For Love of Stories

On Saturday Feb 12, 2011, the Children's Museum at Holyoke hosted a joint fundraiser benefitting the Friends of the Holyoke Public Library and the Children's Museum.  

Shuffles the Clown greeted visitors and made balloon sculptures, Christine Alger helped kids make their own books,  storyteller Roger Tincknell performed, and Mr. Tim offered story reading.   

 The Expandable Brass Band played...

 Holyoke Civic Symphony demonstrated intruments

Roger Tincknell sang and told stories.

Friends board member Alex Morse and Miss Holyoke 2011

Come join our team

We invite you to come to our February 9th meeting (5:30 -7 pm, Wednesday) in the Library.    We are actively planning upcoming events and would WELCOME additional volunteers.

This is an ideal time to jump in and join the fun as we help facilitate the Feb 12th "For Love of Stories" event at the Children's Museum, 5-8pm this Saturday -- a joint fundraiser for the Library Friends and for the Children's Museum.    "Mr. Tim and friends" will be reading storybooks to children.  Would you like to be a story reader?  Or help as a "greeter" just outside the story-reading area?  Or help with craft activities encouraging kids to express their own stories?   Another way to help is to invite your family and friends to buy tickets ($9 in advance, 413-536-KIDS). 

We also invite you to join the Library's FBH team.  What's that?  FBH= The Future Begins Here, a gala event at the Holyoke Mall, May 1, 2011.    All FBH volunteers are invited to a social event Feb 21 at 7pm. Come to our Feb 9th meeting to learn more.
 
 We hope to see you on Feb 9th.  
  (In event of bad weather, call the Library 322-5640 to see if it is open. If open, we'll be meeting.)

    

Upcoming events

Last night's Board Meeting of the Friends discussed plans for these upcoming events.

For Love of Stories, A Family Story Valentine.  This special event is a fundraiser benefitting the Friends of the Holyoke Public Library and the Children's Museum at Holyoke.   Saturday February 12, 5-8pm at the Children's Museum, 44 Dwight St, Holyoke.    Shuffles the Clown,  story tellers Tom McCabe, Roger Tincknell, live music, story reading by Mr. Tim and Friends, and opportunities to write, illustrate, and act out stories.  Tickets on sale at the Children's Museum 413-536-KIDS.  $10 per person ($1 off in advance, or for library card holders or museum members).

Future Begins Here 2011 - The Friends of the Holyoke Public Library will again participate in this annual community fundraiser for children's services in the Pioneer Valley.  Mark your calendars for Sunday evening May 1, 2011, for gourmet food, auctions, and live music at the Holyoke Mall. Contact us now to volunteer; much help will be needed in the February-April period.

The next Friends Board Meeting will be Wednesday Feb 9 at the Library, 5:30pm.  All welcome!

The next Friends Book Club will be Wednesday Feb 9 at the Library, 7:00 pm.  We'll be discussing Under Fishbone Clouds by Sam Meekings.  Come join us. 

Book Club choices for Jan and Feb

The Friends Book Club meets in the Library the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm, immediately following the Friends Board Meeting (5:30-7pm).

We will be discussing these books in the upcoming months:

January 12:  The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey
February 9: Under Fishbone Clouds by Sam Meekings

Come join us!  All welcome.

What a Party!!

The Holyoke Holiday Gala and Silent Auction at the Library tonight was well-attended and lots of fun. Here are some photos to give a sense of the event, which included entertainment by Holyoke Strings, the Madrigal Choir from Holyoke High School, and the Sea Tea Improv group.

View from the mezzanine while choir sang;
Cash bar at center desk served by Brennan's Place

Sea Tea Improv

Opening a door prize...

Impressionistic view of people and lights on mezzanine 

The Silent Auction included paintings, photographs, baskets of goodies, a tea set, jewelry, and services.

Silent Auction items on display

Auction team tallying the bids

The proceeds from tickets, bar sales, and auction bids will be shared equally by Homework House and the Friends of the Library. THANK YOU to all who participated in making this Gala such a success!
    For more photos visit MassLive "Seen@" gallery.

Holiday Gala & Silent Auction

The Holyoke Holiday Gala and Silent Auction is right around the corner: Saturday, December 11, 6-10pm at the Holyoke Public Library.
NOW is the time to buy (or reserve) your tickets. Don't delay! We want to have an accurate head count by Monday, December 6, to help with the food planning.

This year the Gala will benefit two wonderful Holyoke organizations that support the academic lives of our youth: the Library and Homework House. Live entertainment by Holyoke Strings, the Madrigal Choir & the Sea Tea Improv Group (comedy); Cash bar donated by Brennan's.
See our Facebook event page.

To reserve your ticket or for any more information, please email the planning group at HolyokeHolidayGala@gmail.com or call 413-422-0506.
Or you may (for $1 processing fee) purchase tickets online using a credit card.

Please join us for this wonderful party!

Book Club: Three Cups of Tea

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! And, wishing you time to read a good book! How about Three Cups of Tea?

That's the selection for the next meeting of the Friends Book Club, Wednesday, December 8, 7:00 - 8:00pm, in the Library's Holyoke Room, second floor. All welcome!

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
http://www.threecupsoftea.com/

Come join us! Come earlier, if you wish, for the Friends Board meeting (and refreshments), starting at 5:30pm December 8 in the Community Room. All our meetings are open to the public.