Eyes on Freedom: Evolving Gifts of Simple Nonviolent Living
2025-03-18 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Pelham Library, 2 South Valley Road , Pelham, MA, 01002, United States
Folklorists Michael and Carrie Kline present a community listening session of Eyes on Freedom: Evolving Gifts of Simple Nonviolent Living, an episode from their audio podcast, Talking Across Lines. Eyes on Freedom tells the story of Wally and Juanita Nelson, civil rights activists, peace activists, war tax refusers, subsistence farmers, and advocates for simple living.
The Klines have created an hour-long oral tapestry that weaves oral testimonies and interviews from those who knew the Nelsons and who were deeply impacted by them. They have created a conversation on the themes of the Nelsons’ lives: nonviolence, war tax refusal, joy, dance, land trusts, the action around the Kehler-Corner home seizure in Colrain by the IRS, the local food movement, questioning the idea of race, and simple living. Listen to the podcast with us and then join us for a discussion on the Nelsons’ legacy.

"Ready to Learn Reiki" for 6th to 8th Graders
2025-03-15 11:00 - 12:00
Join Kristin Famighette Certified Reiki Master Teacher, to learn the basics of reiki along with meditation and mindfulness techniques for every day. Learn more about Kristin at www.sharesoulmagic.com

BOOK GROUP: "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store"
2025-02-26 19:00 - 21:00
The next title for the Pelham Library Book Group is “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride. All are welcome and copies are available at the desk.

Sustainability Series: "What Do We Do With the STUFF?" with Meguey Baker
2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:00
Your high school yearbook. Your kid’s art from grade school. Grandma’s wedding dress. Dad’s Army uniform. Great-grandpa’s piano. The attic, the basement, the shed, the stacks by the bed. What do we do with all the STUFF??? Meg Baker, curator of the Hatfield Historical Society, has some tips to share.

Hand Sewing for Young People with Meg Baker
2025-02-19 14:00 - 16:00
Make a drawstring bag with an inside pocket, and learn hand-sewing skills that are the basis for all other fiber arts. Materials provided in this hands-on make-and-take class, but if you want to bring your choice of fabric, you will need ONE 18″ square of fabric for the bag and ONE 6″ square for the pocket.
Registration is required. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAA72EA3FEC61-54723808-hand

Opioid Rescue (Naloxone/Narcan) Training
2025-02-18 17:30 - 19:00
Join us for this training with Kristen Kreiger, RN BSN from the Quabbin Health district. Topics covered include:
-Understanding what opioids are and why people become addicted.
-How to recognize and respond to an overdose
-How to use Narcan (naloxone) safely and effectively
All participants will receive a Naloxone kit free of charge!

CLOSED: Presidents Day
2025-02-17

Sustainabilty Series: Knife Sharpening Workshop
2025-02-15 11:00 - 13:00
Has your favorite knife lost its edge? Would you love to get it sharpened and learn more about how to care for your blades so they’ll last you a lifetime? James from Sharpen Something! will bring his sharpening equipment and expertise. Come learn knife care and get something sharpened! Please feel free to bring one knife for sharpening – serrated or straight edged. Please no blade lengths longer than 10 inches.

Friends of the Library Meeting
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-11-07 19:00 - 20:30
Join the Friends of the Library for our next meeting. We’ll discuss ideas for programming, special events and more. Bring your ideas, energy and a friend!

BOOK GROUP: "The Remains of the Day"
2025-01-22 19:00 - 21:00
This month’s title is “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ichiguro. All are welcome and copies are available at the desk.

Sustainability Series: BYO Mending Project with Meguey Baker
2025-01-21 17:30 - 19:00
Have you ever wondered how to fix that favorite item of clothing but were not quite sure how? Bring it along and find out! Some materials provided, BYO if you have them, especially fabric for matching or patching! Space is limited. Please contact the library to sign up.

CLOSED: MLK Day
2025-01-20

Sustainability Series: Hand Sewing and Mending 101 with Meguey Baker
2025-01-14 17:30 - 19:00
In our modern world, mending instead of buying new is a radical act! Come learn hand-sewing techniques that were once part of everyone’s skill set, and can be again! Materials provided in this hands-on make-and-take covering the basics you need to do routine mending and alterations on your wardrobe.

