Volume 10 No. 6 | May 30, 2026

June 2026 | Newsletter

Dear Reader,

Growing up in New York City, I was lucky to have a postage-stamp backyard, and a mother who tended her roses like they were nature’s own magnificent sculptures for which she was simply, yet deeply, responsible. Our city yard was a welcomed June retreat for relatives, friends, and other guests. Entering the yard was walking into an aromatic Monet painting; the rest of the world erased, and the chatter of our brains silenced.

If ever there are perfect days unfurling across the page of the month like the verses of nature's love song, they are still most likely to be to the tune of June. June can be a sweet, buoying song, readying and fortifying us for next steps in life, for the colder months to come. Falling in the center of the calendar year, June is a sanctuary inviting us to center ourselves as well—a center from which to build out and beyond. The internet is abuzz with the quote "June is the time for dreams to take flight and soar into reality" (attributed to Emma Racine de Fleur), perhaps because it speaks in the voice of both optimism and truth: the centering sanctuary of June days and nights can help us to move forward in our lives and build, soar, in exciting, unexpected new directions.

For thousands of people every month, our library assists in that gently noble quest. For some, the light-filled building with its comfortable chairs, couches, and balconies becomes a place of productive contemplation. Others move forward thanks to the friendly assistance of our skilled librarians. And yet others find inspiration by attending any of the vast array of programs offered during the month. Lastly, some of us build and soar supported by the human relationships fostered by the regularly-meeting library groups (see the list of dozens of such groups elaborated further on in this newsletter).

We hope to exchange smiles as we cross paths with you, each of us on our own journey, though none taken alone.

Your Friends,

- Paul Jablon, & Celine Nader too

*note: If possible, please read this newsletter on your desktop. It's not optimized for mobile devices, though it's certainly readable on them.

Visit the Full Library Calendar

TUTORIAL:

Click on the image to the right for a PDF of the newsletter & calendar tutorial.

FRIENDS OF THE GPL

EVENTS

Friends of the Greenfield Public Library’s Annual Meeting June 24th

The Friends of the Greenfield Public Library (FGPL) will hold their Annual Meeting Wednesday, June 24th from 5-5:30 PM, in the Conference Room at the Greenfield Public Library 412 Main St., Greenfield, MA.

This short business meeting will include a vote on the Board of Directors' officers, new board members, associates, and emerita for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

All FGPL members (people who have made an annual contribution) can attend and vote.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS FOR LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

If you have volunteered in the past, or you think you might want to volunteer to help out the library or Friends in the future, log in to our new sign-up system today:

CLICK HERE

So, what's the buzzzz?

For detailed information about the many excellent programs presented at the library, listed below, click on the purple "Visit the Full Library Calendar" button,

which you'll find throughout the newsletter:

Visit the Full Library Calendar

Adult Programs and Events

ART AT THE LIBRARY, IN THE GALLERIES

Grit, Grace and Growth: Stories of Women and Non-Binary

Farmers in Massachusetts

June 1 through July 24

Community Room

Five Directions: A Group Show: featuring Pam Allen, Gail Callahan, Annie Chappell, Barbara Milot and Sally Reid

On exhibit through June

RECEPTION: Wednesday, June 10, 4-6pm

Conference Room

Friendly Fae and Fantastical Creatures:

Illustrations by Amber Akin

Children's Room

ONGOING MONTHLY PROGRAMS

GPL Library Chess Club

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

Conversational Italian with Monica

Monday, June 8, 6:30 pm, Local History Room

Spice Club Kit: Black Pepper

Available Tuesday, June 2 - while supplies last

Drop in Scrabble Night

Tuesday, June 2, June 16, 4:30 - 6:30 pm

Drop-In Tech Help

Thursdays in June, 1-3pm, Local History Room

Greenfield Ukulele Players

Friday, June 5, 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Conference Rm

Choose Your Own Adventure:

A “Pick Your Own Book” Club

Wednesday, June 3, 6:30 pm, Conference Rm

Theme: told from the perspective of the villain

Wednesday Night Writers Workshop

Wednesdays in June, 6pm, Local History Room

FreeWrite: Women’s Writing in Recovery Group

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

Healing Harmonies Choir

Tuesday, June 9, 23, 2-3:30 pm, Conference Room

Literary Teas Book Club (Pride Edition):

Emperor of Gladness

Tuesday, June 16, 6:30 pm, Conference Rm

Conversational French

Tuesday, June 25, 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Community Mtg Rm

MAKERSPACE PROGRAMS:

*If required pre-registration is indicated, please visit the GPL calendar, or call (413) 772-1544 to do so.

