Friends of the Jones Library System News

2012-01-27T16:27:00.002-05:00

Just a few days to go --

January 31 is the deadline for basket donations!

Check Presentation & Mystery Author Panel

2012-01-23T10:20:00.000-05:00

The Jones Library is proud have been selected as the November 2011 winners of the “We Love Libraries” lottery sponsored by Sisters in Crime, an international organization formed to promote the professional development and advancement of women crime fiction writers. Throughout 2010 and 2011, Sisters in Crime has been holding a monthly lottery drawing of photographs submitted by libraries which depict library staff with three books from the library collection written by Sisters in Crime authors. Each monthly winner receives a grant of $1,000. In the winning photograph, Jones Library staff members posed holding books by Massachusetts member authors.

Presentation of the $1,000 check will take place on Sunday, February 5
at 2 pm in the large meeting room at The Jones Library, and will be
followed by a panel discussion entitled “Writing New England
Mysteries, Long and Short." Panelists will include Sheila Connolly,
2011 president of the Sisters in Crime New England chapter and author
of the Orchard Mystery series; Kate Flora, whose work includes the
Thea Kozak mystery series; and Barbara Ross, current president of the
Sisters in Crime New England chapter and co-editor of an annual
anthology of best crime stories by New England authors.

Free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and
signing. The snow date is Sunday, February 12 at 2 pm.

For more information or to inquire about the winning photograph,
please contact Janet Ryan at ryanj@joneslibrary.org or 413.259.3223.

Valentine's Day Baskets are coming!

2012-01-20T11:31:00.002-05:00

(Please click on the image to enlarge.)

E-Readers at the library!

2012-01-11T22:11:00.001-05:00

The Jones Library ispleased to announce the launch of our new E-Reader Lending
Program.

Patrons who are at least 18-years-old can sign up to borrow an E-
Reader and experience reading an e-book. We currently have Nook and
NookColor E-Readers available and we will be adding others soon.

Learn more about the program by visiting our website:
www.joneslibrary.org/ereaders.html.

If you have any additional questions or if you'd like to request an E-
Reader, please call the Reference Desk at 413-259-3096.

New Director Welcome!

2011-12-30T15:02:00.002-05:00

(click to enlarge.)

Why Not Do What You Love?

2011-12-30T14:56:00.000-05:00

The Jones Library is pleased to present a program by local author
Martha Johnson. If the New Year finds you choosing a career,
contemplating a change, or re-entering the work force, then join us
for a program that provides an opportunity for career reflection.

Based on the book "Why Not Do What You Love? An Invitation to Calling
and Contribution in a World Hungry for Your Gifts," local author
Martha Johnson offers attendees of any age a chance to engage with
questions and possibilities that may provide clarity and enrichment as
you seek to achieve current work/life goals.

Join us in the Large Meeting Room at the Jones Library on Thursday,
January 19, 2012 from 7 – 9 pm. The snow date is February 2.

Martha Johnson has lived a long life of doing what she’s loved, as a
school teacher, Peace Corps volunteer, National Park Ranger, founding
principal of her own consulting and training practice, and leader
coach. She is currently a resource for women over 55 desiring to make
sense and satisfaction out of the puzzle pieces of their lives for
their remaining years.

Free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and
signing.

Kids Day at the Mullins Center

2011-12-27T10:21:00.000-05:00

Join The Jones Library System on Friday, December 30, 2011 from 5:15-7pm at the UMass Mullins Center for the second annual "Kids Day at the Mullins Center."

Local businesses and museums, including The Jones Library, will set up stations on the concourse featuring interactive and educational activities.

Afterwards, stay for the UMass Men's Basketball game as the Minutemen take on Central Connecticut State at 7pm. Tickets are only $6 per person.

Hope to see you there!

Writing contest for Amherst area residents!

2011-12-16T14:26:00.000-05:00

(click on image to enlarge)

Jones Library book group beginning

2011-12-15T11:32:00.000-05:00

We are so excited to introduce our new, first ever, Jones Library book discussion group!

We will have its first meeting on Wednesday, January 18th, from 11-12:30 and then will meet (tentatively) on the 3rd Wednesday of each month through June. It is being organized by volunteer Lee Wicks and group members will take turns leading the discussion.

