Northampton, Forbes Library

On view: 4/2/2026-4/29/2026 Reception: Saturday, April 18, 1-4 pm Bits and Pieces “Bits and Pieces,” the Fiberistas’ upcoming show at the Hosmer Gallery, Forbes Library, represents the imaginations an...

Join us for books, songs, and puppets and participate in an open-ended art activity designed to encourage creativity! Great for ages 3-5.

A low-impact exercise class to enhance strength, increase bone density, develop flexibility, and improve balance to help prevent falls and boost overall fitness. Exercises are done either standing or ...

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology? Come to a drop-in tech help session!...

Calling all adventurers! D&D for adults! New and experienced players can join the adventuring party in the Forbidden Bogs of Blackwater Pass, a series of new short-form adventures for D&D Fifth Editio...

The View of Earth from Space: Music and Astronaut Imagery Join us for a special presentation of Earth Music Theater Live (EMTL)—an immersive multimedia experience that blends live music, astronaut ima...

Join us for Toddler Storytime every Friday morning! We will sing songs, read stories, and have fun. This event is best suited for 1.5-3-year-olds and their caregivers.

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 Nintendo Switch! We generally play Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart 8, Super Mari...

Ukulele Strum Group is a community ukulele club, part of the larger Pioneer Valley Ukulele Community (Meetup). We meet weekly at Forbes Library in Northampton to sing and play together just for the fu...

Drop in and work on your knitting or crochet projects together.

Every Saturday from 10:30 am-1:30 pm in the Watson Room, join fellow writers for companionable writing time. The Writing Room is ongoing throughout the year (except that there are no Saturday sessions...

This is an inviting program for learning in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere through weekly Zoom sessions. Sessions (which start promptly) are from 3-4:30 PM and include advanced conversation and tex...

Gallery of Readers presents a monthly reading. Free and open to the public. This event will also be livestreamed on the Forbes YouTube channel. Click here to view. This month's readers: Sofia Belimova...

A meeting for folx to get more information and sign up to volunteer for Hampshire Pride

A low-impact exercise class to enhance strength, increase bone density, develop flexibility, and improve balance to help prevent falls and boost overall fitness. Exercises are done either standing or ...

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology? Come to a drop-in tech help session ...

We've got bricks, baseplates and minifigs--now all we need is you! Join us for LEGO Club Mondays at 3:30 in the Forbes Library Community Room. Pick a design challenge out of the bowl or simply build a...

Calling all young adventurers! Our Dungeons & Dragons Club continues! Participants will sign up for four sessions at once, and will meet on the following Mondays from 3:45 - 5:15pm: 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, ...

Meetings are open to the public and can be attended through the following zoom link. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83109840144?pwd=cLMAhEQZjtqEKB751dOeQyibAu4xqb.1 Meeting ID: 831 0984 0144 Passcode: 7237...

Learn about how to use Canva with Hannah Cox, Digital Navigator at Northampton Open Media. Canva is a free design platform for creating flyers, graphics, and more. We’ll walk through the basics togeth...

We'll be reading Yinka, Where Is Your Husband? by Lizzie Blackburn. About the book: Meet Yinka: a thirty-something, Oxford-educated, British Nigerian woman with a well-paid job, good friends, and a mo...

Join us for stories, songs, and puppets! We'll do a 20-minute storytime together, then we'll put out toys for free play and social time until 11:00. For babies under 18 months and their caregivers.

Do you need help using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Did you run into a sticky software problem? Do you want to learn how to use a new piece of technology? Come to a drop-in tech help session!...

Join us to do a craft based on Cabin Head and Tree Head by Scott Campbell! We will meet in the community room. Books are available in the children's department to check out. Please email jcornick@forb...

This 8-week course examines the history and nuances of Jazz singing. We’ll outline key concepts in how vocal expression has been defined and perceived in Jazz, and follow the steps in its development....

Rescheduled from January 26 and 28! Learn the fundamentals of juggling in a relaxed, supportive environment! This beginner-friendly workshop series covers basic patterns, hand-eye coordination techniq...

Drop in and work on your knitting or crochet projects together.

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 genealogist Brian Tabor and lea...

Join us this Tuesday for a poetry discussion. Zoom meeting link Meeting ID: 896 9249 9767 Passcode: 254365 This weekly poetry discussion group is open to everyone including regulars and drop-ins. All ...

Please see staff from the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center for Career Center registration, job search assistance, UI and other available services. Meet on the Mezzanine between 10am and 1pm. ...

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 genealogist Brian Tabor and lea...

During this in-person workshop learn about the current types of interviews and how best to prepare yourself for them. We will review commonly asked questions and how you can respond to them as well as...

Write, revise, and submit job applications with staff support. Work on your resume, draft cover letters, complete applications, or organize your job search. Staff will be available for: Quick question...

