Volume 9 No. 9 | August 29, 2025

September 2025 | Newsletter

Dear Reader,

It’s September, so the school year must just be starting!

For many of us, the rhythms and tides of the academic calendar have been ingrained since childhood. Students, parents, guardians, and family friends alike find themselves pulled along by the exigencies of this schedule. Even the traffic on one’s daily commute may be modulated by whether or not school is in session.

As lifelong educators, both Celine and I (Paul), the editors of this newsletter, think a lot about school and schooling – and we wrestle with the ways in which schools can best serve and engage both students and communities. So, it is perhaps unsurprising that compiling this month’s newsletter prompted a thought experiment: What would a series of K-12 courses, based around the seven September library programs we’ve highlighted below, look like? We are inspired to imagine…

Middle and high school students could attend an experimental FreeWrite English class co-led by an English teacher and a school counselor. Centering their struggles, ideas, and lives, this course could be be a guided exploration of students' voices, reflections, and conclusions through the written word.

Arts classes for students of nearly any age might include a unit in which they learn to crochet beautiful, utilitarian works of art.

The history, components, and daily relevance of the U.S. Constitution could be taught in any number of humanities classes. Given the need for ongoing amendments, such lessons would invite critical examination of the documents' current (and past) flaws, and could culminate in the drafting of proposals for new changes with an eye to increased fairness, for example.

There would be opportunities across the curriculum to acknowledge individuals' – both famous and not – LGBTQ+ identities throughout history, highlighting realities of queer experience across time. Likewise, care would be taken to include women authors, specialists, artists and scientists in our studies – some of whom had been excluded by literature and STEM societies or journals run by men by virtue of their gender, not their talent, ability, or contributions.

Older students could be involved in authentic, participatory community action projects. For example, viewing the documentary The Rising Rivers Edge night might prompt the creation of crisis plans for Franklin County. Hearing Heather Packard’s presentation on Rodenticides might spur proposals for local wildlife-protection policy. Middle and high school students could select one of the seven School Committee candidates with whom to speak at the upcoming “Candidate Meet and Greet” at the library, then craft brief video presentations arguing why they would, or would not, support voting for that candidate. This exposure could open the door to working on a given candidate's campaign, if they so chose.

Wouldn’t you like to attend this school system? Do it! This month’s highlighted programs, listed below, are the bases for these imagined classes. Perhaps you too would like to continue your education this month – happily, no enrollment fee required!

As always, we appreciate your engagement.

Your Friends,

- Paul & Celine

*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

The Most Amazing Raffle of the Year,

Featuring 17 Excellent Restaurants

Where else can you win $675 in prizes for a $5 raffle ticket, AND support the hundreds of Library programs offered each year? This is a great opportunity to support both our local restaurants and our community library during these challenging times. There are two prize packages available. Each package includes nine gift certificates worth $75, a total package value of $675!

Just click on this LINK right now to buy tickets and donate to the Friends of the GPL at the same time. Throw your hat in the ring for your chance to win $1375 worth of gift certificates.

You can also text friendsraffle2025 to 33100 to get the link.

Tickets can also be purchased at the Greenfield Public Library, The Franklin County Fair, the YMCA, and Federal Street Books.

Raffle tickets are 1 for $5, 3 for $10 or 7 for $20.

For more information about the Taste of the Towns Restaurant Raffle, visit the Friends' Facebook page

Your generosity during this raffle is part of what allows the myriad programs in this newsletter to be offered. Funds collected by the Friends also provide passes to area museums; support the Homebound Delivery Program; and support our sponsorship of the annual Poet's Seat Poetry Contest.

The winners will be chosen at the Winter Farmers’ Market on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Please Buy Your Tickets Now

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

IN OUR GALLERIES THIS MONTH

Trash to Treasure: Improvisational Quilts from Salvaged Textiles by Laura Davis

Community Room

"Wooly bear flags: collected works 2020 - 2025": mixed media by Jeremy Ferris

Conference Room

MONTHLY PROGRAMS

Spice Kit: Dill

Tuesday, September 2, while supplies last

Talk to an Assessor

Tuesday, September 2, 4-5:30pm, Study Room B

Drop-In Scrabble Night

Tuesday, Sept 2, 16, 4:30-6:30pm, 2'' floor

Drop-In Knitting + Crochet

Tuesdays at 5:30pm, Makerspace

Community Conversations 413

Wednesdays at 4:15pm, Local History Room

Writer's Workshop

Wednesdays at 6pm, History Room

Greenfield Ukulele Players

Friday, Sept 5, 19, 1-2:30pm, Conference Rm

GPL Chess Club

Mondays, 5:30-7:30pm, 21d floor

WordPress Meetup

Wednesday, Sept 10, 6pm, Conference Rm

Exploring Non-Fiction Book Discussion

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

Personal Growth Book Club

Wednesday, Sept 17, 6:30pm, Conference Rm

Conversational French

Tuesday, Sept 23, 5:30pm, Conference Rm

ADULT PROGRAMS

GPL Zine Club Presents: Write Like Lynda Barry

Tuesday, September 2, 6:00 pm

Conference Room

Join librarian Francesca in the Conference Room for a zine

workshop inspired by cartoonist Lynda Barry!