The theme for these first six months will be political books and the first selection is "All the King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren.

This is an adult book group and pre-registration is required as unfortunately, we must limit the number of members. Please pre-register at the Reference Desk, or by calling Reference at 259-3096.

Thank you, Amherst Books!

2011-12-14T16:01:00.003-05:00

The Friends of the Jones would like to thank Amherst Books for their wonderful donation of 10% of all proceeds on Amherst's Bag Day. Amherst Books presented the Friends with a very generous $706 check. The Friends use donations like these to, among other things, purchase books for the town libraries, fund music and art programs, and support the Jubilat/Jones poetry series.

Thank you, Amherst Books!

Ukulele Jam Session

2011-12-12T11:34:00.002-05:00

Joe Blumenthal of Northampton's Downtown Sounds will be leading a "Ukulele Jam Session," with a special performance by AEIOUkes, at The Jones Library on Sunday, January 8, 2012, from 2 to 3:30pm.

Come strum, learn to play, sing along, or just listen. All ability levels are welcome. Please call Amy Anaya at 413.259.3132 if you would like to borrow a Uke for this event.

This FREE program is intended for ages 13+.

Food for Fines

2011-12-07T12:17:00.003-05:00

From Monday, December 5th through Friday, December 30th, The Jones Library, Inc. invites you to bring in your overdue library materials along with a non-perishable food donation to any branch library in Amherst. In return, the libraries will send your donations to the Amherst Survival Center as well as waive your overdue fines.

Help our libraries and those in need at the same time!

2011-12-05T11:38:00.001-05:00

Annual Meeting News

At today's meeting, the Friends of the Jones Library voted to sponsor

the family-friendly Children's Music Series presented in February & March,
the monthly Chess Club for Kids,
emergency cleanup and plant care for the Kinsey Memorial Garden,
extra supplies for frame conservation, and
support for the Library Legislative Breakfast in January.

More Friends projects are underway, including a reception for new Director Sharon Sharry (cancelled earlier due to snow, now tentatively set for January 10) and the Friends Fabulous Valentine Basket Auction coming in February. Many thanks to all members of the Friends! Your membership contributions make these events and library improvements possible.

Shop at Amherst Books this Saturday!

2011-11-29T12:12:00.002-05:00

This Saturday, December 3rd, is Bag Day in Amherst. Amherst Books has once again graciously agreed to partner with us, donating 10% of every purchase to the Friends.

Please help support the Friends and shop locally this Saturday at Amherst Books.

2011-11-14T00:03:00.001-05:00

Frame Restoration Project a Success!

Many thanks to Chief Preparator William Myers and his students at the Smith College Museum of Art who donated their time and expertise to repair and conserve the ornate frame of "The English Lord" oil painting that greets visitors to the Jones Library. The Friends of the Jones Library System funded the conservation materials needed to clean the frame, create replacements for missing ornamentation, repaint and polish the frame to a golden luster. Details of the restoration procedures are documented in a display next to the artwork. It took over a year to bring the painting's ornate frame back to its former glory and back to the hallway where has been on display since 1928.

2011-11-07T23:15:00.001-05:00

New Date for Friends Annual Meeting

Because of the destructive snowstorm, the Annual Meeting of members of The Friends of the Jones Library System (all who have contributed to the Friends' fund drive in the last year) has been postponed. Instead of the original date, it will be held the morning of Monday, December 5 at 7:45 AM in the Young People's Reading Room on the ground floor. All members are invited.

There will be an election of Board members. The following persons have been nominated to serve on the Board of the Friends for a 3-year term: Edith Byron, George Goodwin, Lucy McMurrer. These three, along with the recently elected Bonnie Isman and Mary Elizabeth Strunk, are members of the class of 2014. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.

News Direct from the Director's Desk

2011-10-28T16:02:00.004-04:00

Sign up to get the latest library news delivered to your email address!

Library Director Sharon Sharry shares news about our busy libraries and ways they can make your life easier and more fun. All you have to do is sign up on the Library website at www.joneslibrary.org OR fill out a short form on your next visit to the library.

Here's a recent example:
*************************************************************
"The Jones Library now has a scanner available for free public use. The
scanner is located in the Reference Room.

