Northampton
Massachusetts
Forbes Library
Mission:
Forbes Library exists to provide a wide range of information and materials to all of the people of Northampton, using traditional and innovative technology, and to encourage and support the civic, intellectual, and cultural pursuits of the community. It strives to meet these objectives with continuous sensitivity to the changing needs of the community, and adapts its services to meet these needs. The Library also provides a friendly physical environment which can serve as a community meeting place and in which it encourages curiosity, free inquiry and lifelong learning; and endeavors to make the community aware of its resources and services.
About Us:
Forbes Library, the public library for Northampton, Massachusetts, provides a wide range of information, materials and services to all of the people of Northampton and Massachusetts. The library’s magnificent building offers a friendly, welcoming physical environment which encourages the civic, intellectual, and cultural pursuits of the public. Forbes serves as a community meeting place in which curiosity, free inquiry, and lifelong learning are supported and nurtured. The library is open 48 hours per week, and many resources are available online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Forbes collections are large and varied including not only popular fiction and non-fiction, large arts and music and children’s departments, and an impressive art gallery, but also an extensive local history and genealogy collection for Hampshire County as well as the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum. Forbes also offers Northampton an array of programming and reference services for both children and adults, ranging from author readings, to music and dance demonstrations, dramatic readings and performances, to writing workshops, book and poetry discussion groups, internet training workshops, knitting, chess, and storytime.
Forbes Library is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is governed by an elected Board of Trustees. It is funded by a combination of City appropriation, endowments, and other gifts and grants. Forbes Library is a member of the Massachusetts Library System and the C/W MARS network of libraries in Central and Western Massachusetts.
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library
Exhibition - Action: A History of Florence
Exhibition - Action: A History of Florence
Exhibition - Action: A History of Florence
Exhibition - Action: A History of Florence
Recent News
Exhibition - Illustrations and Collage by Chaldea Emerson, Pamela Acosta Hernández, and Wendy Woodson at Hosmer Art Gallery
Chaldea Emerson Illustrations The colorful illustrations of Chaldea Emerson Deyman invite the viewer into cozy imaginative scenes of animal domestic life. Her art is a celebration of local food, music, family and tiny dwellings. All the work is…
Read More »100 Years After the Indian Citizenship Act: How Has Native American Life Changed?
On June 2, 1924, Calvin Coolidge signed a law that read: "That all non citizen Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States be, and they are hereby, declared to be citizens of the United States." 100 years after Coolidge's…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Happenings Newsletter - December 15, 2023
Adult Programs Holiday Sing-Along for Shelter Saturday, December 16, 10:30am-12pm Bring your voice, friends, and optional musical instruments to sing and play along. Seasonal songs selected from The Daily Ukulele will be projected on…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - December 8, 2023
Adult Programs Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education: An Author Talk with Stephanie Land (Virtual) Tuesday, December 12, 2-3pm Please register to attend this virtual author talk. Join us for a chat with New York Times bestselling author…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Happenings Newsletter - November 24, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Visit our online calendar to see a complete list of events, including book discussions, writing groups, and more. Filter using the category "Virtual" to find events that can be attended remotely. Many…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - November 3, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Visit our online calendar to see a complete list of events, including book discussions, writing groups, and more. Filter using the category "Virtual" to find events that can be attended remotely. Many events at…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - October 27, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Visit our online calendar to see a complete list of events, including book discussions, writing groups, and more. Filter using the category "Virtual" to find events that can be attended remotely. Many events at…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - October 20, 2023
Visit our online calendar to see a complete list of events, including book discussions, local history, performances, and more. Filter using the category "Virtual" to find events that can be attended remotely. Adult Programs Secret Lives of the…
Read More »Forbes Library Unveils Strategic Plan
Forbes Library, a beloved cornerstone of the Northampton community, is thrilled to announce the launch of its comprehensive Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2025 through 2027. This visionary plan charts an exciting course for the library to better…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - September 29, 2023
Friends of Forbes Artisans Fair! Sunday, October 1, 2023, 10 AM-3 PM 44 Artisans Holyoke Hummus Food Truck Masa Mexicano Crooked Stick Pops Free Parking in the Smith College parking garage and the Green St lot. No parking in the Forbes parking…
Read More »Reparations Class At Forbes Library
Would you welcome an opportunity to learn more about reparations for African Americans? A free 5-session class, called The Stolen Beam, will be held online this fall, sponsored by Forbes Library in a series developed and facilitated by members of…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - September 22, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library DoozyDo Parade Saturday, September 23, 2023 MARCH WITH US! We will meet at the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley St at 10 AM. Bring your puppets, noisemakers, and big energy. The march will begin at…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - September 8, 2023
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. Early Readers Book Club Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 4 pm Join us to do a craft based on Shark…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - September 1, 2023
CLOSED: Monday, September 4, 2023 Forbes Library will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2023 in observation of Labor Day. We will reopen with usual hours on Tuesday, September 5. Access to thousands of e-books and e-audiobooks as well as powerful…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - August 25, 2023
Cinema Northampton presents: The Super Mario Bros. Movie - free on the library lawn! Monday, August 29, 2023, 8:30 pm Cinema Northampton returns with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the 2023 American computer-animated adventure comedy film based on…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - August 18, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Cinema Northampton presents: The Super Mario Bros. Movie - free on the library lawn! Monday, August 29, 2023, 8:30 pm Cinema Northampton returns with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the 2023 American…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - August 11, 2023
Hosmer Gallery Seeks Artist Applications for 2024 Forbes Library is excited to invite exhibit proposals for the Hosmer Gallery! We’ll be planning exhibits for February 2024 through February 2025. Applications close: September 8, 2023, 6 pm…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - August 4, 2023
