South Hadley Library is partnering with other town departments to host these events in September at the main Library:
- Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 5:00pm
Office Hours with Police Chief Jennifer Gunderson
Share your concerns and ideas
- Monday, September 15,2025 at 3:00pm
Monthly Public Health Drop-In Hour
Access public health services and information
- Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 10:00am to 2:00pm
National Voter Registration Day
Town Clerk’s office staff will be available at the Library to help you check your voter registration status or register to vote
Details to come for these October events, in collaboration with South Hadley Health Dept:
Adult Programs at South Hadley Public Library (main library)
September is packed with great programs at the library! We’ll kick things off with Sound Healing with Julia Nadolny on Wednesday, September 10 from 6:00–7:30. Julia, certified in energy-medicine, will guide participants through a reflective, balancing experience rooted in an ancient tradition. Click here to register.
The following week, history buffs can join us for Canals of the Connecticut River with Robert Comeau on Wednesday, September 17 at 6:00, a fascinating look at the canals that shaped power, navigation, and irrigation in the Valley—made possible by a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant.
In the Community Room on Saturday, September 20 at 10:00am there will be Small Appliance Swap—drop off up to three small appliances from September 2–19, receive a ticket, and then come find something “new-to-you” on swap day.
In the Lobby on Saturday, September 20 we’ll have Selma Says: Energy Reading with Tarot in the Lobby through 11:00 (first come, first served). Selma blends her background in mental health with her studies of Tarot and Carl Jung’s Collective Unconscious to explore your burning questions about love, choices, and life direction.
On Wednesday, September 24 at 6:00pm, meet local author Rondalyn Whitney and learn about her book Self-Regulation: A Family Systems Approach. The first 20 attendees will even receive a free signed copy!
And to wrap up the month, don’t miss our Mid-Autumn Chinese Festival on Saturday, September 27 from 10:00–12:30. This family-friendly celebration of the Moon Festival will feature mooncake tasting, calligraphy, and lantern-making, in partnership with the Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts. Sign Up to participate! Limited to 50 participants.
Are you reading what we’re reading? Check out our Library book discussion groups:
- The Hello Sunshine Book Club is reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- Between the Covers Romance Club is reading It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.
- The Sustainable Living Book Club is reading Twist by Colum McCann.
- We also have books for the discussion groups that meet at the Senior Center. Check out the full selection near our new book area.
Online Author Programs (click each program for more information):
Main Library–Programs for Children and Teens
CHILDREN: September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! At SHPL, kids can get their first library card when they turn five. Stop by the children’s desk to take a picture with our cute “I got a library card!” photo frame! Library cards are free, and cardholders have access to millions of books, movies, and more through the C/W MARS library system. And there are no late fees!
Thanks to all who participated in our “Level Up at Your Library” summer reading program – over 230 of you!! Raffle winners have been contacted. Next year’s theme is “Plant A Seed, Read!”
Our regular programs for kids continue: Rhyme Time happens every Tuesday at 10:30, Story Time every Wednesday at 10:30, and Baby Lapsit every Friday at 10:00 (except September 12). Please note that CFCE Playgroup is taking a break for the first two weeks of September; playgroup will meet only on Thursday, September 18 at 10:00 and Friday, September 26 at 3:00. For bigger kids, Lego & Games are out every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00-5:00, STEAM is Thursday, September 16 at 3:45, Graphic Novel Book Club discusses Four Eyes by Rex Ogle on Thursday, September 11 at 4:00, and kids can Read to A Dog on September 9 or 24 (call the library at 413-538-5045).
- Meet us at the South Hadley Farmers’ Market for storytime at 4:00 on Wednesday, September 3, or visit on Saturday, September 6 at 10:30 for Japanese storytime with Kanae Nagasaki.
- We’ll have live reptiles and insects with a Hitchcock Center educator on Saturday, September 13 and and music with Mr. Liam on Saturday, September 27. You won’t want to miss those ten-second dance parties!
TEENS: This month for Teens (ages 11 through 19) we kick off our month with Crafternoon Thursday, September 4 from 4:00-5:00. We will be making Confetti Bookmarks this month. Feel free to sign up for a reminder email. Our monthly gaming sessions will be happening on Tuesday, September 2 for Xbox1 and Wednesday, September 10 for Switch. Both sessions start at 3:30 and run until 5:00. No sign up is needed. We will be having a special Switch time featuring Super Smash Bros Ultimate on Monday, September 29 from 3:30-5:00.
September brings back our monthly YA Book Tasting. It happens the first Monday of the month from 3:30-5:00. All are welcome to come and see what new Young Adult & Teen materials the library has to offer! We end the month with our Teen Night Craft on Tuesday, September 30 from 6:30-7:30. This month we will be Sponge Painting. Sign up for an email reminder.
Monthly Teen Takeaways continue to be available. This month features coloring. Sign up once and get a new Teen Takeaway every month. We also have our latest Booktrovert pick: Scythe by Neal Shusterman. There are no in-person meet ups, just enjoy the book on your own time. Copies are available in the Teen Room for check out.
Please note Snackternoon will return in October with a special guest! Any questions please email Bethany
Programs at Gaylord Memorial Library (branch library)
With students returning to Mount Holyoke College, there is renewed energy around the Gaylord Memorial Library. Spend some time people-watching in the Adirondack chairs on the front lawn. Check out the late summer insects and birds in the pollinator garden. Relax in the historic rotunda while reading a good book or checking your email.
Spice Club returns on Thursday, September 4 at 6:30pm and will meet on the first Thursday of the month to share tips and recipes from the distributed spices. September’s featured spice is a Harissa Spice Blend.
The Children’s Room on the lower level has a wonderful selection of books for kids of all ages, and storytimes happen on Friday mornings at 10:30. There will be an afterschool Lego Club on Thursday, September 4 from 3:00-6:00. No registration required, just drop by.
KEY WEBSITES to STAY CONNECTED:
