Upcoming Events at Forbes Library

2022 Massachusetts Book Awards:
A Reading by Local Honorees

Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 6 pm
Join us for an evening of readings from local honorees of this year's Mass Book Awards, presented by Forbes Library and the Center for the Book:  Gary Metras, Rebecca Olander, Lesléa Newman, Ruth Ozeki, and Martín Espada.

Be there in person or watch the livestream!

Upcoming Pioneer Valley Symphony Concert

Thomas De Hartmann: Rediscovering A Ukrainian Master
Saturday, March 18 at 7PM
Tillis Hall, Bromery Center for the Arts
151 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01301
*Ticketing is handled by the Fine Arts Center at UMass. Patrons just need to show their PVS Library Pass at the box office the night of the concert to get up to four free tickets. 

Symphonie-poème No. 1 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with Elan Sicroff  

At 6PM, Elan Sicroff will join resident musicologist David Schneider, Georges Lurcy Professor of Music at Amherst College, for a pre-concert talk in the lobby. A post-concert reception will be hosted by the Thomas de Hartmann Project.

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.

Author Talk with David Epstein: Bestselling author of RANGE and THE SPORTS GENE
Monday, March 13, 2023, 1 pm

Register to attend this virtual author talk. 

You’re invited to a conversation with New York Times bestselling author David Epstein as he chats about his most recent book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. 

What's the most effective path to success in any domain? It's not what you think.

Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus intensely, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible. If you dabble or delay, you’ll never catch up to the people who got a head start. But a closer look at research on the world’s top performers, from professional athletes to Nobel laureates, shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule.

Early Readers Book Club: Dewdrop by K. O'Neill
Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 4 pm

Join us to make a craft based on "Dewdrop" by K. O'Neill! We will meet in the community room from 4:00-5:00. Attendance is capped at 30 people. Books are available in the children's department to check out. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Family History Help
Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 7 pm
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 10:30am-12pm

Are you curious about how to get started on a family tree or use census records to explore the history of your neighborhood or house? Book a one-on-one appointment with Brian Tabor, recently retired Forbes Library circulation manager and genealogist, and learn how to research using genealogy resources such as Ancestry, Heritage Quest and American Ancestors databases.  

2nd week of the month

Tuesdays 6-7pm

Wednesdays 10:30-12

Email [email protected] to book an appointment with Brian.  Drop in welcome

The Hampshire Room for Local History is also open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10-2 for appointments and drop in research.  

Virtual: Boston African American National Historic Site Presents 'Explore The Black Heritage Trail'

Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 12 pm 

Enjoy a virtual lunchtime lecture from the Boston African American National Historic Site, entitled "Explore the Black Heritage Trail." The Black Heritage Trail showcases residences and community buildings associated with a Black community that thrived on, and near, the north slope of Beacon Hill before, during, and after the American Civil War. Throughout that time, this community struggled and organized for equal rights and access to equal education. Community members championed the movement to abolish slavery and even housed freedom seekers on their journey along the Underground Railroad. Led by National Park Ranger Shawn Quigley. 

Register directly on Zoom.

Tween Stem Club
Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 3:30 pm

Join us in the community room on the third Wednesday of each month for an activity related to science, technology, engineering and math! This event is for children ages 8-12. 

In Person Meeting : Far Out Film Discussion
Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 6:30 pm
Far Out Film Discussion will meet in the Community room at 6:30 to talk about 90s basketball films Space Jam and Air Bud.
Space Jam Trailer
Air Bud Trailer

Hybrid: Afternoon Book Discussion
Friday, March 17, 2023, 1 pm 

This month's book is The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill. You can request a copy of the book from the library catalog. 
This is a hyrbid meeting -- so you can either join us on Zoom or in the Watson Room this month!

Kids' Chess Club
Saturday, March 18, 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.

In the Hosmer Gallery

Paintings by Margaret Lloyd,
Kate Marion Lapierre, and Lydia Kinney

March 3-30, 2023
Artists' Reception: March 9, 5-7 pm