Drop-In Knit & Crochet

Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm

DIY Pride Gear (drop-in)

Wednesday, June 3, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Drop In Needle Felting

Thursday, June 4, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Thursday, June 18, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Needleworkers Guild: Embroidered Felt Pins

Monday, June 8, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Thursday Still Life Club*

Thursday, June 11, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Drop-in Mending Clinic*

Tuesday, June 16, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Gelli Plate Printing*

Wednesday, June 17, 5:30 to 7:00 pm

Local Linocuts: create a handmade stamp*

Thursday, June 18, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Hot Glue Crew: Heartfelt Cards

Monday, June 22, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Paint a Little Gourd Ornament*

Saturday, June 27, 10:00am - 12:00 pm

*for workshops requesting pre-registration go to:

greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event or contact Francesca at

(413) 772-1544 x5120

FEATURED ADULT PROGRAMS

*If required pre-registration is indicated, please visit the GPL calendar, or call (413) 772-1544 to register.

GPL Cookbook Club Potluck:

The Moosewood Restaurant Table

Tuesday, June 9, 6pm, Community Room

Join Librarians Francesca and Pamela as we take a cookbook out for a test drive with GPL's New Cookbook Club!

First, check out a copy of The Moosewood Restaurant Table, and choose a recipe you'd like to make.
Then bring your dish to our Cook Book Club Potluck on Monday, June 9, where we will taste everyone's dishes, talk about the cookbook, and choose our next cookbook!

* Pre-registration required

Pop-Up Library at Franklin County Pride Festival

Saturday June 13, 12:30-4pm, Energy Park

Come chat with the library about our upcoming summer programs and our favorite LGBTQ+ reads! There will be giveaways, library card sign-ups, and a chance to learn what’s new at the library, all while supporting your local LGBTQ+ community.

World Knit-in Public Day

Saturday June 13:

9:30-11:30 am at the Library

12:30-4pm at the Energy Park

Bring your needles, a project and a lawn chair, and set up on GPL’s front patio to join other knitters in this worldwide annual event.

Food Accessibility Panel Discussion &

Bookends Kick Off Event

Tuesday, June 16, 5:30 pm Community Room

GPL & GCC bring you a panel discussion on local, affordable food accessibility for all featuring a wide variety of guests. You can also pick up a copy of Michael Pollan’s Food Rules and be matched with a reading buddy for the summer.

A book discussion and potluck will occur on August 4.

Finding Home: A Local Author Talk with Mara Bright

Thursday, June 18, 2:30 pm, Conference Rm

The poems in Finding Home explore both our relationship to the natural world and our connection to each other and to ourselves. Spanning thirty years, they represent different aspects of the author’s life.

Demystifying Menopause: a Workshop For Women Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause with Jen Batty

Monday, June 22, 6pm, Community Room

This workshop will cover:

Menopause education: what’s really happening in your body
Lifestyle tips to improve sleep, brain fog & energy
Community connection: breakouts to share & support

Local Author Eliza Gouverneur: The Palm of Tyrants

Thursday, June 25, 2:00 pm, Conference Rm

"Don't Fight Back" and 10 Other Myths About Crime, Personal Safety, and Gender-Based Violence, with Meg Stone

Friday, June 26, 1:00 pm, Community Room

A specific image of violence and how to avoid it lives in a lot of our imaginations. And what some of us fear most is shaped not by the strongest evidence, but the most viral horror stories.

Adult Summer Reading: Return to Camp Readmore

Monday, June 1 - August 31

This year’s theme will focus on mystery novels and thrillers, with book lists and recommendations given in zine format. Readers will receive a badge tracker to help them monitor their reading progress.

INFORMATION SESSIONS IN THE MAIN LOBBY

Behavioral Health Network

Wednesday, June 3, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

MassAbility

Thursday, June 4, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Tapestry

Friday, June 5, 19 , 2:30 - 3:30 pm

Greenfield Community College

Tuesday, June 9, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Community Legal Aid: Fair Housing

Tuesday, June 9, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Children’s Advocacy Center

Friday, June 12, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm

Community Health Center of Franklin County

Friday, June 12, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

MassHire Franklin Hampshire Employer Spotlight:

Balance Staffing Partners

Monday, June 15, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Viability

Wednesday, June 17, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Stavros Center for Independent Living

Friday, June 26, 10:00 - 12:00 pm

Homeworks Energy

Tuesday, June 30, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Visit the Full Library Calendar

Teen Programs and Events

Teen programs are intended for youth ages 13 - 20 unless otherwise noted

Finger Board Club with Ellie

Tuesday, June 2, 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Thursday, June 11, 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Meet with a MassHire Young Adult Career Counselor

Tuesdays, 2:30 - 4:30 pm

Resume Workshop + Cookies & Lemonade

Wednesday, June 3, 3:30 - 5pm

Thursday Resources and FREE Pizza!