Drop-In Tech Help

Thursday, September 4, 11, 18, 25, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Local History Room

Western Massachusetts Master Gardeners Association: Information & Soil Testing

Saturday, September 6, 13, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

GPL Front Patio

Candidate Meet & Greet

Saturday, September 6, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Community Meeting Room

The League of Women Voters of Franklin County and the Greenfield Public Library are co-sponsoring a candidate meet and greet for the upcoming City of Greenfield Preliminary election.

Rising River's Edge: The Climate Crisis in Franklin County Monday, September 8, 6:30pm

Community Meeting Room

Sarah Prager: Stories of LGBTQ+ History, Wednesday, September 10, 6:30 pm

Community Meeting Room

Wednesday, September 10, 6:30pm

International Crochet Day

Friday, September 12, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Join us at the Greenfield Public Library as we celebrate International Crochet Day on Friday, September 12 with two events: a Crochet-In and a special crochet class with Diane Levine.

Greenfield Rescue Raptors and Wildlife from Rodenticides Kickoff Event

Monday, September 15, 6:00 pm

Community Meeting Room

Drop-in Mending Clinic

Tuesday, September 16, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Makerspace

Constitution Day

Wednesday, September 17th

Stop by the Information Desk , and pick up a free Pocket Constitution.

Community Baby Shower

September 27th, 10am-12:30pm

Resumania!

Monday, September 29, 10am-12pm,

Community Meeting Room

FreeWrite Women’s Writing in Recovery Group

Tuesday, September 30, 6:30pm

Local History Room

Join FreeWrite of Franklin County’s Amie Hyson and Gretchen Krull and other area women in our community for this creative

writing workshop which encourages each participant to explore their unique voice through the written word. No experience necessary, come as you are and meet writers in our community! Supplies will be provided. This program is free and

open to all who identify as women in recovery.

INFORMATION SESSIONS IN THE MAIN LOBBY

Community Legal Aid

Tuesday, 9/2, 2-4pm

Behavioral Health Network

Wednesday, 9/3, 1:30-3:30pm

MassAbility

Thursday, 9/4, 2-4pm

Greenfield Community Preservation Commission

Monday, 9/8, 10-11:30am

Greenfield Recycling Program

Thursday, 9/11, 10am-12pm

Wednesday, September 17, 10am-12pm

Tapestry Health Services

Friday, 9/12, 26, 2:30-3:30pm

Community Health Center of Franklin County

Friday, 9/12 & 9/26, 1-3pm

MassHire Franklin Hampshire Employer Spotlight: LifePath

Monday, 9/15, 10am-12pm

Greenfield Community College

Tuesday, 9/16, 10am-12pm

Homeworks Energy

Wednesday, 9/10, 10am-4pm

LifePath

Thursday, 9/18, 2-4pm

Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority

Thursday, 9/18, 2-4pm

Resilience Center of Franklin County

Tuesday, 9/23, 2-4pm

Visit the Full Library Calendar

Teen Programs and Events

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

Meet with a MassHire Young Adult Career Counselor

Wednesdays in September, 2:30-4:30pm

Get help with your resume and interview skills.
Learn about teen-friendly jobs and internships.

Bedtime Reading Challenge

We challenge you to relax with a book for 15 minutes before bed each night instead of staring at a screen.

Tween Programs and Events

Come enjoy the library's dedicated space for Tweens!

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

Intended for birth -18 months

Tuesdays at 10am

Toddler Time with Ellen Lavoie

Wednesdays at 10:00 am

ACTIVITIES

Apple Suncatcher Craft (drop-in)

Tuesday, September 16, 3:30-4:30pm

Ages 5-12

Family Board Game Night (drop-in)

Monday, September 22, 5:30-7:30pm

Ages 5-12

ONGOING PROGRAMS

GPL Lego Club

Intended for ages 3-12

Mondays in September, 3:30-5pm

Drop-in Playgroup

Intended for ages 0-5

Fridays in September, 9:30-11:30am

Visit the Full Library Calendar

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

PROGRAMING FOR ADULTS, TEENS, TWEENS & CHILDREN

Community Meeting Room

The League of Women Voters of Franklin County and the Greenfield Public Library are co-sponsoring a candidate meet and greet for the upcoming City of Greenfield Preliminary election on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Stop by the Library’s Community Meeting Room to ask questions and learn more about the credentials and platforms of candidates running in the September 9, 2025 Preliminary Election. All candidates running for office in Greenfield have been invited.

Refreshments will be provided.

