Friends of the Jones Library System - Amherst, MA

10/29/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY!!!

Episode 8: George Hicks and the historical preservation

Jones Library & Branches
Jones Library Teen Space
Jones Library Kids Room

10/28/2026

Modern life can feel lonely sometimes, but there's always a friendly staff member ready to help at the library. Share your appreciation for library staff in the comments!

Here, Sammy the Owl is visiting Sean Smith, Head of Borrower Services at the Jones Library & Branches!

10/23/2026

Spots are filling up! Register before October 31!

On November 15th at Hatfield Rally House, we’re putting on our 3rd Annual Friends of the Jones Library Pickleball Tournament! Registered players will enjoy food, court time, and entry into a raffle… and also the good feeling that comes from supporting our libraries. Funds raised will support programs, services, materials, and events at Amherst's three libraries.

Interested? Learn more and register at the link in the comments. Registration closes on 10/31!

GOLD SPONSORS



SILVER SPONSORS
Liebert Wealth Management
Stakeholders Capital (Perigon)
PeoplesBank

BRONZE SPONSORS

Amherst Insurance Agency Inc.
Amherst Office Park
Bulkley Richardson
Encharter Insurance

Jones Library Trustees (Individual)
Kestrel Land Trust (Anonymous, In Honor Of)
Noonan Energy Corporation
Solar
Pelham Auto


IN-KIND SPONSORS
Carrington Tennis
Gamma Sports
Kendra Renzoni
Yoga of the Valley
The Black Sheep Deli

Benefiting programs, services, and new materials at , North Amherst Library, and South Amherst's Munson Memorial Library.

10/20/2026

It's National Friends of Libraries Week!

What are Friends of Libraries, and what do we do?

For over 25 years, the Friends of the Jones Library System—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—has raised funds for Amherst's public libraries, supporting their programs, services, events, purchase of new materials, and most recently the Jones Library building project.

Since the 1920s, Friends organizations have sprung up across the US, and they now number in the thousands (between 4,400-5,000). Many are run by volunteers, and most are separate organizations that exist with the sole purpose of funding a library or library system—just like us!

Celebrate these treasured institutions with us by becoming a Friend—donate today at ANY level! (link in comments).

🎉 National Friends of Libraries Week is here!

From book sales and fundraisers to advocacy, community events, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps things running, Friends make a difference in libraries every day.

This week, we’re celebrating YOU! 💙

Help us kick things off: What’s one thing you LOVE about your library’s Friends group?

Comment below, tag your Friends group, or give a shout-out to a standout Friend who deserves some extra appreciation!

10/19/2026

Sammy the Owl found a library supporter in the wild! Well, actually at the Amherst Farmers' Market on Saturday.

Thanks to PeoplesBank for supporting the Friends of the Jones Libraries Third Annual Pickleball Tournament as a Silver Sponsor, and thanks to Kayla for signing up for the event!! Good luck!

There's still time to sign up at the link in the comments!

10/15/2026

Curious about what it's like to work in Youth Services at a public library?

Read our Q&A with today's featured Jones Library staff member: Sarah Demarest!

1. Tell us about a memorable interaction you’ve had with a library patron.

There was a little guy here a while back who was having a blast in our playroom, and was really struggling when his grownup let him know it was time to leave. He screamed, with the full force of toddler-tears, "I WANT TO LIVE HERE!!!" When his grownup asked him how he would eat, he mournfully responded with "takeout." I felt bad telling him that even with takeout, he still wouldn't be able to live in the Kids Room, but I was pretty flattered by the sentiment!

2. What is one unique, unusual, or little-known part of working at the Jones?

With our proximity to the five colleges, we're very lucky to have a lot of international scholars and their families who move to the area, often on a temporary basis. It feels very special to become part of a family's daily life, whether they're here for the long-term or just a few years. I love working in a small town that attracts so many people from around the world!

3. If you had unlimited resources, what new service, program, or resource would you launch for our community, and why is it needed?

I really wish we could have a performance space, particularly outdoors. Our neighbors at Forbes Library recently added a beautiful stage, and it would be incredible to give our performers, programmers, and patrons a space like that. A performance space outside feels very inviting, especially when we're right in the center of town.

4. What impact will the renovated & expanded building have on your work and how you serve the library and community?

Having dedicated programming rooms for both kids and teens is going to be a gamechanger. Young people are really disenfranchised when it comes to having their own spaces, and I'm excited we'll be able to do more to offer those to them.

5. What book have you been recommending most frequently this year?

Anything by Shinsuke Yosh*take. His picture books are both hilarious and really insightful, and I think everyone of all ages should read them!

:) Thank you, Sarah!!

10/13/2026

We have so much news to share this Fall 2026! Stay tuned for some new (and fun) ways to get involved in the Jones Library Capital Campaign this November, and make your mark on our town and region for decades to come.

You can read the full newsletter with text and links here: https://mailchi.mp/bb94c66f590b/fall-2026-jlcc-newsletter

Fontaine Bros
State Representative Mindy Domb
Jones Library & Branches
Daily Hampshire Gazette

10/10/2026

The Jones Library and Branches will be closed on Sunday, October 12th and Monday, October 13th in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

10/09/2026

Do you like pickleball? Or do you enjoy supporting your local community? Or perhaps… do you like both of these things at the same time?

If so, we have one recommendation for you: PLAY IT FORWARD!

On November 15th at Hatfield Rally House, we’re putting on our 3rd Annual Friends of the Jones Library Pickleball Tournament! Registered players will enjoy food, court time, and entry into a raffle… and also the sweet, sweet potential for bragging rights.

Interested? Learn more and register at joneslibrary.org/pickleball. Registration closes on 10/31!

GOLD SPONSORS



SILVER SPONSORS
Liebert Wealth Management
Stakeholders Capital (Perigon)
PeoplesBank

BRONZE SPONSORS

Amherst Insurance Agency Inc.
Amherst Office Park
Bulkley Richardson
Encharter Insurance

Jones Library Trustees (Individual)
Kestrel Land Trust (Anonymous, In Honor Of)
Noonan Energy Corporation
Solar
Pelham Auto


IN-KIND SPONSORS
Carrington Tennis
Gamma Sports
Kendra Renzoni
Yoga of the Valley
The Black Sheep Deli

Benefiting programs, services, and new materials at , North Amherst Library, and South Amherst's Munson Memorial Library.

10/08/2026

We were thrilled to host Representative Mindy Domb and Legislative Aide Ruby McElhone Yates on a tour of the Jones Library under construction recently.

Rep. Domb was instrumental in securing a $50,000 earmark for the Library renovation in support of Gender Neutral Bathrooms on the Garden Level. Attendees of future events in the Woodbury Room, the newly located Amherst Room, Special Collections, and the Burnett Art Gallery will all benefit.

Thank you Mindy Domb, State Representative! (She loves libraries, right down to her socks!)


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