Thursdays, 2:30 - 4:30 pm

June 4: Community Action’s Generation Q
June 11: Department of Fish and Wildlife

Dorm Room Crafts (in the Makerspace)

Tuesday, June 9, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Tuesday, June 16, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Last Day of School Party!

Wednesday, June 17, 11:30am - 3:00 pm

MTCBA Book Tasting & Book Crafternoon

Thursday, June 18, 12:00 - 3:00 pm

Snack of the Week, weekly in the teen room through the first week in August Begins June 22

TEEN Summer Reading Program: June 17 - August 1

For more information on teen programs, contact teen librarian Francesca Passiglia at francesca.passiglia@greenfield-ma.gov

or call (413) 772-1544 x5120

Tween Programs and Events

Come enjoy the library's dedicated space for Tweens!

Kick Back and Craft (drop-in)

Tuesday, June 2, 2:30 - 3:45 pm

Kids’ Graphic Novel Book Club Meeting:

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban

Wednesday, June 3, 3:30pm

Tween Advisory Board Meeting

Wednesday, June 10, 3:30 pm

End of school year party!

For more information on children’s programs, contact children’s librarian Ellen Lavoie at ellen.lavoie@greenfield-ma.gov

or call (413) 772-1544 x5104

Visit the Full Library Calendar

Children's Programs and Events

An adult is required to be present with children under 8 participating in GPL programs

STORY TIMES

Book Babies with Ellen Lavoie

Intended for birth -18 months

Tuesdays at 10am

Toddler Time with Ellen Lavoie

Wednesdays at 10:00 am

ACTIVITIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

Children's Summer Reading Program

Friday, June 17 - Saturday, August 1

Kids ages 0-12, read this summer to earn up to two ice cream coupons to Ice Cream Alley and SOLVE THE MYSTERY POSTER!
Sign ups start June 17. Caregivers can sign kids up at the library or online at greenfieldpubliclibrary.org and pick up or download a reading log.
Summer Reading Kick Off Party!

Saturday, June 20 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Rainbow Crafts (ages 2-12)

Friday, June 12, 2:30 - 4:30 pm

Meet a Graphic Novel Artist: Amber Akin

Saturday, June 13, 10:00 am

ONGOING PROGRAMS

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Our self-directed early literacy program for families with children ages 0-5. Stop by the Children's Room to learn more!

GPL Lego Club (drop-in)

Mondays, 3:30-5:00 pm

Summer Eats supper pick up + movie

Tuesdays beginning June 30, 5-6pm

Family Movie Night

Tuesdays beginning June 30, 5:30pm

Drop-in Playgroup

Fridays, June 5, 12, 26,9:30-11:30 am

Meet a Therapy Dog (drop-in)

Friday, June 5th, 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Weekly drop-in craft

Beginning Saturday, June 20

For more information on children’s programs, contact children’s librarian Ellen Lavoie at ellen.lavoie@greenfield-ma.gov

or call (413) 772-1544 x5104

Visit the Full Library Calendar

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

PROGRAMING FOR ADULTS, TEENS, TWEENS & CHILDREN

Join the Greenfield Public Library for a summer of mystery and suspense! Our Adult Summer Reading program, "Return to Camp Readmore," runs from Monday, June 1, through August 31, bringing you a fresh slate of fun activities.

This Year’s Theme is Mysteries & Thrillers! We're leaning into the shadows with a theme focused on edge-of-your-seat reads:

Recommendations in Zine Format: Forget boring lists! Look out for our curated book recommendations and lists provided in cool, handcrafted zine format.
Track Your Progress: All participants will receive a badge tracker to help monitor reading progress.

Win an Amazon Kindle!

We have two Amazon Kindles up for grabs this summer—one for our readers and one for our creators.

For the Readers (Raffle Entry):
Log the books you read for a raffle entry to win a Kindle Fire device.
The more weeks you participate, the more chances you have to win! Each week, one entry will be randomly selected to be added to the grand prize drawing.
Log your books here.
For the Creators (Zine Competition):
Show off your self-publishing talents in our Zine Competition!
The winner receives the second Kindle, and their zine will be added to the library's collection.
Submission Deadline: August 15th.
Submit your creation here.