This program, sponsored with the help of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and open to everyone in our community. The Greenfield Public Library would also like to thank the League of Women Voters of Franklin County for coordinating this event.

Sarah Prager

Wednesday, September 10 6:30pm

Community Meeting Room

Sarah Prager is dedicated to raising awareness of LGBTQ+ history through writing, speaking, and other projects. Being able to do that is what gets her up in the morning. That, and coffee. Lots of coffee.

Her first book, Queer, There, and Everywhere came out from HarperCollins Children’s in 2017 and a new expanded edition was released in June 2023. The book tells the stories of individuals from queer history for a young adult audience and received critical praise including three starred reviews and five award nominations.

Her other books, Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made History (2020), Kind Like Marsha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders (2022), and A Child’s Introduction to Pride: The Inspirational History and Culture of the LGBTQIA+ Community (2023), bring queer history to middle school and elementary school age kids with beautiful illustrations and intriguing stories.

This event, sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and open to all.

Join FreeWrite of Franklin County’s Amie Hyson and Gretchen Krull and other area women in our community for this creative writing workshop which encourages each participant to explore their unique voice through the written word on Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm. FreeWrite believes that there is no wrong way to write, that each of us has a unique voice and that bringing that voice to life, on the page, helps us to heal & grow.

No experience necessary, come as you are and meet writers in our community! Supplies will be provided. This program is free and open to all who identify as women in recovery.

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

Constitution Day at the Greenfield Public Library

Wednesiday, Sept 17

6:30 pm

Stop by the Information Desk at the Greenfield Public Library on Wednesday, September 17, and pick up a free Pocket Constitution, offered in observance of Constitution Day.

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.

Registration is not required, but supplies are limited: one copy per person will be available on a first come, first served basis.

The Pocket Constitutions, made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, are free and available to the public.

Community Meeting Room

Greenfield Public Library and the LAVA Center present Rising River's Edge: The Climate Crisis in Franklin County.

Rising River's Edge is a short documentary looking at the impacts of the climate crisis on the food systems of Franklin County, one of the poorest and most rural counties in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and how these systems and the people behind them are coping with unpredictable weather.

Presented by filmmakers:

Clara Witty, Co-Coordinator, the LAVA Center
Matthew Barlow, Humanities Co-Ordinator, the LAVA Center
Hugh Finnerty, filmmaker
Rebeca Rideout, owner, Told Video.

This project was funded with grant funds provided by the Greenfield and Massachusetts Cultural Councils, Greening Greenfield, the LAVA Center, and Mass Humanities and is free and open to the public.

9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Join us at the Greenfield Public Library as we celebrate International Crochet Day on Friday, September 12 with two events: a Crochet-In and a special crochet class with Diane Levine.

Bring your project and a lawn chair and join other crocheters on the front patio for our day long Crochet-In, weather permitting; you are also welcome to find a comfy chair inside!

In addition to crocheting anywhere in and around the library, you can learn to crochet an adorable octopus! Join crocheter Diane Levine for a special crochet class on Friday, September 12, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, and learn how to crochet an Amigigurumi octopus.

We will provide yarn, hooks, and all the other materials for you to make your own mini octopus to take home. Space is limited to eight participants, and basic crochet skills are required.

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 intended for ages 12 and up.

Community Meeting Room

GPL is pleased to welcome Heather Packard, Mass Audubon's community organizer, to the Community Meeting Room on Monday, September 15, at 6:00 pm for the kickoff event of the Greenfield Rescue Raptors and Wildlife from Rodenticides.

Hawks, owls, eagles, foxes and other predators play a critical role in keeping ecosystems in balance and controlling rodent populations. But the increased use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) poses a growing threat to wildlife, and these animals are being poisoned at alarming rates simply for doing what nature intended. But Massachusetts Audubon is spearheading a growing movement to protect raptors and other wildlife from deadly rodent poisons, and many communities in Massachusetts have successfully enacted regulations to restrict or prohibit their use.

Come learn about the dangers of SGARs, what are the alternatives, how you can get involved to restrict the use of these poisons in your community, and what you can do to help move legislation forward to end the use of anticoagulant rodenticides in Massachusetts. Learn about how Mass Audubon can help citizens and community leaders in Greenfield and Franklin County take action and hear about the bills that have been introduced at the state level.

For more information, contact Martha Rullman, mrullman@hughes.net, (413) 768-7156.

For the Zoom option of the program, please go to https://bit.ly/RescueFranklinCountyWildlife to register.

The library will be closed Saturday, August 30 through Monday, September 1, for Labor Day Weekend. We will reopen Tuesday,

September 2, at 9:30 am. Check us out 24/7 at greenfieldpubliclibrary.org, for e-books, audiobooks, movie streaming, music, and research fun.

GPL Discontinuing Kanopy

Due to budgetary issues, Greenfield Public Library will discontinue access to the Kanopy streaming service, beginning July 1, 2025, in order to shift funds to other online platforms.