Drop in for part or all of these casual chess meets, every Wednesday from 1-3pm on the mezzanine. All experience levels welcome. Please bring your own set if you have one.

Hello! I'm Sunny and I'm Forbes Library's reading buddy dog! You can book a 15-minute appointment to read to me on Wednesdays between 3:30-4:30. I'm a good listener and like to look at the pictures, t...

Join us for a casual meet-up 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? Hoping to...

Far Out Film Discussion functions like a book club - watch the film on your own and gather on the first and third Wednesdays to discuss. We will meet in the Community room on Wednesday April 15th at 6...

This month's book is Hollow Spaces by Victor Suthammanont. You can request a copy of the book from the library catalog. About the book: Thirty years ago, John Lo was acquitted of the murder of an empl...

Drop in anytime between 2:30 and 3:30 to do some art designed for our youngest creatives! Ideal for kids 6 months to 2 years old. Be prepared to get a little messy!

This month we will discuss Something That May Shock and Discredit You by Daniel Lavery. About the book: Daniel M. Lavery is known for blending genres, forms, and sources to develop fascinating new hyb...

Curious about Forbes Library's collections, research tools, or technologies? Join us for a deep dive into a new topic each month. Whether you're new to Forbes or have been coming here for years, there...

This World is a collection of poems and black and white photographs that reflect on immigrants, the houseless and invisibility, as well as perspectives on grief, love and hope. Gail Thomas will read p...

You are invited to the Grand Opening of the new Youth Programming Room! We will be joined by author/illustrator Esme Shapiro, who painted a bespoke mural in the programming room. Esme will read her ne...

We're throwing a party just for teens to celebrate our new Youth Programming Room! Teens are invited to come eat pizza, play video games on our brand-new TV, and enjoy the new space. This event is mea...

Please note: there will be no Job Readiness Workshops on Wednesday, March 22 due to a prior commitment for MassHire. See the full calendar of events on MassHire's website.

The Northampton Tenants Union general meeting is a time for renters to come together to hear about organizing efforts and get support.

In observance of Earth Day, join us for a reading and panel discussion with three local authors who write ecological and climate fiction for children, teens, and adults. The authors will read from the...

Stop by the front table in the Reference Room between 10:30am and 12:30pm to meet representatives from Travel Kuz/Van Pool and explore employment offerings.

Meet Pat Sicard and learn about RSVP of the Pioneer Valley, the local volunteer connector for people 55 and older. RSVP of the Pioneer Valley is a federal Americorps Seniors volunteer matching program...

Smith College's MIND Lab Explorers are back with an exciting hands-on activity! Join us to learn how to extract DNA from strawberries using simple household supplies. This fun and engaging session is ...

This winter and spring, join us for monthly documentary screenings at Forbes! These films are presented through the Indie Lens Pop-Up program. This month: The Librarians (86 minutes), plus an optional...

Forbes Library offers a wide range of services and collections spread over four floors in a grand Victorian building. Join us for a guided tour of the library where we will be presenting a brief intro...

The Connecticut River Oxbow and Island Road: A History and Contemporary View by Jonathan Moldover Part 1 of a Two Part Lecture Series featuring The Oxbow and Mount Holyoke presented by Forbes Library ...

Please contact facilitator Hilary Caws-Elwitt for updated meeting info. This month's selection is The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James. About the book: Isabel Archer, a beautiful, intelligent, and he...

The Presidential Book Group is reading in chronological order and this month we are on Warren G. Harding. Choose from the following titles: Warren G. Harding by John Dean The Presidency of Warren G. H...

This month's selection is Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. About the book: Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady—ah, lady of a certain age—who lives above her forgotte...

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 c...

Join us for a chat in the Youth Programming Room and pick next month's book! We'll be reading Dan in Green Gables by Ray Terciero. From the publisher: "In this modern reimagining of Anne of Green Gabl...

Join us to discuss Some of Us Are Brave by Saadia Faruqi and enjoy some snacks! About the book: From the acclaimed author of The Strongest Heart comes a stirring new novel from the perspectives of thr...

Curious about Forbes Library's collections, research tools, or technologies? Join us for a deep dive into a new topic each month. Whether you're new to Forbes or have been coming here for years, there...

Bring your own book (or borrow one from our collection) and read alongside neighbors and friends. Gather at 6:30pm for a group welcome, then settle in for an hour of quiet reading, followed by (option...

Are you considering changing careers, but feel overwhelmed by forging a new path? Do you want to expand your job search, but aren't sure how? Exploring new career paths can help bring you closer to a ...

Staff will be available to provide individualized support with navigating career exploration, including performing labor market research, taking career assessments, and preparing your resume for makin...

Join us in the Arts and Music Department on the 2nd floor. 6:30-8:00 pm New members are welcome! Zine Club!