In addition, we continue to offer inexpensive printing, copying, and
faxing. Costs are as follows:

* Black & white printing is $0.10 per page.
* Color printing is $0.50 per page.
* Black & white photocopying is $0.10 per page.
* Domestic faxing requires a credit card and is $1.50 for the first
page and $1.00 for each additional page.

We hope to see you soon at The Jones!

Sharon
*************************************************************
THANKS, Sharon, FOR SHARING!

2011-10-13T13:59:00.005-04:00

The Jones Library System needs MORE Friends!

Now is the perfect time to join or renew your membership in the Friends of the Jones Library System and support Amherst's three Town Libraries.

Friends donations benefit the entire community and make possible the following: new materials and books ($18,000); diverse workshops and programs such as Chess Club, art series, Community Sing, Sing With Your Baby ($3800); jubilat/Jones poetry series, bringing nationally recognized poets to Amherst ($2150); and various museum passes ($1685). We hosted a retirement party for the community to celebrate the work of outgoing Jones Library Director Bonnie Isman. Members of the Friends also participated in the search this summer for a new Director of the Jones Library. And the Friends supplied hospitality with edible treats for the Emily Dickinson Museum’s “Emily Dickinson Big Read” series held at the Jones.

The Friends have been working hard to honor the gift of Richard and Nathalie Woodbury. As a first step, a “Woodbury Room” committee has proposed refurbishing and renaming the library’s Large Meeting Room and we hope to get project approval from the Trustees soon.

We Need Your Financial Support. There is no doubt that 2012 will be a challenging fiscal year once more for many Amherst residents as well as for our libraries. A gift to the Friends of the Jones is a gift that makes Amherst a better place in so many ways.

Click here for a Friends membership form and send in your contribution today. Thank You!

2011-10-09T15:52:00.005-04:00

On a Fall Cleaning Spree? Don't forget the Friends!

You can help make the Friends' Basket Auction fundraiser a success by "re-gifting." We especially need

donations of large (laundry sized wicker baskets, decorative metallic baskets, and/or reed baskets)
donations of 'new' or 'look like new' books
tissue paper donations (in colors) would be appreciated

Sign up now to volunteer your time in January and February. Are you someone willing to catalog the baskets, type up descriptions and print out descriptions once the baskets are made? We also need someone good at "pricing the baskets to sell" - a retail savvy Friend who puts a value on baskets once they are 'ready to go.'

Contact Angela Mills at pavs4all@yahoo.com to be part of the fun.

2011-10-03T14:27:00.004-04:00

2011 Friends Annual Meeting November 1 -- Meet Sharon Sharry!

Join the Friends of the Jones Library on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room to welcome our new Library Director, Sharon Sharry. A brief Friends business meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. before the reception. Everyone is welcome.

Message from the Friends to State Senator Stan Rosenberg

2010-03-05T09:38:00.000-05:00

In bad times as in good, in a democracy the public library is a great educator of the public, open and free to all, regardless of wealth or age or any qualification other than human curiosity to learn. To nourish our libraries is to nourish the Commonwealth. In light of that, the Board of the Friends of the Jones Library System in Amherst MA strongly supports the restoration of funding to regional libraries in the state budget that has been cut severely in Governor Patrick's original budget proposal.

Juliblat/Jones Poetry Reading this Sunday

2010-02-16T14:46:00.002-05:00

jubilat and the historic Jones Library

present

A jubilat/Jones Poetry Reading

Featuring:

Jericho Brown
and
CAConrad

3:00 PM
Sunday, February 21st
Trustees Room, Jones Library
43 Amity Street, Amherst

The reading will be followed by a Q & A session with the poets.

At 2 PM, Dara Wier, Ben Kopel, and Zach Savich will host a poetry swap in the Trustees Room. Bring a poem--your own or someone else's--to share and discuss. All events are free and open to the public.

Jericho Brown worked as speechwriter for the Mayor of New Orleans before receiving his PhD in Creative Writing and Literature from the University of Houston. He also holds an MFA from the University of New Orleans and a BA from Dillard University. The recipient of the Whiting Writers Award, the Bunting Fellowship from the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University, and two travel fellowships to the Krakow Poetry Seminar in Poland, Brown teaches creative writing as an Assistant Professor of English at the University of San Diego. His first book, Please (New Issues), won the 2009 American Book Award.

