Upcoming Library Events & News
December, 2016
 

Presenting "Reaching For a Star"!
After extensive planning, we are pleased to announce that Reaching for a Star by sculptor Dale Rogers has been installed this morning, December 1! on the library's front lawn. The installation is made from cor ten steel and will have a weathered patina, on a granite plinth. The Board of Trustees, Staff and Friends of Jacob Edwards Library present the sculpture to the community during the town's bicentennial year.

Thank you to the Claire Birtz Trust , 
Dr. and Ms. Easterly and Southbridge Cultural Council (LCC Grant)
for funding this installation!
Assistance from our colleagues at the Department of Public Works was critical throughout this project. Additionally, we would like to thank our community advisers who provided comment and support throughout.



Please read on for this month's upcoming events, and more library news.

FY18 School Budget Kickoff

 Ongoing Events: Book Club, Coloring, Knitting

Teen Events
Children's Corner

Library Hours & Holiday Closings:

Monday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Closed Sign
The library will be  closing at 1:00 pm
on  Friday, December 23.
We will be closed 
Saturday, Dec. 24-Monday, Dec. 26 
for the Christmas Holiday. 
We will reopen on Tuesday, December 27 with our regular hours .

staffpicksDecember's JEL Staff Picks

Looking for a good book? Here are some that JEL staff have recently enjoyed! Clicking on the title will take you right to
the library's catalog, where you can check to see if it's available, and put a hold on popular titles.

Gingerbread House
exhibitGingerbread Houses
On display all month

Stop by anytime this month to view some of the delightful Gingerbread Houses, created here at the library by children of all ages! Some kids were able to resist their delicious creations for a little while longer, and were nice enough to let us display them until Christmas!

Special Gingerbread Houses created by JEL Children's Room staff will be raffled off later this month, keep an eye out for more information to come.

Thank you to the Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library for sponsoring these workshops!
chessRadiogram Chess - participate in Ham Radio Chess Game 

How would you keep in touch with loved ones in the event of a disaster?  There is a little-known communication network that is maintained by Amateur "Ham" Radio operators nationwide, with just this in mind.  The network is available to the public, and may be accessed through any Ham operator.  To keep this network running 365 days a year, Hams come up with various activities and greetings to send.  One such activity is long-distance chess games.  
A chess game will be set up on the main floor of the library, near the reference desk, where all are invited to participate in a game against two Hams in Indiana.  Library visitors will be able to suggest and vote on what our next move will be.  The most popular move will be sent to the opposing team via Ham radio. Then the other team's move will be received, and on it goes, until the game concludes, or we run out of time!
For those curious in learning more about amateur radio, how to play chess, or how to send a radiogram, information will be made available near the game board.  Also, the library has recently acquired new materials on these subjects.

schoolFY18 Budget Kickoff Presentation by School Finance Director Dan Deedy
Thursday, December 1 at 6:30 pm

The community is invited to attend a presentation on the FY18 budget for the school department by Dan Deedy, School Finance Director.


Sponsored by the Southbridge School District


literacyEmpowering Youth Through Literacy: a workshop offered by Teacher Eric Burton of the Southbridge Public School
Thursday, December 1 at 3:30 pm

Join the Discussion

How does rap help express yourself?

Why do rappers say what they say?

Why is Rap a Multimillion Dollar Industry

 

DO  YOU  LIKE  TO  RAP?

Small Discussion Group:  Ten Participants Maximum

Southbridge Youth - Ages 16 and older

Possible Future Recording Opportunities

Sponsored by the Southbridge School District
boxofficeFilm Screening - Captive
Thursday, December 8 at 6:00 pm

A single mother struggling with drug addiction is taken hostage in her own apartment by a man on the run.

Rated PG-13. Running time 97 min.

Presented as part of the Library Box Office series, sponsored by the Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library.


qccQCC Creative Writing Students to present their work
Monday, December 12th at 1:00 pm

The Creative Writing students at Quinsigamond Community College will present original fiction, short stories and poetry that were crafted during this current semester. The class is presented by Dr. MaryKate McMaster.

