Library News
Jacob Edwards Library
Victorian Holidays Book Art
December, 2021

Holiday Greetings!

Library hours:
Monday and Thursday
9 am - 8 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday
and Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9 am - 1 pm

The library is closed on December 23rd (half day) and 24th



Book art by: Michelle Garcia, Debbie Gendreau and April Denault.

The staff invites the community to stop by and view the Victorian Holiday scene made from discarded books. Perhaps a backdrop for a selfie for Instagram?


Curbside Pickup Available during library hours

  • Curbside pickup service continues. Patrons may request items by calling the Library at 508-764-5426, or by placing holds in their personal library account. 
  • The Library of Things collection including the telescope is now available to borrow. There is a display of some of the available items in the main hall.

Items may be returned only through the book drop at the rear of the building, due to challenges posed for safe materials handling.

  • No donations can be accepted during the pandemic, due to the challenges posed for safe materials handling.


Masks are required in all municipal buildings effective
September 22nd. Social distancing is practiced.
 
News and Announcements
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Knitwear Tree

Thanks to the JEL Knitting Group, we are accepting donations of hats, scarves, and mittens. Hand-made or store-bought are both accepted! Donations will go to the New-Hope and St. Luke's Guest House for distribution. Please bring donations to the Information Desk.

Items appreciated:

  • Gloves
  • Mittens
  • Hats
  • Scarves
  • Slippers


Book a Librarian!


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

Call 508-764-5426  
to schedule an appointment, or email
refjel@cwmars.org

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
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Don't forget to
RETURN LIBRARY MATERIALS PLEASE
ONLINE Newspaper Subscription
The library has a subscription to the online edition of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette
(as well as other newspapers through Newsbank).
You will need your library card to access the newspaper.

Libby App


Get the
to connect to a vast array of digital material
Digital Library - With your library card you can access eAudio and eBooks without leaving your home! Get started with Libby now.
CWMARS has added over 3,000 eMagazines
now available through OverDrive Collection and the Libby mobile app.
Magazine titles are **always available**, there are never any holds or waiting!
The ten most popular magazine titles, based on current checkouts include:
  1. The Economist
  2. US Weekly
  3. The New Yorker
  4. HGTV
  5. Cook's Illustrated
  6. Women's World
  7. National Geographic
  8. Clean Eating
  9. Good Housekeeping
  10. Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Need help? Please ask one of the staff or call 508-764-5426
Featured Database:
Consumer Reports



The Jacob Edwards Library subscribes to more than 50 online databases which can help you with everything from schoolwork, finding up-to-date health information, to learning a new language, or preparing for your driving test. Check them out here
Consumer Reports








Consumer Reports database allows one to search and browse product reviews, ratings, recommendations, videos, and much more from one of the most trusted resources for information and advice on consumer products
Gingerbread House


Gingerbread Houses
December Exhibit

Featuring the talent of the younger children in the community


The Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library generously sponsor the annual gingerbread house making workshop for those 12 years old and under. It is one of the very few programs that requires prior registration (to ensure enough kits are available).

The Children's Room staff have also made some pretty creations that will be offered as door prizes during Gracie Day's concert on Thursday, December 2nd.
December Staff Picks

"On the night of her high school graduation, Richelle Bach's father gives her and her identical twin sister, Michelle, matching opal necklaces. "These opals look identical," he tells them, "but the fire inside each is completely unique--just like the two of you." Indeed, the two sisters couldn't be more different, and their paths diverge as they embark on adulthood. Years pass, until--at their father's behest--they both come home for Christmas. What happens then forever damages their relationship, and Richelle vows never to see or speak to her sister again. In their father's last days, he asks Richelle to forgive Michelle, a deathbed promise she never fulfills as her twin is killed in an accident. Now, painfully alone and broken, caring for the sickest of children in a hospital PICU, Richelle has one last dream: to be an author. The plot of her book, The Prodigal Daughter, is a story based on her sister's life. It's not until she meets Justin Ek, a man who harbors his own loss, that a secret promise is revealed, and Richelle learns that the story she's writing is not about her sister, but about herself."

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host a performance by well-known singer
/songwriter Gracie Day. The show will take place on Thursday, December 2nd at 6:30 pm in the Reading Room.
All welcome!


There will be a door prize of gingerbread houses created by the Children's Room staff.

Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.




