Westfield Athenaeum
WESTFIELD-Westfield Athenaeum staff members are eager to begin a series of new programs next month, including a Poetry Appreciation Group.
“A library patron who participated in one of our Librarians Discuss events on Facebook Live suggested it,” said Kat Good-Schiff, reference and local history librarian, who is also leading the new group. “Since there was patron interest and staff capacity, we decided to try it as a new program.”
Good-Schiff noted that the group will meet over Zoom on the first Friday of each month from 1 – 2 p.m. The first meeting is slated Jan. 8 due to the New Year’s holiday.
“We will focus on living poets, but may also include some earlier 20th century poets,” said Good-Schiff, adding, “We will focus on poetry that uses the phrases and imagery of our times.”
Participants are also welcome to share their original poetry during the sessions.
Good-Schiff holds a Master of Fine Arts in writing from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt. , and her poems have appeared in publications including Meat for Tea, the Montague Reporter, and Paradise Found: A Walking and Biking Tour of Northampton, Massachusetts through Poetry and Art. She has also taught writing workshops at the Massachusetts Poetry Festival, Goddard College, and elsewhere.
Each month will have a special theme, starting with “winter – both literal and metaphorical” in January, followed by “hearts – love, heartbreak, heart attacks,” in February, and “animals” in March.
“Attendance is limited to 12 so that everyone will have a chance to read,” said Good-Schiff.
Good-Schiff said she will prompt discussion with questions based on whether the poem is original or written by someone else.
“Discussion will focus on constructive feedback, what makes each poem memorable in its own way, and writing techniques the poet uses,” she said.
Good-Schiff added that if there is a lot of interest in the group, a different time slot may be offered as well.
“We are trying this time to start with,” she said. “Please email [email protected] if you’d like to attend at a different time.”
For persons interested in the Monday afternoon group, visit www.westath.org and sign up for online access.
In other Athenaeum news, a fantasy role-playing game – Hero Kids – will be offered virtually for kids ages 7-10 on the fourth Monday of every month at 4 p.m. Heroes who wish to save villages, defeat monsters and find treasure must register to enter the realm.
“Hero Kids is an opportunity for kids to be involved in a role-playing game,” said Becky Blackburn, public services librarian. “The game involves strategy, critical thinking and is fun.”
Also, four librarians are excited about participating in a new program titled Good Book Hunting.
“Good Book Hunting is a way for patrons to learn the many resources we use as librarians to find new books for people,” said Blackburn. “I think everyone has read a book they really enjoyed and wanted something just like it for their next read and this is a way to learn how to do that.”
Using the most requested titles by Westfield patrons, librarians Gretchen Hohmeyer, Erica Lefebvre, Anne Brossard and Olivia Eberle will hunt for alternative books not currently on hold and explain how anyone can use different resources to find books they are interested in.
“Look for new ones every Friday at 1 p.m. on our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/westath,” said Blackburn, adding, “All are pre-recorded so you can watch it anytime.”
Lastly, Book Snacks is the latest way to find juvenile fiction and graphic novel reads, noted Blackburn. The program is geared for elementary through middle school readers.
“Book Snacks helps parents or kids find reading for kids in an interactive way,” said Blackburn. “People can ask questions and get personalized recommendations, as well as discuss a theme of the month to discover titles that may be off the beaten path for the reader.”
Book Snacks is on Facebook Live the first Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. at www.facebook.com/westath.
“Grab a snack and relax as we share a selection of books recently read and loved by our librarians,” said Blackburn, adding, “Don’t know what you want to read? Let us know in the comments and we will find a book for you!”
For information on any of these programs, you can also call (413) 568-7833 for more details.