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Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - July 28, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Coolidge Centennial Commemoration with the O-Tones Saturday, July 29, 2023, 2-4 pm Join us on in the Coolidge Museum and the Hosmer Gallery for history, music, and food to celebrate the centennial of Calvin…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - July 7, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Upcoming Election for Forbes Library Board of Trustees Are you a Northampton resident? Or do you know a resident who would has great ideas for helping the library (and Northampton) thrive? Three of the five…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - June 30, 2023
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Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - June 23, 2023
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Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - June 16, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library CLOSED: Monday, June 19, 2023 Forbes Library will be closed on Monday, June 19, 2023 in observation of Juneteenth. We will reopen with usual hours on Tuesday, June 20. Access to thousands of e-books and…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - June 9, 2023
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Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - June 2, 2023
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Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - May 26, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Closed: Monday, May 29, 2023 The library will closed for Memorial Day, but we will reopen with usual hours on Tuesday. Upcoming Election for Forbes Library Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees is the…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - May 19, 2023
Upcoming Election for Forbes Library Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees is the governing body for Forbes Library. The Trustees are responsible for the hiring and evaluation of the director and the oversight of the library budget and policies.…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - May 12, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Delayed Opening: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 Forbes Library will open at 2 pm on Tueday, May 16 following a morning of staff development. Upcoming Election for Forbes Library Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees is…
Read More »Commemoration Of Calvin Coolidge Centennial Begins With Virtual Panel Of Historians
COMMEMORATION OF CALVIN COOLIDGE CENTENNIAL BEGINS WITH VIRTUAL PANEL OF HISTORIANS “When the President Dies” forum will explore how Coolidge and other vice presidents managed their sudden ascension to the presidency Northampton, MA…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - May 5, 2023
Celebrate Pride with Forbes! Hampshire Pride returns this year on Saturday, May 6, 2023. This year's parade begins at 11 am at Sheldon Field at Route 9 (Bridge Street) and Old Ferry Road and marches 1.1 miles to the Armory Street lot behind…
Read More »Upcoming Election for Forbes Library Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the governing body for Forbes Library. The Trustees are responsible for the hiring and evaluation of the director and the oversight of the library budget and policies. As an example, a few years ago Forbes Library eliminated…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - April 28, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Celebrate Pride with Forbes! Hampshire Pride returns this year on Saturday, May 6, 2023. This year's parade begins at 11 am at Old Ferry Road and Route 9 and marches to the Armory Street lot behind Thornes. We'll…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - April 21, 2023
Support the library with a wine & cheese pack from Provisions The Friends of Forbes Library and Provisions have put together a delicious selection of two awesome local wines from Glendale Ridge Vineyard and two fabulous cheeses from local…
Read More »Forbes Library Happenings Newsletter - April 14, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Support the library with a Wine & Cheese Pack from Provisions The Friends of Forbes Library and Provisions have put together a delicious selection of two awesome local wines from Glendale Ridge Vineyard and…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - March 31, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library April 4 is Library Giving Day. Your gift to Forbes Library provides the community with new knowledge, new adventures, new friends, and it feeds a bunch of fish, including Paco. This year, your impact is…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - March 24, 2023
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…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - March 17, 2023
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…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - March 10, 2023
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…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - February 24, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Final Week of Our Toiletries Drive! Throughout the month of February, Forbes Library is collecting toiletries to support local residents who are experiencing homelessness. The following supplies are needed: …
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - February 17, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Closed: Monday, February 20 The library will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023 for Presidents' Day. We will reopen with usual hours on Tuesday, February 21 at 10 am. Toiletries Drive To Benefit Friends…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - February 10, 2023
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library CLOSED: Monday, February 20 The library will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023 for Presidents' Day. We will reopen with usual hours on Tuesday, February 21 at 10 am. Toiletries Drive To Benefit Friends of…
Read More »Forbes Library - Library Hosts Toiletries Drive
TO BENEFIT FRIENDS OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, INC. Throughout the month of February, Forbes Library is collecting toiletries to support local residents who are experiencing homelessness. The following supplies are needed: deodorant,…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - January 27, 2023
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…
Read More »Forbes Library Happenings for the Week of January 20, 2022
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)…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - January 13, 2022
Optimizing brain health through exercise: The benefits of movement in slowing cognitive decline Saturday, January 14, 2023, 10:30 am Moving is one of the best things we can do for our brains. This lecture will focus on 4 important areas of…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - December 30, 2022
Upcoming Holiday Closures Please note our schedule over the upcoming holidays: Saturday, December 31: Closed Monday, January 2: Closed Otherwise, we will be open our usual hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm Friday-Saturday 10am-6pm Visit…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - December 16, 2022
Upcoming Holiday Closures Please note our schedule over the upcoming holidays: Saturday, December 24: Closed Monday, December 26: Closed Saturday, December 31: Closed Monday, January 2: Closed Otherwise, we will be open our usual hours: …
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - December 9, 2022
Check out the Friends of Forbes Winter Newsletter! Family History Help 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…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - December 2, 2022
Upcoming Events at Forbes Library Help Build Our Next Strategic Plan! Thursday, December 8, 2022, 6:30 pm Forbes Library is developing a new strategic plan that will guide the library’s decisions in crafting a plan for a better Forbes…
Read More »Forbes Library Weekly Events - November 25, 2022
CLOSED: Thanksgiving Holiday The library is closed on Friday, November 25. We will reopen with usual hours on Saturday, November 26 at 10 am. Help Build Our Next Strategic Plan! Thursday, December 8, 2022, 6:30 pm Forbes Library is developing a…
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