April 30, 2019

For Refugee Children, Reading Helps Heal Trauma


For SO many reasons, reading out loud to children is a wonderful thing. 
 
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/17/opinion/syria-refugee-children.html
 
Check out this NYT op ed and then go visit We Love Reading
It'll make you both happy and sad.
 

April 26, 2019

10 Surprising Former Librarians


Here's a list of ten folks who were librarians before they became famous for other activities. 

http://mentalfloss.com/article/21437/quick-10-10-surprising-former-librarians

It'll come as no surprise to anyone that one of them was "The World's Greatest Lover."

April 24, 2019

The Libro de los EpĂ­tomes


Did you know that the illegitimate son of Christopher Columbus made it his life's work to create the biggest library the world had ever known in the early part of the 16th century?

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/10/extraordinary-500-year-old-library-catalogue-reveals-books-lost-to-time-libro-de-los-epitomes

Yeah, us neither. But check it out here.

April 17, 2019

Beer in Literature: A Guide


Beer is good. Books are good. Books about beer are good. Beer while reading books is good. And here's a recommendation of which beer pairs well with what books. Although frankly, Friends, there aren't many beers we'd turn down. Books, on the other hand, we're pickier about.

https://www.quirkbooks.com/post/beer-literature-guide

Sláinte, Friends!

April 16, 2019

The Sammys are NEXT week!


The annual Samuel Minot Jones Awards for Literary Achievement (aka: the Sammys) are on Thursday, April 25th. Haven't gotten your ticket yet? It's okay! The Friends have your back. Click here.
 
https://www.joneslibrary.org/sammys#tickets

See you there!

April 15, 2019

Greenfield Savings Bank $1,000 Challenge Grant!




Double your giving! Greenfield Savings Bank has generously agreed to match up to $1000 in donations to the Jones Library received here.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today!

April 14, 2019

Share your story


Like StoryCorps but about the Jones Library!

(Click on image to enlarge.)

April 12, 2019

Mark your calendars!


The Jones Library building will be CLOSED to the public on Tuesday, April 16. The library's getting a new handicapped-accessible door installed! It's going to be pretty cool, Friends.

Desperately need a book or a movie or a CD that day? No worries! The North Amherst and Munson Memorial Libraries will be open during their normal hours on the 16th.

Please plan on visiting the Jones multiple times the following day so that you can go in and out the new door. Channel your inner cat.

April 9, 2019

"The internal voice of unhelpful judgment"


Hey, you got one of those? Yeah, so do we. 
Come learn how to shut that guy up.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

April 8, 2019

Clint Eastwood's at the Jones! (sorta)


Come see, for free, what Clint Eastwood has called his last acting role.

"Retired auto worker and Korean War vet Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) fills emptiness in his life with beer and home repair, despising the many Asian, Latino and black families in his neighborhood. Walt becomes a reluctant hero when he stands up to the gangbangers who tried to force an Asian teen to steal Walt's treasured car. An unlikely friendship develops between Walt and the teen, as he learns he has more in common with his neighbors than he thought."

Please stay for a brief community discussion afterward, brought to you by the Jones Library and Coming Together. All are welcome.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

April 4, 2019

jubilat/Jones poetry series this Sunday


The flowers are blooming,
The sky is blue,
We like free poetry at the library,
How about you?

(Click on image to enlarge.)

April 3, 2019

The Argus Quartet


Before they play at Amherst College Saturday night, The Argus Quartet will have a FREE library concert for everyone Saturday morning! 
Come and enjoy music at the library.

(Click on image to enlarge.)
 

April 2, 2019

Managing your money


doesn't have to be hard. 
Come meet a financial educator and learn some tips and tricks. 
This Thursday. And? It's free.


April 1, 2019

Did you love mini golf at the Jones this winter?


Looking for more putting through the stacks? Head on down to Holyoke! Bring the kids during the day or enjoy some adult time in the evening. Either way, we're sure you'll have a blast.

(Click on image to enlarge.)
 

Palaces for the People


Looking for an inspiring podcast to fill some time? Check out this 45-minute talk by author Eric Klinenberg, author of Palaces for the People. It discusses American social infrastructures and how when we invest in libraries, parks, and schools, we reap all kinds of benefits. "We become more likely to interact with people around us, and connected to the broader public. If we neglect social infrastructure, we tend to grow more isolate, which can have serious consequences."

https://bark.cwmars.org/eg/opac/record/4211985?query=palaces%20for%20the%20people;qtype=keyword;locg=1;detail_record_view=0;sort=poprel;badges=1%2C2%2C1%2C2%2C1%2C2

"Klinenberg wants to see the philanthropists of our time spend more money on things like libraries, but he also knows that philanthropic dollars are ultimately inadequate and randomly distributed to the places where the philanthropists spend their own time. If we're ever really going to make this work, it's going to have to be through a public commitment such as a major public works program."

Learn how to invest with confidence from a certified financial planner


for FREE! 
Tomorrow night at the Jones Library!