
·         A sense of humor and the ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
·         occasional editing of library materials and other light administrative/secretarial duties as required
·         Please note: Committee members do NOT exhibit in the gallery on a regular basis.  Anyone who would like to apply to exhibit is invited to visit the Library website for details about the Gallery and the application process.

Training is provided.  We are an enthusiastic, good-natured group.  Interested parties should contact the committee chair; Betzi@SylvanQuilts.com or the Gallery Secretary; Arthur Mange at amange@bio.umass.edu.

May 23, 2013

Project Backpack 2013


The Office of the Superintendent is proud to announce that Project Backpack 2013 is currently underway.  In its fourth year, this successful community outreach program provides new backpacks and school supplies to income-eligible students in our schools.  This year, nearly 900 students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 qualify to receive these items.

In order to accumulate the tremendous amount of backpack and supplies, Superintendent of Schools, Maria Geryk, is appealing to organizations and individuals in our community for help and assistance.  She hopes you will once again agree to become involved in this worthwhile and meaningful outreach initiative.

Please consider reaching out to members of your group for donations of supplies; placing a large bin in the lobby of your business for donations; or posting a blurb on your website to promote Project Backpack 2013.  The List of Supplies is below for your convenience. Monetary donations are gladly accepted as well.

Questions?  Email Kim Stender.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

May 21, 2013

Bruce Watson & Jon Stewart: Moments of Zen



Local author and columnist Bruce Watson discusses his new e-biography on Jon Stewart, with insights, personal details, clips from “The Daily Show”, and rants on Stewart and satire.

Thursday, May 23 at 7 pm - Woodbury Room

May 17, 2013

The Four Corners of the Sky


The Jones Library is participating in the “Big Library Read,” a pilot program in which libraries worldwide offer a single eBook to their patrons.  The chosen book is "The Four Corners of the Sky," by Michael Malone.

Master storyteller Michael Malone’s novel concerns love, secrets, and the mysterious bonds of families.  Malone brings characters to life as only he can, exploring the questions that defy easy answers: Is love a choice or a calling?  Why do the ties of family bind so tightly?  And is forgiveness a gift to others…or a gift we give ourselves?

The e-book is available to an unlimited number of library patrons worldwide during a 2-week period ending June 1.  Jones Library patrons may download the e-book by going to the library website at www.joneslibrary.org and clicking on the link “digital catalog.”  To take part in the global “library book club,” readers can follow the author and take part in book discussions here on Facebook at and on Twitter using the hashtag #BigLibraryRead.

May 8, 2013

Edible Wild Plants of the Northeast


Local naturalist John Root will give a comprehensive introduction to the identification and uses of wild plants for food and beverage. Join him Tuesday, May 14 at 7 pm in the Woodbury Room.

And when you make those delicious dishes, send your recipes right over to us!

This program is supported by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

May 7, 2013

The Secret History of Abolitionist Science


This talk by UMass professor Britt Rusert uncovers the many connections that black and white Abolitionists made between natural science and anti-slavery struggles throughout the antebellum era.  This is the last program in this year’s Town/Gown series by the Jones Library and UMass-Amherst.

Thursday, May 9 at 7 pm in the Woodbury Room

May 6, 2013

Drop-in workshop for kids


Mother’s Day Craft:
A drop-in workshop for children ages 4-8.

Wednesday, May 8, 3-4pm
The Woodbury Room of the Jones Library

May 3, 2013

The Greatest Generation: A Visual Tribute



During the month of May, the Jones Library will feature an exhibit entitled “The Greatest Generation: A Visual Tribute” by artist Chris Demarest.  This display focuses on portrait tributes to those who served in World War II.

Before coming to Amherst, the exhibit was on display at the Women in Military Service to America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery where it received rave reviews.   In May, Demarest hopes to paint several new portraits in the Jones Library atrium to honor Amherst veterans of WWII.  From Amherst, the exhibit will travel to other cities in the United States.

In conjunction with Chris Demarest’s exhibit, the Special Collections department of the Jones Library will mount several displays of WWII materials in their Exhibit Room.

May 2, 2013

Read "Middlemarch" in June



Join the Jones Library Classics Book Club for an in-depth reading of George Eliot's "Middlemarch," a novel Virginia Woolf considered "one of the few English novels written for grown up people."

All meetings are on Saturdays 2:30 - 4:00 at the Jones Library starting June 15th. We'll meet three more times every other Saturday and read about 200 pages for each session.

Sign up and check out a copy of "Middlemarch" at the Reference Desk.

May 1, 2013

The Tin Drum


Come hear the discussion "The Tin Drum, From Novel to Film," on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. in the Woodbury Room at the Jones Library with Barton Byg, the Founding Director of the DEFA Film Library at UMass Amherst and professor of German and Scandinavian Studies.

Then go check out the film itself at the Amherst Cinema on Tuesday, May 14, at 7 p.m.  Want to watch the trailer now?  Click here.