Friends of the Jones Library System News

Won't you join your Friends in tucking a little poem close to you somewhere today?  Need any inspiration ?

The Friends are getting so excited!! And the best part? You can start your giving now! (It'll be processed on May 2nd though.)

...you need to turn to the experts. Here are 15 images that prove librarians are the cleverest people ever .

And? Some of those were ukuleles . (Click to enlarge.) BUT? That's not all the Jones and its branches do. Check THIS infographic out, Friends. 

This Thursday, if you've got a kid who might be interested in a story and a craft, you'll want to check this out! (Click on image to enlarge.)

This is especially near and dear to the Friends since the Jones Library Woodbury Room was created this way!

This Tuesday! The Friends are hoping this is kind of like the proverbial "If you carry an umbrella, it won't rain." Something we need to know about but will hopefully never need to use.

...where does that money go? weekly Sing With Your Baby sessions for toddlers new books purchased with $12,000 from the Friends free art classes for tweens and teens free  or discounted admission to local museums supporting On The Same Page a library card, free book to keep, snack, tour, and story time for every 2nd grader in Amherst & Pelham hands-on computer help from Dr. Hank at the Munson and North Amherst libraries live poetry! with real poets ! for free! summer reading clubs for kids, teens, and grown-ups And these are just some  of the ways your donations are put to good use. Please help us continue programming and services such as these with a Valley Gives donation to the Friends on Tuesday, May 2.

What IS Valley Gives Day ? It's a 24-hour giving day that helps organizations (such as us, the Friends of the Jones Library) throughout the Pioneer Valley raise needed funds to support their missions. Valley Gives 2017 is on Tuesday, May 2. The goal for Valley Gives 2017 is to reach more people across the 70 communities of the Pioneer Valley -- the more people who participate and donate, the more nonprofits (like your Friends) benefit. Save your pennies and mark your calendars, Friends. 

It's like the Antiques Roadshow is coming to your hometown! But better because it's all about books! (Click on image to enlarge.) Free and open to the public.

It's not a distraction: reading fiction can help you work through complex problems and be more empathic. Check out Fast Company's article . Plus? It's a known fact people look more attractive reading fiction than any other genre.

The Friends recently acquired a new but really bad thesaurus. Not only is it terrible, it's terrible. (rim shot) But synonyms? Well, we know plenty of alternate or substitute words for synonyms. Why, the equivalent euphemisms about! How up are you  on your  synonyms, dear Companion, Confidant, Pal...? Take this quick quiz to learn if your synonyms are up to snuff.

Greenfield Games is coming to the Whately Library ! They will bring one complex board game (Mysterium) for 5-6 people, as well as a few short and simpler board games for 7-8 people, to teach and play. People are also welcome to bring their own board games to play with friends and family. Spaces are filling up, so please sign up . P.S. The Friends recognize that the Whately Library isn't actually part of the Amherst public libraries but we're all part of the same library family. Plus? Games, people! The Friends are wicked competitive.

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Bring them in! (click on image to enlarge.)

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Here's a handy dandy estimator of how many books you'll read before you die, based on your sex and your age. Too many books and, obviously, too little time.

Never let it be said punctuation doesn't matter.

Comics and graphic novels have become a flourishing space for explorations of race and identity. But what are the compromises they have to make to reach and please wide audiences? NPR's Code Switch team delves more deeply into the comic book world.

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Chelsea Clinton is among the many people whom Elizabeth Warren inspired when she refused to be silenced in the Senate. She Persisted  will tell the stories of 13 women who overcame immense opposition to achieve their goals. "With this book, I want to send a message to young readers around the country -- and the world -- that persistence is power."

Tropical villas, isolated cabins, cosy coffeehouses, elegant libraries...  Who wouldn't be inspired in these places ?

Tuesday, May 2nd .

This Guardian article discusses how "Such successes have only led to more dominance...'The number and frequency of recent deals is making many of us consider our involvement in the business. It's depressing to say the least,'" says children's book author Lucy Coats .

Shel Silverstein would've been proud .