Volume 10 No. 2 | January 31, 2026

In addition to Valentine's Day, February is also Love your Library Month. As you have heard us say so many times before in this Friends Newsletter, we see our library as the Heart of Greenfield. Our librarians supply us with an endless array of services and programs, and a loving spirit for each person that walks through their doors. In this time of darkness for so many in our country, they consistently shine a ray of light. To experience a clear moment of this, stop by and read community reflections posted on their "Dear Neighbor: Write a Letter to Someone Who Has Brought Light Into Your Life" bulletin board on the 2nd floor. Consider taking a few minutes to write one yourself! 

In addition to saying thank you! to each librarian you encounter, please show your appreciation by supporting their efforts as they embark on programming the 2026 year (last year there were more than 380 programs offered). If you haven't done so already, CLICK HERE to contribute to the Friends' ANNUAL APPEAL. Your donation directly supports the librarians in their efforts to make the inclusive, loving heart of our city ever so much better even than a box of chocolates.

TUTORIAL:

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

Poet's Seat

Poetry Contest

Call for Entries

Friends of Greenfield Public Library

35th Annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest

Submissions due February 21st!

Submitting your poem:

Poems may be submitted online (preferred), or by mail or hard copy to the GPL. See below for guidelines & submission details.

Guidelines:

- Open to all Franklin County residents and to students attending Franklin County schools.

- Categories: Adult & Youth Poets (two groups: 12-14 & 15-19)

- Poets may enter up to 3 poems.

- No individual poem may exceed three pages.

- Only unpublished poems may be submitted.

- Previous first place adult winners may not enter.

- Top-placing youth poets may resubmit when they enter a new age category.

To submit online (preferred method), follow this link.

You will be asked to enter your poem(s) manually – one poem per submission. To ensure correct formatting of your poem(s) you will have the opportunity to attach a pdf or MS Word document in addition to typing your poem(s) into the form (see details on form).

To submit a hard copy:

- Mail your submission to Poet’s Seat Contest, Greenfield Public Library, 412 Main St. Greenfield, MA 01301 (must be postmarked no later than Feb. 21, 2026)

- Indicate “Adult” or “Youth” poet on the front page. Youth poets must write age on this page in the lower right-hand corner and circle.

- Submit on white 8.5x11 paper; print clearly or type in plain typeface; no markers.

- No identifying information on the front of the poem (except youth poet age)

- On the reverse side of the poem, write your name, address, phone number and email address

- Youth poet entries must also include the phone and/or email of parent or guardian or teacher

- Poems will not be returned.

Deadline to submit

February 21st, 2026

Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest Ceremony

April 28, 2026 | 6pm

Greenfield Public Library

Get your dabbers ready to win CASH PRIZES. The evening includes a raffle of over 40 gift baskets and gift certificates with many opportunities to win! 

BINGO Night Bonus: Enjoy the Winter Carnival’s Ice Sculptures and downtown activities, then pop into the Elk’s to warm-up and play a few rounds of BINGO. Now, that’s a win! 

All proceeds from the games and raffles will support free programming at the Greenfield Public Library.

This is a Cash-Only event.

Saturday

February 7, 2026

Wednesday

February 11, 2026

10:00am - 6:00pm

A Spring Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library is happening on Saturday, May 9 from 10am to 1pm. Money raised through our book sales funds all our library programs.

We are looking for book donations for our May 9th sale and will be available to accept your gently used books on the from 10am to 6pm on the second Wednesday of each month leading up to the sale:

Wednesday, February 11

Wednesday, March 11

Wednesday, April 15

We will have more hours to accept donations on 4/30, 5/1, 5/2, and 5/4. Times for that will be determined at a later date.

Books must be in gently used condition with no mold, dog-ears, discoloration, underlining, or broken binding. We cannot accept encyclopedias, textbooks, computer manuals, or media   (CD’s, DVD’s, etc).

If you would like more information, please e-mail fgplbooksalecommittee@gmail.com

Contact: 

Cyndie Rothschild

413-824-0468

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

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:

Teen Programs and Events

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

Anonymous Love Letters 

Starting Monday, February 2, 3:00 - 6:00 pm and continuing throughout the month 

Meet with a MassHire Young Adult Career Counselor 

Tuesdays, 2:30 - 4:30 pm 

Diamond Painting and a Podcast

Wednesday, February 4 &Tuesday, February 10, 2:30 - 4:30 pm 

Thursday Resources and FREE Pizza!

Thursdays, 3:00 - 4:30 pm 

Feb 5: Meet a Professional Artist - create an art project 

February 12: Meet a Digital Navigator - play with A.I. 

February 26: Meet a Public Health Nurse - learn rescue breathing and Narcan training 

Oddly Satisfying Crafts 

Friday afternoons, 3:00 - 4:00 pm 

February 6: Sticker Making 

February 13: Valentines 

February 27: Make a tiny zine (so cute!)

Teen Room Cafe 

Enjoy a warm drink and a sweet treat! 

Monday, Feb. 9 and Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2:30 - 4:30 pm

Teen Advisory Board 

February 23, 3:00 - 4:00pm 

Fun with Posca Markers and Book Ends!