Camp Activities & Events

Monthly Take-and-Make Crafts: Grab a themed "Camp Activity" kit each month. These high-quality crafts can be finished at home—no sticky mess at the library or dining hall required!
Show Your Library Love in the Maker Space: Join us in the Maker Space to celebrate the GPL and create something awesome.
Date & Time: August 8th from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm.

Stay Updated

For more information, details, and updates, check out the library blog.

First Post: Camp Readmore Blog Post

Teen Summer Reading Program, Friday, June 17 - Saturday, August 1

Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to plant a seed and read! This summer’s reading challenge encourages teens to grow a habit of reading at least 15 minutes a day.

Register beginning at our kick off party on June 17, pick up a reading log and win prizes all summer long! Plus every reader will adopt a plant in the teen room.

Children's Summer Reading Program

Friday, June 17 - Saturday, August 1

Kids ages 0-12, read this summer to earn up to two ice cream coupons to Ice Cream Alley and SOLVE THE MYSTERY POSTER! Sign ups start June 17.

Caregivers can sign kids up at the library or online at greenfieldpubliclibrary.org and pick up or download a reading log. Show your reading log to earn ice cream coupons and stickers for our bulletin board to reveal the mystery poster in the Children' s Room. Plant a Seed, Read this summer and visit us for books and crafts all about things that grow from seeds!

JOIN US FOR A KICKOFF PARTY on Saturday, June 20 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

For more information, contact Ellen Lavoie at ellen.lavoie@greenfield-ma.gov or call (413) 772-1544 x5104.

This program, made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and recommended for ages 0-12.

Does your child LOVE graphic novels? Join us in welcoming Amber Akin, a local artist and graphic novel creator on Saturday, June 13, at 10:00 am. Amber will read from her debut graphic novel, Penny and the Yeti, and lead a drawing activity for kids ages 6-12.

Amber's art is on display in the Children's Room here at the Greenfield Public Library through the month of June.

Need swag for the upcoming Pride season? Stop by Greenfield Public Library on Wednesday, June 3, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, to make shirts, bracelets, and buttons to wear and hand out at the parade. Supplies provided, all ages welcome.

For more information, contact Jesse Cole at jesse.cole@greenfield-ma.gov

or call (413) 772 -1544.

This program, generously sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and open to everyone in our community.

Tuesday, June 9 & 23, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Conference Room

DO YOU LIKE TO SING? Join the Healing Harmonies Choir on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month in the GPL’s Conference Room.

We are an informal singing group designed for individuals with diagnosed neurological conditions, particularly those experiencing communication problems due to voice,

language, or speech disorders. Caregivers are also welcome to attend and participate.

Some possible conditions may include

Parkinson's Disease

Stroke

Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury - Dementia

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

ALS

Multiple Sclerosis

This group is free and open to all.

Don't Fight Back and 10 Other Myths About Crime, Personal Safety, and Gender-Based Violence

with Meg Stone

Friday, June 26, 1:00 pm, Community Meeting Room

A specific image of violence and how to avoid it lives in a lot of our imaginations. And what some of us fear most is shaped not by the strongest evidence, but the most viral horror stories.

Meg Stone, a nationally recognized violence-prevention expert, will present an accessible guide that debunks the most pervasive myths about crime and offers evidence-based strategies that make us safer. She will dive deep into dangerous safety myths and helps us understand what the evidence shows and what men in positions of authority just expect us to believe because they said so.

This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library and open to the public.

Community Meeting Room

Join us on Tuesdays, at 5:30 pm this summer for Family Movie Night: the Summer of the Sequel!

Due to licensing restrictions we can’t share the names of the hit movie sequels we’re screening, but we can give you the following hints:

June 30: A teenage girl who plays hockey learns to manage her emotions.

July 7: A live action remake of the friendship between a little girl and a chaotic alien.

July 14: A crazy crew of wily animals gone good returns to their law-breaking ways again.

July 21: A pair of cops in a familiar animal city try to solve a big mystery by going undercover.

July 28: The fourth installment of this series features a toy cowboy on a road trip adventure.

August 4: A mom and daughter who once swapped places face familiar magic with new twists.

August 11: A clan of little blue creatures try to rescue a beloved kidnapped member.

Doors open 30 minutes before the show starts. Outside food and drink are allowed. All movies start at 5:30 pm and run until completed, unless otherwise indicated.

For more information, contact Tarah Dunn at librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org or call (413) 772-1544.

Movies are free to the public, thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library.