Presented by Quinsigamond Community College


oakesOakes & Smith Concert 
Thursday, December 15  at  6:30 pm

Oakes and Smith perform gentle, acoustic folk with voices blending in close harmonies. They sing soothing and soulful tunes inspired by nature, love, spirit, art and poetry. The harmonious blend of their voices creates an ethereal sound and unique quality not often heard in today's popular music, and their songs evoke a sense of wonder, expressing themes such as love, beauty, innocence and mystery. Their debut album,  First Flight, mixed by Grammy-winning engineer  Oz Fritz and released in November 2013, has been received warmly by listeners and critics alike. 
 
Robert Oakes and Katherine Smith met eight years ago and it was a match made in music heaven. The two both had musical families and both are artistic. Not only does Katherine have a beautiful voice, she is also a gifted painter and artist and Robert plays a number of string instruments and has released a solo album titled 'Heart Broken Open' in 2009. They officially formed Oakes and Smith in 2010 along with other band members. 'Between the Earth and the Sky' is their second EP, and it's slowly driving the couple to Indie/Folk stardom.
The EP is inspired by the Berkshires, the Massachusetts enclave where the couple lives. They describe the place as "a peaceful place filled with natural and cultural beauty." Jon Anderson of YES joins Katherine on 'Closer to Home,' the final track on the album. It is simply put; a truly beautiful album capable or blessing even the 'unholiest' of hearts. The music is unrushed, calm, spiritual, and soft enough to qualify as a lullaby. It's definitely an album for those serene moments.

MA Cultural Council This program is supported by a grant from the Southbridge Cultural Council, a local agency with is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
ongoingOngoing Events

Book Club reads 
Elizabeth Is Missing
Monday, Dec 5, 6:30 pm

All are welcome to join us for a discussion of Emma Healey's Elizabeth Is Missing  in the Reading Room. New participants are always welcome! 
This is a no-commitment book club, attend as many or as few meetings as you like. The group meets on the first Monday of every month. 
Copies of next month's book for discussion  are available at the Information Desk for checkout.
Knitting
Knitting with Sonya
Every Tuesday, 
10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Stop by and join our knitting circle in the Reading Room every Tuesday! 

All handcrafters (not just knitters!) are welcome to join, whatever your level experience. Stuck on your current project or wanting to learn a new technique? Chances are one of the group will be able to lend a hand!  Drop by for a few minutes or stay for the full two hours. 
We hope to see you there!

Krosslink
Monday, Dec 1, 6:00 pm

Starting a new business, or thinking about it? Then come to the Krosslink meeting and learn about a free community support network that can help you grow your business. 
We'll discuss how to sustain, market and grow this program in Southbridge and beyond.  Networking and refreshments  
6:00-6:30, followed by discussion and a Q&A Session. 
All are welcome!

teenTeen Events
Vacation Week Movie - Suicide Squad
Wednesday, Dec 28 at 1:00 pm

All teens are welcome to watch Suicide Squad, rated PG-13, on the big screen!
Friday Magic at JEL
Friday, Dec 30 at 2:00 pm

Casual gameplay for players of all skill levels. Other games (Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc) welcome too! Bring a friend!

childrensWelcome to the Children's Corner!

Check here to find out about upcoming events in the Children's Room.
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Story Times

Join us for a story time!

Bedtime Story Time: 
Monday evenings at 6:30 pm. Ages 4-8

Superkids Story Time:
Wednesdays at 10:30 am.
Ages 3-5

Toddler Time:
Fridays at 10:30
Children under 3
R.E.A.D. to Drifter
Sat., Dec. 3 & 17

Drifter the Therapy Dog will be here on Saturdays, December 3 and 17! 
Please call 508-764-5427
Sign up required!
The R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program improves children's reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: 
reading to an animal.




