Jones Library & Branches

06/19/2026

And here's a bonanza of summer reads in this podcast from the New York Times!

From doppelgängers to dark academia, the Book Review editors share some of their most-anticipated titles.

06/19/2026

Black Lives Matter Book of the Week
Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett, with art by Daniel J. O'Brien

From the moment that the child narrator of this book awakens to the smell of brisket cooking, readers are invited to join the community Juneteenth celebration alongside her family. Attending a parade, gathering at Grandaddy's house, and eating special foods in honor of the celebration position this as a relatable holiday story. The direct prose creates an introduction to the holiday's traditions and history that invites readers to learn more: "Juneteenth is generations of family recipes" and "Juneteenth is the history lesson not taught at school". Daniel O'Brien's illustrations depict a contemporary family with different styles, skin tones, abilities, and ages and are the great strength of this book. The final spreads show the family hurrying to a group photo - "Juneteenth is all of us." Arranged in front of the camera beaming with joy, love, and pride, the final line "We are America" affirms the history and current importance of this celebration. This book is a welcoming introduction to the holiday for sharing individually or with a class.

Find in our catalog: https://amherst.cwmars.org/Record/5054016

06/18/2026

Throwback Thursday
Many people travel to Maine in the summertime to enjoy the sea air, mountains, craggy coastline, and fresh seafood, and the Stone family was no exception. These trips inspired Agnes Harvey Stone’s watercolor paintings, which she pursued with fervor after her children were grown. Agnes was born in New Hampshire and married Harlan Fiske Stone in 1899. Harlan grew up in Amherst, attended Amherst College, and went on to become the 12th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Agnes was a self-taught artist whose work was shown twice at the prestigious Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC (1937 and 1941). Her Mountain Landscape is part of their permanent collection. She also exhibited at the George Washington University Library and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Special Collections holds three of her landscapes as part of our Stone Family Collection.

06/18/2026

Let's kick off the Jones Library Summer Reading Program with a concert by The Nields! After this family concert, everyone can register for our summer reading programs - there is something for everyone!

06/17/2026

Staff Pick of the Week
This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman

Helen and Sylvia have been estranged since the apple cake incident while sitting shiva for their youngest sister. Their children and grandchildren don’t quite understand what happened, and try to avoid the touchy subject. Their lives are complicated enough, with career challenges, children’s activities, and evolving personal relationships. Immerse yourself in this novel and experience the ups and downs of growing up, growing older, and the complex connections of family.

Find in our catalog: https://amherst.cwmars.org/Union/Search?view=list&lookfor=this+is+not+about+us+allegra+goodman&searchIndex=Keyword&searchSource=local

06/17/2026

See the new items at the Amherst's Public Libraries at:

*** http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&p=2896-656-CUS1001 ***

This week's six new physical items include "America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries", "Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It", and "All We Say: The Battle for American Identity; A History in 15 Speeches".

06/16/2026

Charles Willson Peale is famous for his portraits of George Washington. Learn about is work in documenting other patriots of the Revolutionary War. (If you can attend the webinar at this time, register anyway and view the recording at your convenience!)

06/16/2026

Upcoming holiday closing!

06/15/2026

Celebrate the 250th!
Join us for a look at the portraits and sculptures of the time and discover how the ideals of the new republic are conveyed!