Join Danielle Lucier on Thursday, June 11 at 3:00 pm for our new “Thursday Still Life Club.”

There is nothing quite like spending a couple of hours focused on creating a piece of art. It's soothing for the mind and the soul. Join us once a month to draw or paint a still life and work on observational skills. All materials will be provided and all skill levels are welcome.

This class is part of our Summer Roundhouse Series.

Participants are encouraged to use the skills they’ve learned to make a project to enter at this fall’s Franklin County Fair. We will hold sessions in mid-August to assist with framing and entering arts and crafts into the Roundhouse. Participants may also use the Makerspace and classroom materials throughout the summer.

This program, made possible thanks to a grant from the Greenfield Local Cultural Council and the Franklin County Fair , is free and intended for teens and adults, ages 13+. No experience is necessary.

Pre-registration is encouraged: https://greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/16921788

For more information please contact librarian Francesca: francesca.passiglia@greenfield-ma.gov or 413-772-1544 x5120

Thursday, June 4 & 11 2:30 - 4:30 pm

Stop by the Teen Room on Thursday afternoons to get the support you need in a fun and inclusive atmosphere:

Free pizza and after school snacks
Homework help from local seniors and reference librarians
Tech help and chit chat with digital navigator Rich Vaden
Toiletries and contraceptives

Last Two Sessions of the school year!

Special drop-in life skills sessions with the following local experts:

June 4: Community Action’s Generation Q - Join young adults from Generation Q, a peer-led LGBTQ+ social support group, and create your own self-care kit

June 11: Jennifer Jones, Department of Fish and Wildlife - Learn about fishing and hiking opportunities in our own backyard. Plus: did you know you can check out fishing poles from the library’s Library of Things?

Community Room

Food Accessibility Panel Discussion and Bookends Kick Off Event, Tuesday, June 16, 5:30 pm. GPL and GCC bring you a panel discussion on local, affordable food accessibility for all on Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 pm at the Greenfield Public Library.

Featured panelists include Kirsten Leavitt from Stone Soup Cafe, Cathy Stanton from Quabbin Harvest, Kristina Mullin from the Foodbank of Western Massachusetts and author of Food Margins: Lessons from an Unlikely Urban Grocer, Caro Roszell from American Farmland Trust.

Following an engaging and insightful discussion we’ll be handing out copies of Michael Pollan’s Food Rules and matching up readers for our intergenerational summer read. In Defense of Food will also be available for readers looking for a deeper dive. Our discussion will occur on August 4.

Everyone is invited to this event, whether you plan to read with us or not.

Pre-register here: https://www.gcc.mass.edu/events/bookends-intergenerational-book-group/

For more information, contact Francesca Passiglia at francesca.passiglia@greenfield-ma.gov or call (413) 772-1544 x5120

Join local artist Danielle Lucier on Thursday, June 18 at 2:00 pm, and learn how to make a linocut design based on your favorite local landmark, business, or icon and print it into a custom fabric patch or print. All materials will be provided and all skill levels are welcome.

This class is part of our Summer Roundhouse Series.

Pre-registration is encouraged: https://greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/16921901

For more information please contact librarian Francesca: francesca.passiglia@greenfield-ma.gov or 413-772-1544 x5120

A strong resume is one of the first steps to finding a job. Do you think that just because you’ve never had a job before you have nothing to add to a resume? Think again!

Youth Job Counselors from MassHire will be on hand on Wednesday, June 3, from 3:30 - 5:00 pm to help you draft your very first resume or workshop a pre-existing resume. You’ll come away with a lifelong skill. Plus we’ll be serving cookies and lemonade to keep the stress at bay.

MassHire Franklin Hampshire Programs & Services are funded in part by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Grants.

Learn more about the Franklin County Pride Parade at their website: https://www.franklincountypride.org/.

This program, made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and open to all.

May Art Exhibits

Exhibits are on display throughout the month and accessible when programming is not taking place in our meeting rooms. The galleries are always open for viewing on Saturday mornings from 9:30 - 10:30 am.

Grit, Grace and Growth Stories of Women and Non-Binary Farmers in Massachusetts

June 1 through July 24, Community Meeting Room

Five Directions: A Group Show On exhibit through June, Conference Room

Artist’s Reception: Wednesday, June 10, 4-6pm

Friendly Fae and Fantastical Creatures Illustrations by Amber Akin, Children’s Room

The Greenfield Public Library will be closed on Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth. We will reopen on Saturday, June 20, at 9:30 am. Check us out 24/7 at greenfieldpubliclibrary.org for e-books, audiobooks, movie streaming, music, and research fun.