Videos of Past Adult Programs

Click on the Lectures Title to watch on Vimeo.

Where Tolkien Got His Ideas by Prof. Michael Drout- Wheaton College, MA

This program was on Wed., July 1st as part of the Library Summer Program "Imagine your Story"!Have you ever wondered what shaped Tolkien and sparked his ideas to write the Hobbit and the Lord of the Ring series? This lecture is for you! Michael Drout is a Professor of English and Director of the Center for the Study of the Medieval at Wheaton College. He is an author and editor specializing in Anglo-Saxon and medieval literaturescience fiction and fantasy, especially the works of J. R. R. Tolkien and Ursula K. Le Guin.

The Mythology of Genealogy by Dave Robison

This program was on Wed., July 8th as part of the Library Summer Program "Imagine Your Story".So many “myth busters” to discuss! For starters, it’s not all on the internet, speeling duzn’t cownt, dates are often wrong, you need offline resources, and there are dozens of free genealogy websites and much more. Learn lots of great strategies! Professional Genealogist with more than 15 years’ experience. Currently engaging in lectures, instructional classes from introductory to advanced level research and contract client research. A Mayflower descendant and a pending member of the Sons of the American Revolution with more than 18 direct Revolutionary War Patriots.

So Wide So Deep: An Introduction to Racism in the US Women’s Suffrage Movement by Cassandra Pelitier

This program was on Wed. July 15th as part of the Library Summer Program "Imagine Your Story". This talk will highlight the words and life stories of Women of Color who were often left or pushed out of the mainstream Women’s Suffrage movement due to their intersectional identities. We will explore the ways these women fought for recognition by creating new spaces where their unique identities and strong voices could be celebrated and employed to build a more equitable future.  Presented by Cassandra Peltier, Executive Director of the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace.

Virtual Lecture - Native American Storyteller Larry Spotted Crow Mann

The program was on Saturday, July 25 at 11 am est as part of the Library Summer Program "Imagine your Story"! Video will be available to watch after the program. Larry "Spotted Crow" Mann will talk about the local legends from the Nipmuc tribe. Larry Spotted Crow Mann is a citizen of the Nipmuc Tribe of Massachusetts. He is an award winning writer, poet, cultural educator, Traditional Story Teller, tribal drummer /dancer and motivational speaker involving youth sobriety, cultural and environmental awareness. Mann is also a board member of the Nipmuk Cultural Preservation ,which is an organization set up to promote the cultural, social and spiritual needs of Nipmuc people as well an educational resource of Native American studies.

Virtual Lecture- The Pink Tax: The Economics of Being Female by Prof. Lisa Saunders of UMASS- Amherst 

The program was on Saturday, August 1st at 11 am est as part of the Library Summer Program "Imagine your Story"! The pink tax is the notion that women pay more than men for products that are female-oriented. For example, those who believe in the pink tax often claim that women pay more than men for razors, and that these women’s razors are the same product as men’s razors. What are the financial realities of growing up female?Presented by Dr. Lisa Saunders, Professor of Economics at UMASS Amherst. Professor Saunders has participated in professional workshops and conferences about teaching economics inclusively at the national level for over 20 years. Her research interests are Labor Economics, Stratification Economics, Feminist Economics and Diversity and Inclusion in Economics Education.

Virtual Lecture: Susan B. Anthony: From Farm Girl to Feminist Icon

The program was on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:30 pm est as part of the Library Summer Program "Imagine your Story"!  An overview of Susan B. Anthony’s life and legacy, beginning with early influences from her family and Berkshire County community which instilled the traits which guided her career. This talk will focus on Susan B. Anthony’s activities and connections in Massachusetts and her lasting legacy throughout the commonwealth. Cassandra Peltier, Executive Director of the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum in Adams, Massachusetts. Cassandra grew up immersed in the world of Berkshire County museums thanks to the freedom of a homeschooling education. A recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Cassandra’s coursework included Material Culture, Women's and Fashion History, Teaching History, Public History, and Oral History. She was a 2017 recipient of the Mount Holyoke College History Department's Evelyn Church Wilbur Prize for Outstanding Work in American History by a Junior. Peltier graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in History and "Nexus" Minor in Public History, Museums, Archives, and Digital History.

