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Candidates’ Night
Mon, Mar. 3 at 7pm
Hear the candidates’ vision for our community and ask any questions you may have! Get to know more about those running for positions.
Must-Read Classics Contest
Check out a new-to-you classic from the list of 100 Must-Read Classics! Take home a copy of the list to see how many of the great works you have read. If you read a classic that you haven’t read before, you can enter into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card! This contest will be running throughout the month of February.
Let’s Play Cribbage!
Mon, Feb. 24, 6pm
Come play and/or learn to play cribbage with neighbors! If you have your own board, please bring it along. There is no experience necessary for this activity. We’re hoping to make this a fun, monthly activity!
Zentangle with Gracie Buckman
Wed, Feb. 26 at 6pm
The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns, called “tangles”. Zentangle can be practiced by anyone, regardless of artistic ability. Try it out by registering (class size is limited). Call 585-6503 or email info@fitzlib.org.
Cooking the Book!
Thurs, Feb. 27 at 6pm
Become part of our new book group Cooking the Book! Just check this month’s cookbook, pick a recipe to make, and then bring it to share, potluck style! February’s cookbook pick is called Easy Soups From Scratch with Quick Breads to Match by Ivy Manning. Copies are now available. Come grab yours and register for delicious fun!
Gold in Golden New England with Jim Pecora
Wed, Mar. 5 at 7pm
Did you know that New England Gold is nearly pure 24 Carat right out of the ground? We will explore all aspects of the definition of “Gold”: noun, adjective, metaphorically, and economically. Learn the Scams, Myths, and Facts about the most sought after metal on earth.
Civil War Soldiers’ Quilts with Pamela Weeks
Sat, Mar. 8 at 11am
Quilts made for use by soldiers during the Civil War are very rare — only twenty are known to exist, and Pam Weeks has studied most of them in person. Learn about the U. S. Sanitary Commission at the beginning of the Civil War and the roles women played on the home front, and as nurses. The stories of fourteen actual Civil War soldiers’ quilts will be highlighted in this program.
Home Delivery – Available on a Trial Basis
Are you homebound (long or short term) and can’t get to the Library? We are trying a new program to deliver books once every other week (on Thursdays) to those who cannot access our collection. Call (603-585-6503) or email us (info@fitzlib.org) for more information.
Pre-K Storytime
Join us for Pre-K Storytime every Wednesday at 10:30! Storytime is a beneficial way for children to socialize (parents too!) while gaining literary proficiency and learning new skills. Children who are read to are statistically proven to do better in school. Give your child a jumpstart on success in life!
We will not be having Pre-K Storytime program on Wed, Feb. 26. Have a good February break!
Big Kid (K-2) Storytime
Tuesdays 3:45 to 4:45 (after school)
Big Kid Storytime (for grades K-2) continues. We will be eating a snack, reading, and playing a game or creating a craft. Registration required! Call (603-585-6503) or email us (info@fitzlib.org) to sign up.
We will not be having Big Kid Storytime on Tue, Feb. 25. Have a good February break!
Wednesday Afternoons at the Library for Grades 1-6
3:45 to 4:45 (after school)
Wednesday Afternoons at the Library (for grades 1-6) are happening every Wednesday from 3:45 to 4:45. Kids can take the bus from Emerson School. Come enjoy a snack and make a craft! Registration required! Call (603-585-6503) or email us (info@fitzlib.org) to sign up.
We will not be having our Wednesday Afternoon program on Wed, Feb. 26. Have a good February break! Please sign up for March activities now.
Stitch and Bitch!
Every Wednesday at 6pm
Whether you stitch, sew, embroider, crochet, like to color or prefer to just socialize, come join friends who like to craft and chat!
Coffee Hour
Saturday Mornings at 10am
Enjoy coffee, conversation, and a freshly baked treat with neighbors.
Book Club – Monday, Mar. 10 at 7pm
How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States
by Daniel Immerwahr
Books available
“[Immerwahr’s] book is written in 22 brisk chapters, full of lively characters, dollops of humor, and surprising facts . . . It entertains and means to do so. But its purpose is quite serious: to shift the way that people think about American history . . . Immerwahr convincingly argues that . . . the United States replaced colonies with chemistry,’ and partially ‘substituted technology for territory.’ It is a powerful and illuminating economic argument . . . the book succeeds in its core goal: to recast American history as a history of the ‘Greater United States.’ . . . deserves a wide audience, and it should find one.”
― Patrick Iber, The New Republic
ALA Grant update:
In May of 2023, The Fitzwilliam Town Library was honored to receive a special grant from the American Library Association in the amount of $10,000. The funds have given us the opportunity to make purchases and adjustments in order to provide a more accessible library to all patrons. Changes made were based on community suggestions for improved accessibility during the summer of 2023, when a community forum was held:
- The purchase and installation of two sets of automatic door openers at the main patron entrance
- Stable stools for the children’s section as seating and access to resources
- Comfortable and over-sized upholstered chairs with device charging capacity
- Colorful carpet squares (defined seating) for children’s programming
- A second book return to be installed/located closer to the Library’s parking area and handicapped parking spaces (purchased with installation in progress)
Recently, the Library distributed a patron survey to assess perceptions of how essential/useful these improvements are The results were extremely positive!
Pioneer Valley Symphony Library Passes
Get a pass for up to 4 tickets to any Pioneer Valley Symphony concerts of the 2023-2024 season. Check out a pass, bring it to the box office before the concert of your choice to redeem. The box office opens 1-11/2 hours before each performance. Return your pass to the library so it can bring the joy of music to others! Visit pvsoc.org for the most up-to-date season information.
3-D Printer
Now patrons can use our 3-D printer for projects. Check out https://www.thingiverse.com/ for free project files. Then schedule a time with us to get your files ready to print.
New to our Library of Things
Hand Free Magnifier
This hands free magnifier allows users to have both hands free while getting the clearest view of the magnified object. It’s a suitable feature for those who are into sewing, crafting, reading books, and doing tiny electronic repairs but need a visual aid for making objects bigger and totally high definition. Check one out!
Fitzwilliam History and Information Page
There is a whole new page on the Fitzwilliam Library website (http://fitzlib.org) featuring Fitzwilliam-specific history and resources. You can find it under the 24HOUR-LIBRARY tab. Information will be updated regularly. Check it out!
Booklist Reader: Find it under 24-Hour Library above!
Click on the image to access this great free resource for all book lovers.
Booklist, the review publication of the American Library Association, proudly announces the launch of Booklist Reader, a new digital library patron–facing magazine featuring diverse readers’ advisory recommendations for readers of all ages.
Each month, Booklist Reader will showcase top-10 lists, must reads, interviews with (and articles by) top authors and illustrators, and adult, youth, and audio recommendations for all communities and all who love to read. Booklist Reader is also partnering with LibraryReads, an organization that each month publishes a list of the top 10 books read by library workers across the nation.
Continued Support for Library Programming!
Town Library while making everyday purchases on Amazon. Use the link below when shopping. Part of the proceeds will go to the Friends who fund books, programs and more for the Library.
Staff Book Recommendations
Cindi recommends…
by Laurie L. Dove
“Mask of the Deer Woman shines an important spotlight on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis while folding a compelling mystery into a heartfelt journey of grief, identity, and reconnection.”
—Vanessa Lillie, USA Today bestselling author of Blood Sisters
Veronika recommends…
by Margaret Atwood
“Atwood takes many trends which exist today and stretches them to their logical and chilling conclusions . . . An excellent novel about the directions our lives are taking.”
— Houston Chronicle
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