Gracie Day released her first EP in November of 2017 and quickly won attention for her songwriting, singing and performances, achieving "Best New Act" in 2017 and "Best in State for CT" in 2018 at the New England Music Awards, an organization that acknowledges musical acts throughout all six states. Also, in 2018, Day was a semi-finalist in the international Unsigned Only Songwriting Contest, and nominated in the prestigious Boston Music Awards. Gracie Day’s new EP “The Nashville Sessions” was released in December 2019 . Gracie is currently recording her first full-length album.
International touring guitarist Aaron Larget-Caplan returns to the Jacob Edwards Library on Thursday December 9 at 6:30pm for a free concert funded by a grant from the Southbridge Cultural Council.
Mr. Larget-Caplan, a one-time resident of Southbridge, will perform virtuoso guitar work by J.S. Bach, Spanish masters, and music from his latest solo album ‘A Guitar Holiday’. It will also include the world premiere of a new composition written for Aaron by American composer Tom Nazziola. Rescheduled from May 2020, due to Covid-19, the performance will be a celebration of life.
 
The concert is free and will be approximately 1hr in length. For question, please contact Jacob Edwards Library at (508) 764-5426.

Sponsored by Southbridge Cultural Council and Mass Cultural Council.




Ted Flanagan is a Paramedic and former daily newspaper reporter from central Massachusetts whose writing has appeared on Shotgun Honey and Cognoscenti, among other places. In addition, he served as a Recon Marine with 2nd Recon Battalion. He lives with his wife and kids outside of Worcester, Mass.


The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to present a book talk and signing with debut author Ted Flanagan.

The event will be held on Thursday, December 16th, at 6:30 pm. This is a free program and all are welcome.

"Every Hidden Thing" - Big city politics, nasty secrets, a dirty cop, and a deranged sociopath set the stage for a riveting journey deep into the urban jungle.

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Worcester Telegram and Gazette
is now available to read online
With your library card, you can have free access to HOMEWORK HELP!
Get assistance with creative writing.
FREE access with your library card!
Job Help!
FREE access with your library card!
Knitting

The hand craft group Knitting with Sonya meets at the Jacob Edwards Library each Tuesday morning from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Reading Room.
All welcome!
SouthbridgeChess Club
Saturday mornings, at 9:30 am










Chess instructor Ben Marinelli will be presenting his program on Saturdays at 9:30 am. 
Join us for a fun informal event. All welcome!

In the meantime, there are two chess sets ready for drop-in chess game!
December 2021
Monday and Thursday 9 am - 8 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9 am - 1 pm

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Story Time
Monday, December 13, 2021
at 6:30pm to welcome Mrs. Claus



Join us to celebrate the season with a story and craft with Mrs. Claus


 School Vacation Fun!
 Thursday December 30, 2021 at 1:00 pm

Join us for a special interactive performance, The Ecology of Sound with Ricardo Frota. The Ecology of Sound is a highly entertaining and interactive musical experience with indigenous sounds from the Amazon Rain Forest.

Ricardo is a Brazilian born multi-instrumentalist and musician. Ricardo performs engaging multicultural music with interactive playing and singing, combining traditional rhythm instruments with instruments made from recycled and natural found objects. through his programs he seeks to convey an appreciation for nature's beauty, to encourage children to experience new possibilities in sound making, and to promote recycling.

Sponsored by Southbridge Cultural Council
Gingerbread House
Gingerbread House Workshop
Registration Required


Gingerbread House Workshop event is back this year! 
We will be hosting some workshops. The November session was a big success!
Join us and create your own masterpiece!
All materials will be provided - just bring your creativity!

See you on Saturday December 4 at 10:30 am Registration required.


Sponsored by Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library.

CRAFTY WEDNESDAY
All Day

JOIN US ANYTIME FROM 9 TO 5
& CREATE A SPECIAL CRAFT

In Person Storytime with Ms. Liz


Wednesdays & Fridays at 10:30 am
Wednesday Storytime will also be broadcast live on Facebook
Lego Club


Tuesdays
3:30 pm-4:30 pm

Saturdays
10:30 am-11:30 am
Monday Night
STEAM Club

Join us on Monday evenings at
6:30 pm for STEAM Club! Activities include art, playdough, puzzles, building circuits, kinetic sand, tinkering and much more!



Tinkering Thursday

Join us on Thursday afternoons from
4:00 pm-5:00 pm

What is Tinkering?
"to take things apart, put things together, figure out how things work, and attempt to build and make creations using tools."




Board of Trustees Meeting


The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at noon, in the Pioppi Room

Details will be available on the Town of Southbridge website, under Public Meetings Calendar, for all public meetings.

All meetings are open to the public.
Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library
Meetings Postponed

No book donations can be accepted
at this time.

Many thanks to the volunteers that have decorated the community for the holidays. The dioramas, the wreaths and the greens are beautiful!

We look forward to seeing you at the library! Wishing all our patrons a wonderful festive season!


508.764.5426
jelibrary@cwmars.org
Jacob Edwards Library | Website