Hour of Code
Saturday, Dec. 10
11am-Noon

The hour of code is a global movement to introduce children of all ages to computer science. No coding knowledge or experience needed, come give it a try!
National Cocoa Day
Tuesday, Dec. 13
3:00 pm

Come listen to Ms. Liz read a holiday favorite and enjoy a cup of cocoa!
Reading from the "Weird" Series
Monday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 pm

Malerie from New Hope, Inc. will be reading the 3rd book in the series titled "Dare"




Playdough
Tuesday, Dec 27 at 10:00 am

Come play with some playdough! 
Great for ages 3 and up!
Card Playing Day
Wednesday, Dec. 28
1:00 - 3:00 pm

Come learn how to play 
some fun card games!
 
Movie Day
'The Jungle Book'
Friday, Dec. 30
Celebrate Rudyard Kipling's birthday and watch the new Disney 'The Jungle Book!'
Craft-a-Collage
Every Thursday

We will provide the magazines, glue, scissors, and crayons, you supply the ideas and creativity! Drop in any time on Thursdays to cut, paste, and craft a collage creation!

Crafty Wednesday
Every Wednesday

Stop by the Children's Room any time on Wednesdays to do  a special craft. This is a drop-in program that runs all day. Simply stop by the Children's Room desk to get your craft supplies, and take home a masterpiece. 
Construction Crew
Tuesdays 
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Saturdays 
10:00 am - 12 Noon

We'll bring the LEGO bricks, you bring the ideas! This is a drop-in program, so there is no need to register. Best for children over 5.

Completed Lego projects go on display in the Children's Room for a whole week. If you are in the library, stop by the Children's Room to see different Lego projects on display. 
librarynewsLibrary News

exotic_fish_aquarium.jpg
Discounted and Free Admission to Museums & Attractions

Did you know? The library offers passes to a variety of area museums and attractions! 
 
Locations include:
Old Sturbridge Village
Ecotarium
Salem Witch Museum 
Mystic Aquarium
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Tower Hill Botanic Gardens
Worcester Art Museum
Fruitlands Museum
USS Constitution Museum
Massachusetts ParksPass
AJ Petro Pool (seasonal)
 
See  our website for details.
Thank you to the Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library for sponsoring this program!
Stargaze with our Telescope!

The library now has a telescope which can be checked out and taken home - just like a book. Use it to spend a night stargazing in your own back yard! Who knows what you will see?


Instructions and tips on what to look for are included. Must be checked out by an adult 18 or older. 
Please ask at the desk for more details!

Library eBooks

Looking for free eBooks? Look no further than the library! You can download FREE ebooks to your computer or device, as well as digital audiobooks.

To browse our main collection, click here. On your device, download the Overdrive app to get started.

We also now have some new collections, thanks to a statewide eBook project, Commonwealth Collections. Axis 360 provides more popular options, similar to Overdrive. Biblioboard is great for homework and research, and also has a great collection of 'For Dummies' titles available.

If you have questions or are having trouble, please ask us! Drop by, call, or email!

Credit cards update

Due to a change in 
C/W Mars policy, we can no longer accept credit cards over the desk as payment for overdue fees 
and/or lost books. 
If you wish to pay your fines by credit card, you may do so by logging into your  online account.
All in-person transactions must be cash or personal check. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please ask us at the Information Desk if you have any questions.

student_help.jpg
Book a Librarian!

You can now "Book a Librarian!" Contact us to schedule a personalized 
20-30 minute session.

Possible topics include:
-Help downloading eBooks
-Using your new mobile device or tablet
-Book recommendations
-Using the library catalog
-Placing holds & using your online account
-Setting up an email account
-Getting started on your research paper
-Formatting a Word document

Call 508-764-5426 or 
email  to schedule an  appointment.


Jacob Edwards Library
Upcoming Meetings

The Friends of the Library will be meeting on 
Monday, December 19
at 6:00 pm.
 
The Friends extend an invitation to all library patrons to join their group. To learn more, please visit  FOJEL's page on our website.
______________________

  The  Board of Trustees  of the Jacob Edwards Library will next meet on Tuesday, December 20th at Noon 
in the Mills Room. 
 
All meetings are open to the public.
We hope to see you at the library soon!
Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

The Jacob Edwards Library Staff
Programs at Jacob Edwards Library may be recorded for Southbridge Public Access TV 
and/or photographed for promotional purposes.

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