Libraries contain more than just books on shelves. Along with all of the borrowing options, libraries offer their communities programs and events. Workshops, performances, forums, literature-based gatherings and more make libraries a place for residents to come together and learn.
Anyone who is a library patron in our region knows that Western Massachusetts libraries are vibrant centers of activity. This is true throughout the year, but there are particular times when the number of events and opportunities are even more abundant. Summer reading season is one of those times. The winter holiday season is another.
At Cushman Library, 28 Church St. in Bernardston, our seasonal offerings begin in November. We’ve already presented two felting workshops and we have two more coming up. (Sorry, they’re already full.) We are also offering an annual favorite, a homemade cards, boxes and gift tags workshop (Dec. 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m.), during which adults and teens (12 years old and up) learn how to fold paper and old cards into boxes and then get to enjoy using a plethora of craft materials as they create unique personal greetings and gift containers. It’s a really enjoyable evening and it is wonderful to have parents and teens participating together. Along that same idea, we are offering a handmade ornaments workshop (Dec. 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m.) designed specifically for children (4 years old and up) and their caretakers. It can be parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles or even older siblings. The intention is for the children and adults to get crafty together and create ornaments that will long adorn their tree, but also to create the memory of making something together. Pre-registration is required for both of these workshops. Send an e-mail to cushmanlibrary@gmail.com or drop by in-person to register.
Cushman Library has also sponsored a family through Adopt-a-Family Franklin County for the past few years, inviting patrons, trustees and staff to grant the wishes of the family members and send boxes of food and a grocery card. This fairly new tradition brought the library’s community together from the start — after we were inspired by a last-minute plea for more sponsors four years ago. Now, we anticipate the moment when the list of requests goes out and our community comes forward with generosity and kindness. If you would like to participate with us, the list of requests will soon be on our Facebook page in the “notes” section. If you are inspired to sponsor a family on your own, please contact Libby Kolasinski at libbykol@comcast.net or 413-665-7031.
Another annual event, which has existed throughout my fifteen-year tenure, is the Winter Raffle, which is a fundraiser for programming at Cushman Library. It’s also a gift to our patrons and community because it gives them the chance to vie for lovely items. We draw the winners just before Christmas. This year, we have more than 50 fabulous items including thematic baskets, home decor, yummy food, spa luxuries, candles, Christmas decor, books by local author Kristin Nicholas (a dedicated library patron) and bestsellers with canvas Cushman Library bags. The items are on display and photos can be found on our Facebook page. Tickets are on sale now and winners will be chosen on Wednesday, Dec. 18, which will give folks two open days to retrieve their prizes before the holiday.
In addition to these special offerings, we’ll host an extra Preschool Story Time, along with our weekly Story Hours. Our conversational French group, Bonjour!, and our Book Discussion Group will both be celebrating the season at their monthly gatherings. The book discussion will feature “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens and a potluck to follow will feature Cajun chowder and cornbread, paying homage to the setting of the book. If you are interested in attending either of these events, please contact cushmanlibrary@gmail.com or drop by in person.
As in most homes, there is a post-holiday dip at our library. The dark and the cold (and the snow and the ice) have a tendency to encourage folks to stay cozy at home in the evenings. We are offering programming to help draw people out. On Jan. 13 at 7 p.m., Emily Brewster, a lexicographer at Merriam-Webster Dictionary who is also well known for her fascinating conversations about words with Monte Belmonte on WRSI every Wednesday morning, will be at Cushman Library talking about the role of the dictionary in public discourse. Anyone who loves words should be sure to attend. The event is free.
Staying with the dictionary theme, on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., I will be teaching anyone who’s interested the game of Dictionary, which was created by my family around our dining room table when I was about 8 years old. It’s extremely thought-provoking, interesting, creative and has been known to cause tearful gales of laughter. Plus, it celebrates the joys of a big fat dictionary.
On the lighter side, we’re planning to infuse the darkness of winter nights with some color, as we host free thematic coloring evenings for adults and teens (12 and up). We’ll be “Colouring the Beatles” using two books that celebrate the fab four on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; “Coloring Good Vibes” with books featuring stress-relieving patterns and large print designs on Monday, Feb. 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and “Coloring Harry Potter,” including characters and magical places, on Monday, March 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. During February school vacation, we’ll be hosting a coloring evening especially for children (4 and up) and their adults. “Come Color Dr. Seuss With Us!” will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Keurig will be on for all of these events and we’ll have plenty of cocoa cups for the kids.
S. White Dickinson Memorial Library, at 202 Chestnut Plain Road in Whately, will be hosting its annual Handmade Holiday Craft Fair on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is the library’s 10th annual craft fair and it’s sure to delight all who attend. If you have handmade items that you would like to sell at the craft fair, please email friendsofthewhatelylibrary@gmail.com for an application or for more information.
Carnegie Library, at 201 Avenue A in Turners Falls, will be hosting a Gingerbread Party on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to come make easy gingerbread houses. Candy, graham crackers and icing will be provided for this free program.
On Sunday, Dec. 15, starting at p.m., Leverett Library, at 75 Montague Road, will be hosting Ring in the Holidays: Concert of Favorite Songs and Good Cheer, a free event featuring Beth Logan Raffeld on vocals, Stephen Page on piano and Steve Bulmer on bass. The day will be the culmination of the Friends of Leverett Library’s Annual Holiday Gift Basket Silent Auction. Baskets are available for viewing at the library and bids will be accepted until 3 p.m. on Dec. 15. Winners will be notified on the same day. Leverett Library is open noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, so you could make an afternoon of it and bid for baskets and then enjoy the concert.
At the Sunderland Public library, 20 School St., patrons of all ages are invited to drop by the library during the afternoon on Friday, Dec. 20 from 2 to 6 p.m. to decorate a plate full of cookies for free. They will provide several different types of cookies, frostings, sprinkles, and other decorations, as well as vegan and gluten-free cookie options. The library will provide all of the supplies, and the patrons will bring the fun!
In Leverett, on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m., folks are invited to attend Solstice Talk to Celebrate Light with Bruce Watson and his book “Light: a Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age.” This event is free and there will be books available for purchase and signing.
If you don’t see events at your library listed here, be sure to drop by and find out what’s happening during these colder months, or take a look at their website or Facebook page. Western MA libraries are cornucopias filled with materials to borrow, activities and events to enjoy, and staff members who love the communities they serve. Our libraries are gifts that continually give. Enjoy them.
Karen Stinchfield is the director of Cushman Library in Bernardston.