May Adult programs at South Hadley Public Library
Picture this: Two free photography workshops happening at SHPL! Presented by Peter Glass, the first class, Fast Track from AUTO to MANUAL, takes place on Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 – 1:00. Learn everything you need to take your digital camera off AUTO or Program mode and put you in charge of your shots. Registration required, click here – only 15 spaces available! The second class will be Take Great Photos with Your Smartphone on Saturday, May 17 from 10:00-1:00. Learn how to understand and use your smartphone camera controls to capture great shots (note: this class doesn’t cover selfies!). Registration required, click here —only 15 spaces available.
South Hadley has an amazing history and we’re diving into it with a local history talk by Leo Labonte on The Life of Horatio Horatia, Wednesday, May 7 at 6:00. Through a tiny, unfinished 15-page diary, we’ll get a rare look into the life of a seemingly ordinary man living through extraordinary times. What we discovered is that his experiences during some of the most difficult periods in our nation’s history were anything but ordinary.
Romance readers – we have a group we’d love you to join. The Between the Covers book club will meet on Tuesday, May 13 at 3:00 to discuss The Sea Glass Cottage by RaeAnne Thayne. Whether you are already a romance reader or are new to the genre, join us for a monthly get-together of romance novels that offer happy endings and often are part of a series. Books will be available to check out from the library in the weeks prior to each meeting.
As food prices rise, knowing how to make smart choices at the grocery store becomes even more important. Join the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts on Wednesday, May 14 at 6:00 to learn about the Explore MyPlate healthy eating guidelines. Learn how to read nutrition labels, pick up tips on how to add more movement to your day, and discover how to create budget-friendly meals. This program is open to adults and families. Registration required, click here.
Looking for a timely and important talk that reflects today’s headlines? Come to Birthright Citizenship and the 14th Amendment, presented by Professor Montana Martinez, Assistant Professor of Law at Western New England Law School on Wednesday, May 21 at 6:00. Bring your questions—or just your curiosity—and come learn more about this vital topic.
South Hadley has been designated an Age & Dementia Friendly Community and we’re excited to collaborate with the Council on Aging to screen a new documentary coming soon to public television. Join us for a free viewing of the new film Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s on Friday, May 30 at 4:00. This is an intimate portrayal of three families confronting the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s and how this progressive neurodegenerative disease transforms roles and relationships. Whether it’s a partner caring for a loved one or an adult child shifting into being their parent’s caregiver, these stories show how families evolve when a loved one is diagnosed. View the trailer here.
As we learn to nourish our bodies and our communities with real food and tangible support, it’s easy to forget that plants have also nourished our stories for centuries. On Saturday, May 31 at 10:00, author Varla Ventura will present Enchanted Plants: An Exploration of Common and Uncommon Plants in Folklore and Magic. From the tangled forest to the garden hedge, join folklorist, “rotten botanist,” and author Varla Ventura as she explores some of the world’s most magical plants. From the ordinary apple to the fabulous foxglove, we’ll uncover the roles plants have played in fairy tales, folklore, and history.
May Adult programs at Gaylord Branch Library
More timely programming: Learn about Book Banning in the US on Thursday, May 8 at 6:00. Join author Sarah Prager to learn about the history of book bans in the US, including her own experience as an author of banned books. You’ll hear about book bans by the numbers, why specific books were targeted, the history of banning LGBTQ+ books in particular, and what you can do to fight book bans today.
May Online Author Programs (click each program for more information)
- How to Use Anxiety to Thrive with Dr. David H. Rosmarin, Harvard Psychologist, Author, and Keynote Speaker. Wednesday, May 7 at 2:00
- On Writing a Brilliant, Dark, and Diabolical Thriller with Author Liann Zhang, writer of Julie Chan is Dead – A Propulsive Debut Thriller. Wednesday, May 14 at 7:00
- How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us with Author Rachelle Bergstein, Lifestyle Writer, Editor, and Bestselling Author of The Genius of Judy. Wednesday, May 21 at 2:00
For more information, including programs for children and teens, see the library calendar and other resources: