60 Bridge St. * 413-625-0306 * Housed in the historic Pratt Memorial Library Building since 1914

Building Access & Curbside Pickup Hours

  • Monday 10:30 am–5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 11 am–7 pm
  • Saturday 10 am–3 pm
  • Sunday 12–3 pm

Upcoming Events

No events found

Building Access & Curbside Pickup Hours

  • Monday 10:30 am–5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 11 am–7 pm
  • Saturday 10 am–3 pm
  • Sunday 12–3 pm

An Evening of Stories and songs by Eveline MacDougall

In the upstairs reading room of the library. The Arms is handicapped accessible via the lower level, with parking in the back parking lot.

Eveline's recently published "Fiery Hope" recounts how people acquainted through anti-apartheid work gathered one wintry day in Wendell, Massachusetts to share the joyful power of South African freedom songs. The first informal session in 1988 led to regular rehearsals, and when the singers accepted an invitation to perform publicly, they needed a name for their burgeoning chorus. A South African member suggested “Amandla,” a Zulu word for power.

Led by Eveline MacDougall as chorus founder and director for three decades, Amandla's work led to collaborations with influential leaders including César Chávez, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Pete Seeger, Wally and Juanita Nelson, and Malala Yousafzai. They’ve also made profound connections with schoolchildren, prisoners, elders, terminally ill people, and community members facing homelessness.

Light refreshments will be offered.

The Arms is handicapped accessible via the back lower level entrance.

amandlafrontcover 1

The Friends of the Arms Library are having their Spring Book Sale!

Lots to choose from. Great variety. Carefully curated, creating an amazing array of books!

Plenty of children's books this time around.

9 a.m. - 3 p..m. on Saturday and Sunday. Downstairs in the Arms Library, and out back under the tent.

If you are purchasing a book, or books, you may "pay what you wish". This is a great way to help the Frineds and the Arms LIbrary with museum passes, "Bookpage", museum passes, select furnishings. And this year The Friends are sponsoring our Summer Reading Program "Find Your Voice!"FOL Book Sale June 2023

Friday, May 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Arms Library in Shelburne Falls

Joan Livingston, a Shelburne Falls resident, will read from her latest books: Following the Lead, #6 in her Isabel Long Mystery Series, and The Sacred Dog, both set in the hilltowns of Western Mass.Joan livingston photo

Save the date, April 21st, when doors open at 7 p.m. and the Arms Library celebrates National Poetry Month with members of Third Friday Poetry and Prose and featured guest Hawley poet, Jody Stewart, with a reading from her new book, "This Momentary World." Q&A, book signing and light refreshment to follow!

Jody has written six full length books of poetry and a number of chapbooks, and been the recipient of awards and Fellowships. She has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Hawthornden Fellowship, a Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant, and support from the Elizabeth George Foundation

In Celebration of National Poetry Month, this evening is presented by the Arms Library and Friends of the Arms LibraryBooks will be available for sale as well afterward.The Arms Library is handicapped accessible via the lower-level entryway located behind the library building.Jody photo for publicicty april 2023

Sunday, May 21, 9:00 a.m.
Meet at the Arm’s Library in Shelburne Falls, 9:00 AM.

The Deerfield River Watershed Association, Shelburne Open Space Committee, Shelburne Falls Senior Center, and Arms Library have partnered to lead a scenic and educational hike to the High Ledge at Mass Audubon’s High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary in search of the Pink and Yellow Lady Slipper Orchids.

If you have any questions, or would like to pre-register so that you can be notified in case of a need to reschedule, contact Jim at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Lady Slippers at the High Ledges

At the Arms Library in Shelburne Falls, Mass

Fiery Hope recounts how people acquainted through anti-apartheid work gathered one wintry day in Wendell, Massachusetts to share the joyful power of South African freedom songs. The first informal session in 1988 led to regular rehearsals, and when the singers accepted an invitation to perform publicly, they needed a name for their burgeoning chorus. A South African member suggested “Amandla,” a Zulu word for power.

Led by Eveline MacDougall as chorus founder and director for three decades, Amandla's work led to collaborations with influential leaders including César Chávez, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Pete Seeger, Wally and Juanita Nelson, and Malala Yousafzai. They’ve also made profound connections with schoolchildren, prisoners, elders, terminally ill people, and community members facing homelessness.

Light refreshments will be offered.

The Arms is handicapped accessible via the back lower level entrance.