CAConrad is the recipient of The Gil Ott Book Award for The Book of Frank (Chax Press, 2009). He is also the author of Advanced Elvis Course (Soft Skull Press, 2009), (Soma)tic Midge (Faux Press, 2008), Deviant Propulsion (Soft Skull Press, 2006), and a forthcoming collaboration with poet Frank Sherlock, The City Real & Imagined: Philadelphia Poems (Factory School Books, 2010).

Sponsored by the Friends of the Jones Library, jubilat, the Juniper Initiative of the UMass MFA Program for Poets & Writers, the Amherst Cultural Council, and Factory Hollow Press, the jubilat/Jones Series showcases established and emerging poets in six readings each year.

If you have questions, please contact the jubilat office at (413) 577-1064.

The Valentine Basket Auction is coming very soon!

2010-01-05T13:07:00.003-05:00

The wonderful Valentine Baskets, full of books and chocolate and great gifts for everyone, will be in the Jones Library Atrium from February 3rd to February 11th. Please come and browse the baskets and place a bid on your favorite ones!
All proceeds go to the library book fund, so you can treat yourself (or someone you love) and help the library at the same time!

Shop at Amherst Books this Saturday and help the Jones Library

2009-11-30T14:04:00.003-05:00

Do your holiday book shopping at Amherst Books this Saturday and you'll be helping the library buy books at the same time! Once again, Amherst Books is donating a portion of their sales for the day to the Friends of the Jones Library! They are located at 8 Main Street. Here's their web site for further information. Thank you, thank you Amherst Books!!

The Jones Library was at the town parade!

2009-10-06T11:59:00.005-04:00

Children and adults carried colorful banners celebrating the town libraries at the 250th anniversary parade on September 27th. In spite of the rain, the banners looked great!

Fundraising for the Jones at the Harp on October 4th

2009-09-22T14:18:00.003-04:00

Join the fun at the Harp on October 4th!

Come celebrate our libraries!
Help re-open the Jones on Friday afternoons!

All-You-Can-Eat Barbecue

The Harp
163 Sunderland Rd.,
North Amherst

Sunday, October 4th
12 noon to 5 p.m.
Rain or shine

Live Celtic music
Games for kids

Tickets $20 for adults, $10 for children
On Sale at the Children's Desk at the Jones Library

Tickets are contributions to the Jones Library, Inc. and qualify for a $3000 anonymous matching grant. $11,000 reopens the Jones on Friday afternoons from Oct. 9th to June 2010.

Many thanks to our co-sponsors: Mark "Harpo" Power and Collective Copies.

Museum Passes all over New England!

2009-06-16T13:40:00.003-04:00

Are you aware of all the museum passes that the Friends sponsor for patrons of the Jones?
You can pick up the passes, or reserve a pass for the date that you're planning to visit one of the museums, at the Children's Desk in the Jones Library. Here's the list. Click on any museum to go to the institution's home page to check on hours, exhibits, directions, etc. Start exploring all the wonderful resources in and around Amherst!
Amherst History Museum - Strong House
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Forest Park Zoo
Historic Deerfield
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston
MassMOCA in North Adams
MA State Parks
Mystic Seaport in Mystic CT
Smith College Museum of Art
Springfield Museums
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown
Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford CT

Mother's Day Projects on Saturday

2009-05-11T12:04:00.004-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is a photo of the Friends' birdfeeder/birdbath project which was organized by Sterling Bush.
All the children chose their own decorative tea cup and saucer and went home with a hand wrapped gift for Mother's Day.

