Friends of the Jones Library System News

J.K. Rowling weighs in , pointing out  the most important first step in the process .

Four re-imagined Robert Frost poems about food , just for us. Including "Stopping for Coffee on a Snowy Evening," one he could've written while sitting in Amherst Coffee, staring in contemplative silence, across the street at the Jones Library.

A Crocker Farm 2nd grade class enjoying a tour of the Jones,  snacks, books to keep and, best of all,  storytime. Another program funded by the Friends.  (Which really means you. Thanks, guys.)

...what better way than this? Giant cedar tree repurposed as a Little Free Library . People in Everett, WA, are pretty cool.

of Women's History Month. How will you round it out? Perhaps a gander at the Amelia Bloomer Project ? The good folks over there have been compiling feminist literature for readers from birth to age 18. (But we suspect even people over  18 might enjoy it, too.) "Feminism is not only a noun, but a call to action." And hey, as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has noted, " We should all be feminists ."

(Click on image to enlarge.)

An independent bookstore in a Cleveland suburb is helping us see more clearly the gender gap in literature. Loganberry Books wanted to find a new, interesting way to honor Women's History Month. Click here to see a few more photos of the bookstore's shelves. Some are entirely turned around. Some Friends are off to take a look at our own bookshelves now.

The Wall Street Journal's  Need Pruning Shears or a Ukulele? Try the Public Library . Although the Friends have never borrowed a fishing pole or beach chairs...

The Naked Boys Reading collective, a British literary salon, is  "an unexpectedly cerebral night of nude performance art." And the "spirited and academic" atmosphere is  probably the only reason why people go. Yep.

Because if we can't laugh, we'll cry. But here's hoping we laugh til we cry. You Can't Spell America Without Me: The Really Tremendous Inside Story of My Fantastic First Year as President Donald J. Trump Coming to a library near you November 7, 2017.

Next Thursday.

Come speak Spanish with others at the library! (Click on image to enlarge.)

Want to learn more about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie because of yesterday's book recommendation ? Here's your chance... Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: 'Can people please stop telling me feminism is hot?'

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Americanah , by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is the story of a Nigerian young woman, Ifemelu, who has fallen in love with a high school classmate, Obinze. She leaves for America to continue her studies and over time, she severs their connection as she goes through a series of relationships. Obinze had hoped to join Ifemelu, but is not allowed into the US and ends up in London where he leads a hidden undocumented life before making it back to Nigeria. Ifemelu finds that life in America as an African is very different from the experiences of African Americans. She starts writing a blog about her and other Africans' experiences and becomes well known and sought-after for her insights. Surprisingly, after many years, Ifemelu decides to return to Nigeria to work and possibly to reignite her acquaintance with Obine who has become wealthy and is now married and has a child. Americanah is a book that reads very easily though there are many ...

This Thursday, come discuss the importance of democracy in America.

Hey, you know how you guys all donated food during the Food for Fines campaign earlier this winter? Well, you all are just the biggest sweeties. Thanks to you, the Amherst Survival Center received $1,169 and got 918 pounds of food to local folks. (Click on image to enlarge.) We love you guys. Mwah.

Psst...Want to learn more about this whole library renovation thing? Not quite sure just what's going on? Here's an article from the Daily Hampshire Gazette to help you figure it out. New group touts Jones Library expansion, renovation project in Amherst Seeking still more answers? Want to become involved? Visit the Jones Library for Everyone page.

"As part of the celebration marking its 100th anniversary, the Women's National Book Association will send a book a day throughout March to President Trump that the organization believes sheds light on many of the critical issues faced by the country. The books have been taken from a list of the top 100 books in both fiction and nonfiction compiled by the WNBA to reflect, in its estimation, the most influential books written by women." Because he might need some recommendations . Want to take a look at the list ?

The Wall Street Journal recently had an article about the folks who hold considerable sway over what kids read.   The Friends know a few  Rock Star Librarians ourselves...

This is a lovely article you need to read .  Reason #1? It humanizes their heroes. And hey, we could all use a little of that.

You know those national Call to Action posts that have been cropping up on social media sites? We've got one that's even closer to home . Think globally, act locally, Friend. And? This one's easy. Visit the website Jones Library for Everyone and fill out the quick digital signatory form. Working along with the Trustees of the Jones and the Friends of the Jones, a new group, Jones Library for Everyone , has formed. This group is being led by former Trustee Kent Faerber, and supported by a group of volunteers including honorary chairs Julius Lester , Polly Longsworth , former Friends board member George Goodwin, and the indefatigable Norton Juster . We're hoping to get 5,000 signatories by the end of April. Can you help?

A "rollicking" anti-lawyer revenge fantasy novel by Walt Whitman has been found in the archives of a Victorian New York Sunday newspaper. You can read it online . For free.

Jane Eyre. Graphic novel .

Did you know you had to pay to go to the library?  You do if it's this one . Imagine what the late fees must be...

Here's an interesting article about how "librarians are standing up to Trump, and they want the American Library Association to follow suit." Librarians. We love you guys.

The all-community On The Same Page events culminated on Tuesday night in a packed middle school auditorium hearing from Pulitzer-prize winning author Elizabeth Kolbert. Thanks to all who attended. It was such fun to see everyone. In case you weren't able to be there, here are a few snapshots of the lively evening. Awaiting the author in the auditorium.   Elizabeth Kolbert, at center in black, at the reception. Hope to see you next year!

With real live poets! (Click on image to enlarge.)