Teen Graphic Novel Book Club 

Friday, February 27, 3:30 - 4:30 pm 

Snapdragon *copies will be available in the teen room all month long. 

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!

*NEW* Kick Back and Craft (drop-in)

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

Tween Advisory Board Meeting 

Wednesday, February 11, 3:35 pm 

This month tweens will help design a spring bulletin board for the Children’s Room.

Kids’ Graphic Novel Book Club Meeting: 

The Moth Keeper 

Thursday, February 19, 3:30 pm 

Copies of the book are available for check out in the children’s room 

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

Children's Programs and Events

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

February School Vacation Week Activities

Bead Bracelets 

Tuesday, February 17 , 12:00 - 2:00 pm, AND Saturday, February 20, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

SUPER Lego Club 

Tuesday, February 17, 2:30 - 4:00 pm 

Nintendo Switch Tournament with pizza 

Wednesday, February 18, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Pokémon Afternoon 

Wednesday, February 18, 2:00 - 3:30 pm 

PJ Storytime and Dreamcatcher Craft 

Thursday, February 19, 10:30 am 

Board Games 

Thursday, February 19, 12 - 2:00 pm 

Perler Beads with Mac 

Friday, February 20, 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

STORY TIMES

Book Babies

Intended for birth -18 months

Tuesdays at 10am

Toddler Time with Ellen Lavoie

Wednesdays at 10:00 am  

ACTIVITIES

Box Day! (drop-in)

Saturday, January 3, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm

Local Author Storytime: Munchie Tales

with Susan LaScala & Munchie the Dog

Saturday, January 17 , 10:30 am

Family Board Game Night (drop-in)

Monday, January 26, 5:30 - 7:30pm

ONGOING PROGRAMS

1000 Books Before Kindergarten (self-directed)

Drop by the Children's Room to sign up for our early-literacy program for families with children ages 0-5!

Meet a Therapy Dog (drop-in)

Friday, February 6th, 3:30-4:30pm

GPL Lego Club (drop-in)

Mondays, 3:30-5pm

Drop-in Playgroup

Fridays, 9:30-11:30am

Family Board Game Night (drop-in)

Monday, February 23, 5:30 - 7:30pm

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

Jennifer Morris and Brendan Buckley:

In the Shadow of Tungusuak

Monday, February 23 6:30 pm

Community Meeting Room

The Greenfield Public Library is pleased to welcome Jennifer Morris and Brendan Buckley for a talk on Chris Buckley's book In The Shadow of Tungusuak, a true, first-person narrative of a daring expedition through northern Labrador's Torngat Mountains in 1980.

In the Shadow of Tungusuak, tells of two brothers' journey through the mountains, glaciers, rivers, and meadows of Tongait KakKasuangita SilakKijapvinga, the Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador. In the Shadow of Tungusuak is a rare, true story of travel inland from Nunatsiavut's famous coastal fjords.

Chris Buckley grew up in New Hampshire and travelled to the Torngat Mountains many times from the 1980s onward, mostly with his brother Brendan. He lectured in English and creative writing at Plymouth State College from 2002 to 2013. Chris spent many years working on the manuscript for In the Shadow of Tungasuak, finishing in the spring of 2020. He passed away shortly before his 65th birthday after an aggressive journey with cancer.

Jen Morris has enjoyed a successful career in oncology biotech for 17 years working primarily in lung cancer, prostate, and skin cancer. She currently leads the thoracic oncology commercial team in the northeast for Daiichi Sankyo and resides in Plymouth, NH on 46 acres where she and her husband, Chris, and their boys, Sawyer and Carter created Winterberry Farm. In 2019 just three months before her husband, Chris Buckley was diagnosed with lung cancer, she opened Wild Heart Yoga Studio in Ashland, NH. Shortly after Chris died, and in his honor, Jen, with a small group from their community, started a non-profit effort called, “Little Gardens Everywhere” to teach people how to garden in their backyards.

Brendan Buckley holds the position of Lamont Research Professor in the Tree Ring Lab at Columbia University in New York. He is one of the pioneers of tropical dendroclimatology, having produced the longest and best replicated records of dated tree ring sequences from Southeast Asia. Along with his interest in the Asian tropics, he has a long history of research along the North American boreal forests, having conducted some of the first dendroclimatic forays with his brother Chris in northern Labrador, Canada, and along North America’s northernmost trees in the Firth River of Alaska. Buckley received his BS in Physical Geography from Plymouth State College, his MSc from Arizona State University, and his PhD from the University of Tasmania, Australia. 

Books will be available for purchase at the event.

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

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

a papercraft class

Makerspace

Let’s make stars together. Join accomplished paper crafter and instructor Marsha Leavitt for the first in a series of paper folding classes.

There are several different paper stars that you can make. We will start with the easiest and make as many as we have time for. Most are a form of modular origami. We will cut, fold, assemble and sometimes glue to create these beautiful stars that make lovely hanging decorations as well as enhance your gift wrapping. You will be able to select from a variety of papers. All materials are provided.

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required: https://greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/16097417

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

This program generously supported by the Friends of Greenfield Public Library is free and intended for teens and adults, ages 13+. No experience is necessary.

