Dear Reader,

Tonight, a nearly-full sturgeon moon casts its light on my computer keyboard as I write to you from the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine. At Haystack, I’ve joined a remarkably enthusiastic, generous, and seriously fun cohort of folks from around the country for a week of creating. Though the coastal campus here is of architectural note, situated among impressive expanses of granite and towering red spruce, fir, and eastern larch, none of that is the primary draw for any of us (understandable though that would be!). Instead, we’ve excused ourselves from the rigors and tides of daily life to take part in week-long wood-working, ceramics, fiber arts, metal work, glass blowing, painting, or—as in my case—writing workshops. Along with the rest of my seven-person New Ways of Seeing: Writing About Craft in Context crew, I’ve had the great opportunity to spend time in each of the craft studios. There, my classmates and I chatted with and observed artisans—amateur and seasoned alike—later marking down appreciation of and responses to their wildly-varied crafts-in-progress, artistic processes, and personal histories and motivations. This week, I’ve run hands over the wide-eyed, craggy faces of half-finished marionettes; gingerly touched felted objects gesturing at bodily curves and marine-creature spikes; shied away from the paak-paak-paak of hammer on metal and the whoosh of a fluffy flame awaiting its moment to kiss glass. 

Touring the studios, I’ve been impressed over and over by the fruitful combinations, careful uses, and sometimes surprising juxtapositions of old and new technology. In her 2013 essay "Eleven (Contradictory) Propositions in Response to the Question: What is Contemporary Craft?" Julia Bryan-Wilson first proposes that craft is not contemporary, as it is fundamentally “connect[ed] to the past, to the entire rich terrain of thrift and ingenuity, to knowledge production passed down through the hand, and skilled legacies” and, “importantly,” that it “maintains its tactile, bodily, component in the face of computer technology.” Just as sincerely, she then argues that craft is fundamentally contemporary “because it has embraced the digital,” because “it is the pivot [...] between the past and future.” And so with the modern library. 

The function of the modern library is multiple to say the least, as proposed by the very design of our purpose-built 412 Main Street building. Today’s library is at once as it has always been—a great repository of books and other printed materials, and a community hub—yet it is also in an ongoing, zesty process of becoming—offering wifi hot spots, how-to and maker-space workshops, informational sessions by local service providers, laptops on loan, spacious community rooms doubling as galleries, teen craft and zine-making clubs, tech-tutorial drop-in sessions, and LEGO clubs for small children, for example. Here at Haystack, which has been up and running since 1950, I’m energized by, rather than begrudging of, the ceramicists’ clay-covered hands smearing the controls of the 3-D “claybot” printer; the needle-wielding embroiderers working electricity-conducting stainless steel thread through fabric and LEDs; the wool-whisp-covered needle-felter her multi-needle power tool; and the man using a band saw to make initial rough-cuts for his 19th-century Sicilian Opera du Pupi-style marionettes. Both the library and the craft world are enriched by their profound, active, and thoughtful engagement with the best of the past, the resources of the present, and an eye toward the future. 

As the library goes through its community-engaged visioning process, revising its mission statement and completing a strategic plan (thanks to all who filled out surveys and added their input in service of this!), we can all feel excited and curious about the ways in which libraries in general, and our library in particular, is being crafted. Together, we continue working to excel in the long-familiar realms, while responding to the needs, values, and exigencies of the ever-evolving contemporary moment.

FRIENDS OF THE GPL

EVENTS

Adult Programs and Events

ART AT THE LIBRARY IN THE GALLERIES

"Visual Interpretations," Photographs by Albyn Davis

through September in the Community Room

"Wrack Lines," Mixed Media by Sara K. Lyons

through September in the Conference Room

Closing Reception: Saturday September 26, 10:30-11:30 am

FEATURED ADULT PROGRAMS

New! Adult Spanish Language Collection

Greenfield Public Library is pleased to announce our new collection of Spanish language fiction and non-fiction classics for adults! See the full list of titles here.

¡Nuevo! Libros en español en la GPL

Prestar los clásicos de ficción y no ficción en español. Consulta la lista completa de materiales.

Linda Ugelow: How to Love Speaking In Public,

Even If You Hate It Now

Wednesday, September 16, 3:00 pm,

Community Meeting Room

In this transformational talk, speaking confidence coach

Linda Ugelow delivers a holistic methodology that gets to the root of what's stopping you from sharing your voice and the steps you need to take to step into authenticity with confidence.

Constitution Day at the Library

Thursday, September 17

Pick up a free Pocket Constitution, offered in observance of Constitution Day. Supplies are limited, one copy per person.

Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.

The Coyote and the Cougar: Local Author Talk with Ahmad Esfahani

Tuesday, September 22, 6:00 pm 

Community Meeting Room 

The Coyote and the Cougar is a literary memoir blending political theory, allegory, and personal witness to examine the cost of living between identities; immigrant and citizen, insider and exile. Using the ancient story of the erev rav as a framework, it reflects on belonging, power, and survival outside accepted categories. 