New Pastel Painting Workshop in June

2009-04-24T15:00:00.005-04:00

How to Pastel Paint As Impressionists:
Monet’s Magic Garden
A Pastel Workshop for adults with award-winning pastel painter Gregory Maichack (www.GregoryMaichack.com)

Tuesday
June 9, 2009
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
at the Jones Library
43 Amity Street, Amherst MA

All materials included: pastels ( Nupastels & Rembrandts), Canson
pastel paper, & pastel pencils.
No Experience Needed.
Seating may fill quickly so call (413)- 259–3090

This program is supported in part by the Friends of the Jones Library and by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Every 2nd Grader A Reader Program

2009-03-04T14:05:00.002-05:00

This spring, the Friends are once again sponsoring a program that introduces every 2nd grade student in the Amherst public schools to the Jones Library and encourages them to get a library card. Each 2nd grade class is bussed to the library on a Monday morning, where the students are treated to a tour of the children's rooms, a snack, a story and paperback book of their choice to take home. Volunteers from the Friends serve the snack and show the students how to paste a bookplate in the front of the book they choose. Those who don't already have a library card can sign up for one and can take their cards to Barts for a free ice cream cone! This very popular program is underwritten by funds from the Giles-Santangelo Fund. The Friends would like to thank Tina Harding at Barts and the staff at Barnes and Noble for their support of this program.

250th Anniversary Daffodils

2009-03-04T13:57:00.002-05:00

Keep watching for the daffodils that the Friends donated to celebrate the town's 250th Anniversary! They should be blooming soon all around the library building.

Valentine Baskets

2009-03-04T13:51:00.003-05:00

Once again, the annual Valentine Basket silent auction at the Jones has been a resounding success! We have raised over $5000 for the library, thanks to donations from many local businesses and supporters and the efforts of many volunteers. A huge thank you to everyone, and especially to our wonderful coordinator, Michele Santangelo, who did an outstanding job in her first year managing this event.

New Spring 2009 Beastly Abodes Programs

2009-02-03T15:28:00.003-05:00

Beastly Abodes & Caches for Backyard Wildlife

The Friends of the Jones Library are sponsoring a new series of wildlife programs this spring, some for children, some for all ages.
Help the birds construct their nests and nourish a variety of backyard songbirds and learn about larger animals. Each program will begin with a talk, followed by a workshop in which each person independently builds a feeder or nest helper that they will take home. Instructors will be available to help participants. All sessions will take place in the Large Meeting Room (downstairs) of the Jones Library. Pre-registration is required. There is a fee for materials for some Beastly Abodes & Caches programs due at registration. Scholarships are available; please see the Children’s Librarian. The Turkey and Coyote talks are FREE.

Spring Sessions:

Let’s Talk Turkey MARCH 21st FREE 3:00–5:00 PM All ages are welcome.
(Lecture & Demonstration): Space is limited in the Large Meeting Room downstairs.
Ron Gleason, of the Pioneer Valley National Turkey Federation will speak about turkeys that live in western Massachusetts and different species elsewhere. He along with Doug Little, Regional Biologist, will focus on conservation and habitat, learning about their vast territories, and how they live trap the birds in the wild for transport elsewhere. A demonstration of different turkey calls will be heard. This will be a ½ hour power point presentation. There will be a question and answer period following the lecture.

Nesting Balls (easy): MARCH 28th 3:00 – 5:00 PM $3.00
Limited to 15 Ages 4 and up ** Must Pre-register**
We will help the birds build their nests. Birds use anything soft and naturally bendable to construct a bowl shaped nest for the eggs that are sure to come soon. This will be the home for young chicks for several months while they are growing. We will construct hanging balls with simple items from the around the house. Other ideas will be presented.

Coyote Talk: APRIL 18th FREE 3:00–5:00 PM All ages are welcome.
(Lecture & Demonstration) Space is limited in the Large Meeting Room downstairs.

Laura Hajduk, Wildlife Biologist with MA Div of Fisheries & Wildlife, will talk about the Coyotes that live our area. Her talk will focus on rural to urban movements, conservation and habitat, learning about their vast territories. How to avoid conflicts with this curious animal with the homeowner and how this creature is misunderstood. This will be a power point presentation including photo on coyotes. There will be a question and answer period following the lecture.

Garden Tea Cup Feeder (easy): MAY 9th 3:00–5:00 PM $5.00
( great Mother’s Day gift ) Limited to 20 Ages 4 and up ** Must Pre-register**
Learn how your backyard birds enjoy a splash and a drink of water plus nibble on seeds. A selection of seeds will be presented and which seeds are the best for which birds. We will construct stakes with a cup and a saucer that can be placed in the garden to nourish the birds in the summer months and show a little whimsy among the flowers.