This interactive workshop explores the role movement plays in supporting physical and emotional well-being during perimenopause. First, participants will learn how hormonal changes affect the body — a...

This is a focus group for people invited by members of the standing committee. This group will be facilitated by Sarah Tanner. Email: director@forbeslibrary.org for more information.

Join us for a reading in celebration of the release of Jonathan Wright's new book, Half a World Away. Half a World Away is a coming-of-age story of a 10-year-old boy during his nine-month trip across ...

Join us once a month for Threshold Circle: a welcoming space for exploring mortality, loss, and the thresholds we encounter in life. Awareness of mortality has the power to deepen our appreciation of ...

Pioneer Valley Ballet is bringing ballet to the library! We will be reading the story of Cinderella, discussing the differences between the ballet and Disney versions, teaching an introductory ballet ...

Above the Oxbow: History and Memory on Mount Holyoke by Danielle Raad Part 2 of a Two Part Lecture Series featuring The Oxbow and Mount Holyoke presented by Forbes Library and Historic Northampton Fre...

Join us for a pizza party celebration of this special holiday, complete with: -Photo ops with characters from the 501st legion! -A galaxy tote bag craft! -Pizza! -Games! -A special themed scavenger hu...

Meeting of the Coolidge Standing Committee of the Forbes Library Board of Trustees HYBRID with in person in the Director's Office and remote via zoom. Public welcome to observe and there is a public c...

*Please note: this month's discussion will take place in the Watson Room.* Paradise City Readers is a small inclusive community of readers. We get together to talk about a diversity of books, written ...

Join us for a “cat pawty” and storytime with Caldecott honoree Brian Lies! The event is focused on Cat Nap, a beautiful and playful picture book that follows a sleepy kitten whose afternoon nap transf...

Calling all adventurers! D&D for adults! New and experienced players can join the adventuring party in the Forbidden Bogs of Blackwater Pass, a series of new short-form adventures for D&D Fifth Editio...

Join Straw Dog Writers Guild on the first Tuesday of each month for Writers Night Out at Forbes Library. No registration required. This month's featured reader: Eileen P. Kennedy If you want to partic...

Looking for something to do on a Northampton Public Schools half day? Swing by the Youth Programming Room! This drop-in program will include snacks, coloring, and watching a livestream of cute puppies...

Come meet with a Young Adult Career Counselor and ask us questions in areas like: resume review, editing & suggestions practice job interview questions job search strategies explore possible career pa...

Writers who worked at The Globe Bookshop in the 1990’s will read from their work in the Readers and Writers Live program. Poet Ellen Dore Watson and writers Joan Barberich, Rachel Hass, and Kirsten Ry...

Anyone interested in Science Fiction or Fantasy is welcome. Although we focus on this month’s selection, we will discuss any topics related to Science Fiction or Fantasy, books or movies. This month's...

Novelist Corinne Demas and poet Richard Michelson will team up for a reading from their recent books: Corinne’s new novel, Daughters, and Rich’s poems about daughters in Sleeping as Fast As a Can, and...

Presented by the Friends of Forbes Library Leave from Forbes Library at 9 AM and return approximately 6:30 PM (Free parking available during the bus trip in the library’s lot) Tickets: $130 each inclu...

Volunteer mechanics from Bikes For All will be set up on the Library Lawn to help you get ready to ride! Mechanics will be available to share information about these two bike programs, offer free mino...

We'll be reading James by Percival Everett. Request a copy of this book by placing a hold. About the book: When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wi...

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 genealogist Brian Tabor and lea...

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 genealogist Brian Tabor and lea...

Join us at for an artist talk with photographer David Ricci about his latest photobook Hunter Gatherer: Salvaged Stories of American Culture (MW Editions, 2026). This decade-long project reveals Ameri...

Please join us to honor the life and legacy of Ellen LaFleche. Your presence and support during this difficult time mean a great deal to our family.

Join us to do a craft based on Cabin Head and Tree Head by Scott Campbell! We will meet in the Youth Programming Room. Books are available in the children's department to check out. Please email jcorn...

Grow Taller as You Age. Learn posture and alignment. Engage muscles to feel stronger, engaged, relaxed and taller. Please register to attend. Contact: Janet, 845-866-7822

The Forbes Library Accessibility Advisory Board is made up of local disability and accessibility experts and community members with disabilities. Anyone with an interest in the accessibility of librar...

Grow Taller as You Age. Learn posture and alignment. Engage muscles to feel stronger, engaged, relaxed and taller. Please register to attend. Contact: Janet, 845-866-7822

Looking for something to do on a Northampton Public Schools half day? Swing by the Youth Programming Room! This drop-in program will include snacks and painting with watercolors. Per library policy, k...

Join us for a discussion of the Narcotics Farm Act of 1929 signed by President Calvin Coolidge Marjorie Senechal and Sally Harlow in conversation with Bill Scher