Teen Graphic Novel Book Club: Snapdragon

Teen Room

A monthly book club for fans of graphic novels! Join us each month, beginning Friday, February 27 at 3:30 pm, to discuss what graphic novels we’re reading plus a deep dive into the book of the month. In February, we are reading Snapdragon by Kat Leyh.

Copies of Snapdragon will be available in the Teen Room throughout the month of February.

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

This program, made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and recommended for youth ages 13-20. 

Wednesday, February 4, 11, 18, 25

Join prize-winning upcycled dollhouse maestro Faith Reipold as she embarks on a new adventure: flipping a child's dollhouse into a witch's haunted house. Each week, help Faith make miniature furniture and accessories for a new room and learn all kinds of spooky upcycled miniature making skills along the way.

This program runs each Wednesday in February from 5:30-7:00 pm. Attend each week or drop in as you are able. 

Pre-registration is recommended but not required: https://greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/16069279

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

This program, generously supported by the Friends of Greenfield Public Library, is free and intended for teens and adults, ages 13+. No experience is necessary.

with Pizza!

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

February 5: Professional Artist Danielle Lucier - Ever wondered if you can support yourself making art? Meet Danielle! Try out a fun art project and ask questions about life as an artist.

February 12: Digital Navigator Rich Vaden - Tech guru Rich will be on hand to discuss all things A.I. - Write a song in 5 seconds, Design a custom greeting card and find out when A.I. is NOT a good idea.

February 26: Public Health Nurse Robin Neipp - Pick up some lifesaving skills with the help of healthcare expert Robin: Learn rescue breathing and receive Narcan training

Questions? Contact Teen Librarian Francesca at francesca.passiglia@greenfield-ma.gov or call (413) 772-1544 x5120

This program, made possible through the generosity of the Library Initiative for Teens and Tweens, is free and recommended for youth ages 13-20. .

Winter Carnival Events at the Greenfield Public Library

 Friday, February 6 - Sunday, February 8

Hot Chocolate and Board Games (Drop In), Friday, February 6, 2:00 - 4:30 pm Community Meeting Room

Coming downtown for Greenfield’s Winter Carnival? Stop by the library to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa, play one of our many board games, and catch up with friends and neighbors. 

GPL’s Winter Walk and Read, Downtown Greenfield, February 6 - 8

Winter Literary Quotes will be posted around town near the ice sculptures for reflection and to enhance your winter carnival experience. 

Children Craft: Yeti Valentines 

Friday, February 6, 3:00 - 5:00 pm, Saturday, February 7, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Make a valentine for someone you love and make one for our GIANT YETI in the Children's Activity Room.

Teen/Adult Craft: Yeti Snow Globes

Friday, February 6, 3:00 - 5:00 pm, Saturday, February 7, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Teens and adults are welcome to stop by the Makerspace and create their very own miniature winter scene in a tiny snowglobe! Limit one per person, available while supplies last

These programs, generously sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, are free and open to everyone in our community.

Thursday, February 26, 10:30 am

Conference Room

Join GPL Librarian Nancy Little for the 45 minute in-person, hands-on Catalog Searching Skills workshop. Learn how to use the online library catalog to search for items (books and e-books, music, movies, and more), place holds, and use the advanced searching screen. Download and install the CWMARS app on their smartphone or tablet! If time allows, we’ll use Novelist Plus to find your next great read. Bring your own laptop, tablet or smartphone, or use one of ours. 

Space is limited to 15 participants and registration is required. https://greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/15762560

For more information, contact Nancy Little at nancy.little@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 the public.

Community Conversations and the Greenfield Public Library are delighted to invite you to join our community art project: Dear Neighbor: Letters of Light During Dark Times.

We invite individuals to write letters to someone who has brought light into their lives—a friend, a family member, a stranger, a mentor—especially during moments of personal or political darkness. In an era marked by social division and political tension, this project offers a space to celebrate small acts of kindness, everyday heroes, and moments of hope. Stop by the Greenfield Public Library and find one of the letter-writing tables throughout the library!

Leave the letter, and we will hang it up on our wall of positivity!

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

High Blood Pressure may be symptomless and lead to serious health issues. Learn how to monitor your blood pressure correctly.

For more information, contact Pamela McBride at pamela.mcbride@greenfield-ma.gov or call (413) 772-1544.

This program, made possible through funding from the Valley Regional Health Collaborative, is free and intended for ages 18+.

Library Closed 

Monday, February 16th for President's Day

Check us out 24/7 at greenfieldpubliclibrary.org, for e-books, audiobooks, movie streaming, music, and research fun.

ECard registration can be found at https://www.bpl.org/ecard-registration/ 

Greenfield Public Library Hours

Monday - Wednesday: 9:30 am – 8 pm

Thursday - Friday: 9:30 am – 5 pm

Saturday: 9:30 am – 2 pm

For security purposes, the upstairs floor closes 15 minutes before closing time. Main doors are locked 5 minutes before closing.

Check us out 24/7 at at our website for e-books, audiobooks, movie streaming, music, and research fun.