Neighbor to Neighbor: Building Community Resilience

Monday, September 28, 10:00 am & 2:00 pm (2 sessions) Conference Room,  Registration Required 

Join us for guided small-group conversations to help neighbors share stories and build meaningful local ties. True climate resilience doesn't start with a checklist; it starts with a relationship. It’s about knowing who lives next door, understanding who might need a check-in during severe weather, and building the kind of trust that turns a group of people living on the same street into a real community. 

ONGOING MONTHLY PROGRAMS

GPL Library Chess Club 

Mondays in September, 5:30 - 7:30pm, 2nd Floor

Healing Harmonies Choir 

Tuesday, Sept 8 & 22, 2:00-3:3opm, Conf. Rm

Spice Club Kit: Ras el Hanout 

Available Tuesday, Sept 1 - while supplies last 

Drop in Scrabble Night 

Tuesday, Sept 1, Sept 15, 4:30 - 6:30 pm

FreeWrite: Women’s Writing in Recovery Group

Tuesdays in Sept, 6:30pm, Local History Room

Choose Your Own Adventure Book Group: A biography or memoir about someone you’ve never heard of 

Wednesday, Sept 2, 6:30 pm, Conference Rm 

Wednesday Night Writers Workshop

Wednesdays in Sept, 6pm, Local History Room

Drop-In Tech Help 

Thursdays in September, 1-3pm, Local History Rm 

Greenfield Ukulele Players 

Friday, Sept 4 & 8, 1-2:30 pm, Conference Rm 

Conversational French 

Tuesday, September 22, 5:30 - 6:30 pm Community Mtg Rm 

MAKERSPACE PROGRAMS:

All makerspace classes are free and all materials are provided. For ages 13 to adult. *If required pre-registration is indicated, please visit the GPL calendar, or call (413) 772-1544 x5120 to do so.

Drop-In Knitting & Crochet

Tuesdays in Sept, 5:30-7:30pm

GPL Zine Club Presents:

Comics Workshop with Ashley Jablonski

Wednesday, Sep 2, 6:00 pm 

Get a crash course in creating comics with Vermont artist and teacher Ashley Jablonski! 

Needleworker’s Guild: Embroidery for Everyone

embroidered fall leaves* Monday, August 10, 6:00 - 7:30 pm 

Drop-in Mending Clinic 

Tuesday, September 15, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Have a favorite sweater that has a hole? Jeans with a torn out knee? Canvas bag that is losing its handle? A button that has come off? Learn how to mend it yourself with our help. 

Make Your Own Vintage Style Jack-o-Lantern Workshop

*2-session class* 

Saturdays, September 26 & October 3, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 

*for makerspace workshops requesting re-registration go to:

greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event

or contact Francesca at (413) 772-1544 x5120

INFORMATION SESSIONS IN THE MAIN LOBBY

Behavioral Health Network

Wednesday, September 2, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

MassAbility

Thursday, September 3, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Tapestry Sexual + Reproductive Health Services

Friday, September 4, 18, 2:30 - 3:30 pm

Community Legal Aid: Fair Housing

Tuesday, September 8, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Community Health Center of Franklin County:

MassHealth Help

Friday, September 11, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Tapestry Harm Reduction Services

Monday, September 14, 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Viability Information Session

Wednesday, September 16, 10:00am-12:00pm

MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center

Monday, September 21, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Homeworks Energy

Tuesday, September 22, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Stavros Center for Independent Living

Friday, September 25, 10:00 - 12:00 pm

Greenfield Recycling Program

Monday, September 28, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Friday, September 25, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

PROGRAMING FOR ADULTS, TEENS, TWEENS & CHILDREN

Get a crash course in creating comics with Vermont artist and teacher Ashley Jablonski! No experience necessary, all supplies provided. Ages 13+. 

GPL’s Zine Club is an ongoing bi-monthly meeting to learn new zine skills, share your work, and meet other zinesters. What’s a zine again? A zine is a DIY, self-published, print work, often on a subject that falls outside of what’s traditionally seen in publishing.

This program is free, but space is limited and pre registration is recommended. Register at: https://greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/15973588.  

For more information, contact Jesse Cole at jesse.cole@greenfield-ma.gov, or call (413) 772-1544 x5122.

This program, generously sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and intended for ages 13 and older.

Manga Club, Monday, September 14, 3:45 - 4 :45 pm

Calling all manga and anime fans, join us for our newest monthly program!

Discuss what you are reading and watching, make suggestions for the teen room manga collection and plan upcoming events, all while making candy sushi!

LIBRARY

GENERAL INFO

&

GREAT RESOURCES

Click for lots more about the Greenfield Public Library!

Select Library Services, with links:

• GPL Notary Services
• Meeting Room Policy/Request Form
• Mobile Hotspots
• Program Proposal Form (for presenting programs at the library)
• Study Rooms (one reservation/day; up to 3 reservations/week)

Quick Links to More GPL Resources:

• Transparent Languages Online
• Craftsy (Greenfield residents only)
• Greenfield Recorder archives
• Hoopla (GPL cardholders)
• Libby/Overdrive (All CW MARS cardholders)
• New York Times subscription (GPL cardholders)
• Museum Passes

Volunteer at the GPL