Upcoming Events at Forbes Library

Celebrate New Artworks in Forbes Library's Collection
Reception Saturday, February 4, 2023, 2-3:30 PM
Join us in spotlighting the new artworks by local and regional BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists which we have acquired in the last two years. In 2021, Forbes Library received a $10,000 anonymous donation with the express intent of supporting the library in its desire to diversify its permanent art collection. The Trustees of Forbes Library then matched the gift and appointed a committee to identify potential artists and recommend works of art to acquire for the permanent collection. Committee members identified 10 pieces to purchase. They include paintings, drawings, photographs, and digital art by Ryan Murray, Mike Curato, Grace Lin, Priya N. Green, Alex Callender, Anthony Melting Tallow, and Julius Lester.

We will also be unveiling an original and vibrant watercolor of Sojourner Truth by the great Richard Yarde. Carlie Tartakov will say a few words on behalf of the Committee at the event.

Many of the contemporary artists will attend the reception. We are grateful also to R. Michelson Galleries, Big Red Frame, Robert Floyd Photo Gallery, and everyone who contributed time and knowledge to our research.

We invite everyone to enjoy refreshments in the Reading Room and a self-guided tour of new artworks throughout the building.

Library Programs

Visit our online calendar to see a complete list of library events. Filter using the category "VIRTUAL" to find events that can be attended remotely.

Voices of Poetry
Saturday, January 21, 2023, 2 pm

Join us at this beautiful library for an afternoon of great poetry, featuring four distinguished poets:

• Doug Anderson — winner, Kate Tufts Discovery Award;
• Lori Desrosiers — editor-in-chief, Naugatuck River Review & Wordpeace;
• Gail Thomas —award-winning poet who has led workshops & intergenerational arts projects;
• Ellen Dore Watson —Director Emerita of the Poetry Center at Smith College & a National Endowment fellowship recipient.

Kids' Chess Club
Saturday, January 21, 2023, 4-5 pm

Back by popular demand! All levels welcome! For ages 9+. Learn the rules and how to use all of your pieces. First come, first served. Attendance limited to 14 people. We will meet monthly from 4-5 PM on the following Saturdays: 

Jan. 21

Feb. 18

Mar. 18

Apr. 15.

No registration is required. We look forward to seeing you!

Monthly Family Game Time with Northampton Public School's Early Childhood Center
Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 3:30 pm

Drop in to play games and meet other families! Enjoy collaborative games like Snug as a Bug and Busy Town, as well as turn-taking games like Spot It!, Hiss, and Zingo. Games are a great way to build communication skills, problem-solving, and brain development. It's also an enjoyable way to promote family time. This Monthly Family Game Time is geared toward families with children ages 3-8 years old.

VIRTUAL Middle Grade Book Club
Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 4 pm

Join us on Zoom to discuss this month's book, Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King. For ages 10-14. Email [email protected] to register and receive the Zoom meeting link!

"When 6th grader Mac discovers several words of his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil's Arithmetic are blacked out he is outraged, so he, his friends, and his eccentric family set out to do something about the censorship imposed by one teacher and the school board."

*Starred reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Booklist!*

Teen Gaming Lounge
Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 4 pm

Every Tuesday afternoon, teens ages 12+ are invited to play our brand-new Nintendo Switch in the YA Room! We'll have enough controllers for 8 players at a time. Challenge your friends to a Mario Kart race, try out new games, and meet fellow gamers!

This program is for teens only; we'll have a separate game time for players under the age of 12.

Why Reparations? Why Northampton? Why Now?
Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 6:30 pm

A panel discussion hosted by the Northampton Reparations Committee will address these questions and the resolution to the City Council. The committee, a group of local citizens, believes reparations to Black residents are long overdue. They have circulated a petition garnering over 400 signatures and developed a resolution describing the historical harms experienced by Black residents of Northampton. The committee will give an overview of its work followed by the panel discussion. Panelists include: Rev. Andrea Ayvazian, Ousmane Power-Greene, Dan Cannity.Faciliated by Sara Weinberger.

Register here for this Zoom program.

Teen Anime Club
Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 4 pm
Just us to watch anime, check out the library's growing collection of manga, and make fan art with our craft supplies! This month, we'll be watching two episodes of My Hero Academia!

Magic the Gathering Club for Tweens & Teens
Thursday, January 26, 2023, 3:45 pm

Join us for a casual meetup for tweens & teens interested in the tabletop card game Magic: The Gathering

Curious about learning how to play? Know how it works but looking for other players? All are welcome! 

Bring your own decks to use if you have them, or if you don't have any cards - that's ok - Forbes will provide cards to use at the library! 

Forbes Library Tour
Thursday, January 26, 2023, 6:30 pm

Join us for a guided tour of the library where we will be presenting a brief introduction to the library's history and an overview of what awaits you on each floor. You may register for a library card after the tour.

Preregistration is appreciated but not required. Meet us in the library's front lobby. Masks are recommended. For more information contact Mary in Borrower Services at 413-587-1011 ext. 4522 or by email. For questions concerning access or to request accommodations, please contact 413-587-1017 or [email protected]. 

Kids' Gaming Club
Fridays at 4 pm

Every Friday, kids ages 7-12 can join us in the Community Room to hang out with other young gamers and play the library's new Nintendo Switch!

ECFS College Planning Workshop
Saturday, January 28, 10 am
Please join us for a FREE Educational College Planning workshop that will focus on high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. We’ll discuss the FAFSA form and all the other information you need to understand in order to maximize the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive! Even if your family is not eligible for need-based aid, we will cover the best strategies on how to pay for college on the most tax efficient basis—without it putting a strain on the rest of your finances. Registration is required.

New Virtual Author Talk Series

Forbes Library is proud to offer a new series of virtual author talks featuring New York Times Best Selling and award winning authors. Each talk includes the opportunity to participate in author Q&A or pre-submit questions during registration.

?A complete list of events, as well as recordings of past events, is available on Forbes Library's virtual author talk series website.? These events will also appear on our events calendar.

Author Talks for this month include:
xkcd WEBCOMIC AND WHAT IF? SERIES CREATOR – Author Talk with Randall Munroe, New York Times bestselling author of What If? and How To and the hugely popular webcomic xkcd – January 31, 2023 at 2 PM.

BACK IN A SPELL – Author Talk with Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback's a Witch and From Bad to Cursed – February 9, 2023 at 7 PM.

TASTES LIKE WAR – Author Talk with Grace M. Cho, 2021 National Book Award Finalist and TIME and NPR Best Book of the Year – February 16, 2023 at 1 PM.

In the Hosmer Gallery

Cynthia Fisher: Mosaics
Lennie Kaumzha: Paintings
Paul Yandoli: Photographs

January 4-30, 2023

Click Here for more information.