West African Drumming Workshop
2025-01-11 12:00 - 13:00
Come out to play with the Wendell Warriors drumming ensemble and led by Jafar Manselle. Jafar will show you how to make different tones on the drum and introduce African rhythms used for village celebrations. As a group, we will all play together and celebrate the day. A drum class is always a celebration. Together we’ll have fun and learn at the same time. This program is open to adults and teens ages 15 and up. Space is limited. Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAA72EA3FEC61-52174419-west
This program is made possible through the generosity of the Pelham Cultural Council.

CLOSED: New Year's Day
2025-01-01
The Library will be CLOSED today. Happy New Year!

CLOSED: New Years Eve
2024-12-31

CLOSED: CHRISTMAS EVE
2024-12-24
To allow our staff to spend time with their families we will be closed this evening.

Artist's Reception: Diane Steingart's "Stories I Tell Myself"
2024-12-14 11:00 - 13:00
Diane Steingart is a mixed media artist and painter whose work explores the inner world of feeling, memories and dreams. Her work is both psychological and spiritual, and can be both abstract and semi-representational. Her work is therapeutic for herself, and she finds the work resonates for others, too. Meet the artist. Refreshments will be served.

BOOK GROUP: "Remarkably Bright Creatures
2024-12-11 19:00 - 21:00
This month’s title for the Pelham Library Book Group is “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. Copies are available at the desk and all are welcome.

Make a Medieval Board Game with Castle Nitor
2024-12-04 16:00 - 19:00
Board games have been around for a very long time! Join the staff of Castle Nitor to get a bit of a history lesson and make your own medieval board game. All materials will be provided. This program is for teens and adults. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAA72EA3FEC61-53095333-make

CLOSED: Thanksgiving
2024-11-28 - 2024-11-29

In-Person Forum with State Senator Jo Comerford
2024-11-26 18:30 - 20:00
We will be hosting an in-person forum with our recently re-elected State Senator, Jo Comerford. She will provide a sense of what lies ahead in the next legislative session for our town and our Commonwealth and hear from constituents about our concerns in anticipation of the changes on the national level.
Meet up with your neighbors, bring your questions, learn more about the many ways that Senator Comerford represents our interests at the State House. If there are particular issues that you would like to hear discussed, please email Anne Nugent at nugeae@comcast.net

Native Histories: Recovering Understandings of the Indiginous Past with Dr. Margaret Bruchac
2024-11-19 19:00 - 20:30
Native American communities in Nonotuck (now Amherst, Pelham, Hadley and Northampton) in the Kwinitekw (Connecticut River) Valley, were long supported by reciprocal trade and diplomacy with their Native neighbors, including Nipmuc to the east and Abenaki to the north, yet the increase in colonial warfare during the late 1600s-1700s forced many Native families to relocate.
This talk by Dr. Margaret M. Bruchac, Professor Emerita of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, offers insights into regional Native histories by critically revisiting colonial records, antiquarian histories and Native memories.
This event is co-sponsored by the Pelham Historical Society

Belly Dance Magic with the Crescent Dancers
2024-11-16 12:00 - 13:00
The Crescent Dancers perform Middle Eastern dance in all its variety and joy.

CLOSED: Veterans Day
2024-11-11

BOOK GROUP: "A Prayer for Owen Meany"
2024-11-06 19:00 - 21:00
This month’s title is “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving. All are welcome and copies are available at the desk.

Chainmail Bracelet Workshop with Castle Nitor
2024-11-06 16:00 - 18:00
Join the staff of Castle Nitor for a fun lesson on how to make a chainmail bracelet. Learn one of the most common chainmail weaves used to make armor in the past. This workshop is open to teens and adults. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAA72EA3FEC61-52391095-chainmail#/

Pelham Trunk or Treat in the Parking Lot
2024-10-26 16:30 - 18:00
The Pelham School PTO’s big party now includes a Pelham Library storytime tent! Put on your costume and come out and play!

POSTPONED: West African Drumming Workshop
2024-10-26 12:00 - 13:00
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED, NEW DATE COMING SOON! Come out to play with the Wendell Warriors drumming ensemble and led by Jafar Manselle. Jafar will show you how to make different tones on the drum and introduce African rhythms used for village celebrations. As a group, we will all play together and celebrate the day. A drum class is always a celebration. Together we’ll have fun and learn at the same time. This program is open to adults and teens ages 15 and up. Space is limited. Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAA72EA3FEC61-52174419-west
This program is made possible through the generosity of the Pelham Cultural Council.