Virtual Lecture: The Pink Tax: The Economics of Being Female

The pink tax is the notion that women pay more than men for products that are female-oriented. For example, those who believe in the pink tax often claim that women pay more than men for razors, and that these women’s razors are the same product as men’s razors. What are the financial realities of growing up female?

Presented by Dr. Lisa Saunders, Professor of Economics at UMASS Amherst. Professor Saunders has participated in professional workshops and conferences about teaching economics inclusively at the national level for over 20 years. Her research interests are Labor Economics, Stratification Economics, Feminist Economics and Diversity and Inclusion in Economics Education.


 Virtual Lecture: History of Voting: The Economics of Voting: What Does Game theory say about Voting?

Professor Michael D. Robinson, Economics Professor at Mount Holyoke College will give a talk on "The Economics of Voting." Is voting a good way to make public decisions?  Should we vote? Should we vote our preferences?  Can voting be improved?

Virtual Program: Self Empowerment Through Intregrative Accupressure

 

Annemarie Flaherty, certified Integrative Acupressurist will give a brief overview of acupressure and some somple techniques to suppot your immune system and over all health in a time of a pandemic. 

Virtual Program: Book Tasting! Find out about Some New Books

Come try out some new books at our book tasting. New Authors - new genres - give them a try!

Virtual Program: The Ultimate Red Sox Presentation

Take a fun and enlightening journey through Boston Red Sox history with the author of the Ultimate Boston Red Sox Tme Machine Book. This presentation features videos and photographs of the greatest and most fascinating players, teams, events and moments in franchise history.

Virtual Program: New Book on Belchertown State School by Kate Benson

This is a new book from Images of America on 'The Belchertown State School." She will give a talk on her new book and the history of the School.In the first decade of the 20th century, the state of Massachusetts established itself as a leader in the education of individuals with disabilities. Katherine Anderson is a veteran special education teacher and has been researching and writing about state schools and other institutions for more than a decade. She is the president of the Belchertown State School Friends Association and is working to preserve the substantial archive of state school history

Virtual Program:Author Talk! Romance Writers! J. Lynn Bailey, Kirsten Osborne, and Jennae Vale

Check out some new authors!

Virtual Program: Author Talk! Memoir Author Jack Saffell will discuss "My Splendor" Book about his Deaf/Blind Wife"

My Splendor is the heartwarming story of Danielle, a deaf girl making her way in a hearing world. After struggling with communication--and an abusive teacher--in public school, Danielle finally finds her place at the California School for the Deaf at Berkeley. There she makes lifelong friends and gets her first taste of romance. After graduation she meets and eventually marries Jack, a hearing man who falls in love with Danielle at first sight. Together, they raise four children while conquering many of life's difficult challenges. Twenty-five years into their marriage, Danielle becomes blind and must relearn how to communicate. Despite the many obstacles she faces, Danielle's soundless life is filled with an overflowing of great love, happiness, loss, and tragedy.

Virtual Program: A Celebration of Animation Presentation: The 100 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All-Time

Award-winning author and pop culture historian Martin Gitlin hosts this fun, nostalgic and enlightening presentation based on his  book, A Celebration of Animation: The 100 Greatest Cartoon Characters in Television History. He is the only author to actually rank the greatest cartoon characters ever, such as Popeye, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Scooby Doo, Snoopy and SpongeBob SquarePants. He will show funny cartoon snippets of characters from the past century, play trivia with patrons, discuss the criteria he used to rank the best of the best and speak about their impact on American pop culture.

Virtual Program: New Ways to Decorate and Wrap Gifts: And A Touch of History

Desi, the Adult Services Librarian, through Zoom will teach you how to wrap your gifts in a new way. This isn’t just holiday gifts, but also wrapping that you can use throughout the year! Learn also how to make some decorative bows!

Virtual Program: The Basics of Tea! The History and Mechanics of Making the Best Tea at Home Possible!
Presented by Arturas Ribinskas, co-owner of Crapes Tea Houses of West Springfield and Southwick.  
Learn how to warm up with a wonderful cup of tea! There are six kinds of tea, but do you know where to start? How hot should my water be? How long to steep?  Get your answers here so you can have a cozy winter.