Today's National Poem in Your Pocket Day!

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

Need any inspiration?

PSST! It's coming! It's coming!

The Friends are getting so excited!!

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

Because sometimes...

...you need to turn to the experts.

Here are 15 images that prove librarians are the cleverest people ever.

Over 480 THOUSAND items checked out last year!

And? Some of those were ukuleles.

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BUT? That's not all the Jones and its branches do. Check THIS infographic out, Friends. 

Story and craft time

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!

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Charitable giving

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

Identity Theft

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.

When you give to the Friends...

...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.

Valley Gives Day!

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. 

This Thursday!

It's like the Antiques Roadshow is coming to your hometown!

But better because it's all about books!

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Free and open to the public.

Five ways reading fiction makes you better at your job

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.

How Good Are You With Synonyms?

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.

This, Friends. Just this.

Game night, people!

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.

Birds of Prey!

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You know those old books gathering dust on the bookshelves downstairs?

Bring them in!

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Automatic processing and bias

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Friends, we've got to cull.

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.

Commas. They're important.

Never let it be said punctuation doesn't matter.

Changing Colors In Comics

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.

Jose Antonio Vargas speaks at UMass

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Chelsea Clinton announces new picture book, She Persisted

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."

Where famous authors found their inspiration to write

Tropical villas, isolated cabins, cosy coffeehouses, elegant libraries... 

Who wouldn't be inspired in these places?

Come celebrate!

Tuesday, May 2nd.

Celebrity deals are shutting children's authors out of their own trade

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.

A Real Giving Tree

Shel Silverstein would've been proud.