Friends of Clapp Memorial Library

04/03/2026

Update on our book sales:
LIBRARY BOOK SALES CANCELLED FOR THIS YEAR
The major renovations that are required to make the basement meet fire and safety codes are going to take at least a year to complete. The library was built in 1887 and the basement needs a complete overhaul to meet codes. Unfortunately, it means that the basement will be closed to the public during this renovation. The Trustees Board and the Friends Board are working together on a plan to create a space that will be safe for everyone for many decades to come.

If you can, please hold onto your books until the renovation is complete or until we find a way to accept and store them. We currently have no dedicated storage space available. We are looking at a number of possible options for conducting smaller book sales until the basement is ready, but have yet not found a suitable space.

Thank you to the people of Belchertown and the surrounding towns for your years of patronage at our books sales. We are as sad and disappointed as you are about the necessary cancellation. However, we look forward to many years of continuing the book sales in a safer and cleaner environment upon the completion of the basement renovation.

01/28/2026

No book book sale item donations until further notice! We are needing to respond to fire and safety requirements, and renovations are needed. We have to cancel the Spring book sale to allow for the time to plan and implement these changes. Thank you for your understanding. We will announce again as soon as we can resume accepting donations again.

11/09/2025

Annual Friends Meeting. Thursday, Nov. 20, 7pm. At the Clapp Memorial Library. Review of past year, election for open positions, light refreshments. Please join us!

10/30/2025

Incredible news!

We are excited to announce that the Clapp Memorial Library has been awarded a $130,000 Capital Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF). This competitive program, administered by the Mass Cultural Council in partnership with MassDevelopment, supports capital improvements that strengthen the state’s cultural infrastructure.

The grant will go towards replacing our deteriorated, aging windows with historically accurate, energy-efficient ones, allowing the library to better serve our community with a comfortable community space by keeping the library warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and drier during the rain!

Thanks so much Governor Maura Healey for supporting the Fund! Your ongoing capital investment makes our state stronger.

http://bit.ly/CulturalFacilities

[alt text: street view of the Clapp Memorial Library]

10/04/2025

:)

Exciting news! The library's side entryway is now open!

Please note that the handles on the doors don't turn, even when the doors are unlocked and, combined with how heavy the doors are, you might assume they are still locked. We're working on improving the situation. In the meantime, patrons can use the new buttons for the automatic door openers!

08/17/2025

We had such a great day today with the Drive Up and Drop Off! Thank you to everyone who donated to the library book sale, and to the teens and adults who helped take boxes and bags out of cars. We are grateful to everyone who believes in our beautiful Clapp Memorial Library. See you October 13-18 at the book sale.

05/25/2025

Thanks to all for another successful book sale!

https://view.publitas.com/turley-publications-1/bel052225/page/6-7

03/15/2025

We need donations! For the upcoming Spring Book Sale! April 7-12! These book sales are so important to fund library programs. The sale is completely reliant on donations of books, DVDs, CDs, vinyl, etc. Please collect and bring up your donations and spread the word!

03/02/2025

We had a very nice and well-attended wine tasting event last night, Saturday evening, March 1!
Thank you Dave Lamb, for contributing your knowledge of wines and wine events, and Belchertown Discount Liquors, and all who attended, and Cyndi Harbeson, for allowing us to hold this event in our beloved Clapp Memorial Library!
Jim Knittel, president of the Friends, addressed the room, thanking all, and asking for memberships, monetary donations, volunteers to help with our Friends group, and book donations for our upcoming book sale, April 7-12. Hope to see you there!

02/09/2025

Hope you can join us!

12/14/2024

Hi Friends, and Happy Holidays! As the new year approaches and you might be thinking about volunteering in the community, please consider helping the Friends! Because we need help!
Many hands make light work. One opportunity is publicity, but many other ways to help us. Please reach out here or come to one of our meetings. Next meeting January 16, 6:30pm, Clapp Memorial Library activity room.